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Education

'Highly-Regarded' Suffolk Co. Coach, Mentor Honored Following Death In Rollover Crash 'Highly-Regarded' Suffolk Co. Coach, Mentor Honored Following Death In Rollover Crash
'Highly-Regarded' Suffolk Co. Coach, Mentor Honored Following Death In Rollover Crash The Long Island athletic community is mourning the loss of a beloved high school basketball coach following his untimely death. Darrell Sumpter, a dedicated assistant varsity basketball coach at William Floyd High School, died Friday, Dec. 13, in a wreck on Sunrise Highway in Shirley, as Daily Voice reported. He was 51. The William Floyd School District confirmed his passing in a letter to parents the following day. “Mr. Sumpter was a proud William Floyd graduate, a longtime community member, a family man, and a highly-regarded coach and mentor for our boys’ and girls’ basketball programs,…
Sharp Drop In College Enrollment Raises Alarm Sharp Drop In College Enrollment Raises Alarm
Sharp Drop In College Enrollment Raises Alarm Fewer high school graduates began college this fall, with enrollment in that age group dropping 5 percent from last year, according to an analysis by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.  Four-year institutions were hardest hit, with public colleges seeing an 8.5 percent drop in first-year enrollments and private nonprofit colleges reporting a 6.5 percent decline.  This trend poses significant challenges for colleges and universities, particularly those reliant on tuition revenue.  As the competition for students intensifies, institutions face mounting pressur…
Ivy Leaguer From Prominent Family Officially Charged With CEO's Murder, Faces Extradition To NY Ivy Leaguer From Prominent Family Officially Charged With CEO's Murder, Faces Extradition To NY
Ivy Leaguer From Prominent Family Officially Charged With CEO's Murder, Faces Extradition To NY An Ivy League-educated high school valedictorian from a privileged, politically connected family has been charged with the execution-style murder of the CEO of one of the nation's largest healthcare providers after a days-long manhunt. Click here for a new, updated story - CEO Murder: Whiz Kid Suspect May Have Spiraled After Traumatic Back Surgery New York prosecutors have formally charged 26-year-old Luigi Nicholas Mangione, a native of Towson, Maryland, with the fatal shooting of United Healthcare executive Brian Thompson.  The incident occurred outside the New York Hilton in midt…
Linda McMahon Picked To Head Department Of Education Linda McMahon Picked To Head Department Of Education
Linda McMahon Picked To Head Department Of Education President-elect Donald Trump named Linda McMahon, a prominent figure in business and politics, the next Secretary of the Department of Education. Trump noted McMahon's two years working on the Connecticut Board of Education when nominating her as the nation's top teacher. “As Secretary of Education, Linda will fight tirelessly to expand 'Choice' to every State in America, and empower parents to make the best Education decisions for their families,” Trump said in a statement that promised she would be a “fierce advocate for Parents’ Rights.” Related: Dr. Oz Tapped To Oversee Medicare, Medi…
These Are Top Public Elementary Schools In Suffolk County, New Ranking Shows These Are Top Public Elementary Schools In Suffolk County, New Ranking Shows
These Are Top Public Elementary Schools In Suffolk County, New Ranking Shows The grades are in and these Long Island schools are head of the class. After considering a number of key areas, the following Suffolk County schools were ranked top 5 in Niche’s 2025 “Best Public Elementary Schools in Suffolk County” report: No. 1 - Vanderbilt Elementary School in Dix Hills No. 2 - Paumanok Elementary School in Dix Hills No. 3 - Nassakeag Elementary School in East Setauket No. 4 - Otsego Elementary School in Dix Hills No. 5 - Lloyd Harbor School in Lloyd Harbor All five elementary schools earned overall grades of either A or A+, receiving top marks in the academics and…
This Dix Hills Middle School Ranked Among Top 5 In Suffolk County, Report Says This Dix Hills Middle School Ranked Among Top 5 In Suffolk County, Report Says
