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Obituaries
Beloved LI Dog Groomer, Fiancé Killed In Crash 'Were Most Selfless People' Beloved LI Dog Groomer, Fiancé Killed In Crash 'Were Most Selfless People'
Beloved LI Dog Groomer, Fiancé Killed In Crash 'Were Most Selfless People' Tributes are flooding in after a car crash claimed the lives of a beloved Long Island business owner and her fiancé. Kaitlyn McCready, 36, of Smithtown and Luis Rivera, 41, of Hauppauge, were both killed in a wreck Thursday, Dec. 12, while returning to New York, according to her obituary. Additional details about the crash were not immediately available. McCready owned Kate’s Hair of the Dog, a dog grooming business in Northport that also offered mobile grooming services. Her clients and friends described her as a beacon of warmth and compassion who made every pet and owner feel special. “…

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by Michael Mashburn
Business
Nissan, Honda Eye Potential Merger Nissan, Honda Eye Potential Merger
Nissan, Honda Eye Potential Merger Two of the world's biggest automakers may soon become one. Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to discuss a potential merger aimed at revolutionizing the future of mobility and electrification.  Announced on Monday, Dec. 23, the goal is to establish a joint holding company that could significantly impact the automotive landscape, and potentially make the combined corporation the world's third-largest auto manufacturer. The merger aims to accelerate initiatives for carbon neutrality and zero traffic fatalities by pooling reso…

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by Joe Lombardi
Lifestyle
$944M Christmas Eve Miracle? Major Mega Millions Jackpot Eyed Across America $944M Christmas Eve Miracle? Major Mega Millions Jackpot Eyed Across America
$944M Christmas Eve Miracle? Major Mega Millions Jackpot Eyed Across America Some Lottery players are hopeful that Santa leaves a $944 million present under the Christmas tree this year. The Mega Millions jackpot is wrapping up the holiday season with a jaw-dropping prize estimated at $944 million - with a $429.4 million cash option - for the drawing on Tuesday, Dec. 24, making it the seventh-largest jackpot in the game’s history, just in time to pay off some holiday bills. No ticket hit the jackpot in Friday night’s drawing, and now, the odds-defying prize could make someone’s holiday dreams come true.  Two of the top 10 largest Mega Millions jackpots ever hi…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
FedEx Truck Kills Pedestrian On Long Island Expressway: Police FedEx Truck Kills Pedestrian On Long Island Expressway: Police
FedEx Truck Kills Pedestrian On Long Island Expressway: Police A pedestrian was fatally struck by a FedEx truck on the Long Island Expressway in Jericho, authorities said. The collision happened between exits 40W and 40 at 2:45 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22, according to the Nassau County Police Department. A 2004 FedEx truck, driven by a 28-year-old man, was heading east in the right lane when it struck a 33-year-old man who was walking in the roadway, detective said. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene by a Nassau County Police medic, police said. The truck driver remained at the scene, and no other injuries were reported. The incident remai…

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by Jillian Pikora
Business
Brewing Tensions: Starbucks Strike Expands To 9 States, Including NY Brewing Tensions: Starbucks Strike Expands To 9 States, Including NY
Brewing Tensions: Starbucks Strike Expands To 9 States, Including NY A Starbucks workers' strike, which began in select stores, has expanded to nine states as employees push for better wages and working conditions during the holiday rush. The strike, led by Starbucks Workers United, demands higher pay and improved staffing to address what employees describe as chronic understaffing during peak hours.  Workers at dozens of stores in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania joined the strike over the weekend. Starbucks has a total of about 16,000 stores in the US and around 35,000 worldwide. Over the weekend, picket lines formed at high-traffic stores in N…

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by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
$188K+ Check Forgery Scheme Ends In Arrest After Months-Long Investigation: Nassau PD $188K+ Check Forgery Scheme Ends In Arrest After Months-Long Investigation: Nassau PD
$188K+ Check Forgery Scheme Ends In Arrest After Months-Long Investigation: Nassau PD A months-long investigation has culminated in the arrest of a 41-year-old Long Island man accused of orchestrating a sophisticated check forgery scheme that netted $188,320.55, police said. Adamantios Mathioudis, 41, of East Elmhurst, NY, became the center of the investigation on March 5, when the Fraud and Forgery Unit of the Major Case Squad received reports of two business checks intercepted after being mailed via the U.S. Postal Service, Nassau County police said. The payee sections on the checks were altered to reflect Mathioudis’ name, detectives said. The funds were then de…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Restaurant Reservation ‘Black Market’ Target Of NY Law Signed By Gov. Hochul Restaurant Reservation ‘Black Market’ Target Of NY Law Signed By Gov. Hochul
Restaurant Reservation ‘Black Market’ Target Of NY Law Signed By Gov. Hochul New Yorkers can now enjoy fairer access to coveted restaurant reservations. A new law signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday, Dec. 19, prohibits third-party reservation platforms from arranging reservations without a restaurant's consent. The platforms often charge consumers additional fees, creating a costly “black market” for popular dining spots and making it harder for diners to secure tables without paying a premium. “We’re putting an end to the predatory black market for restaurant reservations — protecting consumers and businesses, and giving everyone a chance to get a seat at the …

