ADVERTISE
YOUR
BUSINESS
HERE
Email publisher@ messengerpapers.com
Thursday, August 13, 2026 ~ Volume 71 ~ Issue Number 43 ~ $1.00
Officials Look to Combat Medicaid Fraud By Matt Meduri Senator Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue) has three specialties in his capacity as a New York State Senator: advocating for crime victims, railing against the MTA, and regularly discussing his grievances with New York’s Medicaid system. Murray told The Messenger last month in our “good, bad, ugly” review of this year’s State Budget that New York offers the “Cadillac” of Medicaid services that allows for virtually any services - medically necessary or not - to be covered under Medicaid, that out-of-state patients are treated, and that the State’s error rate is substantially higher than the federal government’s benchmark. Murray was joined by Senators Mario Mattera (R-St. James), Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk), Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R-Medford), Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R), and Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) in Hauppauge last Thursday to unveil a pair of bills he’ll be pitching in Albany next session. The first bill would “formally designate the New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG) as the official clearinghouse for Medicaid fraud tips at 1-877-87-FRAUD and establish, in statute, a standardized process for how those tips are received, evaluated, and investigated,” according to Senator Murray’s office. Continued on page 5
Senator Murray (R-East Patchogue) is the main sponsor of two bills to rein in Medicaid fraud. (Credit - Matt Meduri)
Hauppauge F.D. Whips Support in BESS Facility Fight By Matt Meduri In December 2024, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) and developer Key Capture Energy approved a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Facility for 220 Rabro Drive in Hauppauge. Immediately, the proposal drew near-universal opposition that resulted in the Islip Town Board passing three back-to-back, six-month moratoria against BESS facilities to evaluate the nascent technology. In September 2025, the Board voted again for a twelve-month moratorium on any such facilities from being developed within the Town of Islip. That moratorium expires next month, but perhaps the staunchest critic of these sites, the Hauppauge Fire Department, has not relented on their campaign. Continued on page 10
The proposed site (red pin) of the BESS Facility in Hauppauge (Credit - Google Maps, Airbus Maxar Technologies 2026)
FULL STORIES ON:
Dem Candidate Quits Clerk’s Race Page 4
Bergin’s Brief Page 15
Brentwood Coach Steps Down Page 22
2
Messenger Papers Thursday, August 13, 2026
Messenger Papers Papers Inc. Inc.
SUMMER EVENTS Sayville Farmers Market at the Islip Grange: Every Saturday until November, 9:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. Port Jefferson Farmers Market: Every Sunday until November, 9:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.
Just a Hike (Serpentine): Sunday, September 13, 9:45a.m. to 12:45p.m. at Caumsett State Park.
Islip Farmers Market at Town Hall: Every Saturday, 7:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. Suffolk County Farmers Market at the H. Lee Dennison Building: Thursdays through October 1, 10:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. Tiny Tots – “Nature Discoveries”: Every Thursday, 10:30a.m. to 11:30a.m. through September at Nissequogue River State Park Annual Snapper and Crab Fishing Derby: Saturday, August 15, and Sunday, August 16, 10:00a.m. to 1:00p.m. at Captree State Park
Citizen Science – Monarch Tagging (Free Adult Program): Wednesday, September 9, 9:00a.m. to 10:30a.m. at Robert Moses State Park
Fossil Finds at Connetquot River State Park: Wednesday, September 2, 10:30a.m. to 11:30a.m. Trees for You and Me at Sunken Meadow State Park: Thursday, September 3, 10:30a.m. to 11:30a.m. Bat Safari: Friday, August 14, 7:30p.m. to 9:30p.m. at Wildwood State Park Dockside Family Festival at Captree State Park: Saturday, September 12, 11:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. (rain date September 13).
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
SMITHTOWN | BROOKHAVEN | ISLIP SMITHTOWN | BROOKHAVEN | ISLIP PUBLISHER Diane Caudullo
SCAN QR
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Matt Meduri
ART PRODUCTION MANAGER Sergio A. Fabbri
ONLY Delivered $CODE TO SUBSCRIBE To Your MESSENGER A YEAR! PAPERS Door!
35
Delivered $ ONLY To Your A YEAR! Door!
CONTRIBUTORS PJ Balzer Jacob Infald Ashley Pavlakis
35
Name: ____________________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Phone: _____________________ Email ________________________________ CHOOSE ONE:
METHOD OF PAYMENT:
IN COUNTY
Credit card information:
12 Months - $35.00 24 Months - $65.00
Name: _______________________________ Card Number: ________________________ CVV: __________________
36 Months - $90.00 Name: ____________________________________________________________ OFFICE MANAGER & Signature: ______________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________ OUT OF COUNTY Feel free to call (631) 265-3500 or pay by check ACCOUNTS __________________________________________________________ 12 Months - $50.00 (Make out to Messenger Papers) Call Us Phone: _____________________ Email ________________________________ RECEIVABLE Messenger Papers, Inc. CHOOSE ONE: METHOD631-265-3500 OF PAYMENT: Cut this out P.O. Box 925 Kim Revere IN COUNTY and send to: Credit card information: Smithtown, NY 11787-0925 Expiration: _____________
12 Months - $35.00
SOCIAL MEDIA 24 Months - $65.00 JACK Creative 36 Months - $90.00 Marketing Services
In Person subscribe@messengerpapers.com
Name: _______________________________
558 Portion Rd., Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
Card Number: ________________________ CVV: __________________
Expiration: _____________ Signature: ______________________________
Box 925, NY 11787 OUT OF COUNTY Feel free toP.O. call (631) 265-3500 or paySmithtown, by check 12 Months - $50.00 Messenger Papers) DISTRIBUTION & (Make out toDisplay Advertising CIRCULATION Messenger Papers, Inc. Cut this out Publisher@MessengerPapers.com P.O. Box 925 and send to: MANAGER Smithtown, NY 11787-0925 Legal Notices & Tim Walz subscribe@messengerpapers.com
Classifieds Advertising
DELIVERY PERSONNEL PJ Balzer Joe Cuminale
Legals@MessengerPapers.com
News Tips or Leads
Editor@MessengerPapers.com
The Moloney Family
Request Your FREE Planning Tool Kit Online At
Celebrate the memories The love. The laughs. It’s every special moment. When you plan a service with us, we don’t want you to think about just a funeral or cremation. We want to create a priceless memory for your family.
MOLONEYFH.COM/PLANNINGTOOLKIT OR MAIL IN COUPON BELOW
Name
Phone
(631) 450-3913 Serving all of Long Island with locations in: Bohemia, Central Islip, Holbrook, Lake Ronkonkoma, Center Moriches, Port Jefferson Station, and Hauppauge.
Address MAIL TO: 132 RONKONKOMA AVENUE · LAKE RONKONKOMA, NEW YORK 11779 FREE PLANNING TOOL KIT. OF COURSE, THERE IS NO COST OR OBLIGATION.
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Town News Thursday, August 13, 2026
USPS No. 470440
One of the Official Newspapers for County of Suffolk, Town of Brookhaven, Town of Islip, Inc Village of Lake Grove, Middle Country School, Centereach, Selden, Middle Island, Ronkonkoma Fire Dist, and Farmingville Fire Dist. Periodicals Postage Paid at Ronkonkoma, NY and additional entries. Islip Messenger August 13, 2026 (USPS No. 470440) is published weekly for $35 per year by Messenger Papers Inc., 558 Portion Road, Suite B, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779. Periodicals postage paid at Ronkonkoma, NY and additional mailing offices.
The Islip Messenger serves Ronkonkoma, Lake Ronkonkoma, Oakdale, Holtsville, West Sayville, Sayville, Holbrook, Patchogue, Bohemia, Islandia and Islip 71 Years of Service to Our Community
3
This newspaper will not be liable for errors appearing in any advertisement beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. The opinions expressed in byline articles, letters and columns are those of the author and not necessarily those of Messenger Papers, Inc, its publishers or editors. Pictures submitted for publication remain property of the publisher. Postmaster: Send address changes to Islip Messenger, P.O. Box 925, Smithtown, NY 11787
On the Campaign Trail
4
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Democratic Candidate Quits Suffolk Clerk Race By Matt Meduri
Credit - Jon for Suffolk
Credit - Matt Meduri
Family Owned & Operated Family Owned & Family Owned & Operated Operated for Nearly 125 Years for Nearly 125 Years for Nearly 125 Years Family Owned & Operated A Family of Funeral Directors for NearlyLegacy 125 Years A Family Legacy of A Family Legacy of Funeral Funeral Directors Directors Spanning Four Generations A Family Legacy of Funeral Spanning Four Generations Spanning Four Generations Directors Spanning Four Generations Conveniently Located, Modern Facilities Conveniently Located, Modern Facilities and AmenitiesLocated, including Hudson, Conveniently Modern Facilities and Amenities including Hudson, our Certified Grief Therapy Dog and Amenities including Hudson, our Certified Grief Therapy Dog our Certified Grief Therapy Dog
Four Generations of Hope, Guidance Four Four Generations Generations & Compassion of of Hope, Hope, Guidance Guidance & Compassion & & Compassion Compassion
Let Our Family, Serve Yours. Let Our Family, Serve Yours. Let Our Family, Yours. CONVENIENT LOCATIONS: LetOUR Our Family, Serve Serve Yours. OUR CONVENIENT LOCATIONS:
Branch Funeral HomeOUR CONVENIENT Branch FuneralLOCATIONS: Home Branch Funeral Home of Branch Funeral HomeOUR CONVENIENT Branch FuneralLOCATIONS: Home Branch Commack Funeral Home of of Miller Place of Smithtown Branch Funeral Home Branch Funeral Home Branch Commack Funeral Home of of Miller Place of Smithtown Branch Funeral Home Branch Funeral Home Branch Funeral Home of of Miller Place Commack of Smithtown of Miller Place Commack of Smithtown
BRANCHFH.COM BRANCHFH.COM BRANCHFH.COM
brutal environment this November, Estreich’s electability might be elevated for having stood up to political pressure. Estreich had previously been tapped to face Senator Mario Mattera (R-St. James) in the Smithtown-Huntington-based Second State Senate District. That role now belongs to Harjot Singh (D-Dix Hills) (pictured right). Estreich asserted his candidacy on social media after returning from military service. “To quote Long Island’s own president, Teddy Roosevelt, ‘it takes more than that to kill a bull moose,” said Estreich. Portesy has run for local office before. In 2019, he vied for the Brookhaven Highway Superintendent job against the aforementioned Losquadro. He lost that race 58%-41% as one of a trio of firebrand Democrats looking to challenge the status quo in Suffolk’s largest town. He ran alongside Dom Pascual (D-Farmingville) for Tax Receiver and Will Ferraro (D-Selden) for Town Supervisor. Both also lost their races that year. There could be some weight to the theory of pressuring candidates to quit vital county-wide races. In 2025, several paper candidate Democrats who did not run active campaigns came relatively close in upsetting incumbent Republicans. In the Fourth Legislative District of the Suffolk County Legislature (LD04), which includes the Middle Country region, Legislator Nick Caracappa (C-Selden) held his seat by about 10 points over Nancy Silviero (D). Caracappa had never won any of his two full terms and his first special election with less than 60% of the vote. In LD-06, which covers the northern half of Brookhaven, freshman Legislator Chad Lennon (C-Rocky Point) won by about 13 points over the inactive candidate Kevin O’Shaughnessy (D-Middle Island). He had cruised to victory in his first election in 2023. In the Brookhaven Town Clerk’s race, Clerk Kevin LaValle (R-Port Jefferson), who won a special election for the post in early 2023, won by just under 10 points in solidlyred Brookhaven over Tricia Chiaramonte (D-Manorville), a perennial paper candidate who ran for Brookhaven Receiver of Taxes in 2023 and the Second District of the State Assembly in 2024. But the shift could also very well be emblematic of the ongoing civil war within the Suffolk Democratic Party. Rank-and-file members have been furious with long-time Chairman and Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer (D-North Babylon) (pictured left) over refusing to allow grassroots and more progressive candidates into the local brand. Another one of their grievances is cross-endorsements with the Conservative Party and not putting up a candidate against District Attorney Ray Tierny (R) in 2025. Sheriff Errol Toulon (D) faced no Republican opponent, but was cross-endorsed by the Democrats and Conservatives. Schaffer is facing a stiff internal challenge from Southold Democratic Committee Chairwoman Kathryn Casey Quigley (D-Southold). She’s pledged to tap into the progressive wings of the party that she thinks can revive the Democratic brand in Suffolk - a county where Democrats still hold a thin registration advantage over Republicans - and has pledged to end crossendorsement deals. “Since the day I started my campaign [for Suffolk Democratic Chair], I’ve been railing against backroom deals by party leaders,” said Quigley in a social media video, adding that those deals “hand seats to Republicans.” Quigley accused Schaffer of ousting Portesy and Estreich. “These candidates have been put in a horrible situation having been told they will not be supported by [their] party leadership if they run,” said Quigley. “It is time for Schaffer to step aside.” The Suffolk County Democratic Party did not respond to The Messenger’s request for comment.