This Dix Hills Middle School Ranked Among Top 5 In Suffolk County, Report Says The grades are in and these middle schools are a cut above the rest, according to the community and school ranking site Niche. After considering a number of key areas, the following schools were ranked in the website’s 2025 “Best Schools in Suffolk County” report: No. 1 - Candlewood Middle School in Dix Hills No. 2 - West Hollow Middle School in Melville No. 3 - Paul J. Gelinas Junior High School in East Setauket No. 4 - Oldfield Middle School in Greenlawn No. 5 - Port Jefferson Middle School Candlewood, West Hollow, and Gelinas all hold overall grades of A+, while Oldfield and Port Jeffe…
Long Island School Aide Accused Of Falsifying Payroll Records Long Island School Aide Accused Of Falsifying Payroll Records
Long Island School Aide Accused Of Falsifying Payroll Records A Long Island school aide has been accused of falsifying payroll records claiming to work with a special needs student. Keenya Lessey, age 48, of Baldwin, allegedly submitted 19 falsified timesheets claiming to have worked with the fourth-grader with special needs in the Hempstead Union Free School District when she was not, and wrongfully collected more than $10,000 in pay, Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly said. Timesheets claimed Lessey worked full-time with the student at the Academy Charter School in Uniondale during winter break and other d…
New Poll Reveals Long Islanders' Preference In Closely Watched Congressional Races New Poll Reveals Long Islanders' Preference In Closely Watched Congressional Races
New Poll Reveals Long Islanders' Preference In Closely Watched Congressional Races Fresh polling appears to show a political divide between two closely watched congressional races on Long Island. Democrat Laura Gillen leads incumbent Republican Rep. Anthony D’Esposito by 12 percentage points, 53 to 41 percent, among likely voters in New York’s 4th District, according to a Siena College/Newsday poll released Tuesday, Oct. 22 D’Esposito has represented the 4th District, which includes central and southern Nassau County, since 2023. The race was considered a tossup by The Cook Political Report. Earlier Report: Competitive Long Island, Hudson Valley Races Seen As Key …
Barstool Sports Lending Support To Family Of New York Teacher Killed In Murder-Suicide Barstool Sports Lending Support To Family Of New York Teacher Killed In Murder-Suicide
Barstool Sports Lending Support To Family Of New York Teacher Killed In Murder-Suicide Following a horrific murder-suicide that left a beloved Westchester teacher and mom dead, community members and media company Barstool Sports are coming to the aid of her three children.  The outpouring of support follows the death of Eastchester Union Free School District teacher Arlene O’Neill, age 47, who was killed in a shooting at her Yonkers home on Chittenden Avenue on Wednesday morning, Oct. 16.  According to police, O’Neill, a fifth-grade teacher at the Anne Hutchinson School, was fatally shot by her husband, retired New York City Police Department officer…
Competitive Long Island, Hudson Valley Races Seen As Key To What Party Controls House Competitive Long Island, Hudson Valley Races Seen As Key To What Party Controls House
Competitive Long Island, Hudson Valley Races Seen As Key To What Party Controls House As Election Day draws closer, political pundits are closely watching three New York congressional races that could determine which party controls the House next year. Freshmen Republican Reps. Mike Lawler, Marc Molinaro, and Anthony D’Esposito – supporters of former President Donald Trump in districts won by President Joe Biden in 2020 – are all hoping for repeat wins in November. Here’s a closer look at their races. Mondaire Jones (left) and Rep. Mike Lawler. Campaign Facebook Pages 17th District: Lawler vs. Jones Lawler, whose 17th District represents all of Rockland and Pu…
Beloved Long Island Educators Killed In Bus Crash Get Posthumous Street Naming Beloved Long Island Educators Killed In Bus Crash Get Posthumous Street Naming
Beloved Long Island Educators Killed In Bus Crash Get Posthumous Street Naming Long Island leaders are honoring two beloved educators a year after they were killed in a bus crash. The Town of Oyster Bay unveiled two new street signs in Farmingdale honoring late Farmingdale High School band director Gina Pellettiere and retired teacher Beatrice “Bea” Ferrari during a ceremony held Tuesday, Oct. 8. Pellettiere, age 43, of Massapequa, and Ferrari, age 77, of Farmingdale, died when a charter bus carrying the school’s marching band to a band camp in Pennsylvania overturned on I-84 in Orange County, in the town of Wawayanda, on Sept. 21, 2023. At least 43 people were also…
