News by Raheem Soto
News by Raheem Soto on South Shore Press
Kiely and Schiavoni Vie for Open Assembly Seat
In a decisive moment for New York's 1st Assembly district, a longstanding political figure, Fred Thiele, announces his retirement after 45 years of dedicated service, leaving an open seat in the state Assembly. The district encompasses Shelter Bay, East Hampton, Southold, and portions of Southampton and Brookhaven, including The Hamptons and Montauk.
Brookhaven Town Board Approves Accessory Apartment Review Process
Brookhaven Town Board has given the green light to code amendments to simplify the Accessory Apartment application process. The changes are designed to streamline the issuance of licenses within the Building Division.
Brookhaven Board's Salary Adjustment Sparks Community Discourse
Supervisor Daniel Panico revealed the decision as part of a broader fiscal strategy, which involved the dissolution of the planning board and accessory apartment review board. The move is projected to yield a net annual savings of approximately $30,000 for Brookhaven. However, the decision was not solely about financial reorganization. Panico articulated that he proposed raising town board salaries due to an expanded scope of responsibilities. The board will now undertake tasks traditionally handled by the planning board, including rigorous reviews of site plans for housing, commercial, and industrial projects. This encompasses considerations such as building heights, parking lots, signs, and lighting fixtures.
Smithtown Councilwoman Lisa Inzerillo Addresses Key Town Issues
In a recent interview with Smithtown Councilwoman Lisa Inzerillo, several crucial topics were discussed, shedding light on the town's current priorities and challenges. Inzerillo provided insights into the town board's approach to maintaining stable taxes, addressing environmental concerns, and ensuring Smithtown residents' overall quality of life.
MMS Library's Transparency Troubles Trigger Community Concerns
As the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library gears up for its annual budget vote and trustee election on April 2, criticisms mount over the limited time granted to the public for budget review, especially with the library already exceeding its original allocation by over $6 million. The decision to use paper ballots due to the presidential primary on the same day raises questions about the library's financial planning and management.
Capitol Riot Resentencing: Appeals Court Challenges Trial Judge's Sentence Range
In a groundbreaking development, a federal appeals court panel has ordered the resentencing of a Jan. 6 rioter, challenging the trial judge's decision on the grounds of a more extended sentence range. The panel of three judges took a firm stance, asserting that the individual's actions during the U.S. Capitol breach did not constitute a "substantial interference with the administration of justice." This decision potentially opens the door for a wave of other convicted rioters to seek resentencing on the same grounds.
Supreme Court Upholds Trump's Candidacy for 2024 Election
In a defining moment that echoes through the corridors of power, the Supreme Court has handed down a decisive ruling, reshaping the narrative around former President Donald Trump's eligibility for the 2024 election. This impactful victory, wrapped in constitutional intricacies, underscores Trump's lasting influence and establishes critical precedents that ripple through legal and political realms.
Congress' Short-Term Funding Extension: A Stopgap Solution Amidst Ongoing Dysfunction
In a display of perennial dysfunction, Congress has again resorted to a short-term funding extension to avert an imminent government shutdown. The Senate's 77-13 vote, following the House's 320-99 approval, paints a picture of reprieve rather than sustainable governance as the nation teeters on the brink of financial instability.
Protest Turns Tragic: U.S. Air Force Member Succumbs to Flames
In a heart-wrenching incident outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., a U.S. Air Force member, identified as 25-year-old Aaron Bushnell from San Antonio, Texas, lost his life one day after setting himself on fire. The act, caught on a livestream, appeared to be a desperate protest against Israel's military offensive in Gaza.
Supreme Showdown: High Court Defends Free Speech in Social Media Battle
In a fiery session last week, the Supreme Court delved into the constitutional implications of state-imposed limitations on content moderation by major social media platforms, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube. Texas Solicitor General Aaron Nielson passionately defended the Lone Star State's position, drawing striking parallels between social media platforms and the historical significance of telegraphs.
Major Fraud Unearthed
New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli announced a significant breakthrough in a major fraud case involving Cindy Tappe, the former Director of Finance and Administration for New York University's Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and Transformation of Schools (Metro Center). Tappe, 57, has pleaded guilty to orchestrating an approximately $3.5 million fraud over six years.
Is Governor Hochul's Plan Up to the Task?
Governor Kathy Hochul's unveiling of the New York State Cybersecurity Grant Plan, geared to strengthen the state's cyber defenses, has stirred hope and skepticism. With nearly $6 million allocated through the federal State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program, the plan aims to fortify local governments against escalating cyber threats. However, as cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure surge, questions about the plan's adequacy and overall effectiveness are emerging.
