Suffolk County, New York

New data released by the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) shows more than 200 public school buildings on Long Island had at least one water fixture exceeding New York's lead standard of 5 parts per billion. The interactive report breaks down results by county, district and school, covering testing conducted and reported to the state from 2023 to 2026. In Nassau County, 501 outlets (about 4.5% tested) exceeded the limit, with Northside Elementary in Farmingdale and schools in Valley Stream District 24 among the worst affected. Suffolk County had 519 outlets (about 4.6%) above the threshold, led by schools in Kings Park, Hauppauge, Three Village and Middle Country districts.

The findings follow a broader statewide study and an earlier Newsday review that found nearly 3,000 noncompliant fixtures across 123 Long Island districts. Affected districts say they have since installed filtered water stations or taken fixtures out of service, and that current drinking water tests clean. State law requires schools to test for lead every three years and remove noncompliant fixtures.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill both declared states of emergency Friday ahead of a powerful nor'easter expected to bring coastal flooding, strong winds and possible power outages over the weekend. Hochul's declaration covers Nassau, Suffolk, New York City and Westchester, while Sherrill's applies to eight New Jersey counties including Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth and Ocean.

Officials in Manasquan, New Jersey, recommended voluntary evacuations for residents in low-lying areas, particularly elderly and special-needs individuals. Wind gusts topped 30 mph along the coast from New York to North Carolina, with Long Island seeing gusts up to 52 mph. The National Weather Service warned of moderate to locally major flooding, especially in New York City. Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged residents to prepare as the storm's path shifted closer to the city, bringing heavier rain and stronger winds, and asked New Yorkers to check on their neighbors.

Officials in Nassau and Suffolk counties held a joint briefing at the Suffolk County Office of Emergency Management to warn residents ahead of a weekend nor'easter expected to bring flooding, heavy rain, and damaging winds to Long Island. Coastal communities such as Patchogue were already seeing minor street flooding, a familiar occurrence for residents who were securing outdoor furniture and stocking supplies in anticipation of worsening conditions.

Forecasters expect peak wind gusts of up to 55 mph from Friday evening through Saturday, strong enough to down trees and power lines and cause widespread outages. PSEG Long Island said crews are staged to respond quickly once the storm hits. Due to rough sea conditions, the Long Island Ferry has canceled Cross Sound service through Saturday. County executives urged residents to monitor forecasts closely and finish storm preparations as the system approaches the region.

A new Newsday/Siena University poll finds Long Islanders narrowly opposed to New York's Local Cops, Local Crimes Act, which bars local law enforcement from entering cooperation agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The poll found 51% opposed and 45% in support, with responses split sharply along party lines: 75% of Democrats back the law while 74% of Republicans oppose it. Independents lean against it, 57% to 38%.

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the law earlier this year, prompting Nassau County to end its ICE agreements in August and 15 upstate sheriffs to sue over the measure. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican challenging Hochul in November, has criticized the law and says the county still plans to join the sheriffs' lawsuit. Siena pollster Don Levy said the Long Island numbers, weaker in support than statewide polling, could give Blakeman an opening on the issue. The law restricts civil immigration enforcement cooperation but does not bar police from working with ICE on criminal matters.

Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine, a Republican now in his third year in office, is set to deliver his 2026 State of the County address Thursday evening during a special meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature in Hauppauge. The speech, expected to run under 20 minutes, will address county finances, public safety, water quality and infrastructure projects. Romaine has indicated he plans to make a "major announcement" during the remarks.

The address had been postponed twice from its usual spring timing, in April and May, reportedly due to scheduling issues. It comes shortly before Romaine is expected to submit his proposed 2027 operating budget to the Republican-controlled legislature; he has pledged not to exceed the state-mandated tax cap. Minority Leader Jason Richberg will deliver a prerecorded Democratic response. Neighboring Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman gave his own 2026 State of the County address in March.

Control of the U.S. House this fall hinges on a map of roughly three dozen to 50 competitive races, with Democrats needing a net gain of just three seats to win the majority. Historically, the president's party has gained House seats in a midterm only twice since 1946, and Democrats are favored by generic-ballot polling and President Trump's low approval ratings, though analysts note Republican gerrymandering has made more Democratic-held seats competitive, offsetting some of that advantage. GOP leaders point to legislative wins and plan to tie Democrats to the party's left flank.

Key races include New York's 17th District (Mike Lawler vs. Cait Conley), Long Island's 3rd and 4th Districts, New Jersey's 7th, Ohio's 9th and 7th, California's 22nd and 48th, Arizona's 1st, and Virginia's 2nd. A House flip would make Hakeem Jeffries speaker and could block Trump's agenda while enabling investigative oversight.

Massachusetts voters headed to the polls Tuesday in a primary highlighted by a competitive Democratic Senate contest between incumbent Sen. Ed Markey, 80, and U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, 47. The race reverses a familiar dynamic in this year's Democratic primaries, with progressives Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez backing the incumbent over the more moderate challenger. Markey held a large fundraising advantage and led recent polls by double digits; Moulton, a Marine veteran and 2020 presidential candidate, drew support from The Boston Globe's editorial board, New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill, and VoteVets. Moulton has also faced scrutiny over past comments on transgender athletes, which he has since apologized for. The primary winner will face Republican John Deaton in November.

Similar generational clashes played out down-ballot: progressive attorney Patrick Roath, who has spent more than $1 million on his campaign, challenged longtime Rep. Stephen Lynch in the 8th District, while a crowded six-way Democratic field, including Dan Koh and Tram Nguyen, competed to succeed Moulton in the 6th District. Other notable races include a Republican gubernatorial primary between Mike Minogue and Brian Shortsleeve, and contested district attorney races in Norfolk and Suffolk counties. Given the state's heavy Democratic lean, primary winners are strongly favored in November, with results shaping the competitive landscape ahead of the 2026 midterms.