Six months after Manhattan’s congestion pricing tolls switched on, drivers are spending less time in traffic — both within the toll zone and in the surrounding area, according to multiple data sources. At the same time, recent polls show opposition has dropped significantly in suburban areas like Long Island, from 72% a year ago to 48% in May, though more residents oppose it than support it outside New York City.

Peter Gill reports in NEWSDAY that commute times through the Queens-Midtown Tunnel, including the last three miles of the Long Island Expressway are down 22%, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Another report, using data from the Waze driving app, found jams reduced not only in Manhattan, but also in the outer boroughs and parts of New Jersey during the first 16 weeks of the program. Commute times for Long Islanders who drive or take the bus into the tolling zone were down as much as 13 minutes during the first two months of the program, according to another analysis using MTA bus data.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority imposed congestion pricing earlier this year to bust stubborn traffic in Manhattan and to generate a new stream of money for public transportation projects, including for subways, buses and the Long Island Rail Road. The measure has endured a vow from President Donald Trump to kill the program and blistering criticism from some suburban drivers, who say it would hurt the city’s economy and further burden overtaxed New Yorkers. The first-in-the nation program, which charges $9 for most vehicles driving below 60th Street, began Jan. 5 and is on track to raise $500 million from drivers this year, including $61 million in May alone.

The toll is scheduled to stay at $9 until 2028, when it will increase to $12; then it will go up to $15 in 2031.

***

Stephen J. Kotz reports on 27east.com that WLIW-FM of Southampton has joined in a suit challenging President Donald Trump’s recent executive order, “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Biased Media,” that the president signed in May.

Earlier this month, the local NPR station, which is owned by the WNET Group of New York City, filed a friend of the court brief supporting the effort by other NPR stations to overturn the president’s executive order.

But it may not matter if the suit is successful, as the Republican majority in Congress is already weighing two other options to cut off federal funding, and thus cripple public broadcasting in this country.

“It’s a distressing time — it’s really an inflection point,” said Bob Feinberg, the chief counsel for the WNET Group. “This is an existential threat to a very important, independent voice in our media landscape.”

Besides the president’s executive order, which is being challenged on grounds that the president does not have authority to eliminate funding that has been approved by Congress, as well as a free speech argument, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting faces a threat from a rescission bill, which, Feinberg said, is attempting “to claw back” $550 million in funding for each of 2026 and 2027.

That measure has already been approved by the House and is currently before the Senate, which has until July 18 to act.

Funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting has also been eliminated in the massive tax cut and spending bill, “the One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” for which a final vote is still needed to approve the legislation…although approval appears imminent.

The Corporation for...

A private citizen’s novel plan to develop individual condominiums as affordable housing took its first step when the East Hampton Town Planning Board met the pitch favorably but cautiously at its most recent meeting. Jack Motz reports on 27east.com that if approved, the plan, pitched by Kirby Marcantonio, the publisher of Montauk Life and Hamptons Life magazines and a workforce housing proponent, would be to develop 47 affordable housing units spread across seven two-story buildings on a vacant 4-acre lot on Pantigo Road in East Hampton. Once built, the idea is for local employers to purchase individual units for employees to lease under terms agreed upon by the landlord and renter. In contrast, almost all other affordable developments in East Hampton Town are owned and operated by a single, certified housing corporation. To live there, tenants would have to qualify for affordable housing by maintaining a salary within 130 percent of area median income. The developers would cap the rent at half the market rate. Marcantonio said the starting price of a house in East Hampton today is $1.2 million to $1.3 million, which is far out of reach for any local resident or local worker. With that in mind, he began casting around for affordable housing ideas, as informed by his real estate background. Marcantonio will now have to submit formal plans once ready, which will take two or three months, and he hopes to get approval sometime early next year, so he can break ground on the development.