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by Michael Mashburn
Sports
Landmark Deal For FIFA Women’s World Cup Marks First For Netflix Landmark Deal For FIFA Women’s World Cup Marks First For Netflix
Landmark Deal For FIFA Women’s World Cup Marks First For Netflix FIFA has partnered with Netflix to grant the streaming platform exclusive US broadcasting rights for the 2027 and 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup.  This agreement marks the first time Netflix will fully acquire rights to a global sports event, reflecting the growing prominence of women’s soccer. FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the deal as a pivotal step for the sport. “This agreement sends a strong message about the real value of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the global women’s game,” Infantino said. “Netflix’s commitment underscores the tournament’s importance and helps elevat…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
IRS Sending Special Payments To 1 Million Americans: Here's What To Know IRS Sending Special Payments To 1 Million Americans: Here's What To Know
IRS Sending Special Payments To 1 Million Americans: Here's What To Know The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced it will issue automatic payments this month to nearly one million taxpayers who didn’t claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns.  These payments aim to assist eligible individuals who missed claiming the credit, which provides up to $1,400 per person for those who didn’t receive the full amount of their Economic Impact Payments (EIPs). Who Will Receive Payments? Eligible taxpayers include those who filed a 2021 tax return but either left the Recovery Rebate Credit field blank or entered $0 despite qualifying. Payments wil…

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by Joe Lombardi
Lifestyle
This Trendy Treat Is Rolling Into Spotlight As Sweet Complement To Christmas Cookies This Trendy Treat Is Rolling Into Spotlight As Sweet Complement To Christmas Cookies
This Trendy Treat Is Rolling Into Spotlight As Sweet Complement To Christmas Cookies Move over gingerbread and sugar cookies — sesame balls are quietly making their way onto holiday dessert tables this year.  Traditionally found in Chinese, Vietnamese, and other Asian cuisines, these golden, chewy orbs are earning a buzzworthy reputation as a standout complement to classic Christmas sweets. Known as Jian Dui in Chinese cuisine and Bánh Cam in Vietnamese culture, sesame balls are made from glutinous rice flour, stuffed with sweet fillings like red bean or lotus paste, and fried to perfection.  The result? A crispy exterior coated in toasted sesame seeds, with a sa…

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by Joe Lombardi
Lifestyle
Winning Numbers For Saturday, Dec. 21 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $92M Jackpot Winning Numbers For Saturday, Dec. 21 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $92M Jackpot
Winning Numbers For Saturday, Dec. 21 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $92M Jackpot The winning numbers have been announced for the Saturday, Dec. 21 Powerball drawing. The estimated jackpot is $92 million with a $42.1 million cash option after there was no winner in the past week. If no Lottery player claims the top prize, the jackpot will continue to roll until the next drawing at 10:59 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 23 with a $103 million jackpot at stake. The winning numbers for Saturday's drawing were 01-12-17-21-58 with a Powerball of 01 and the Power Play was 3X. Lottery players have a 1 in 292,201,338 chance of winning a Powerball jackpot by matching al…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
Think You Have What It Takes To Win ‘Survivor’? Online Casting Now Open For 2025 Season Think You Have What It Takes To Win ‘Survivor’? Online Casting Now Open For 2025 Season
Think You Have What It Takes To Win ‘Survivor’? Online Casting Now Open For 2025 Season "Survivor," the long-running CBS reality competition series, is now casting for its 49th season, set to film in spring 2025.  Contestants will compete for the title of Sole Survivor and a $1 million prize. Since its debut, "Survivor" has challenged contestants to navigate alliances, endure physical and mental trials, and develop strategies to outlast their competitors. Participants are divided into tribes and placed in remote locations where they must adapt to their surroundings and build relationships to advance in the game. Here's what to know: Filming dates: Mid-April to mid-May …

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by Joe Lombardi