Credit - harjotlaw.com
Credit - Portesy for Suffolk
Suffolk County Clerk Vincent Puleo (R-Nesconset) is running for a second full term as the central records keeper of the County. He was set to face Anthony Portesy (D-Melville) (pictured right) this year. On Monday, Portesy abruptly quit the race. Portesy told Newsday last month that he was “in it to win it” and would resign his position as Chair of the Brookhaven Democratic Party and give up his six-figure job as Deputy General Counsel at Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel if he was victorious in November. However, last week, Portesy’s job as well as dozens of political appointments at OTB were suddenly threatened. In addition, County Comptroller John Estreich (D-Dix Hills) (pictured below) was reportedly pressured to drop out of his race for the open seat against Brookhaven Highway Superintendent Dan Losquadro (R-Shoreham). Portesy has reportedly been offered a Conservative line nomination for a judgeship. The deadline to fill a vacancy on the ballot after an already-nominated candidate withdraws is August 21. Estreich remains in the race to succeed termlimited Comptroller John Kennedy (R-Nesconset). While some interpret the move as a GOP triage of their chances against what could be a
Suffolk Matters Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
5
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Continued from front cover
Officials Look to Combat Medicaid Fraud Credit - Matt Meduri Credit - Matt Meduri Credit - Matt Meduri
Senator Palumbo (pictured left), a former prosecutor, said that the bills “provide tools” to local law enforcement. He mentioned Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s (D-Great Neck Plaza) reports alleging $10 billion to $20 billion in potential Medicaid fraud in New York alone. “New York is the only state that makes counties pay for Medicaid,” said Executive Romaine (pictured middle left). “Yet, we don’t have the type of role we need to have to investigate fraud?” He invoked an ongoing Flushing scandal where Medicaid is being billed, yet the associated buildings are empty. “You want to cheat the public? You want to steal from the poor? You want to enrich yourself? We’re coming for you,” said Romaine. Suffolk D.A. Tierney said that Suffolk County paid $246 billion in State taxes, but received about $98 billion back. “We’re not making out on this deal, and we want to help solve the problem,” said Tierney, adding that his team’s partnership with the federal prosecutors of the Eastern District of New York (EDNY) has “yielded results.” One of Tierney’s first cases he brought upon becoming D.A. in 2022 was that of an owner of a Montauk taxi company and part-owner of a Ronkonkoma tax company. The owner was “falsely billing Medicaid for fake medical transportation that did not occur.” “He was just sentenced two weeks ago to eight years in prison, as well as forfeiture of $19 million for his scheme,” said Tierney. He’s working with EDNY to mount a case against the Shirley Medical Transportation Company for an alleged $35 million in fraudulent Medicaid billing. Tierney (pictured bottom left) expressed his support for these bills and said that if these bills pass, it could unlock more options and authority for municipalities to investigate and prosecute, rather than having the cases bottleneck to the Attorney General’s Office. Tierney added that the financial incentives could prompt previous whistleblowers to come forward with more evidence, or prompt those otherwise reluctant to report to bring more evidence to the State and/or municipalities.
“
“Our Medicaid program exists to help our most vulnerable residents - our seniors, people with disabilities, low-income families, and children. Every dollar stolen from the system is a dollar taken away from someone who genuinely needs care,” said DeStefano, adding that “fraudsters” have been “padding their own pockets in funding lavish lifestyles and buying luxury homes and sports cars at the expense of honest residents.” DeStefano mentioned a letter he submitted to the Attorney General’s Office urging her to investigate a Buffalo daycare center that had not filed tax returns from 2004 to 2020. He said he never received a follow-up from the Attorney General’s Office. Three months later, he sent another letter and claims to have not received a response.
Our Medicaid program exists to help our most vulnerable residents our seniors, people with disabilities, low-income families, and children. Every dollar stolen from the system is a dollar taken away from someone who genuinely needs care.
“
Under that bill, the OMIG would be required to receive and review all Medicaid fraud tips submitted through the official tipline; refer all information deemed credible to the New York Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Unit and the appropriate local District Attorney; make a determination within 30 days if the tip will be pursued; receive reports from completed investigations; and submit an annual report of the total tips received, the number of investigations initiated, and the outcomes of those investigations. The OMIG would also be required to report to the Governor, the State Attorney General, and the Majority and Minority leaders of both the State Senate and Assembly to “ensure transparency and legislative oversight.” The second bill would establish a Medicaid Fraud Tip Reward Program to “encourage individuals with documented knowledge of Medicaid fraud to come forward.” The fund would be financed through 1% of all funds recovered through Medicaid fraud investigations, seizures, and forfeitures. Guilty pleas or criminal convictions in Medicaid fraud schemes could result in financial rewards for the tippers. The bill would also require a Medicaid Fraud Tip Reward Board to “develop reward guidelines, determine eligibility, and establish minimum and maximum award amounts.” The seven-member board would meet semi-annually to review qualifying cases and would be composed of two appointments from the Governor’s office, one appointment from the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, and one appointment each from the party leaders in the Senate and Assembly. “This year, New York will spend roughly $124 billion on Medicaid. That is more than most states’ entire budgets,” said Murray. “That’s 77% higher than the national average. New York spends $4,942 per resident. In second place is Kentucky, which is almost $1,000 per person less.” He added that Texas and Florida, both with “millions of more residents” than New York, only spent $1,579 per resident and $1,536 per resident, respectively. “The bigger the system, the more ripe it is for fraud.” Murray cited an Empire Center report that found that over the six-year period since 2020, New York ranked forty-ninth out of all fifty states plus the District of Columbia for investigations per billion of Medicaid dollars spent. New York ranked fifty-first for convictions per billion spent. “We [New York State] spend $124 billion. In 2020, they recovered $181 million, and in 2025, they recovered $110 million. That is less than a fraction of a percent of what we’re spending,” said Murray. “We’re leaving the money in the pockets of the fraudsters.” Murray also criticized Attorney General Letitia James’ (D-Clinton Hill) “grabbing” of the headlines and leaving certain cases “on the table.” He added that even though the federal and state governments split the Medicaid bill 50-50, the state government then splits their half and puts the remaining 25% on the municipalities. According to the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, a division of the Attorney General’s Office, 69 of the 115 convictions were “high-impact convictions.” Assemblyman Joe DeStefano called the problem “waste, fraud, and abuse in its worst form.”
Assemblyman Joe DeStefano
6
Editorial Thursday, August 13, 2026
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
The Primary Problems Facing Both Parties
The 2026 primary season has perhaps been more eventful than most onlookers expected. As of press time, ten incumbent House members have lost their primaries. That’s the highest such number outside of a redistricting year since 1970. Those races have ranged from two establishment Democrats in New York City, an entrenched, since-the-90s incumbent in Denver, a relatively new face in Detroit, and a classic Connecticut congressman. Two Texas Democrats lost their primaries, but those were more due to the Republicans’ mid-decade redistricting ploy than they were to national moods. On the GOP’s side, Congressman Dan Crenshaw (R, TX-02), not-so-lovingly dubbed “Eyepatch McCain” by the populist right, was the first to go down to a challenger in his Greater Houston seat. He was followed by Thomas Massie (R, KY-04) in northern Kentucky and the embattled Congressman Andy Ogles (R, TN-05) in Nashville. Only two Republican Senators have lost their primaries: Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and John Cornyn (R-TX). Some members have been able to parry spirited attempts, but their survivorship shouldn’t be seen as a roadmap for the rest of the parties’ respective establishments. It’s all part of a broader trend: incumbency is appearing to be more and more of a drag than the baked-in advantage it classically was. Granted, the vast majority of incumbents on both sides have been renominated, but the uptick cannot be ignored, especially when voters view their parties negatively - Democrats are at -17.1 and Republicans at -16.6. In other words, both are seriously underwater and more or less on equally poor footing. Voters continue to feel dejected by empty promises and more of the same from both parties. Democrats who thought Obama or Biden would be populist answers to a country reeling from a military industrial complex and crony capitalism were despondent to see no such progress made. Donald Trump (RFL), on the other hand, reneged on many of his core promises in the most staggering and unbelievable way. Voters’ appetites for third parties have never been more insatiable, but given that uphill challenge, it’s much easier to overthrow a tried-and-true member of Congress. In the classic America, those incumbents would be the no-brainers to send back to Washington. Now, they’re seen as everything wrong with Washington. Some of these victories were predictable; others came out of nowhere. That type of political unpredictability means, we think, the political playbook is being rewritten in ways not thought possible just a decade ago. But now, both parties are seeing the same issue: extreme candidates on both sides who might not necessarily represent their base as a whole, but are certainly interesting choices that could sway the middle in unthinkable directions. Abdul El-Sayed (D-MI), who some on the right believe is an “Islamist,” is the nominee for the Michigan Senate race this year, while Ed Gallrein (R-KY) unseated a long-popular incumbent in Tom Massie due to tens of millions of dollars poured in from outside spending - the very problem with which Donald Trump’s rise in 2016 was equated. The stalwarts of both parties appear unwilling to relent that their side isn’t “the good guys.” Rather, many voters, especially younger ones, are finding no sympathy for either of them. In our research and talks on the street, we find it’s
mostly the older voters who believe that the current system is working in favor of the nation overall. And objectively, Congress has been a giant uniparty for decades and virtually every incentive to keep them accountable to their representatives has been removed or flagrantly ignored without repercussions. There are still fine representatives in Congress, but those members have little to no oxygen in the room as the pitchforks have already been sharpened and the torches lit. Our take: both parties are equally to blame for the rise against the hegemonies we’re seeing now. Decades of empty promises, out-of-control spending, endless foreign wars, and no attention to the issues of the homefront have made both sides completely irredeemable in the eyes of the electorate. Populist or even progressive Democrats can’t identify with their party because all they see is cheap identity politics and lame pandering to the youth. Populist and some MAGA Republicans can’t identify with their party because they voted for Trump expecting transparency and an overhaul of the system, only to be greeted by George Bush 2.0. When Biden came in, Democrats expected student loan forgiveness and a push for bulkier social programs. When Trump triumphantly returned to Washington against all odds, Republicans expected the lids to be blown off every conceivable grievance. Neither of these things happened, and it’s mainly because of the donor class, foreign lobbies, and special interests who have captured the legislature and every regulatory agency meant to check the federal government. The parties are difficult to hold to account because of the institutional bulkheads they have protecting them, but the voters over the years, we think, bear some responsibility too. Getting wrapped in red herring culture wars and a tit-for-tat style of governing has only made the ruling class more keen to maintain business as usual and laugh all the way to the bank. We’ve said previously: don’t blame your fellow American. Almost all of them have gotten fooled by the tasteless media ads, at best, and obvious, downright propaganda, at worst. Many voters are waking up, but those who still stand for their party unequivocally and truly believe it’s a “good guy, bad guy” scenario are petrified of the ramifications. Republican voters can’t be mad at Democratic voters for racing to the left to elect Socialists, or even self-avowed Communists in some cases, when the Republican hegemony remains hopelessly addicted to war. And Democratic voters can’t be mad at Republican voters for going with fringe candidates because the Democratic hegemony pretends to not understand why their own base resents them - turns out, solely “standing up to Trump” isn’t a platform. There’s a major difference, however: Democrats have been far more successful in ousting their useless leaders this year than Republicans have been. The 2028 election is now a rat race for which party at-large wakes up first. But the future of the country is a rat race for which Americans realize that the vast majority of politicians on both sides aren’t politicians, lawmakers, or intellectuals. They’re actors.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA @MESSENGERPAPERS
Op-Ed Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Hochul Must Remove Chemicals from Food
7
By Jensen Jose Six years ago, my oldest child was not even a year old when I testified before the FDA about a little-known issue: the unreasonable levels of toxic heavy metals hiding in baby food and infant formula. At the time, the FDA was taking public comments as the agency began its Closer to Zero initiative, geared toward lowering the levels of toxic heavy metals in baby foods. Unfortunately, the FDA did not initiate this program on its own. The move was a response to two congressional reports revealing dangerously high toxin levels in baby food under the agency’s watch. Without most families ever knowing, some of the biggest baby food companies were selling heavily contaminated products and devising testing protocols that systematically underestimate how much of these metals end up in the foods parents feed their infants. My second child is now entering preschool, but when those reports first came out at the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic, I had no way of knowing whether the formula I was buying for my babies contained unacceptable levels of these toxins. I stood in line for hours just to purchase baby food and formula for my children, knowing I had no idea if their food was actually safe. That fear shouldn’t be thought of as a normal part of parenting, but for too many families, it still is. Most New Yorkers assume the items on their grocery shelves and school meals are safe, and for good reason: the FDA is supposed to protect the food supply and establish guardrails against products that can cause cancer, neurobehavioral issues, or reproductive harm. The truth is that many processed foods today contain thousands of chemicals and contaminants that the agency and parents just do not know about. New York now has a chance to do what Washington won’t.
Sitting on Governor Hochul’s desk are two bills that will get dangerous chemicals out of our food, give families the transparency they deserve, and protect public health: the Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act and the Baby Food and Infant Formula Safety and Transparency Act. Both are necessary steps toward transparency: the first will ban harmful additives Red No. 3, propylparaben, and potassium bromate and require manufacturers to disclose the chemicals used in their products. The latter will mandate testing of baby food and infant formula for toxic heavy metals - cadmium, arsenic, lead, and mercury - and require those results to be made public, something that is not required under federal law. Even low levels of these contaminants can cause irreversible brain damage or other serious harm in babies and young children, with effects that last a lifetime. Whether they’re picking out baby formula or simply doing the weekly grocery run, no parent should have to worry that they’re unknowingly feeding their children poison. While the FDA may have failed to protect my kids, it’s not too late for Albany to fill the gap our federal food safety net has left behind. The Legislature has already taken the crucial step, passing both bills. Now only Hochul’s signature stands between New Yorkers and better food. It’s time for the governor to sign this landmark package into law and make New York a national model for food safety and transparency. Jensen Jose is senior regulatory counsel at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, which pushes government and industry to make transparent, science-based decisions in service of a safer food environment. This op-ed was originally published in The New York Daily News.
Signs That a Significant Disruption Is Coming By Ed Eisenstein For the past 30 years, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) attacks on American infrastructure have been noted and recognized as a dangerous vulnerability. Now, in 2026, America is experiencing attacks on its water systems by hackers from foreign nations. Generations of leaders have been warned that such attacks are imminent and must be fixed. Decades of warnings and recommendations were tabled. Top exercises and training sessions have been provided to—please, for the love of God — fix these vulnerabilities. Leaders who do not care to know about technology and have ignored those warnings are the cause of a significant infrastructure problem in the United States. People who called themselves leaders have put their friends instead of qualified individuals in significant positions to manage those systems Even in my particular case, they replaced me with a leader who had absolutely no idea about technology and, over the last several years, has reinvited vulnerability back into that very network I spent eight years securing These morons and wisenheimers think they know better by saying this technology issue is not a priority. Yet, year after year, our senior citizens are taken out just as hard as our
American infrastructure by foreign hackers who laugh at us. Based on the trajectory of these types of attacks, both on core American infrastructure as well as its citizens, without any protection by the federal government, are a clear roadway to significant fallout in the near future. In other, more sophisticated countries, there are federal firewalls that citizens need to adhere to when they go online. In the United States, we feel that’s an invasion of privacy and, therefore, leave the door wide open for everyone to fend for themselves. It may very well be too late at this point to stop what I perceive is coming: a multilevel cyberattack on both the core American infrastructure, the financial system, and citizens simultaneously. Such an attack will be followed by either a chemical or physical attack by a combination of foreign nations that have teamed up against the United States. The newly formed Department of War is important for this country, although a larger emphasis on cyber protection needs to be discussed and implemented. Ed Eisenstein is the chief executive officer of United Network Associates, Inc., a provider of cybersecurity and cloud services based in Farmingdale. This op-ed originally appeared in Long Island Life & Politics. For more from LILP, visit them online at lilifepolitics.com.