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A new $40,000 limit on state and local tax deductions, known as SALT, would be a win for many New Yorkers, tax analysts told Newsday, but provisions in the bill the Senate passed yesterday could limit the number of people who benefit. The bill passed by the Senate sets an income threshold, so only those earning $500,000 annually or less could take advantage of the full $40,000 cap. The cap would remain at $10,000 for those earning $600,000 or more. The bill also raises the “standard deduction,” allowing more people to take advantage of the higher deduction and reducing the number of people itemizing and taking advantage of the increased SALT cap, tax analysts said.

Keshia Clukey reports in NEWSDAY that the SALT deduction allows filers who itemize to subtract some of their state and local taxes from their taxable income.

The bill also increases the standard deduction, which currently is set for $15,000 for single filers and $30,000 for married filers for the 2025 tax year, according to the Internal Revenue Service. The vast majority of taxpayers take advantage of the standard deduction instead of itemizing.

The U.S. Senate passed its version of the bill in a 51-50 vote on Tuesday, largely along party lines, and the House narrowly passed its version in a 215-214 vote on May 22. The bill now goes back to the House for final approval — though lawmakers must agree on the final language. President Trump has been pushing for Congress to pass the measure before the Fourth of July.

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Peak season for political fundraising on the east end is underway as New York City Mayor Eric Adams will be feted at a power Hamptons fundraiser on Saturday as he gains momentum following former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s stunning defeat in the NYC Democratic Mayoral Primary. Ian Mohr reports in THE NY POST that power couple Maria and Kenneth Fishel will host an Adams reelection event at their Bridgehampton estate, according to an invitation seen by Page Six, along with John and Margo...

A driver crashed through a wooden barricade at Montauk Green early yesterday, damaging tents and artwork set up there for the annual Montauk Art Show, police and organizers said. Tracy Tullis reports in NEWSDAY that the driver, Nicoly Ribeiro De Souza, 23, of Farmingville, was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries. Ms. De Souza was charged with driving while intoxicated and six counts of reckless criminal mischief, according to the East Hampton Town Police Department.

No other injuries were reported.

At about 3 a.m. Sunday, the Nissan Rogue crashed through six tents, causing extensive damage, said John Papaleo, a member of the executive board of the Montauk Artists Association, which sponsors the art show.

"There’s well over $100,000 worth of damage" to the artwork and the tents, Papaleo said.

"These people that come to these shows, this is how they make their living," he said. "This is their livelihood."

The Montauk Art Show, which opened on Friday, features the work of local and touring artists. About 50 people worked to clean up the damaged tents and other debris, Papaleo said, so the show could open on schedule at 10 a.m. Sunday.

The association’s member tent was also wrecked, according to Evan Reinheimer, a photographer who was exhibiting and is on the show’s organizing committee. About 30 artists’ work was displayed in that tent, most of it damaged or destroyed, he said.

The loss of artwork is devastating for these artists, Reinheimer said. Some of them "may have had their whole inventory in their booth," he said.

***

A reality television star and Long Island restaurateur has sued the Village of Greenport and its mayor in federal court, alleging the municipality “targeted” his Mediterranean restaurant in an effort to shut it down.

Joseph Ostapiuk reports in NEWSDAY that Zeynel — or Zach — Erdem sued Greenport Village and Mayor Kevin Stuessi in federal court on June 23. Erdem is a star of HBO Max's “Serving the Hamptons,” which follows him and the staff of his Southampton restaurant, 75 Main. Zerdem also operates the Blu Mar Hamptons restaurant in Southampton.

The suit alleged that Greenport had issued “bogus tickets” and shut down ZErdem, his restaurant, during one of its first opening weekends in June 2023, according to the 18-page complaint filed in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York.

Erdem alleged the Village of Greenport violated state and federal due process laws, and that his restaurant was treated differently than other nearby ones. Zerdem is seeking damages “in excess of $5 million,” according to the complaint.

In 2023, the village sued Erdem in Suffolk Supreme Court over alleged code violations, online court records show.

