In the News

The provision, passed by the Senate earlier this week, would ban most hemp-derived THC products in late 2026.If signed by the president — the bill was passed by the House late Wednesday night — the legislation would change the definition of hemp that can be legally sold under the 2018 Farm Act.

A major focus of the hearing was Senator Josh Hawley’s (R-Mo.) Faster Labor Contracts Act—bipartisan legislation to improve the process for reaching initial collective bargaining agreements when workers first organize a union.

“This decision is the right one, for the right reason, at the right time,” said Kyle Strober, executive director of the Association for a Better Long Island (ABLI).

The stoppage fell on Red Cup Day, an annual promotion during which Starbucks customers receive bright-red reusable cups if they order a holiday-themed beverage. The union will also hold rallies in 17 cities, referring to the action as “Red Cup Rebellion.”

Democrats picked up a seat in both the Nassau and Suffolk County Legislatures Tuesday, with one GOP incumbent defeated in Suffolk and one open seat going Democratic in Nassau.

Jessica Valdes, 51, of Islip, said she is a civilian employee of the U.S. Army Reserve who has been furloughed. In her job as a family programs support assistant, "I normally connect our service members and military families with resources," such as food banks like Long Island Cares.