– Letters to the Editor – Rubio Anti-ICC? Dear Editor, Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s recent plans to dismantle the International Criminal Court “brick by brick” piqued my interest, because it came on the heels of his return from the Philippines. The Philippines houses our rotating forces on their islands. Therefore, the concerns of the politics of that country should concern us as well. It is a democracy that elected the son of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos. This was after the reign of terror brought on by Rodrigo Duarte. He is currently under arrest in The Hague home of the International Criminal Court. Current president Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. allowed the arrest to take place. This caused some friction between him and his vice president Sara Duterte Rodrigos’
daughter. Death threats have been exchanged because democratically elected Marcos Jr. agreed with ICC charges that Duarte participated in extrajudicial killings. He was elected to heal those wounds his predecessor caused. Now, this is why I find it amusing that after having left that country, Rubio now thinks ICC should be done away with. Did a dictator’s daughter whisper in his ear. Free my dad by delegitimizing the ICC that is holding him for trial? This President has a pattern of siding with dictators over democracy. Is this another example? We shall see. Will a jailbird go free? Respectfully submitted, Jamie Hanja Lake Grove
Where are the Marching Bands? Dear Editor, It was the Fourth of July, America observed its 250th anniversary as a nation. Throughout this great country, 76 trombones led the big parade, everywhere that is except for Smithtown. Decorated Veterans in their 70s and 80s marched in the 90-plus-degree heat. Fire trucks honked their horns and flag waving children wondered, “Where are the high school bands?” They were missing, why? Because the school year was over. What a lame excuse! Football teams practice in August, wrestling teams compete during holiday breaks. But the Smithtown school district’s bands were not available on the 4th of July? This is inexcusable!
A few years back, our School Board expanded the elementary music programs so children could begin learning instruments in 4th grade. The rationale was that it would make for better music programs, when in reality it just created more teaching jobs! In a community where folks struggle to pay ever increasing school taxes, the citizens are denied the joys of an American tradition because teachers were not available! Where is the leadership? In a word, this is pure poppycock! Norm Allen Smithtown
On the Campaign Trail
8
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Primaries: Socialists, MyPillow, and Another Incumbent Loss By Matt Meduri We’re isolating Tuesday’s national primaries yet again this week as many were chock-full of national significance and were emblematic of current political trends that will likely chart the course of the immediate post-Trump era. Wisconsin
Connecticut
Governor Ned Lamont (D) is seeking a third term. He narrowly won the open seat in 2018 - had Trump not nationalized the race, the GOP probably could have flipped it then. He was easily re-elected in 2022 and now faces State Senator Ryan Fazio (R). Interestingly, New York’s former Lieutenant Governor, Betsy McCaughey (R), was eliminated in the state convention. She served under Governor George Pataki (R-Elmira) from 1995 to 1998. No Republican has been elected governor of Connecticut since 2006. The Messenger’s forecast: Likely Democratic. The big result, however, from the Constitution State was that in CT-01, a deep-blue district that contains the capital city of Hartford. Congressman John Larson (D) (pictured above left), who was elected in 1998, was massively unseated in this primary that flew under the radar with bigger stakes in Michigan last week and Wisconsin this week. Larson hadn’t faced serious challengers since his first election almost 30 years ago. The East Hartford Democrat, 78, has rejected calls to retire over his age and a partial seizure he suffered on the House floor last February. He was soundly defeated by former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin (D) by over 20 points. It is emblematic of a primary season that is shaping up to be historically poor for incumbents at a time when both parties are obviously
South Carolina Senator Darline Graham Nordone (R) advanced in a special primary runoff over Congressman Ralph Norman (R, SC05). She was appointed to the seat last month after the sudden death of her brother, Senator Lindsey Graham (R). Norman ran for governor of South Carolina and lost that primary and quickly pivoted to the Senate race. Nordone leads with 38% of the vote in a ten-candidate field to Norman’s 25%. That field included former Governor and Congressman Mark Sanford (R), an early Trump foe who briefly ran a long-shot primary bid against Trump in 2020. Sanford came in fourth place with 15% of the statewide vote. The Messenger’s forecast: Likely Republican. Alabama Delayed primaries were held on Tuesday as the Yellowhammer State’s map was redrawn following middecade redistricting after the Callais v. Louisiana decision changed the political calculus around drawing minoritymajority districts. This is of significance in the Deep South, where black-majority districts can translate to bolstered Democratic numbers in the overall House caucus. The only seat in contention is AL-02. Under a court order to draw a second black-majority seat in 2024, the former deep-red seat flipped blue. The 2024 map saw this Mobileto-Montgomery seat become a Harris +8 district, and postredraw is now a Trump +14 seat. However, Congressman Shomari Figures (D) is running for a second term and there’s no guarantee that the GOP flips this one. It’s nowhere near as potent of a redraw as their maps have been in Texas, Missouri, or Tennessee. It will either be another expected seat added to the Republicans’ fold or an embarrassing backfire that sinks their caucus further in January. The Messenger’s forecast: Leans Republican (Flip). Credit - governor.vermont.gov
Minnesota has eight congressional districts. No real surprises occurred, except in MN-02, a suburban Twin Cities seat that was once classically Republican but has been trending left since 2018. The open seat is set between former State Senator Matt Little (D), whom outsiders saw as too far left to retain this seat. He easily won a six-candidate field, and remains the prohibitive favorite for this seat in the fall. The Messenger’s forecast: Likely Democratic.
seeking off-ramps from the establishment hegemonies. Consider this one an upset, although not entirely unpredicted in a state where retail politics goes much farther than average. The Messenger’s forecast: Safe Democratic.
Credit - Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons
At the turn of the century, there was almost no Democratic Party to speak of in Minnesota. Now, the state has long been a white whale for Republicans. The North Star State represents the GOP’s longest losing streak on the presidential map - no Republican has won here since Richard Nixon (R-CA) in 1972 - but it’s proven especially elusive at the senatorial and gubernatorial ends. The 2026 environment isn’t one that is conducive to competition in Minnesota. No Republican has been elected governor since 2006; for the U.S. Senate, 2002. Governor
For the Senate, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan (D) easily won the primary to succeed two-term Senator Tina Smith (D). She defeated Congresswoman Angie Craig (D, MN02) to earn the nod. Republicans went with an unconventional option in Michele Tafoya (R), a former sideline reporter for NBC Sunday Night Football. Her career as a sports broadcaster took her to ABC, NBC, CBS, and ESPN, allowing her to cover the NFL, the NBA, and the Olympics. Since she left journalism in 2022, she’s worked as a conservative political consultant. The Messenger’s forecast: Likely Democratic.
Credit - U.S. House of Representatives
Minnesota
Credit - Milwaukee County
By far the biggest contest of the night was the Democratic Primary for Governor of Wisconsin. Governor Tony Evers (D) is not running for a third term; he ousted two-term Governor Scott Walker (R) in the 2018 blue wave. Walker notably became the first governor in history to survive a recall attempt in 2016. The razor-thin race came down to the wire early Wednesday morning. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley (D) (pictured right) defeated State Assemblywoman Francesca Hong (D) by about 3,200 votes out of almost 800,000 ballots cast - a 0.4% margin of victory. That’s certainly on-brand for the Badger State. In every presidential race since 2000 - save for the Obama years - Wisconsin was decided by less than one percentage point. Close Senate and gubernatorial races have followed similar patterns in recent years. The race was turbulent to say the least. Crowley quit the race in July to support Lieutenant Governor Sarah Rodriguez (D), who then suspended after a campaign finance scandal. Crowley jumped back into the race, but many within the Democratic establishment were nervous that the race couldn’t be recovered. Francesca Hong, a Democratic Socialist with a litany of controversial social media posts, was seen as much less electable in the November election. During the pandemic, she wrote in a now-deleted X post, “Cancel Thanksgiving. Should have done this in 1621.” She’s also discussed electing “more black and brown folks who won’t be racist obstructionists,” and shared an anecdote of her quickly wrapping up a family outing to Culver’s because she was “on the verge of an anxiety attack” due to too many “old white people who didn’t think we spoke English.” The final votes of the primary trickled in as an electronic error caused the race-deciding votes from Milwaukee to be delayed further into the night. It was anyone’s game with the two candidates being separated by less than 3,000 votes statewide. Hong’s checkered past and unabashed democratic socialist label makes this yet another race where outsiders seek to define the parties post-Trump. Meanwhile, Crowley, 40, is the youngest person ever elected Milwaukee County Executive. Crowley’s nail-biter win keeps Democrats competitive in one of the most competitive states in the country. Congressman Tom Tiffany (R, WI-07) has had a head start on the general election, as he faced only token primary opposition on Tuesday night. He’s a House Freedom Caucus member who will have to parry his close ties to Donald Trump come November. This is certainly one of the most competitive gubernatorial races on the board and one of Republicans’ best pickup opportunities on that map. The Messenger’s forecast: Toss Up.
Tim Walz (D) began a quest for a third term - a feat not repeated since 1958 - but the Somali fraud scandal significantly dampened his chances. Walz dropped out in January, allowing four-term Senator Amy Klobuchar (D) to replace him as the frontrunner. Klobuchar saw her first three Senate elections coincide with good Democratic years; she outran Kamala Harris (D-CA) by about 12 points in 2024. She’s an institution in state politics and even ran for president in 2020. She beat six other candidates, including Bill Gates - not that one - with almost 90% of the vote. Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth (R) is the GOP’s pick for governor. She defeated six other candidates, including MyPillow founder and CEO Mike Lindell (pictured right), with 43% of the vote. Lindell was Trump-endorsed and has campaigned with and for Trump over the years, but has come under scrutiny for possible campaign violations. Just as some entertainers fire t-shirts out of a cannon, Lindell tossed out promotional pillows to a July Fourth parade crowd. A state judge found probable cause that the giveaways violated Minnesota campaign finance laws. The Messenger’s forecast: Likely Democratic.
Vermont
Hardly a state of much competition, we point out Vermont to illuminate a point we frequently make about gubernatorial races: no state is truly “safe” for either party. Case in point, Governor Phil Scott (R) (pictured left), a liberal, antiTrump Republican, flipped this seat in 2016. He’s been re-elected every two years since - Vermont and New Hampshire are the only states that elect governors on two-year terms and by stunning margins. Despite this, Vermont is widely considered the bluest state in the country; Republicans lose consistently in federal races here and by staggering numbers. And despite that, Scott regularly ranks as the nation’s most popular governor - another nod to retail politics going farther in New England than almost anywhere else in the country. Scott faced no primary opposition and is a heavy favorite for a sixth term. In 2024, his 51-point margin of victory (73%22%) was the largest for a Republican since 1946. He’s also the second-longest serving incumbent governor in the country. If Scott wins in November, he’ll join Howard Dean (D) as one of three Vermont governors to serve six terms. The two are only outpaced by Thomas Chittenden, who served 18 terms spanning 19 years in the late 1700s. He also led the state during its brief period as an independent republic. The Messenger’s forecast: Safe Republican.
This Week Today Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
9
Thursday, August 13, 2026
National, State, and Local Temperature Checks By Matt Meduri
Credit - U.S. House of Representatives
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche (R-FL) was narrowly confirmed by the Senate to become the eighty-eighth U.S. Attorney General. Blanche assumed the role in an acting capacity in early April, following the termination of then-A.G. Pam Bondi (R-FL). Blanche was confirmed on Saturday in a 5049 vote of the Senate. All Democrats voted against his confirmation, along with the GOP’s most notable Senate mavericks Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Susan Collins (R-ME). Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), a Trump foe who lost his primary in the spring, voted in favor of the nomination. After graduating from Brooklyn Law School, Blanche worked in the Southern and Eastern judicial districts of New York. He worked alongside Alvin Bragg (D-Central Harlem) at the Southern District of New York; Bragg would later become New York County’s District Attorney in 2022. Bragg prosecuted the Stormy Daniels hush money case that saw Donald Trump (R-FL) become the first former president to become a convicted felon. Blanche’s work in legally defending Trump began with that case. Blanche also defended Trump after Trump was federally indicted for allegedly retaining classified documents at Mar-a-Lago and in the efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Throughout the Epstein Files scandal, Blanche has been deeply involved at the Justice Department. He had a two-day meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffery Epstein’s primary co-conspirator, and later defended her transfer to a minimum security prison as Maxwell had experienced “numerous threats against her life.” Blanche was appointed as the Librarian of Congress after Trump dismissed then-Librarian Carla Hayden, who had been appointed in September 2016. This led to a standoff in which the Department of Justice asserted that Blanche serve as the acting Librarian, while Library of Congress staff members asserted that Robert Newlen, the principal deputy librarian, was the rightful heir. In big news this week, western Colombia saw a massive 7.4 earthquake. As of press time, 111 people have been killed. It comes just six weeks after the devastating pair of earthquakes rocked Venezuela, which killed more than 6,000. Regarding the tensions in the Middle East, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected President Trump’s 15-point plan for Gaza. Netanyahu says that Israel will not pull out of Gaza until Hamas is “genuinely disarmed.” The plan included the creation of the Board of Peace to oversee implementation, the disarmament of Hamas, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops and reconstruction of Gaza. Trump hailed it as a “monumental step towards lasting peace and security,” especially as Hamas had for the first time agreed to disarm, on the condition that Israel withdraw. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) was reportedly discharged from a rehabilitation center and would continue his recovery and work at home. The seven-term Senator took a fall at his Louisville home mid-June and caught a case of pneumonia. He has not been seen or heard in public since his fall. Last Thursday, Tennessee held their primaries. All nine House seats and one Senate seat are up for re-election and the governorship is open. Two-term Governor Bill Lee (R) is term-limited. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R) won the three-way primary with 43.5% of the vote.