Timothy Hill, Erdem's attorney, told NEWSDAY that the village's actions were "an example of shocking disregard of the proper and constitutional procedures that need to be followed."

Hill said authorities "stormed" into ZErdem without a warrant in June 2023 and that the Village of Greenport “timed its unlawful raid and closure so as to disable the restaurant on one of its first opening weekends.”

Hill claims nearby restaurants weren’t issued violations despite having similar conditions on their properties, according to the filing against the Village of Greenport and its mayor.

ZErdem has been open for the past two summers.

Suffolk County lawmakers, in a bipartisan initiative to boost ranks of volunteer fire and EMS departments, approved legislation this week that adds a new housing incentive.

The Suffolk County Legislature adopted a bill at its general meeting that requires any new affordable developments that receive county workforce housing money to set aside at least five units or 10% of the property's total number of apartments, whichever is less, for volunteer firefighters and EMS workers. Joe Werkmeister reports in NEWSDAY that the legislation sponsored by Legis. Dominic Thorne (R-Patchogue) grew out of a bill first proposed last November by Legis. Rebecca Sanin (D-Huntington Station).

Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine said he supports the bill.

The bill requires a volunteer firefighter or EMS personnel to be in “good standing” for three years. They must also already be a member of the fire or ambulance district where the housing project is located.

Once living in a unit, the housing recipients must submit annual testimony to confirm their "good standing" in the department.

Gerard Turza Jr., chairman of the Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services Commission, said he hopes the legislation can be a “springboard” for towns within Suffolk to pass similar measures aimed at prioritizing affordable housing for first responders.

More than 11,000 volunteer firefighter and EMS personnel are currently serving across Suffolk County’s 109 fire departments and 27 ambulance corps, Turza previously said.

***

At least 5,700 households on Long Island could be on the brink of homelessness if the federal government moves forward with a plan to slash federal rental assistance by $26 billion, a Newsday analysis of government data and interviews with experts shows.

President Donald Trump’s proposal would curb housing vouchers for working-age, able-bodied adults to no more than two years on the assistance.

Joshua Solomon reports in NEWSDAY that the policy change would hit Long Island hard, according to the data analysis. Nearly all of the region’s federally subsidized housing is through vouchers, a higher share relative to the rest of the state and accounting for more than 33,000 people.

Federal policy across different political administrations has shifted from funding traditional public housing complexes toward voucher-based housing.

"It’s a shortsighted change that would have tremendous negative consequences on those who are utilizing the program," said Gwen O’Shea, president and CEO of Community Development Long Island. The nonprofit distributes vouchers in Nassau and Suffolk counties, giving more than 9,000 to help house 18,000 people in its last report year.

The federal program, O’Shea said, "is probably one of the most effective homeless prevention, housing stability initiatives that we’ve ever seen" and "critical for a region like Long Island that has a limited number of rental properties."

However, in an e-mail to his 1st Congressional district constituents this week Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) wrote, "When it comes to Medicaid and the One Big Beautiful Bill, Medicaid spending will increase by 25% by 2034

The only people removed from the rolls are illegal immigrants and able-bodied adults who refuse to work, seek work, or volunteer at least 80 hours a month. Cracking down on waste, fraud, and abuse keeps Medicaid strong and...

Southampton Village residents who live on several streets south of Hill Street in the western portion of the village will soon get the relief they’ve been vocally and publicly seeking from cut-through commuter traffic that invades their neighborhoods during the late afternoon westbound trade parade. Cailin Riley reports on 27east.com that this past Tuesday evening the Southampton Village Board unanimously approved a two-week pilot program that will run from June 30 to July 11 (excluding July 4), that will close off Ox Pasture Road east of Halsey Neck Lane, essentially creating a dead-end at Ox Pasture east of Halsey Neck, to make it less convenient for motorists to avoid Hill Street by using Ox Pasture Road. It would have the effect of alleviating congestion on the residential streets west of Halsey Neck Lane and south of 27A which are frequently used to avoid stretches of Hill Street during rush hour. The village will use a barricade system to close the road and will monitor the conditions there for the two-week period, and then, after that, decide whether to extend the program, end it or make it permanent. Closing off Ox Pasture Road east of Halsey Neck Lane was a recommendation made by the firm VHB, which has consulted with the Village of Southampton on traffic issues.

