A Few Clouds 62°
Schools
NY School District Responds To Teacher's Allegations Following Firing NY School District Responds To Teacher's Allegations Following Firing
NY School District Responds To Teacher's Allegations Following Firing A teacher from the region who was let go is making waves with allegations that he was let go for being a friend and ally to the school's LGBTQ community. The incident began playing out in public in Suffolk County on Long Island when Smithtown High School East teacher Josh Tilton claimed on Instagram that he was denied tenure because of his beliefs. Tilson, who worked closely with LGBTQ students, wrote on Instagram that a mural he created with his students was painted over once he was no longer at the building and pointed fingers at several administrators as "hating" the LGBTQ community…

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by Kathy Reakes
Schools
Long Island School District Welcomes 10 New Staff Members Long Island School District Welcomes 10 New Staff Members
Long Island School District Welcomes 10 New Staff Members A Long Island school district is beginning the school year with some brand-new additions to its staff. The Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District has welcomed 10 new staff members, the district announced on Thursday, Sept. 1. "Each of these individuals brings something special to the table and I am confident that our Oyster Bay-East Norwich students, staff and families will soar under their leadership and expertise,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Francesco Ianni said. “We are thrilled to welcome them to the district and are ready for a successful 2022-2023 school year!" The new st…

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by Nicole Valinote
Schools
'Where Is Mr. Dougherty?': Long Island HS Students Walk Out Over Absence Of Popular Principal 'Where Is Mr. Dougherty?': Long Island HS Students Walk Out Over Absence Of Popular Principal
'Where Is Mr. Dougherty?': Long Island HS Students Walk Out Over Absence Of Popular Principal Students at one Long Island high school spent the first day of school holding a walkout to protest the disappearance of their beloved principal. Those students were upset after being told this week that the principal of Elmont Memorial High School, Kevin Dougherty, or "Doc" would not be returning this year.  On Tuesday, Aug. 30, Superintendent James Grossane, of the Sewanhaka Central High School District wrote to students and family that Dougherty is "taking a sabbatical leave of absence for the 2022-2023 school year." Grossane went on to announce he would be appointing…

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by Kathy Reakes
Lifestyle
Americans 'Self Silencing' In Record Numbers, New Study Reveals: Here's What It Means Americans 'Self Silencing' In Record Numbers, New Study Reveals: Here's What It Means
Americans 'Self Silencing' In Record Numbers, New Study Reveals: Here's What It Means If you’ve ever found yourself hiding your true opinion just to avoid ruffling feathers, you’re not alone, according to a new study from the think tank Populace. Researchers wanted to find out how prevalent self-silencing, or preference falsification, is - defined as saying what you think others want to hear rather than what you truly believe. What they found is a tendency for people of all demographics to succumb to social pressures to have the “right” opinion when it comes to hot-button issues like abortion, mask wearing, and discussing gender identity in schools, despite their true feelin…

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
NY History Regents Canceled Due To Content That Could Cause Trauma After Buffalo Shooting NY History Regents Canceled Due To Content That Could Cause Trauma After Buffalo Shooting
NY History Regents Canceled Due To Content That Could Cause Trauma After Buffalo Shooting A new Regents exam for US history and government has been canceled over concerns that it could further traumatize students in the wake of the Buffalo mass shooting. In a letter to colleagues sent Tuesday, May 24, New York State Department of Education Commissioner Betty Rosa said the department had worked with state educators to review content from the June Regents Exams following the May 14 attack. “During that review, our experts determined that there is content on the new Regents Examination in United States History and Government (Framework) that has the potential to compound student t…