Blackburn will face Memphis City Councilor Jerri Green (D). Limited polling shows Blackburn with heavy leads, albeit with about 20% of the electorate undecided. Fundamentals of the Volunteer State assume Blackburn is the heavy favorite to win in November. Blackburn has a career in Tennessee politics going back to her first election to the Tennessee Senate in 1998. She served in the House representing TN-07 from 2003 to 2019. She won a competitive U.S. Senate race in 2018 and was re-elected in 2024. If elected in November, Blackburn would not only be Tennessee’s first female governor, but also be tasked with selecting her replacement in the Senate. That term lasts until 2030; a special election would be held in 2028. Congressmen Chuck Flesichmann (R, TN-03) and Tim Burchett (R, TN-02) - the latter known for his dry dismissals of political opponents - are reportedly in line for the appointment. Democrats have not won a gubernatorial election in Tennessee since 2006. Another incumbent has lost their primary, as two-term Congressman Andy Ogles (R, TN05) (pictured below) could not parry a slew of controversies to dairy farmer Charlie Hatcher.
Chief among Ogles’ concerns were allegations of financial discrepancies. Tennessee Lookout reports that the Campaign Legal Center flagged nearly $1 million in discrepancies between Ogles’ personal disclosures and campaign reports. Ogles’ attorney later acknowledged an undisclosed $700,000 line of credit. During his 2022 run for his first term. Ogles reported a $320,000 personal loan to his campaign that was later found to have not existed. The FBI seized his cellphone during a search of his home related to the financial concerns. Trump had endorsed the embattled congressman during this primary, making for another loss on Trump’s endorsement scorecard this cycle. Ogles had also been endorsed by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). Due to the GOP-led mid-decade redistricting in Tennessee, Ogles’ district went from one that split Nashville between three districts to create a Republican-leaning seat into one that stretches from the Nashville exurbs out to the Mississippi River and down to Memphis proper. Ogles’ opponent likely saw some benefit from the geography change. In TN-09, a once-deep-blue district drawn to net Republicans another House seat, State Senator Brent Taylor (R) easily won the GOP nomination. Long-time Congressman Steve Cohen (D) did not run for re-election once the map was finalized. This seat remains one of
the GOP’s most auspicious pickups this cycle. The GOP is triaging their remaining House battlegrounds as two-term Congressman Chuck Edwards (R, NC-11) ended his re-election bid. Edwards has been embroiled in controversy for months. The House Ethics Committee report, which investigated alleged inappropriate behavior towards female staffers, recommended his censure. Edwards has barely been fundraising this quarter, meaning his medium-red, Asheville-based seat has become much more competitive. The GOP hopes that with Edwards out of the race they can salvage a House seat amidst an environment that likely sees the House go to the Democrats. Hawaii saw their contests held on Saturday, in which Congressman Ed Case (D, HI-01) fended off four challengers to his seat that includes Honolulu and about a third of the island of Oahu. Congresswoman Jill Tokuda (D, HI02) easily won her primary for a district that covers the entire state out of HI-01. Her most interesting challenger, Kirill Basin, was recently caught threatening beachgoers on Keawakapu Beach. He was knocked out cold. Governor Josh Green (D) was easily renominated for a second term. He drew serious criticism for his handling of the 2023 Maui wildfires. Hawaii’s deep-blue hue means all Democrats are heavy favorites for reelection this year. Republicans haven’t won a gubernatorial race in the Aloha State since 2006. State New York Democratic Party Chairman and Nassau County Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs (D-Laurel Hollow) is alleging that Nassau County Executive and gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman (R-Atlantic Beach) is violating a State law by posting AI-generated campaign ads. Jacobs wrote to the State Board of Elections on Monday claiming that the board “cannot permit a campaign to repeatedly flout the Election Law” and “cannot permit that campaign to pull down public matching funds in furtherance of this subversion.” Blakeman has said that “every tool in the toolbox” must be used in a hard-fought campaign, comparing the content to the satire seen on various late night shows. Governor Kathy Hochul (D-Hamburg) has branded the vociferous Nassau Executive as “Fakeman.” ABC7NY asked Blakeman for his reaction to commenters calling his ads “AI slop,” a new branding for any AI-generated content that has galvanized all reaches of social media, particularly among younger generations. “They should get a life,” Blakeman told ABC7NY. “Comedy has been used in political campaigns from the time of George Washington.” In 2024, as part of the State budget, Hochul and the Legislature updated the State’s election law regarding “deceptive media” and clarified AI-generated content’s position. The law says that any “materially deceptive media” includes any “technological representation of speech or conduct” created or modified by or with “software, machine learning, Artificial Intelligence, or any other computergenerated or technological means.” Such
Credit - Bruce Blakeman for Governor
National
media requires a disclaimer that says the video, audio, and/or images have been doctored to a degree. While there are no laws against the use of AI-generated imagery in campaign ads, that disclaimer requirement for political communications has exceptions for parody and satire. Blakeman’s campaign has released well over a dozen AI-generated campaign ads which have included Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D-Astoria) in various settings. One ad was aired during the New York Knicks’ rise to victory in the NBA Championship in the spring. That ad showed Blakeman “dunking” on Hochul and Mamdani - all were pictured in basketball uniforms. Another depicted Hochul as a South Park character (pictured above), while others have been more direct and much more realistic. Due to the relatively new law amidst a relatively new landscape, a judge will likely be required to hear this one in court. Local Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) announced this week that residents who rely on private wells for water can apply for free PFAS testing through the New York State pilot program administered by the County’s Department of Health Services. The Private Well PFAS Testing and Mitigation Rebate Pilot Program provides eligible homeowners, renters, and businesses access to free testing and financial assistance for treatment or a connection to a public water system. Suffolk County was awarded $1.5 million in grants to provide rebates to residents for PFAS mitigation. Testing is free of charge to residents. This runs in tandem with Suffolk’s own private well water testing program, which tests for PFAS and about 300 other contaminants. Suffolk is one of just five counties who were invited to participate in the State’s pilot program. “We welcome the partnership with New York State in the coordinated efforts to take the first steps towards reducing potentially harmful PFAS contaminants in our water supply,” said Suffolk Health Commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott.
10
Islip Matters Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Continued from front cover
Hauppauge F.D. Whips Support in BESS Facility Fight Credit - Matt Meduri
The particular project that was originally slated for Rabro Drive caused concerns of safety of the nearby Bretton Woods Elementary School, the fire department’s inability to contain these fires, its proximity to major thoroughfares like I-495, NY-111, and NY-454, the County Center off Kings Highway, and possible contamination of the Nissequogue River. The proposed location sites just miles away from its headwaters. Hauppauge Fire Commissioner Scott Munro (pictured bottom left) said at last August’s meeting of the Islip Town Board that the proposed Rabro Drive facility was 79 mega-watts. The aforementioned East Hampton facility that contaminated potable water and soil was just 5 megawatts. On Tuesday, the Hauppauge F.D. issued a statement claiming that the Suffolk County Fire District Officers Association (SCFDOA) has “formally expressed its support” for Hauppauge’s position regarding the Rabro Drive facility. The association represents 96 fire districts through Suffolk. The association joins the Hauppauge School District and in opposition. Their concerns are in tandem with Executive Romaine’s written concerns of such facilities.
“
We welcome new technology and a cleaner energy future, but progress cannot come at the expense of public safety.
“
In December 2024, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) and developer Key Capture Energy approved a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Facility for 220 Rabro Drive in Hauppauge. Immediately, the proposal drew near-universal opposition that resulted in the Islip Town Board passing three back-to-back, six-month moratoria against BESS facilities to evaluate the nascent technology. In September 2025, the Board voted again for a twelve-month moratorium on any such facilities from being developed within the Town of Islip. That moratorium expires next month, but perhaps the staunchest critic of these sites, the Hauppauge Fire Department, has not relented on their campaign. In fact, the Hauppauge F.D. has been considered by many in the community to be the de facto regional leader against BESS facilities for a multitude of reasons. Firefighters and public safety personnel have opposed the construction of these sites due to conventional firefighting methods being ineffective against lithium fires. Not only do these fires emit a cocktail of toxic chemicals - fluoride, lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, lead, cadmium, and flammable vapors like methane and butane - the standard operating procedure for extinguishing fires is to simply let them burn out themselves. Depending on the scale of the fire, it can take days or even weeks. A San Diego BESS Facility burned for five days and prompted evacuation orders - a common example cited. Locally, County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) recently demanded the closure of a Wainscott BESS facility after nearby wells were found to be contaminated. The Town of East Hampton is making similar demands. The conversation is of national importance, so much so that last August, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) visited Hauppauge to brief the public on the federal government’s prerogative.
Fire Commissioner Scott Munro
Two new letters add “significant momentum,” according to the Haup-pauge F.D., and that the concerns surrounding the Rabro Drive facility “extend well beyond” Hauppauge.
“This is no longer the Hauppauge Fire District standing alone and sounding the alarm,” said Commissioner Munro. “The Hauppauge School District has stood with us in opposing this location. Now an organization representing 96 fire districts across Suffolk County is supporting our position, and the Suffolk County Executive is acknowledging that the East Hampton fire raises serious questions that demand stronger safeguards. That is a growing and significant coalition of voices saying that public safety must be addressed before projects like this are allowed to move forward.”
The Hauppauge F.D. continues to state that opposition to this facility is not akin to “opposition to renewable energy or battery storage technology itself,” rather where the facilities are being placed and what is put at risk when they are placed in the wrong location. “We have been asking one fundamental question from the beginning: Why put a 79-megawatt lithium battery facility in a location where so much could potentially be placed at risk?” Commissioner Louis Zara said (pictured top right). “There are some locations where the consequences of a major incident are simply too great. We believe 220 Rabro Drive is one of them.” The district is renewing its calls for the Islip Town Board to extend their existing moratorium. The August motion passed the board in a unanimous 5-0 vote. “We welcome new technology and a cleaner energy future, but progress cannot come at the expense of public safety,” Commissioner Munro said. “The Fire District, our School District and fire service leaders from across Suffolk County are raising legitimate concerns. The County Executive has recognized the need for additional safeguards. We are asking our elected officials, Key Capture Energy and LIPA to listen. Find a location that does not unnecessarily place a school, neighborhoods, first responders, major roadways, groundwater and one of Long Island’s important natural resources at risk.
Long Island Locavore Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
11
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Big Basil Bounty? From an Abundant Harvest to the Winter Pantry By Nancy Val | Long Island Locavore
Basil Vinegar
If your basil looks more like a shrub than an herb this year or you bought too much for a recipe, you’re not alone. Basil seems particularly abundant in Long Island gardens and grocers. Maybe it’s the weather or maybe, as in my garden, the deer have finally decided there are better things to eat. Long Island Locavore has previously covered preparing and preserving basil, including freezing the leaves and turning pesto into convenient frozen “bark.” But an overflowing basil patch deserves some new ideas.
Place 2 cups clean, completely dry basil leaves in a clean glass jar and cover with 2 cups white wine vinegar. Allow the basil to infuse, refrigerated, for one to two weeks, then strain into a clean bottle. Now you have the beginning of future vinaigrettes, marinades, and cucumber salads.
Don’t Forget the Sweet Side Basil simple syrup is surprisingly versatile. Heat 1 cup water with 1 cup sugar just until dissolved. Remove from the heat, add 1 packed cup of basil leaves, cover, and steep for 20 to 30 minutes. Strain, cool, and refrigerate. Add it to lemonade, iced tea, sparkling water, cocktails, or mocktails. Basil has a particular affinity for strawberries, peaches, and watermelon.
Start With a Basil Vinaigrette Blend 1 packed cup basil with one-half cup extra-virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 small garlic clove, salt, and pepper. It’s summer in a jar. Toss it with tomatoes and cucumbers, drizzle it over grilled zucchini, or use it on chicken or fish.
Make Basil Oil Blanch 2 packed cups of basil leaves in boiling water for about 10 seconds and immediately plunge them into ice water. Squeeze completely dry and blend with 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil and a pinch of salt. Strain for an elegant emerald-green oil or leave it rustic. Drizzle over tomatoes and mozzarella, grilled vegetables, soup, fish, or crusty bread. Refrigerate fresh herb oil and use promptly.
Whip It Into Butter Combine 1 stick softened unsalted butter with ½ cup finely chopped basil, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, a small, grated garlic clove and a pinch of sea salt. Whip until light and fluffy. Melt it over Long Island corn, zucchini, potatoes, or fish or simply slather it on warm bread.
Basil Mayo Blend 1 cup mayonnaise with 1 packed cup basil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, a little lemon zest, 1 small garlic clove and a pinch of salt. Put it on burgers, BLTs, or grilled vegetables. Better yet, spread it on toasted bread and add thick slices of a perfectly ripe Long Island tomato. That’s a late-summer lunch worth waiting for.
And One for Winter: Basil Oxymel
Created by Nancy Vallarella, who brings farm-fresh recipes and local food knowledge to Long Island through farmers’ markets, demos, and more. For more recipes or to connect: DM @lilocavore495 on Instagram or email lilocavore495@gmail.com
If the basil is still winning, turn some of the harvest into an old-fashioned oxymel. An oxymel is a traditional herbal preparation combining vinegar, honey, and herbs. For a batch intended to carry the flavor of basil into the colder months, I prefer dried basil. Place 1 cup loosely packed dried basil in a clean glass jar and cover completely with approximately 1.5 cups apple cider vinegar. Infuse in a cool, dark place for two to four weeks, shaking occasionally. Strain thoroughly and stir in one-half to 1 cup honey to taste. Transfer to a clean jar and refrigerate. Add a spoonful to sparkling water, tea, or a mocktail, or whisk it with olive oil for a sweet-tart vinaigrette. Basil and other herbs have a long history of traditional use, but an oxymel shouldn’t be considered a treatment or cure. I like it for a much simpler reason: it captures the garden and allows us to enjoy a little taste of the growing season long after the plants are gone. So, keep pinching those plants and don’t let the flowers get ahead of you. What looks like too much basil today can become vinaigrette, oil, butter, mayo, vinegar, simple syrup and even something tucked into the refrigerator for the colder months ahead. And if you’ve made all of that and the basil is still coming? - Make the pesto.