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Zohran Mamdani's victory in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary has sparked controversy, with some officials labeling him as anti-American and antisemitic. Despite criticism, Mamdani's focus on affordability and progressive policies resonated with many NYC Democratic Party voters, though Hank Sheinkopf, a political consultant, said his socialist branding may alienate some suburban and conservative demographics. Sheinkopf added that the ripple effects of Mamdani – a democratic socialist - on Long Island may be to strengthen the Republican strongholds and drive moderate and conservative city residents to the suburbs if he becomes mayor. “People in Suffolk County hear the word socialist, they will lose their minds,” he said, adding that an “emerging population” of Central American voters on Long Island also shun socialist branding.

Shoshana Hershkowitz, founder of the activist group Suffolk Progressives, tells NEWSDAY that Mamdani's message of affordability and quality of life applies everywhere, whether urban, suburban or rural. She said she doesn't believe many of the Mamdani voters would consider themselves socialists, but rather "liked the platform." "I think that too often we get to this very like tribal red, blue, and it really is about what can government do for people to make their lives better," she said, adding that Mamdani's primary win gives her hope for Long Island.

Basil Smikle, a former executive director of the New York State Democratic Party and senior aide to then-Sen. Hillary Clinton tells THE NY POST, “It’s an important moment in political history. Mamdani’s victory provides a moment for progressives and younger voters to shape the future of the Democratic Party. There is no doubt,” Smikle said.

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Two-thirds of the nation’s traffic fatalities and one-third of injuries, according to Arizona State University’s Center for Problem-Oriented Policing, are the result of aggressive driving.

Michael O'Keeffe reports in NEWSDAY that excessive speeding, frequent lane changes, tailgating, running red lights, passing on shoulders, distracted driving, driving while impaired — aggressive driving is a broad category and...

Temperatures on Long Island hit the triple digits yesterday, with a slightly cooler, but still sweltering day, predicted for today.

Long Island MacArthur Airport hit 100 degrees at 2:50 p.m. Tuesday, the first time since July 22, 2011, and only the eighth time in history since records began in 1963. It was the hottest-ever June day in Islip, according to Newsday TV meteorologist Rich Von Ohlen.

Today is the third day of the region's heat wave before relief comes with storms tonight that usher in highs tomorrow barely surpassing 70 degrees.

Heat indexes, heat combined with humidity, will go as high as 97-102 degrees for much of Nassau and Suffolk today, according to the National Weather Service's heat advisory. Some east end coastal locations will have slightly cooler heat indexes, between 95 and 100°F.

Gov. Kathy Hochul, in a news release last night, said that New Yorkers should set their air conditioning at 76 degrees.

Yesterday, the hottest of this week’s three-day heat wave, saw a recorded temperature of 100.4 degrees at Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach as of 2:15 p.m., the weather service said.

According to Newsday's Von Ohlen, some of the other high temperatures Tuesday as of 2 p.m. included: Shirley at 99, Montauk at 97, Farmingdale at 97, and East Hampton at 94.

"This was a perfect, unique setup to get these temperatures," Von Ohlen said. "We did not get the sea breeze that normally cools Long Island ... which is why Montauk saw the upper 90s, which is very rare."

An air quality alert has been issued for Long Island and the metro area from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. today, when excess amounts of ozone are expected due to the hot weather. The air quality for Long Island Tuesday was considered to be unhealthy for sensitive groups due to the ozone.

***

Long Island schools closed early or took other measures to keep students cool yesterday, as temperatures hit triple digits in some areas of Nassau and Suffolk .