Stony Brook University's Research Initiatives Get a Boost with Federal Funding
Stony Brook University is poised to embark on a series of groundbreaking research initiatives fueled by an additional $1,473,339 in federal funding secured through research grants. This latest allocation brings the total amount received since January 2023 to an impressive $16,480,585, laying the foundation for impactful projects that could potentially transform the academic landscape and the local community.
U.S. Vetoes U.N. Cease-Fire Resolution Amidst Gaza Crisis
In a pivotal moment at the United Nations Security Council, the United States cast a controversial veto against an Arab-backed resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. The move, which marks the third U.S. veto of such resolutions, has ignited a global debate over the diplomatic response to a crisis that has claimed approximately 1,200 lives and left 250 individuals hostage since it began on October 7.
Ukraine Enters the Third Year of War: Balancing Act with Western Support
As Ukraine enters its third year of conflict, the battleground extends far beyond its borders, intertwining with the complex tapestry of global geopolitics. Beyond the physical skirmishes on Ukrainian soil, the war's trajectory is increasingly shaped in Western capitals and diplomatic corridors. The resilience of Ukrainian forces, grappling with ammunition shortages and strategic setbacks, now hinges heavily on the support it garners from the Western world.
Capital One's $35.3 Billion Gamble on Discover
In the intricate dance of finance and technology, Capital One has unveiled a masterstroke, a $35.3 billion acquisition of Discover Financial, a bold move echoing through the corridors of Wall Street and rippling across the landscape of digital payments. If successful, this monumental deal would not only position Capital One as the largest credit card company by loans, surpassing even JPMorgan, but it would also secure its spot as the third-largest by purchase volume.
Vaccine Safety Scrutinized: A Call for Transparency and Accountability in America
In a pivotal hearing titled "Assessing America's Vaccine Safety Systems, Part 1," the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic highlighted critical deficiencies in the nation's vaccine safety reporting and injury compensation systems post-COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Representatives from key government agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), testified, revealing alarming gaps in the existing systems and sparking urgent calls for reform.
Navigating Legal Waters: Trump's Legal Landscape Ahead of Potential 2024 Rematch with Biden
In the aftermath of Donald J. Trump's presidency, a significant subplot has emerged - a complex web of legal challenges that could shape the narrative of his post-presidential life. The Federal January 6 Case is at the forefront, a high-stakes inquiry into Trump's alleged endeavors to overturn the 2020 election and the subsequent Capitol riot. Special counsel Jack Smith has spearheaded this federal investigation, resulting in Trump's indictment on four charges, including conspiracy and obstruction. As this case inches closer to trial, the legal spotlight on Trump intensifies.
Romance or Recusal? Controversial Testimonies Cast Doubt on DA Fani Willis' Trump Indictment
A disqualification hearing has taken an unexpected turn in the unfolding legal drama surrounding Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and her pursuit of charges against former President Donald Trump. Judge Scott McAfee is now grappling with the intricate details of a case that accuses Trump and his allies of trying to overturn Georgia's 2020 election results, complicated by allegations of a romantic entanglement between Willis and her special prosecutor, Nathan Wade.
Dollars and Chips: The Controversial Move Behind Biden's Tech Investment
The Biden administration's recent announcement of a $1.5 billion investment in GlobalFoundries, a semiconductor company, under the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act has raised eyebrows, prompting skepticism about the administration's efforts to bolster domestic chip production. The move marks the third direct financial support for a semiconductor company. It forms part of the broader initiative allocating over $52 billion to rejuvenate computer chip manufacturing in the United States.
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The King is Back in the South Shore Press
The legendary Long Island journalist Karl Grossman’s latest column.
Don't Expect Bregman to Pay Off
This week, one of the bigger names in the free agency cycle signed with the Chicago Cubs, and fantasy managers everywhere sighed. Usually, anyone heading to Wrigley Field is viewed as a positive, but for Alex Bregman, more information has emerged suggesting this move could spell trouble for his fantasy outlook. Bregman is a right-handed pull hitter who previously played in two of the more favorable home parks for that profile in Houston and Boston. Both parks feature short left-field dimensions that reward pulled fly balls and help inflate power numbers.
Futures Bettors Will Be Smiling
The College Football Championship is set, and it pits two of the more unlikely teams against each other. Indiana may have the largest living alumni base in the country, with more than 800,000 graduates, but few expected the Hoosiers to reach this stage. They feature zero five-star recruits and have instead relied on depth, discipline, and consistency while dominating all season long.