12
School Highlights Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Brentwood Grad Selected as One of Six National YMCA Civic Leadership Officers Brentwood High School Class of 2026 graduate Olivia Harris (pictured left) has been selected as one of six presiding officers for the 2027 YMCA Conference on National Affairs, one of the highest leadership distinctions available through the YMCA Youth and Government program. The honor is particularly rare. The Conference on National Affairs brings together approximately 700 accomplished high school students from across the country, selected from thousands of Youth and Government participants based on leadership, achievement and commitment to civic engagement. From that group, only six delegates are selected each year to serve as presiding officers. “Olivia Harris is an extraordinary young woman whose talent, intelligence, vision, and commitment to making a difference continue to inspire everyone around her,” said Superintendent Wanda Ortiz-Rivera. “At such a young age, she has already
demonstrated the kind of thoughtful, compassionate and impactful leadership that many spend a lifetime striving to achieve. Even as a recent graduate of Brentwood High School, she remains a role model for our students, showing what is possible through hard work, perseverance, humility and a genuine commitment to creating positive change. To be selected as one of only six YMCA Youth and Government presiding officers in the nation is an exceptional honor and a testament to Olivia’s leadership, character and unwavering commitment to civic engagement. This recognition reflects not only her remarkable abilities, but also her passion for using her voice to lead, inspire, and serve. Olivia exemplifies the incredible talent, leadership and limitless potential of our Brentwood students.” Harris will return to the conference in 2027 to serve in the leadership role, even though she has graduated from Brentwood High School. Presiding
officers are selected from conference delegates and return the following year to preside over committee hearings and the General Assembly/ Plenary Session. As a presiding officer, Harris will lead legislative committee sessions, facilitate debate, apply parliamentary procedure impartially, mentor delegates and help ensure participants can contribute in a respectful and productive environment. Harris’ selection follows years of leadership and civic engagement during her time as a Brentwood student. She served as the elected youth governor for both the middle school and high school YMCA Youth and Government programs in New York and attended the Conference on National Affairs three times. Her selection places her among a small group of student leaders entrusted with helping guide the conference experience for hundreds of delegates from across the nation.
East Islip Appoints New Director of Innovation & Instructional Tech
West Islip Appoints Assistant Director of Special Education
The East Islip High School District has appointed Elizabeth Weis (pictured right) as the new director of innovation and instructional technology, effective Sept 1. She replaces interim director Mark Bernard and former director Richard Zwycewicz, now the district’s assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. Weis comes to East Islip from the Connetquot Central School District, where she served as director of instructional technology. She previously worked at the South Huntington School District as a humanities coach, Tutor Cats coordinator, summer learning program administrator and technology coach. She began her career as a literacy specialist at South Huntington and St. Edward the Confessor School. A resident of Huntington Station, Weis earned a bachelor’s degree in child study and speech communication from St. Joseph’s University, a master’s degree in literacy K-12 from Dowling College, and advanced graduate certificates in educational technology and leadership from Stony Brook University. “I am honored to join the East Islip School District and look forward to partnering with students, staff, families and the community,” Weis said. “My goal is to build upon the district’s strong foundation by continuing to promote innovative thinking while ensuring that technology is used with purpose, to strengthen instruction, deepen student learning and support the outstanding work of our educators.”
West Islip Union Free School District has named Tonimarie Young (pictured right) as assistant director of special education, effective July 1. Ms. Young joins Ms. Lindsey Ednick to complete the assistant director team. Ms. Young has worked in the district since 2012, most recently serving as the districtwide behavior analyst, developing individualized behavior intervention plans and supporting student success across educational settings. Prior to that position, Ms. Young was a special education teacher at Paul J. Bellew Elementary School from 2012 to 2024. “I am incredibly excited to join the administrative team in a district that I have proudly been part of for the past 15 years,” she said. “I look forward to serving alongside our dedicated teachers and staff, partnering with families, and supporting every student in reaching their greatest potential.” She brings a strong educational background and diverse expertise in leadership, special education, and behavior analysis. Ms. Young earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Sacred Heart University, followed by a master’s degree from the same institution. She later obtained New York State certifications in special education and educational leadership through Dowling College and Stony Brook University, respectively. In addition, she is a board-certified behavior analyst, having completed certification through Pennsylvania State University. She also holds multiple New York State professional certifications.
Looking East Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, August 13, 2026
13
Ground Breaks for $20M Control Tower at Gabreski
Credit: Matt Meduri
By Matt Meduri
when he was Brookhaven Town Supervisor. Shirley is home to Calabro Airport, which has significantly less traffic than Gabreski. “This location, while county run, has a very large regional and federal impact,” said Congressman LaLota. “The folks who come in nearly 2,000 flights are spending their dollars here in Suffolk County, and that helps us in our regional economy here as well. The investment we’re making here is worthwhile for our region.” The project will take about one year of construction and the commencement was delayed due to funding concerns. “This airport sits on 1,500 acres and it’s no small operation,” said Suffolk County Legislator Jim Mazzarella (R-Moriches). “At Gabreski, commercial jet traffic is up 75% in the last six years.” Mazzarella added that new hangars and services continue to populate the airport, meaning “economic activity, jobs for revenue
growth, and tax revenue growth.” Mazzarella (pictured right) was joined by Legislator Anne Welker (D-North Sea), whose district contains Gabreski, and Minority Leader Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon). “We have thousands of regional airports around the country and regional airports are one of those small economic drivers that some folks don’t know about,” said Richberg, adding that smaller airports can teach students how to fly, provide certain levels of recreation, and bring material goods to their surrounding communities. “This is a free trade zone,” said Romaine. He said from an “economic point of view,” businesses should consider Gabreski. Gabreski’s regional impact includes
44,000 to 60,000 aircraft operations annually. $116.1 million in economic impact, almost 1,1000 jobs, $3.3 million in local tax revenue, and tens of millions of dollars in private sector development.
Credit: Matt Meduri
Some Long Islanders are unaware that the region is home to an Air National Guard Base. While a hidden gem to many, Francis S. Gabreski Airport, while adjacent to the base, serves private and general aviation as well. The Westhampton facility saw a deluge of flights this summer for the U.S. Open in Shinnecock Hills. County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) said that during the 2018 U.S. Open, Gabreski received about 1,000 flights. For this year’s contest, that number doubled. However, the airport’s control tower is slated to be replaced. The 70-foot structure was built in 1943 and is no longer compliant with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards. Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) (pictured above right) was able to secure $11 million in federal funding to kick off the project. $20 million will be required overall. The new tower will sit directly across from the current one. However, it will have fresh infrastructure, better accessibility, and will stand at 146 feet, or eight stories - nearly double the height of the current tower. The upgrades will improve air traffic control visibility, incorporate latest technologies, and will include a full-building backup generator. “It’s going to create jobs in the short term and safety in the long term,” said Romaine at the construction site on Wednesday morning. He mentioned some prior knowledge to running an airport
Civics 101
14
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, August 13, 2026
The Necessary Standard for American Education The Library of Congress
This column will seek to address the long-forgotten concept of civics and how it relates to American government in general, from the federal level to the local level. This column will explore Constitutional rights, the inner workings of government, the electoral process, and the obligations and privileges of citizens.
By Matt Meduri The Library of Congress is well-known within the sphere of general American knowledge, but it hardly gets press. The topic came up in our Temperature Checks (Page 9) column this week, so we figured we’ll take the opportunity to dive into it for Civics 101. History and Origin
What’s in the Library of Congress? The Library is home to more than 32 million books and other print materials in 470 languages. It contains more than 61 million manuscripts, making it the largest rare book collection in
North America. Notably, it contains the rough draft of the Declaration of Independence, a Gutenberg Bible - the earliest major book mass-produced with the printing press - over 1 million U.S. government publications, 1 million issues of world newspapers spanning three centuries, 33,000 newspaper volumes, 500,000 microfilm reels, over 12,000 foreign and domestic comic book titles, 5.3 million maps, 6 million works of sheet music, 3 million sound recordings, nearly 15 million prints and photographs, and incredible rarities, including a Cassavetti Stradivarius viola - one of only twelve known to still exist. The Library of Congress asserts that it retains copies of every public in the English language that is deemed “significant” - which totals about 838 miles of bookshelves. The Library of Congress doesn’t exist in a single building. The oldest of the three buildings is the aforementioned Thomas Jefferson Building, which earned its current name in 1980. It was previously known as the Main Building. The John Adams Building is an annex to the Main Building. It opened in 1939 and originally housed the U.S. Copyright Office. The Madison Building opened in 1971 and serves as the home of the Copyright Office and the motion picture and television reading room of the Library. The theatre still holds free screenings of classic and contemporary film and television. In 2007, the Packard Campus for AudioVisual Conservation was established. Located in Northern Virginia, this building was formed out of a former Federal Reserve storage center and a Cold War bunker. It holds all of the Library’s film, television, and sound collections. Credit - Shawn Miller, Library of Congress
The Librarian and Joint Committee on the Library The Librarian of Congress’ primary roles, apart from managing the world’s largest library, is setting institutional policies, overseeing collection acquisitions, directing nonpartisan research for the federal government, and supervising the Copyright Office. Robert Newlen (pictured above) is the fourteenth and current Librarian of Congress. He assumed the role on May 8, 2025, when President Donald Trump (R-FL) dismissed thenLibrarian Carla Hayden, who had served since September 2016. Newlen began working with the Library in 1975 for the Congressional Research Service (CRS) and as a clerk and typist. Newlen’s acting capacity is disputed alongside that of Todd Blanche (R-FL). Trump appointed Blanche to fill Hayden’s role, but Newlen and others have disputed the president’s appointment. Blanche was confirmed this week as the next Attorney General. Librarians of Congress are appointed by the president, but must be confirmed to a ten-year term by the U.S. Senate. The Joint Committee on the Library is composed of five members of the U.S. House and Senate. It was formed in 1806 to support the expansion of a congressional library. In 1811, it was made permanent, making it Congress’ oldest continuing joint committee. The committee oversees the operations of the Library, the management of the congressional art collection, the National Statuary Hall Collection, and the United States Botanic Garden. It does not have legislative authority and has no subcommittees. Congressman Bryan Steil (R-WI) serves as Chair and Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) serves as Vice Chair. The Ranking Member is Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), while the Vice Ranking Member is Congressman Joe Morelle (D-NY). Credit - Carol M. Highsmith, Library of Congress
The idea of a congressional library was conceived by none other than James Madison in 1783. While the idea didn’t get much traction, the Philadelphia Library Company and the New York Society Library would serve as surrogate congressional libraries when Congress convened in those cities following the Revolutionary War. The Library of Congress itself was formed shortly thereafter. On April 24, 1800, President John Adams signed a congressional act to appropriate $5000 for the “purchase of such books as may be necessary for the use of Congress…and for fitting up a suitable apartment for containing them.” The first collection of books totalled 740 titles and three maps ordered from London. President Thomas Jefferson would expand on that idea. In 1802, he signed a bill allowing the president to appoint the Librarian of Congress and established the Joint Committee on the Library to oversee the service. That law also granted the president and vice president book borrowing privileges. But it wasn’t long until the nascent Library of Congress would see a significant setback. During the War of 1812, the British occupied Washington and burned federal buildings, including the White House and the Capitol Building. Over 3,000 volumes in the Library were destroyed. In fact, one book was taken by a British admiral as a battle souvenir, but was later returned to the U.S. in 1940. Jefferson sold his personal library as a replacement. Congress appropriated almost $24,000 to purchase nearly 6,500 books. Jefferson’s scholarly, fifty-year collection was as wide as it was deep, making for a significant upgrade to the variety of topics offered at the Library. The mid-1850s saw yet another fire that destroyed 35,000 books - about two-thirds of the total collection at the time, and a big portion of Jefferson’s replacement catalogue. Congress scraped up another $168,000 to replace the lost books, kicking off yet another transformational era for the Library of Congress - one that saw a more conservative period in the administration. Then-Librarian John Silva Meehan opined that the Library should “play a limited role on the national scene and that its collections, by and large, should emphasize American materials of obvious use to the U.S. Congress,” according to John Young Cole in The Library of Congress Becomes a World Library, 1815-2005. In 1859, Congress split responsibilities of the Library between the Department of the Interior and the Department of State. The Smithsonian Institution was considered by some to be the spiritual successor to the idea of a national U.S. library, but this never came to fruition. The Smithsonian Institution’s first director, Joseph Henry, transferred the Smithsonian’s nonscientific catalogue of 40,000 volumes to the Library of Congress in 1866 after yet another fire that severely damaged the Smithsonian. At the time, Congress had begun planning the Thomas Jefferson Building (pictured right). Completed in 1897, the building is known as the Main Library in D.C. The Library would see a renaissance, however, in 1865. Librarian Ainsworth Rand Spofford began coaxing both parties to develop the Library into a national and legislative resource. Not only did he begin a collection of American literature and Americana, but he transformed the position of the Librarian of Congress into one of much more authority and purpose. Under his tenure, the construction of a new Library building began, copyright registration and deposit activities came under the Library’s control, and the international book exchange was restored.
Interestingly, Spofford’s ascension to the post was circumstantial. His predecessor, appointed by President Abraham Lincoln (R-IL), joined the Civil War effort just three weeks into his tenure. By 1876, the Library of Congress possessed over 300,000 volumes, tying it with the Boston Public Library as the nation’s largest collection. In 1897, when it moved to where it is today, it had 840,000 volumes. The Library doubled its staff during this period and Congress strengthened the role of the Librarian. Herbert Putnam is, to date, the longest-served Librarian of Congress. He served from 1899 to 1939. During his tenure, the Library became the first in the country to hold more than 1 million volumes. It was also made more accessible to the public and Putnam started the interlibrary loan service. He’s also credited with expanding access to “scientific investigators and duly qualified individuals” to make the Library a center for primary source publications. Putnam also persuaded President Theodore Roosevelt (R-NY) to transfer the Founding Fathers’ papers from the State Department to the Library and he expanded acquisitions of foreign works. After World War II, the Library of Congress took on a more prominent role, albeit still behind the scenes. Librarian Luther H. Evans is known for creating the Missions program, the most notable of which assisted in the meeting that would establish the United Nations - the San Francisco Conference. The Mission to Japan would help create the National Diet Library. From 1953 to 1974, Librarian Lawrence Quincy Mumford would expand acquisition centers to Egypt and India and established the Preservation Office to experiment with book preservation methods. Librarian Daniel J. Boorstin, appointed in 1975, founded the American Folklife Center, the Center for the Book, and the Council of Scholars - all public-private partnerships. Librarian James H. Billington presided over the Library’s transition into the 21st Century, which introduced the National Digital Library and the National Audio-Visual Center. By 2008, congressional librarians had replaced nearly the entire original Jefferson collection, only missing about 300 titles.