Death Of 'Ultimate Hockey Mom,' Teacher From Long Island Sparks Flood Of Support For 3 Kids Death Of 'Ultimate Hockey Mom,' Teacher From Long Island Sparks Flood Of Support For 3 Kids
Death Of 'Ultimate Hockey Mom,' Teacher From Long Island Sparks Flood Of Support For 3 Kids Students, colleagues, and loved ones are mourning the unexpected loss of a beloved teacher on Long Island. Michelle Cuccias-Weidenbach, of Massapequa, died at the age of 46 on Tuesday, Oct. 1, according to her obituary. While an official cause of death was not given, her uncle, Tommy Cuccias, said on Facebook that the special education teacher at the Baldwin School District “did not wake up on Tuesday.” “Although there is too many to mention that are crushed by this, I can't stop thinking about her 3 beautiful children,” Cuccias said. “There is so much more to say, but too many tears righ…
Long Island Well-Represented In Brand-New Best High School Rankings Long Island Well-Represented In Brand-New Best High School Rankings
Long Island Well-Represented In Brand-New Best High School Rankings New York is well-represented in brand-new rankings of the best high schools in New York. The first four in Niche's 2025 selections are all from New York City: Stuyvesant in Manhattan, the Bronx High School of Science, Staten Island Technical High School, and Townsend Harris High School in Queens. Checking in at No. 5 and the first Westchester County selection is Scarsdale High School. The first Long Island school picked is No. 7 Half Hollow Hills West in Dix Hills. Long Island schools also make up spots 10 through 13: They are Jericho, Syosset, and Great Neck South high schools. Four mor…
These Long Island Schools Recipients Of Prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award These Long Island Schools Recipients Of Prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award
These Long Island Schools Recipients Of Prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award These Long Island schools are at the top of the class and now they have the hardware to prove it. Two elementary schools in Nassau County were among 356 schools across the country to receive the prestigious 2024 National Blue Ribbon award from the US Department of Education. The annual awards recognize high-performing public and non-public schools, as well as those making strides in closing achievement gaps among student groups. “Their leaders not only articulate a vision of excellence and hold everyone to high standards, they stay close to the real action of teaching and learning,” the de…
New Law Will Put A Student On Every School Board In NY New Law Will Put A Student On Every School Board In NY
New Law Will Put A Student On Every School Board In NY There will soon be a student on every school board in New York.A new law requiring all state boards of education to have at least one student member will take effect on July 1, 2025. The students will attend public meetings, but not executive sessions, and won't be allowed to vote. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the bill on Thursday, Sept. 5. It will also remove the current law requirement that a student member seat be authorized by referendum of the voters of the district.  The bill would also remove the requirement that a student member be a senior at the school and instead require only …
Long Island School Superintendent Ousted Over Possible Misconduct Long Island School Superintendent Ousted Over Possible Misconduct
Long Island School Superintendent Ousted Over Possible Misconduct A Long Island school district formally cut ties with its superintendent over possible misconduct. The Hempstead School Board voted 4-1 to remove Superintendent Regina Armstrong at a special meeting held Thursday evening, Sept. 5. Armstrong was "reassigned to home effective immediately," board President Victor Pratt said in a letter to the community. “This decision was not made lightly and comes after a comprehensive review of recent developments and their impact on our school district,” he said. Specifically, the district is investigating whether Armstrong “misused facilities” by hos…
Teen Duo Charged After Knife Found At Sachem North High School In Lake Ronkonkoma Teen Duo Charged After Knife Found At Sachem North High School In Lake Ronkonkoma
