From the Capitol Riot to the disappearance and death of Gabby Petito, Faith Jessie looks at the stories that mattered to Long Islanders in 2021.


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Year in Review: 2021

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Hundreds of youths fighting on Jones Beach were dispersed Thursday by police with the help of a helicopter, according to the authorities.

Jones Beach reopens after police break up crowd of 500

Newsday food writer Erica Marcus visits Lido Kosher Deli in Long Beach to learn more about pastrami.

Do you know what pastrami is?

Freeport native Morgan Taylor has an interesting job in sports: She is the vice president of business operations for both the Long Island Nets and the New York Liberty. NewsdayTV's Jolie Katzen reports.

LI's Morgan Taylor pulls double duty as VP of business ops for Liberty, LI Nets

Firefighters were battling a blaze that broke out at a Suffolk County recycling facility, closing nearby roads to traffic. Residents were warned to close windows due to heavy smoke. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

Firefighters battle blaze at Calverton recycling facility

The Long Island location will hold a series of promotions to celebrate the opening.

Take a look inside Long Island's first Schmackary’s

William, "Billy" McClelland, is known as "The Mayor" in the halls of Comsewogue High School. The 19-year-old senior works in the school's coffee shop, Brew Crew Cafe where he is greeted with smiles from his classmates. 

Extraordinary Senior: William, "Billy" McClelland

The plane took off from East Hampton Airport and landed at Kennedy Airport Tuesday, the first time passengers took an electric flight to a major airport in the NYC area. 

Fully electric airplane makes milestone flight from East End to Queens

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa heads to Long Island Yarn and Farm in Yaphank to shear llamas.

LI Works: Shear happiness at Long Island Yarn and Farm

The original makeshift memorial could not hold up to the elements through the years, but West Islip's Sara Ferro wanted to change that. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports. 

Gilgo Beach killings: Victims memorialized on park benches near where remains were found

Starting this fall, a bell-to-bell smartphone ban will be implemented under the state budget, requiring school districts to ban students from using phones during the entire school day. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports. 

What you need to know about the statewide school smartphone ban 

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Jones Beach reopens after police break up crowd of 500

The Wantagh and Connetquot school districts have been granted extensions to comply with the state's Native American mascot and imagery ban. Newsday education reporter Darwin Yanes and NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa report.

School districts making a 'good faith effort'

Jake's 58 remains closed Wednesday because of an "unexpected issue" that workers have been trying to resolve throughout the day. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

Jake's 58 remains closed Wednesday

A charity flag football event was held at The Park in East Hills on Sunday to raise funds for Camp Kehilla, which serves campers who are neurodivergent. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

'It's a good cause for charity and fun for everyone'

'My heart's always been with the families'

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Rajvir Singh Bharaj, 32, was charged with vehicular manslaughter in crash that killed a woman crossing Lakeville Road, police said.

Pedestrian killed by DWI driver in Lake Success, police say

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Rabinowitz, 79, served as president of Hofstra University for more than two decades.

Meet the new NUMC chair

Although fluoride in water and in supplements for children is endorsed by leading medical and dental associations, there long has been opposition to it.

More LI tooth decay with federal fluoride supplement crackdown, dentists warn

The store, to be opened by a retired emergency room physcian, will be Long Island's eighth legal pot shop.

Brookhaven's first legal cannabis dispensary to open Monday

"The size of it looks deceiving," the listing agent said. "Once the buyers go in, they're like, 'Oh wow, this is very spacious.'"

$700G East Northport house near cemetery is 'hidden gem'

Nassau and Suffolk combined for 83 bites to mail carriers last year, making up about a quarter of the statewide total in 2024.

For LI mail carriers, risk of dog bites comes with the job

The memorial, dedicated Saturday in a ceremony, was spearheaded by Dix Hills Garden Club.

Gold Star memorial honoring fallen service members unveiled in Dix Hills Park

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'It's a big problem'

The 3 victims of Sunday morning's fiery Bethpage car accident have been identified as Vincent Cavaliere, of Bethpage, Nicholas Rivera, of Glendale, Queens, and Gino Vicale, of Seaford. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

Deadly Bethpage crash victims ID'd

Researchers have found harmful "forever chemicals" in certain beers, though experts said the significance for LI's dozens of small breweries was likely limited. Newsday Reporter Nicholas Spangler explains. 

PFAS found in certain beers

The state can choose to accept the findings or the matter will be sent to the U.S. Department of Justice, Linda McMahon said. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Latest on mascot ban

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa sits down with LGBT Network President & Founder, David Kilmnick and talks about what's happening for Pride Month on Long Island.

'Pride month is for everyone'

The Farrell twins were named valedictorian and salutatorian at Mount Sinai High School and they're also both attending the same university in the fall. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports. 

'I'm super happy that we're both one and two'

Sources say the man who discovered a body in his backyard pool is a member of the police task force that had been searching for homicide suspect Matthew Zoll. 

'One of the portions of the Loop Loc cover was undone'

Neighbors said they were unsettled to learn that a body had been found in a backyard swimming pool on Pal Court in East Shoreham and that police were investigating that it might belong to Matthew Zoll, a suspect in his father's death. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

'Beyond shocking'

Caretakers with miitary backgrounds find purpose in keeping the grounds pristine at the Long Island National Cemetery where fallen service members are buried. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'You feel like you're still serving even after service'

NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie talks with the families of three fallen war heroes, who have preserved their sons' bedrooms as memorials.

'I walk in here and I feel pride'

Police are investigating the disappearance of an Old Brookville couple missing since March 30. 

Old Brookville couple missing since March 30

Crowds gathered at Jones Beach for a preview of the FourLeaf Air Show. 

FourLeaf Air Show preview held at Jones Beach 

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On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra talks to young people who are turning to game officiating as a new career path.

SARRA SOUNDS OFF: The shortage of game officials on LI 

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