Bergin’s Brief Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, August 13, 2026
BERGIN’S BRIEF AUGUST 2026
TRISH BERGIN, SUFFOLK COUNTY LEGISLATOR, 10TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT At the Suffolk County Legislature’s July General Meeting, Legislator Trish Bergin proudly recognized Dana Landi-Zhicay, the Tenth Legislative District’s participant in the Suffolk County Legislature’s Page Program. Dana is a 19-year-old student at Suffolk County Community College, where she is majoring in Political Science. Her passion for public service began in high school through her volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity, and she aspires to one day work for the United Nations. She has a particular interest in the work of UNICEF and the World Health Organization, reflecting her commitment to serving communities both locally and around the world. It was a pleasure to recognize Dana and learn more about her aspirations for the future. During her time in the Tenth Legislative District office, she was a tremendous help to our staff, demonstrating professionalism, dedication, and a genuine enthusiasm for public service. The Tenth Legislative District is proud to celebrate Dana’s accomplishments and wishes her continued success as she pursues her education and a career devoted to helping others. Legislator Trish Bergin (R-East Islip) has represented the Tenth District in the Suffolk County Legislature since 2022. The Tenth District includes East Islip, Great River, Islandia, Islip Terrace, North Great River, and parts of Central Islip, Ronkonkoma, and Hauppauge. Legislator Bergin serves as the Chair of the Education, Labor, Consumer Affairs & Diversity committee, Vice Chair of the Economic Development, Planning & Housing committee and Vice Chair of the Government operations, Personnel, and Information Technology committee and as a member of the Budget and Finance committee. The Tenth District office is located at 44 East Main Street in East Islip and can be reached at 631-854-0940.
15
16
Crime Thursday, August 13, 2026
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Deer Park Man Sentenced for Nail Salon Crash That Killed Four, Including Off-Duty NYPD Officer Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R) announced on Wednesday that Steven Schwally, 66, of Deer Park, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for crashing his vehicle into a nail salon while intoxicated and speeding, killing four people and injuring several others in June 2024. The defendant was found guilty of four counts of Murder in the Second Degree and several related charges following a jury trial in June 2026. “Steven Schwally drank until his blood alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit. He chose to get behind the wheel of an SUV, run four stop signs, and speed through a red light, crashing his two-ton vehicle into a room full of people,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Four families are now living with the deadly consequences, including the family of an off-duty New York City police officer. We have now achieved justice on behalf of these families and survivors who continue to deal with the fallout from the defendant’s decisions.” Trial evidence established that on June 28, 2024, Schwally left his room at the Commack Motor Inn, where he lived by himself. At approximately 11:00a.m., Schwally visited a liquor store located in the same strip mall as the Hawaii Nail & Spa at 796 Grand Boulevard in Deer Park, where he purchased two bottles of Montebello Long Island Iced Tea Cocktail. He got back into his 2020 Chevrolet Traverse SUV and drove in the Deer Park area throughout the course of the day. Around 4:30p.m., Schwally drove recklessly through the parking lot in front of the Kohl’s and Stop & Shop on Commack Road. He swerved around two cars, entered the opposite lane, ignored four stop signs, sped through five crosswalks and narrowly missed hitting two pedestrians near the Kohl’s crosswalk. At the end of the parking lot, Schwally approached a vehicle that was stopped at a red light. Schwally continued to drive in the opposite lane of travel and blew through a red light at a high rate of speed to bypass the car in front of him. His Chevrolet Traverse traveled at such a high speed that it caused the vehicle to go airborne. The SUV then careened across Grand Boulevard and entered the strip mall parking lot. Schwally’s vehicle plowed through a sign and continued through an empty parking space until it crashed into the nail salon. The SUV struck several people inside the salon and dragged the four victims before ultimately crashing into the rear wall of the store. At the time of the impact, there were 14 people inside the business, five employees and nine customers. The aftermath of the scene was described by witnesses as “if a bomb went off” or “an explosion” had occurred. Debris, glass, and furniture littered the interior of the store.
Dust and smoke filled the interior, making it hard to breathe. Four people were killed: Emilia Rennhack, 30, of Deer Park, a patron and an off-duty New York City police officer; Jian Chai Chen, 37, of Bayside, the owner of the business; Yan Xu, 41, of Flushing, an employee; and Meizi Zhang, 50, of Flushing, an employee. Nine others sustained injuries ranging from fractures and internal injuries requiring surgery to lacerations and contusions. Upon being extricated from the vehicle, Schwally was taken to a local hospital for treatment. He was observed to be intoxicated, having an odor of alcohol on his breath, slurred speech, bloodshot and watery eyes. A search warrant was obtained for the defendant’s blood taken upon his entrance to Good Samaritan University Hospital. Laboratory analysis revealed a blood alcohol content of 0.17 percent, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent. A search warrant obtained for Schwally’s vehicle revealed that the defendant was traveling at 78 mph when it went airborne across the intersection of Grand Boulevard. Investigators executing the search warrant recovered two empty 375-milliliter bottles of Montebello Long Island Iced Tea Cocktail and one full bottle on the front passenger floorboard. An additional empty bottle was recovered from the bathroom trash at his hotel room at the Commack Motor Inn. On June 4, 2026, Schwally was convicted after a jury trial heard before Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro of the following charges: Four counts of Murder in the Second Degree, Class A felonies; Three counts of Assault in the First Degree, Class B violent felonies; Two counts of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, Class B felonies; One count of Aggravated Vehicular Assault, a Class C felony; Three counts of Assault in the Second Degree, Class D violent felonies; Four counts of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree, Class D felonies; Two counts of Driving While Intoxicated, Unclassified misdemeanors; Four counts of Assault in the Third Degree, Class A misdemeanors; and One count of Reckless Driving, an Unclassified misdemeanor. On August 12, 2026, Schwally was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. He was represented by Christopher Cassar, Esq. This case was prosecuted by Bureau Chief Carl Borelli and Assistant District Attorney Alexander Bopp of the Vehicular Crime Bureau, with assistance from Discovery Expeditor Margaret McKeever and investigative assistance from Detective Brian Whitehead of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Major Case Unit.
Four-Time Repeat Felony DWI Offender Again Found Guilty of Driving While Intoxicated Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R) on Monday announced that Pablo Aguilar-Alvarez, 36, a Salvadoran national, was found guilty by a jury of Driving While Intoxicated Per Se, Driving While Intoxicated, and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle for driving erratically with a blood alcohol content of .17, which is more than twice the legal limit. This conviction marks the defendant’s fourth DWI felony conviction within the past 10 years, in addition to a prior misdemeanor DWI conviction. “There is no question that Pablo Aguilar-Alvarez is a danger to society. Despite multiple prior felony DWI convictions, this defendant once again chose to get behind the wheel after drinking, putting everyone on the road at risk,” said District Attorney Tierney. “And even now, despite the jury’s verdict, there is nothing to stop him from once again getting behind the wheel and endangering the lives of Suffolk County residents.” The evidence at trial established that on November 29, 2025, at approximately 1:24a.m., Aguilar-Alvarez got behind the wheel of a car after an evening of drinking. The defendant drove with his girlfriend to the USA Gas Station at the intersection of Flanders Road and Longneck Boulevard in Southampton to purchase additional alcohol. While inside the store, Aguilar-Alvarez’s girlfriend asked the clerk to call 911. The defendant and his girlfriend then drove away from the location. After receiving the 911 call that included a description of the vehicle and the license plate, members of the Southampton Town Police Department located Aguilar-Alvarez’s vehicle. Officers witnessed Aguilar-Alvarez fail to stop at a stop sign
and cross over the double yellow center line on Longneck Boulevard before initiating a traffic stop. When the vehicle came to a stop, Aguilar-Alvarez exited from the passenger side in an attempt to conceal that he had been driving. The defendant failed standardized field sobriety tests and consented to a chemical breath test, which revealed a blood alcohol content of .17 percent. On August 7, 2026, Aguilar-Alvarez was convicted after a jury trial of one count of Driving While Intoxicated Per Se and one count of Driving While Intoxicated, both Class D felonies, and one count of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the Second Degree, an Unclassified misdemeanor. Following the verdict, the District Attorney’s Office requested that Aguilar-Alvarez be remanded into custody as this was his fourth felony DWI conviction and the DA’s Office had reason to believe he was planning on fleeing from Suffolk County. The defendant faces up to 2 and 1/3 to seven years in prison. He is being represented by the Legal Aid Society. Aguilar-Alvarez was previously convicted of the following crimes: Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated on June 16, 2022; Driving While Intoxicated on October 11, 2017; Driving While Ability Impaired, Combined Drugs and Alcohol on April 19, 2017; and Driving While Intoxicated on May 14, 2012. Records indicate that the defendant was deported from the United States on March 1, 2024, on the basis of his prior felony convictions, and he is currently illegally present in the United States.
Technology News Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
17
Thursday, August 13, 2026
The AI Window is Small By Mollie Barnett How long do we have? That is the question that keeps surfacing around AI. It is almost always followed by a second one: What happens next? The practical answer is roughly two years. This is not a partisan claim. It is simply how the timelines are lining up. Two clocks are now running at the same speed. The first is political. The 2026 midterms will set the near-term policy direction. The 2028 election will be the first clear national measurement of results: wage stability, industrial output, and where high-wage work actually lives. After that, the country will mostly be recording outcomes rather than shaping the trajectory. The second clock is technological and industrial. Capability and adoption timelines that were once discussed in five-toseven-year horizons have compressed. Multiple independent estimates now cluster major AI capability and deployment shifts in the 2027–2028 range. In manufacturing, leading firms are already operating on two-to-three-year transformation cycles. Other countries are treating that compressed window as real and are installing systems now. When the political measurement points and the industrial adoption cycle land in the same narrow band, the usable window is about two years. There are three main pillars of AI success in that window, and neither party is currently moving on all of them. What the Gaining Countries Are Doing Right The countries capturing the most industrial value from AI are treating it as factory infrastructure. China is deploying at scale — tens of thousands of smart factories, explicit national penetration targets, and heavy use of edge AI on the production line for quality control, predictive maintenance, and process adjustment. South Korea has the highest robot density in the world and is rapidly layering AI on top of that base. Government and industry programs are funding manufacturing AI transformation, practical training, and on-device intelligence across electronics, automotive, and heavy industry. Singapore maintains one of the highest real-world AI adoption rates. Its national strategy focuses on enterprise deployment and operational use rather than prolonged pilots. The pattern is consistent. These countries push AI onto the factory floor, pair it with fast training, coordinate adoption, and treat lagging deployment as a competitiveness problem. They are installing the AI era instead of debating it. The Pressures at Home AI is already moving the jobs: Companies keep headquarters in expensive cities while placing the next several hundred high-salary roles in lower-cost Sun Belt markets — or worse, offshore. AI compresses professional work at home and raises the output of remote teams abroad at the same time. This is quiet relocation of the employment ladder. AI moves faster than politics: New models and tools advance in months. Manufacturers that do not put practical edge AI on the factory floor and train operators quickly will lose on cost. Data centers and factories are already competing for the same power. The next 24 months will largely determine who gets it. The next jobs are the real issue: It is not only that some current highwage jobs are disappearing. AI is deciding where the next generation of those jobs gets created.
The Three Pillars 1. End the tax break for AI-enabled offshoring of knowledge work: Stop allowing companies to deduct the cost of replacing American professional workers with AI-augmented remote foreign teams. 2. Put open edge AI on the factory floor with fast training: Run practical AI models on local hardware inside the plant. Cameras and sensors feed models that flag defects, predict failures, and adjust processes in real time. Pair the technology with short operator training measured in days or weeks. This is how other countries are keeping production competitive. 3. Scale the payroll tax incentives that already work: Expand proven performance-based credits so domestic teams using AI remain competitive with offshore ones. The Obstacle Neither party is moving on all three pillars. Both parties need the money that funds campaigns and the legacy base that delivers votes and organization. That base is still defending a picture of the economy that the AI era is already breaking. The countries gaining the most are not defending the old picture. They are installing the new one. The Stakes If the next two years are spent defending arrangements that no longer match reality, 2028 will simply record the damage: weaker wages, higher costs, and deeper dependence on foreign supply chains and remote AI computation. The tools exist. Other countries are already using them. The AI window is small.
Mollie Barnett - is an AI Decision Architect and the founder of State & Signal, where she helps leaders build stronger decision systems before deploying AI.