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
Long Island High School Principal Dies Suddenly Long Island High School Principal Dies Suddenly
Long Island High School Principal Dies Suddenly A high school principal on Long Island has died unexpectedly. Dr. Karen Lessler, the principal of Kings Park High School in Suffolk County, died, Superintendent Timothy T. Eagen wrote in a message to parents on Tuesday, April 5. “This loss is sure to raise many emotions, concerns, and questions for our entire school, especially our students,” he said. “We are tremendously saddened by the loss to our school community and will make every effort to help you and your child as needed.” The cause of the death has not been released. Lessler, whose age was also not released, began her tenure wi…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: Here's Percentage Of NYers Who Want To Wait Before Lifting School Mask Mandate COVID-19: Here's Percentage Of NYers Who Want To Wait Before Lifting School Mask Mandate
Covid-19: Here's Percentage Of NYers Who Want To Wait Before Lifting School Mask Mandate A new poll has revealed the percentage of New Yorkers who want the state to hold off on lifting its school mask mandate until more information is available Siena College released the results of its latest poll, which found that 58 percent of New Yorkers would rather wait until early March to determine whether or not Gov. Kathy Hochul should lift the school mask mandate. There is still a divide over the issue, the poll found: 74 percent of Democratic voters support Hochul's plan to keep the mask mandate in place until at least early March, while only 30 percent of Republicans back the move.…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Student At Prestigious Northern Westchester School Dies By Suicide, Police Say Student At Prestigious Northern Westchester School Dies By Suicide, Police Say
Student At Prestigious Northern Westchester School Dies By Suicide, Police Say This story has been updated. A 17-year-old student at a prestigious academy in New York has died by suicide, authorities said. The incident took place in Westchester County around 9:30 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 17 at the EF Academy in Thornwood, according to Chief Paul J. Oliva, of the Mount Pleasant Police. Police were notified of a suicidal person by a 911 call from the academy, Oliva said. The first responding officers were directed by school staff to a dormitory room attached to the main building. Upon entry to the room, the officers discovered a deceased 17-year-old male student…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Police Release New Info On Fatal Shooting Of College Student From Hudson Valley Police Release New Info On Fatal Shooting Of College Student From Hudson Valley
Police Release New Info On Fatal Shooting Of College Student From Hudson Valley The 21-year-old SUNY Potsdam student from the Hudson Valley who was killed just off-campus was fatally shot multiple times in a drive-by shooting, according to new information released by police. Putnam County resident Elizabeth Howell, age 21, who was a senior at SUNY Potsdam, was struck by three bullets that were fired from a grey, four-door Honda Civic at around 5:45 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 18, investigators from the Potsdam Police Department announced. Original story - Brewster HS Grad Killed In Upstate Shooting Was An Aspiring Educator Police said that her alleged shooter, St. Lawrence C…

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by Zak Failla
Obituaries
College Student From Hudson Valley Killed In Upstate Shooting Was An Aspiring Educator College Student From Hudson Valley Killed In Upstate Shooting Was An Aspiring Educator
College Student From Hudson Valley Killed In Upstate Shooting Was An Aspiring Educator A female college student from the Hudson Valley who was shot and killed on a street just off-campus in upstate New York is being remembered  as an aspiring educator and talented musician. Putnam County resident Elizabeth Howell, age 21, was a senior at SUNY Potsdam, where she was a music education student at the college's prestigious Crane School. At about 5:50 p.m. on Friday, Feb.18, police in Potsdam, New York, located in St. Lawrence County, responded to a report of an unconscious female on College Park Road near the entrance to SUNY Potsdam. Responding patrols located Howell, of t…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Here's Percentage Of US Workers Who Plan To Quit Their Jobs This Year, New Report Reveals Here's Percentage Of US Workers Who Plan To Quit Their Jobs This Year, New Report Reveals
Here's Percentage Of US Workers Who Plan To Quit Their Jobs This Year, New Report Reveals A new survey found that nearly one-quarter of workers in the United States plan to find a new job this year. ResumeBuilders.com said in a report on Monday, Jan. 3, that it surveyed 1,250 American adults who are currently employed, and found that 23 percent plan to find a new job in 2022. Nine percent of those respondents also said they had already secured a new job. The survey found the turnover will be the highest among the following fields: Retail Food and hospitality Education Office and administrative support The website reported that 31 percent of retail workers and 26 percent of fo…

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by Nicole Valinote
Schools
These Long Island Students Named Regeneron Semifinalists These Long Island Students Named Regeneron Semifinalists
These Long Island Students Named Regeneron Semifinalists More than four dozen Long Island high school students were among the 300 that were chosen as semifinalists at this year’s prestigious Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS). This year, approximately 1,800 students entered the Regeneron STS, where they “submit original research in critically important scientific fields of study.” The organization said that the search is “unique among high school competitions in the US and globally, (as the) Regeneron STS focuses on identifying, inspiring, and engaging the nation's most promising young scientists.” Judges narrowed the field to just 300, based …

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by Zak Failla