Honestly, if you woke up on Long Island this morning thinking it was just another chilly January Thursday, you’ve probably missed a lot already. Between a major federal investigation in the schools and some pretty heavy legal news out of Amityville, the island is buzzing today, January 15, 2026.
The weather isn't helping much either. We’ve got scattered showers moving through right now, and the temperature is hovering around 44 degrees. But don't get used to it. The "bitter cold" is coming back tonight, so if you haven't checked your heating oil levels, today is the day to do it.
Schools and Safety: The Big Headlines
One of the biggest stories in breaking news Long Island NY today involves the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District. They are officially under federal investigation. This isn't about budget gaps or building repairs; it’s about gender-identity-based sports policies. Basically, the feds are looking into how the district handles sports participation for transgender students. This comes right as the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing similar cases, making Long Island a bit of a focal point for a national debate.
Down in Riverhead, there was a scary scene this morning. Two buses collided at an intersection, and we know that at least two adults and one child had to be rushed to the hospital. Information is still trickling in, but witnesses say the impact was significant.
Then there’s the crime side of things. Three men just admitted to a brutal killing at a homeless encampment. It’s the kind of story that makes you double-check your locks. And in Nassau, a man was caught posing as a car salesman in Valley Stream, scamming someone out of $14,000. It’s wild how bold some people are getting.
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The Gilgo Beach Trial Update
For anyone following the Gilgo Beach serial killer case—and let’s be real, who isn't?—there’s a new deadline. The judge basically said the trial will start after Labor Day, "come hell or high water." It feels like we’ve been waiting forever for this. There’s also a push by former prosecutors to reopen the case of Natasha Jugo, whose body was found near Gilgo back in 2013. Was it murder? Was it suicide? People are demanding a fresh look.
Life and Money on the Island
If you’re a homeowner, you’ve probably heard about the property tax cap. For the 2026-27 year, hikes are going to be capped at 2%. It’s a bit of a relief, but with everything else getting more expensive, it feels like a drop in the bucket.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has been in the news too. He recently admitted that a conversation with his own mother actually influenced his shift toward supporting abortion rights. It’s a rare moment of personal insight from a local politician that’s getting a lot of traction on social media today.
A Few Quick Hits You Should Know:
- Verizon Outage: If your phone was a brick yesterday, you weren't alone. Verizon says the nationwide outage is finally resolved.
- Peconic River Warning: There was a nasty leak—10,000 gallons of untreated wastewater. Health officials are telling everyone to stay away from the water for now.
- Rocky Point Rat House: This is just strange. A condemned house in Rocky Point has 300 pet rats that need a new home. Any volunteers?
Why the Regional Board Meeting Matters
While most people are focusing on the bus crash or the ICE arrests (a City Council staffer was just picked up on the island), there was a boring-sounding meeting in Hauppauge this morning that actually matters. The Long Island Regional Board of Review met at 9:00 a.m. at the Perry B. Duryea Jr. State Office Building.
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They were looking at a bunch of variance dockets. Why should you care? Because these decisions dictate what gets built in your neighborhood. From cell towers in Blue Point to new housing developments in Smithtown, these meetings are where the actual "future" of the island gets decided.
Actionable Steps for Today
If you live or work here, there are a few things you should actually do based on what’s happening. First, stay away from the Peconic River if you were planning on fishing or walking the dog near the water. That sewage leak is no joke.
Second, check your local school district’s stance on the new federal investigations if you have kids in sports. This is going to trickle down to other districts soon.
Third, if you're a Verizon customer, restart your phone. Even though they say the "crash" is fixed, a lot of people are still reporting spotty 5G signals across Nassau and Suffolk.
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Keep an eye on the thermometer. That 44-degree "warmth" is going to vanish by sunset. If you're driving through Riverhead or Islandia (where there was a fatal crash involving an 82-year-old driver), just slow down. The roads are greasy from the rain and the morning news cycle is already heavy enough.
Check back on local police blotters later this afternoon. With the "car salesman" scam in Valley Stream and the bank-theft arrests in Nassau, it’s clear that scammers are out in full force this January. Don't hand over cash to anyone you haven't verified.
Stay safe out there. Long Island is a lot of things, but it’s rarely quiet.