Messenger Perspectives
18
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Bringing Out the Best in Us By PJ Balzer
This past Monday morning, the country of Colombia experienced a powerful and devastating earthquake. To you, that may seem far away and totally irrelevant, but for me, my in-laws live there and live in one of the cities that were affected by the utter devastation. So, this has a direct effect on my wife and, of course, my own life. Colombia is a nation that is used to experiencing earthquakes. My motherin-law sent a video that morning showing how the earthquake threw items off the wall in their apartment. I initially thought it was just a tremor, something that happens often there. But as Monday morning and afternoon rolled on and videos started surfacing on social media, I realized that this earthquake was a major, life-altering event. This was no small tremor. It recorded at 7.4 on the Richter scale, similar to the one that neighboring Venezuela had earlier this summer. Buildings totally crumbled, whole city blocks were reduced to rubble, and people perished within a moment. The irony is that the nation just came through another life-altering event. Monday was the first day of the new change. Colombia just chose a new president recently that ended up being the polar
(631) 269-6421
opposite to the last. Monday morning was his first day in his new office, the very same morning that the earthquake hit. I’m not sure if that’s ever happened in history, in any place or time. He hasn’t even chosen a new cabinet or made any new changes, yet is now faced with an event that has changed the nation and its direction. I couldn’t possibly bring myself to believe that it’s just a random coincidence. I can’t speak for Colombia, yet I do know that elections can be extremely divisive, especially when the new president is the opposite of the last. People have strong opinions, especially in 2026 when everyone has a platform for expressing them. With that said, I would only imagine that the nation has experienced some social fractures during its own election cycle. I’m taking an educated guess based on what we’ve experienced here in the United States in the past decade. Everywhere I go, I could easily cut the social tension with a knife. Humans seem to be at odds with each other and constantly on edge. I personally find it unfortunate, to say the very least. As Monday morning and afternoon turned into the evening, social media and news stations were now flooded with videos from all over Colombia. Videos of unspeakable devastation, rescue efforts, and some beauty mixed in. Videos with tears, disbelief, and shock; videos of loss, gratefulness, and miracles that had been experienced in those moments of the Earth trembling; videos of neighbors and strangers concerned about each other, frantically searching for each other and even each other’s pets; videos of newborn babies being found alive underneath concrete walls that fell like a Lego tower. Videos of how it should be, how we should care for our neighbors all the time. I was a college student during our own national tragedy of 9/11. I remember being at college watching the Twin Towers in flames on a large screen in the student cafeteria. We were all gathered around the television screen confused and unknowingly living out a horror movie right before our eyes. At twenty years old, you understand things from a certain and limited perspective. Now looking back, I was watching the entire world change forever on a television screen in real-time. I also vividly remember seeing the best in people during that time. People in that specific cafeteria I was standing in were embracing each other while crying, people from totally different places and walks of life. An international student from Morocco was in front of me hugging her roommate who was from Deep South, both with tears of fear and confusion falling from their brown and blue eyes. No one knew or cared what the person next to them believed or voted for. That was completely irrelevant in that moment of tragedy. People simply rose to the occasion immediately to offer help to one another. Some even ended up putting their own lives at risk to run back to save other humans. Some were getting paid to do so; others weren’t. They simply cared enough about their fellow human beings to run towards danger to save and help them. Love has always been an action word. I didn’t see anyone in the videos that I saw from Colombia this past Monday discussing the new president or contentious election. None of that seemed to matter. The videos were all about humanity, helping, and saving lives, taking it upon themselves to ease the suffering that a fellow human being was experiencing. People were banded together to search the rubble for other humans who were still missing. Some were screaming their neighbors’ names into piles of concrete, hoping to hear even a faint whisper in return. People were praying for neighbors who hadn’t been accounted for yet. Others were taking it upon themselves to help get the elderly to a safe place. There were countless tears being shed for each other and plenty of them. I couldn’t explain to you why, but it’s often in tragedy that we get a clear glimpse of the very best of humanity. In Colombia, it definitely wasn’t the election cycle that brought out the best in people. It was Monday’s earthquake. Maybe we’re simply at our best when we’re caring for one another.
AMAC Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Overview - AMAC The Association of Mature American Citizens
Trump Moves to Stop China’s Robot Invasion
AMAC plays a vital role in helping build the services that will enrich the lives of America’s seniors. AMAC Action, a 501 (C)(4) advocates for issues important to AMAC’s membership on Capitol Hill and locally through grassroots activism. To Learn more, visit amac.us
By Ben Solis | Contributing Writer for AMAC The Trump administration has moved to keep a new generation of foreign-made robots out of the United States, warning that machines equipped with cameras, microphones, artificial intelligence (AI), and remote-control capabilities could become tools for espionage, cyberattacks, or physical sabotage. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently issued a National Security Determination which added foreign-produced advanced robotic devices to its “Covered List,” meaning that foreign companies generally cannot get federal approval to import or sell new models of these products in the United States. The FCC also restricted new foreign-made robotics components used in solar arrays, battery systems, data centers, homes, and the electrical grid. Although the restrictions apply to foreign-produced systems generally, China is plainly at the center of the administration’s concerns. Beijing is the world’s largest producer of humanoid robots and is competing aggressively with the United States for leadership in robotics and AI. China responded by accusing the United States of abusing national security concerns to target Chinese companies. But the administration’s determination concluded that foreignproduced robots create “unacceptable” cybersecurity and supply-chain risks as the machines become increasingly integrated into American life. The restrictions apply to mobile humanoid robots, four-legged “robot dogs,” and wheeled or tracked machines weighing more than 4.4 pounds. Any devices that have sensors that perceive its surroundings, network connectivity, and software that controls its movement, navigation, data collection, or remote operation are covered under the new FCC rule. The action does not cover stationary industrial robotic arms, medical and surgical robots, mobility aids, drones, connected vehicles, underwater vehicles, or machines operating exclusively on rail lines. It also does not ban foreign robots that have already received FCC authorization, meaning Americans can continue purchasing and using previously approved models. This policy shift comes as robots are becoming ubiquitous in American life and the U.S. economy. Advanced machines are increasingly being used in warehouses, manufacturing plants, infrastructure inspections, physical security, dangerous industrial environments, homes, and the military. The administration’s National Security Determination finds that the importance of advanced robots will only increase as AI improves their ability to operate with limited human direction. BCC Research estimates that the global humanoidrobot market will grow from $1.9 billion in 2025 to $11 billion by 2030 – an annual growth rate of nearly 43 percent. China’s integrated supply chains and government-backed commercialization efforts have positioned it to capture a significant share of that expansion. “This emerging market and the future of American industry are targets for Beijing,” Professor Wernfried Scharfspitz told me in an interview. “As with solar panels and electric vehicles, China has sought to dominate this sector.” The comparison is instructive. American policymakers fear that Chinese companies could use state subsidies, enormous manufacturing scale, and artificially low prices to overwhelm American competitors before the domestic robotics industry has fully matured. Once U.S. factories and infrastructure become dependent on Chinese machines, Beijing could gain both economic leverage and access to extraordinary quantities of sensitive information. Modern robots are not simply mechanical tools. They are mobile, networked computers capable of seeing, hearing, mapping, and interacting with the physical world. Many use LiDAR, cameras, microphones, thermal sensors, and other equipment to create detailed pictures of their surroundings. A compromised robot deployed in a factory, power plant, data center, military facility, or private home could therefore provide a foreign adversary with far more than ordinary consumer data. The administration cited recent vulnerabilities that allegedly exposed live camera feeds, microphone audio, and detailed maps collected by foreign-made household robots. Another flaw reportedly allowed an attacker to commandeer humanoid robots and scan for nearby machines, raising the possibility of a self-propagating “humanoid botnet.” Researchers also identified a suspected backdoor in foreign made “robot dogs” that could permit access to their cameras and physical controls. Congress has already sounded the alarm over one of China’s largest robotics manufacturers, Unitree. In a bipartisan letter to senior administration officials, the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party warned that Unitree robots reportedly contained an undocumented remote-access tunnel known as CloudSail. The service allegedly connected to company servers in China and was enabled by default. According to the committee, malign actors could
19
The Association of Mature American Citizens represents Americans 50 plus. AMAC is centered on American values, freedom of the individual, free speech, and exercise of religion, equality of opportunity, sanctity of life, rule of law, and love of family, with benefits at all levels.
Thursday, August 13, 2026
potentially tunnel into a robot, stream video, or access its systems remotely. The committee also raised concerns about Unitree’s relationships with Chinese military-linked institutions and the similarities between its commercial robot dogs and machines used in military applications. Those concerns led Select Committee Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI), Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA), and Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-VA) to introduce the bipartisan Guarding the U.S. Against Adversarial Robotics Dominance (GUARD) Act in June. The GUARD Act would require national security agencies to review humanoid and quadruped robots produced by China and other foreign adversaries. Systems found to pose unacceptable risks would be placed on the FCC’s Covered List. The Trump administration’s new action goes even further by presumptively covering all new foreign-produced advanced mobile robots unless
O N
specifically cleared. The FCC applied similar reasoning to connected power inverters. These devices convert electricity generated by solar panels and batteries into the alternating current used by homes, businesses, data centers, and the grid. Federal officials warned that compromised foreign-made inverters could be remotely disabled, manipulated, used to collect data, or exploited as entry points into critical infrastructure. The United States is still in the early stages of the robotics revolution. That is precisely why the administration acted now. Once foreign-controlled machines are embedded throughout American factories, utilities, military facilities, workplaces, and homes, removing them would be expensive and disruptive. Preventing that dependency before it takes hold is far easier and far safer than discovering too late that America built its automated future on technology an adversary could watch, disable, or control.
S T A G E
JUL 9 – AUG 23 U P
SEP 10–OCT 25
N E X T
NOV 12–DEC 27
Bits & Pieces
20
WORD OF THE
Week
Etymology:
1570s from French acerbité, from Latin acerbitatem, “harshness, sharpness, bitterness, sourness.” 1865, originally and usually figuratively, “sour, harsh, severe” (of speech, manners, etc.), from Latin acerbus, “harsh to the taste, sharp, bitter, sour.”
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, August 13, 2026
SUDOKU
ACERBIC adjective Pronounced: /uh·sur·buhk/ Definition: sharply or bitingly critical, sarcastic, or ironic in temper, mood, or tone.
Example:
“The journalist formed a reputation for his candid and acerbic columns on government corruption.”
Synonyms: caustic, harsh, barbed Antonyms: calm, mild, amusing Source: Merriam-Webster
See left for the answers (please don’t cheat!)
This Week in History August 13, 1961: Construction of the Berlin Wall begins in East Germany.
WORD WHEEL L
A T
See how many words you can create. Must have center letter in word and can use letters more than once. 4 letter word minimum.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana, home of the Indy 500, hosts its first motorized event, a series of motorcycle races.
August 17, 1945: Korea is divided into North and South Korea along the 38th parallel.
H
W
August 14, 1909:
August 15, 1969:
U S
Woodstock Festival opens in Bethel, New York, on Max Yasgur’s dairy farm; performers include Richie Havens, Tim Hardin, Ravi Shankar, Melanie, Arlo Guthrie, and Joan Baez.
August 16, 2008:
Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt sets a new world record of 9.69 seconds to win the 100 m gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.
August 19, 1950:
ABC begins broadcasting Saturday morning kids’ shows (Animal Clinic and Acrobat Ranch).
August 18, 1590:
Governor of Roanoke Island colony John White returns from England to find no trace of the colonists he left there three years earlier.
Source: Onthisday.com.
Bits & Pieces Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
NATIONAL The Major Cities Chiefs Association reports that violent crime in the nation’s largest cities are down 17.2% from the first half of last year. In Washington, D.C., homicides are down 43.9%. In Memphis, 43.7%. In New Orleans, nearly 25%. The Department of War (formerly Defense) is investing over $85M into Standard Bauxite for critical warfighter components. The Department of War is also investing $150M into Niron Magnetics for rare earth-free magnets to support the defense industrial base. The Export-Import Bank is investing $25M into Westwater Resources in Alabama to support domestic battery support. The Export-Import Bank is investing $8M in 5E Advanced Materials to develop key components of magnets, semiconductors, and glass. Dept of Energy investing $100M into America’s 14 mining schools. President Trump signed an Executive Order “Ending Birth Tourism.” Over 100 New York State Democratic elected officials signed a letter to Senator Schumer and Leader Jeffries in support of abolishing ICE. President Trump recently held the first-ever live televised Cabinet meeting at Camp David. Ben Jones, star of The Dukes of Hazard, and represented Georgia in Congress, died on Sunday. He was 84.
STATE The New York State Fair set to open Wednesday, August 26, and runs through Labor Day at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. The Department of Justice is suing the State to block in-state tuition for undocumented students. Luigi Mangione had his final pretrial hearing on Tuesday over his alleged murder of a healthcare executive in 2024. Governor Kathy Hochul has announced $21M to expand psychiatric emergency programs across the state. Capital Group tapped by State to invest $38M into NYC expansion.
LOCAL Suffolk County’s 2nd Annual Oyster Jamboree August 15 at Port Jeff! North Carolina man plead guilty to fatal stabbing at the Stony Brook Yacht Club. He faces 25 to life. The Annual William Floyd Scholarship Fund Golf Outing in Bellport raised a record-breaking $30,000 to William Floyd Students. A State Comptroller audit found the Blue Point Fire District did not effectively manage fund balances and capital reserves. A Central Islip man was sentenced to 25 years for a fatal shooting during a 2022 attempted robbery. Northwell Health earned recognition for “Excellence in System-Wide Spread” from the IHI - one of only 14 health systems in the country.