Teen Duo Charged After Knife Found At Sachem North High School In Lake Ronkonkoma Two teens have been charged following a dispute that allegedly prompted  one of them to bring a knife to school on Long Island. A 15-year-old boy displayed the knife at his bus stop and was met by staff members as he exited the bus at Sachem High School North in Lake Ronkonkoma, according to Suffolk County Police. The knife was recovered, and police were notified. The teen was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a weapon. A further investigation by Suffolk County PD Fourth Precinct Crime Section officers determined that the teen had previously been th…
Planet Nugg Hosts Grand Opening For Long Island's Largest Marijuana Dispensary Planet Nugg Hosts Grand Opening For Long Island's Largest Marijuana Dispensary
Planet Nugg Hosts Grand Opening For Long Island's Largest Marijuana Dispensary Dave Tubens wants to open Long Island's eyes to the benefits of cannabis.  The chiropractor is set to open the island's third dispensary Planet Nugg at 2043 Wellwood Ave in Farmingdale on Friday, Sept. 6. And he's planning for a grand opening people will remember.  "It's going to be a party on Friday and Saturday," he told Daily Voice. "We're going to have a DJ. We'll be giving out free food. We'll have vendor showcases, and we'll be giving away VIP cards." The festivities begin at 10 a.m. and go until 8 p.m.  Dave Tubens Tubens wants to have an extraterrestrial feel…
Donald Trump Paints America In Collapse In Elon Musk X Interview Plagued By Tech Glitches Donald Trump Paints America In Collapse In Elon Musk X Interview Plagued By Tech Glitches
Donald Trump Paints America In Collapse In Elon Musk X Interview Plagued By Tech Glitches In an at-times rambling conversation plagued by tech glitches that jumped from fawning praise to forced questions, former President Donald Trump laid out his clearest thesis for his campaign: Vote Trump to preserve American supremacy around the globe and avoid a World War.  The conversation began about the assassination attempt on Trump's life. Musk said he was stunned at how close Trump was to losing his life. The former president said even his doctors couldn't believe his luck.  The former president said it was most likely divine intervention that saved his life. https://t.c…
Two-Time DWI Driver Sentenced For Killing 'Beloved' Teacher On Long Island: DA Two-Time DWI Driver Sentenced For Killing 'Beloved' Teacher On Long Island: DA
Two-Time DWI Driver Sentenced For Killing 'Beloved' Teacher On Long Island: DA A Long Island man has been given a lengthy prison sentence for driving drunk and high, hitting and killing a 42-year-old father and teacher who was only blocks away from his home. Christopher Flores, age 29, was sentenced on Tuesday, July 9 to five to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter and more, the Nassau County District Attorney announced. Over two years before, on March 19, 2022, Flores, who is from Long Beach, was speeding eastbound on Merrick Road on his 2020 BMW motorcycle at around 11:50 p.m. in Rockville Centre. As he approached the intersection of Forest …
Free Pool Access For Summer: Hochul Launches 'Get Offline, Get Outside' Campaign At NY Parks Free Pool Access For Summer: Hochul Launches 'Get Offline, Get Outside' Campaign At NY Parks
Free Pool Access For Summer: Hochul Launches 'Get Offline, Get Outside' Campaign At NY Parks As part of an initiative to promote physical and mental health among young New Yorkers, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that pool entry fees will be waived at state parks this summer. “Summer is here – get offline and get outside.” On Tuesday, July 2, Hochul announced that for the rest of the summer, there will be no entry fees at New York State Parks pools. It’s part of the “Get Offline, Get Outside” campaign, which encourages young people and families to prioritize their mental and physical health by taking a break from social media to enjoy recreation and social gatherings outdoors. Poo…
Fox News Star Sean Hannity Sells New York Home For Just Under $13 Million Fox News Star Sean Hannity Sells New York Home For Just Under $13 Million
Fox News Star Sean Hannity Sells New York Home For Just Under $13 Million After just a week on the market, news anchor Sean Hannity sold his 10,600-square-foot waterfront estate. The estate, located in the town of Oyster Bay village of Centre Island, was listed for $13.75 million but sold at $12.7 million. Sold by Nest Seekers International’s Shawn Elliott after a bidding war, the buyer (who has not been named) received not only the seven-bedroom, nine-bath house but all the furniture as well, according to the Wall Street Journal and a representative for Elliott. Earlier Report: Fox News' Sean Hannity Lists Oyster Bay Home For $13.7M The estate boasts …