The heat wave continues today, with real-feel temperatures around 100 degrees predicted for most parts of Long Island.

Some schools had already scheduled half-days for the rest of the week — the final week of the school term.

Maura McDermott reports in NEWSDAY that many classrooms in schools across Long Island lack air conditioning. A heat wave "definitely impacts the work environment and the learning environment" in those classrooms, said Robert Vecchio, executive director of the Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association. But, he said, "Schools have always had plans for hot days in June and hot days in September," including the use of misting fans and moving classes to cooler parts of the building.

A new law that takes effect Sept. 1 will require public schools to take action when classroom temperatures climb too high.

The law, signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul in December, mandates that schools take steps such as using fans and pulling down blinds when interior temperatures hit 82 degrees. When room temperatures reach 88 degrees, schools would need to move students and staff to a cooler space or send students home, under the law.

However, Vecchio said the state law also "presents new challenges," especially in areas that are lower-income or have smaller tax bases.

Adding air conditioning "can be very expensive and very complicated due to the size and age of buildings," he said. Without voter approval for massive investments in cooling systems, he said, in some schools the mandate "can lead to...

President Donald Trump’s weekend order for a U.S. military strike on Iran sparked debate on Capitol Hill yesterday over the legality of the operation conducted without prior congressional approval. Laura Figueroa Hernandez reports in NEWSDAY that Suffolk County’s two House Republicans — Reps. Andrew Garbarino and Nick LaLota — defended Trump green-lighting Saturday's bombardment of three nuclear-enrichment sites in Iran, arguing he acted within his authority as commander in chief. Congressional Democrats expressed support for U.S. ally Israel and for preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, but argued Congress should have been notified before the United States launched a potentially war-inducing mission. Congressman LaLota (R-Amityville) in a statement to Newsday said Trump’s order was “necessary and lawful” and reflected “a broader pattern of U.S. presidents using military force in the Middle East without first securing congressional authorization.”

“Like his three immediate predecessors, President Trump exercised his constitutional war powers for limited, high-impact operations,” said LaLota, who represents the east end and is a U.S. Navy veteran.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), following retaliatory strikes from Iran aimed at a U.S. military base in Qatar on Monday, said he requested a classified briefing from the Trump administration and demanded administration officials “lay out exactly what measures they’re taking — right now — to keep our servicemembers safe.”

“The law requires the Trump administration to consult with Congress,” Schumer said in a statement. "The Constitution demands it. And the American people — especially the families of those in harm’s way — deserve nothing less.”

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called on the Trump administration to “fully explain to the American people the rationale for this military action and a strategy to avoid being mired in another Middle Eastern war.”

“No further military actions should be allowed without proper congressional approval,” Gillibrand said. “Avoiding further escalation is essential to the peace and security of Israel, the U.S., and our partners in the region. I urge the president and Iran to pursue a diplomatic resolution to this conflict.”

***

Parishioners came pouring out of St. John the Evangelist Church in Riverhead Sunday evening after the weekly Spanish-language mass. The sanctuary was packed — as it is every Sunday evening — with a standing room-only crowd. Those who exited by the front doors plucked a rose from the floral arch that graced the walkway there, and greeted friends and neighbors, as usual. Then, they did something very unusual. They picked up signs they’d placed alongside the rectory building before mass and assembled on St. John’s Place for a walk and rally to support immigrants. Outside the church, they were joined by other community members in solidarity with the cause. Denise Civiletti reports on Riverheadlocal.com that carrying signs and small American flags, a crowd of about 275 people lined up behind two women carrying a very large American flag. Jessica Ruiz, director of St. John’s social parish ministry and food pantry, led the crowd in a popular chant as the march stepped off: “El pueblo unido jamás será vencido… El pueblo unido jamás será vencido…” (“The people, united, will never be defeated.”)

The marchers continued chanting as they walked around the large downtown block between St.