Thursday, August 13, 2026
WORD SEARCH
21
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Brentwood Wrestling
Coach Ralph Napolitano Steps Down By Ashley Pavlakis known to be a coach and a mentor, always looking to bring out the best in his wrestlers on and off the mat. His impact on the sport and his wrestlers is unmatched. Napolitano stepped down from his position at Brentwood due to “circumstances out of his control.” In doing so, he put out a heartfelt message to the Brentwood wrestling community. “For 34 years I was blessed and honored to be a part of the Brentwood Wrestling Family. Those years were some of the most amazing times of my life. Many times, people say that we coaches do so much for the kids, but I believe it is totally opposite. It is the kids that make it so special and great for us coaches. You guys have no idea how happy and proud you made me. I love you,” said Napolitano. Building a legacy isn’t all about being the best at what you do. It’s about the things you do to get there: the blood, sweat, and tears that go along with putting in the hard work, developing a culture that stems from more than just winning, and being a mentor in addition to being a coach. All these qualities cultivate a long-lasting legacy. Napolitano will be hard to replace, but what he’s built at Brentwood will forever be etched in history. Although Ralph Napolitano’s departure from the Brentwood Varsity wrestling program was not on his own terms, the outstanding coaching career he put together outweighs it all. Congratulations, Ralph, on a legendary career. Suffolk County is proud of you! Credit - Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame
There’s longevity in the sport of wrestling. Brentwood Varsity wrestling coach Ralph Napolitano recently wrapped up a 34-year career at the helm of the Spartans. Ralph Napolitano graduated from Brentwood in 1985 where he was a student-athlete for the Spartans. In 1992, Napolitano began coaching at his alma mater. 34 years later, Napolitano had a successful coaching career. Let’s take a look at the resume Napolitano amassed at the helm of the green and white. His stats are some of the best in Section XI history. Napolitano notched 377 dual-meet victories, which puts him at fourth all-time in Section XI, 11 league tournament championships, Suffolk County team tournament champions ‘08 and ’12, Suffolk County dual meet champions in 2022, 17 individual Suffolk County champions, 96 All-County wrestlers, 22 New York State place-winners, three individual NYS champions: Kenny Torres, Carlos Toribio, and Jason Kwaak. Individually, Napolitano racked up a wealth of coaching honors. He won League 1 Coach of the Year four times, Suffolk County Officials Coach of the Year twice, Suffolk County Head Coach of the Year ‘08, and Long Island Coach of the Year ‘08. The Hall of Fame called his name twice. In 2022, Napolitano was inducted into the ‘National Wrestling Hall of Fame where he was honored with the Lifetime Service to Wrestling Award. In 2023, Napolitano was inducted into the Suffolk County Hall of Fame. Napolitano had a “the door is always open policy” for his wrestlers. He’s
Mrs. Met Inducted into Mascot Hall of Fame Class Of 2026 By Ashley Pavlakis Credit - MTA, CC BY 2.0
Mascots are an integral part of any sports organization. They bring the energy outside the game and cultivate a family-oriented space. Some mascots have been around for decades, cementing their place in history. Mrs. Met, wife of Mr. Met, was inducted into the 2026 Mascot Hall of Fame Class. Originally called ‘Lady Met’, she was introduced in the 1960s by the New York Mets organization soon after their inaugural season. Mets fans lovingly refer to her as Mrs. Met; the name was revamped in the 1970s and has stuck ever since. She’s of the humanoid baseball species, having a baseball for a head. Her first name is Jan, if anyone was wondering. Mrs. Met had stints here and there at the ballpark but officially found her home at Citi Field in 2013. The Mets hosted the All-Star game that season and announced Mrs. Mets’ revival. Now, when fans attend games at Citi Field, she’s seen hand-inhand with her counterpart, Mr. Met. They’re often seen wandering the concourse together, greeting fans, standing on top of the dugouts performing, or firing off t-shirt cannons into the crowd. Being the first at something is special, even more so when it’s a woman. Mrs. Met is the first female mascot to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. She enters in a class of five, standing alongside Goldy Gopher (University of
Minnesota), Cocky (University of South Carolina), Miles (Denver Broncos), and Cosmo (BYU). Mrs. Met headlines the class as the first and only female to receive the honor. The impact Mrs. Met has had on the sport is something to be seen. In 2025, she was voted by her fellow mascots to receive the 2025 Mascot Leadership Award. She’s an active member in the community, making appearances on nongamedays to show support. In the professional sports world, Mrs. Met stands with the likes of Ellie the Elephant (NY Liberty), Skye the Lioness
(Chicago Sky), Violet (Golden State Valkyries), Rosie Red (Cincinnati Reds), and Tessie (Boston Red Sox). Mrs. Met is actively promoted on social media and inside the ballpark. Whether she’s a fan giveaway such as a bobblehead, or on a t-shirt in the team store, she’s well represented throughout the organization. Her first rise to fame was for a SportsCenter commercial in 2005. The Mascot Hall of Fame was established in 2005 by Founder David Raymond and Co-Founder Chris Bruce. The Hall’s mission is to honor those who perform at the highest level, bringing their character to life. They serve as a platform to showcase mascots as the cultural icons that they are. Female mascots are not unheard of; in fact, they’re becoming more popular in today’s world with more professional women’s sports teams establishing themselves. Mrs. Met has and continues to pave the way for her current and future counterparts. She leads with grace, fashion, and the respect of her peers. Congratulations on a phenomenal accomplishment, Mrs. Met. From Long Island to Queens, Mets fans are proud of you!
Scott Coppola
23
SUFFOLK SPORTS LEGEND
Suddenly Passes By Jacob Infald This past week, Scott Coppola, a Suffolk County sports legend, passed away at just the age of 49 after suffering a cardiac arrest while playing in an adult ice hockey league at Eisenhower Park. Coppola leaves behind a legacy that is one of, if not, the greatest in Suffolk County sports history. During his time at Connetquot High School from 1991-1995, he was a three-sport athlete who starred in football, basketball, and baseball. Coppola earned All-League honors twice in basketball, and as quarterback he led Connetquot to the Suffolk County Division I football championship twice, in both 1992 and 1994. In 1992, he led them to a Long Island Class I Football title, and in 1994 Coppola was named to the Newsday AllLong Island first-team. However, despite Coppola’s accomplishments on the court and the gridiron, it was baseball that was his true love and what he excelled at the most. As a two-way player, Coppola led Connetquot to the New York Class A baseball championship during his senior year in 1995. Coppola was absolutely dominant on the mound that season, going 12-0 and received the New York State MVP award for that season. After high school, Coppola accepted a scholarship to stay on Long Island and play baseball at Hofstra University. Coppola put together a solid career at the Division I level, playing both third base and pitcher. He appeared in 37 games as a pitcher where he compiled 11 wins and 130 strikeouts. As a hitter, he had a career batting average of .254, with three home runs, six doubles, six triples, and 28 RBIs. After graduating, Coppola came back to Hofstra as an assistant coach for the softball team for two seasons starting in 2003.
Coppola worked as a baseball trainer at Baseball Plus in Hicksville and as a customer service representative for Auto Rim Shop in Farmingdale. Coppola leaves behind his wife Tara Coppola, and their two children Kasey and Kyle. Family and friends have started a GoFundMe for the Coppola family that has raised nearly $150,000. According to the fundraiser, Tara is recovering from three surgeries after a breast cancer diagnosis last year, so the family can use all the support they can get during this difficult time.
End of Summer Little League Classic By PJ Balzer One of my favorite signs of the end of summer is this. If you turn on your television at night in the next few weeks to major sports channels, you’ll see teams full of 12-year-olds from around the United States playing their hearts out for a spot in the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Every little league player’s dream is to take that ride to play in this globally watched baseball tournament. The 79th annual Little League World Series has technically started already with qualifying games being played each night. This past week, a team representing New York - from Port Washington - faced a team from Bayonne, New Jersey. These round robinstyle elimination games are played first by region. The United States sends ten regional winners to the tournament in Pennsylvania. The 2026 Little League Baseball World Series (LLBWS) will take place from August 19 to August 30, 2026. The tournament features a total of twenty teams. Ten are
from the United States along with ten international champions competing as well. The tournament is in a double-elimination format and concludes with the U.S. and International bracket finals on August 29, followed by the world championship game on August 30. On Sunday, August 23, the Milwaukee Brewers and Atlanta Braves will play a regular-season major league game at historic Bowman Field in Williamsport. This game will air live on ESPN, and the little league players (both domestic and international) and their families are invited into the stands to watch. The kids usually get to sit with and meet MLB players as they watch the game. This is one of the best evenings and traditions in the sport of baseball. Don’t be alarmed if you turn the channel to one of these many games and see children or adults sliding down a steep grass hill on a flat piece of cardboard. This is also one of the oldest and best traditions that happens in South Williamsport during the Little League baseball World Series.
Big Crowd Celebrates Jewish Heritage Night with Ducks The Long Island Ducks hosted another successful Jewish Heritage Night at Fairfield Properties Ballpark. A near-sellout crowd of 5,902 fans attended the series opener between the Long Island Ducks and York Revolution. The night featured Ducks players and coaches wearing commemorative jerseys, which were auctioned off from August 4-11. Fans were able to place bids on these game-worn jerseys via the LiveSource mobile app, with proceeds benefiting the Jewish Community Centers of Long Island via the QuackerJack Foundation, the charitable arm of the Ducks. Fans were handed out Israeli and American flags upon entering the ballpark and enjoyed various Jewish-themed promotions and music throughout the game. Following the game, all fans in attendance were treated to a Fireworks Spectacular. On the field, the Ducks dropped the series opener 12-8 to the Revolution. Wilmer Difo led the way at the plate for the Flock with two singles, a solo home run, three runs scored and a walk. Anthony Garcia returned to the lineup and collected an RBI single, a two-run homer and a pair of walks. Jacob Robson chipped in with a double, an RBI triple, a run and a walk, while Aaron Takacs had three hits. The Revolution were led by Brian Rey, who had a home run and five RBIs. Jacob Teter chipped in with a pair of solo home runs, a single and a walk for the visitors, while Jackson Ross contributed with three hits, an RBI, two runs and a walk. York starting pitcher Julian Costa (7-2) picked up the win, giving up six runs (five earned) on 11 hits in five and one-third innings, walking two while striking out four. Long Island starter Ryan Cardona (3-3) suffered the loss, surrendering seven runs on seven hits in four innings of work, walking five while striking out a pair of batters. Tickets to the game and all Ducks games are now available and can be purchased by visiting the ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX. Those unable to make the game can follow all the action live on Dugout TV, powered by HomeTeam Network.
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Messenger Spotlight
Thursday, August 13, 2026
The Kindness of Strangers Takes Flight at The Gateway’s
‘Come From Away’
By Cindi Sansone-Braff Judging from the rousing standing ovation after Friday night’s riveting performance of “Come From Away,” this hauntingly magnificent musical strikes a powerful emotional chord with audiences. After the actors exited, the incredibly talented onstage band took center stage and performed “Screech Out.” As if on cue, the audience’s unending applause gave way to jubilant clapping in rhythm with this highenergy, Celtic-infused tune. Perfectly timed to coincide with the surreal yet solemn quartercentury anniversary of September 11, The Gateway Playhouse’s latest production reminds us that even in history’s darkest moments, miraculous acts of kindness, often performed by strangers, instill renewed hope and faith in humanity’s inherent goodness. The book, music, and lyrics of the Tony Award-winning “Come From Away” were written by the Canadian married creative team Irene Sankoff and David Hein. Set in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, this heartrending, humorous, and hope-filled 100-minute musical runs without intermission and centers on the true-life events in a remote, rural town in Newfoundland after 38 planes carrying nearly 7,000 passengers landed at Gander International Airport. Without minimizing the gut-wrenching fear and tragedy surrounding the terrorist attacks, Sankoff and Hein captured the spirit of compassion, community, and hospitality shown by the citizens of Gander to thousands of terrified, stranded strangers from around the globe who descended on their small town. This musical’s colorful array of characters is based on real-life Newfoundland residents and the “plane people.” Written as an ensemble piece, the show requires an energetic, talented group of actors who can sing, dance, and portray multiple roles while rapidly switching accents. To fit the bill, The Gateway Playhouse has assembled one of the strongest casts you will see on any stage. Director and choreographer Keith Andrews brought out the best in this versatile 12-member cast with his
expert staging, high-voltage choreography, and precision-perfect timing. The actors portraying the citizens of Gander had great onstage chemistry, making it believable that they were part of a small, tightknit community. Darren Matthias delivered a memorable performance as Claude, the warmhearted mayor of Gander, who is suddenly thrust into a world crisis far beyond anything his small-town experience had prepared him for. Yet he stepped up to the plate to become the town’s guiding force. Michelle Cosentino gave an award-worthy portrayal of Bonnie, the strong-willed head of the Gander SPCA, who cares for the animals trapped aboard the grounded planes. Will Stotts, who played Oz, the easygoing constable in the two-person Gander police force, received some of the biggest laughs of the evening. Nicole Hale delivered a heartwarming portrayal of Beulah, the kind, compassionate, quick-witted teacher who offers comfort wherever she goes. Liv Kurtz was likable as Janice, a rookie reporter at a local TV station whose first day on the job proved to be a baptism of fire. All the actors portraying the stranded plane passengers gave outstanding performances. Heidi Godt aced the role of Beverley Bass, the first female captain for American Airlines. “Me and the Sky” reveals Beverley’s lifelong love of flying and how the horrific events of that September morning changed her. Renee Marie Titus delivered an unforgettable performance as Hannah, a
distraught mother waiting for news about her son, a New York City firefighter. Her moving solo “I Am Here” was one of the show’s highlights. Bart Mather brought charm and charisma to the role of Kevin T., the head of an environmental energy company in Los Angeles, vacationing with his boyfriend, also named Kevin, brilliantly portrayed by Joe Rumi. Rumi was equally impressive as Ali, an Egyptian Muslim who arouses deep-seated prejudice and unwarranted suspicion among the other stranded passengers. Jason Tyler Smith stole the show as Bob, a jaded New Yorker who gradually lets his guard down as he embraces Gander’s trusting and generous way of life. An endearing true-life love story centered on Nick, a hardworking, lonely English oil engineer, and Diane, a feisty Texas divorcee. Kent M. Lewis and Jean McCormick
brought warmth and humor to this endearing couple, destined to find everlasting love under the most trying circumstances. The breathtaking score of “Come From Away” blends Newfoundland’s rich musical heritage with Celtic rhythms, pulsating percussion, and traditional folk tunes, with a touch of rock for good measure. The lyrics, infused with Gander’s dry wit and colloquialisms, provided ample comic relief, prompting spontaneous laughter. The onstage band, conducted by keyboardist Ryan O’Connell, brought the music to life, and the audience clapped enthusiastically when Anthony Galea, on fiddle, took a solo. The production number “Prayer” was awe-inspiring, a mesmerizing medley of interfaith pleas for peace set to traditional Christian, Jewish, Hindu, and Islamic melodies. You don’t want to miss this stellar show, so drop everything and purchase tickets to the timely production of “Come From Away.” The musical runs through September 6, 2026, at The Gateway Playhouse in Bellport. To purchase tickets, contact the Box Office at (631) 2861133 or buy online at https://TheGateway.org/. Cindi Sansone-Braff is an award-winning, published playwright. She holds a BFA in Theatre from the University of Connecticut and is a member of the Dramatists Guild. She is the author of “Grant Me a Higher Love,” “Why Good People Can’t Leave Bad Relationships,” and “Confessions of a Reluctant Long Island Psychic.” She won the 2026 Press Club of Long Island Media Award in the Narrative Arts Category for outstanding journalism.