It is freezing out there today. If you stepped outside this morning anywhere from Montauk to Mineola, you felt that bitter blast hitting your face like a wet towel. It’s the kind of day where the "New 12 Long Island breaking news today" ticker is mostly just a warning to stay inside, but the real stories are happening in the courtrooms and the statehouse rather than just on the icy LIE.
Honestly, the biggest thing everyone is talking about—besides the wind chill—is the massive reversal for the offshore wind industry. A federal judge in Washington just handed a huge win to Governor Hochul and the energy company Equinor. They basically told the Trump administration that they can’t just stop work on Empire Wind 1 for "national security" reasons without a better explanation.
The Empire Wind Shutdown Just Got Overturned
For months, the project was at a standstill. The federal government had issued a stop-work order, claiming the turbines were a threat to radar systems. Governor Hochul wasn't having it. She actually went on the record today saying she asked for a briefing on what those specific threats were, and, well, she says they had no answer.
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The judge’s preliminary injunction means those turbines off our coast are likely going back into construction mode soon. It's a massive deal for the local economy. We are talking about billions of dollars in private investment that almost vanished into thin air. If you were at the rally in Nassau last Friday, you saw the hundreds of union workers who were sweating this out. Now, they've got their jobs back, at least for the moment.
News 12 Long Island Breaking News Today: Local Safety and Infrastructure
While the wind farm is the "big picture" story, there’s some pretty heavy stuff happening on the ground in our own backyards.
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- Riverhead Bus Crash: We are tracking a scary incident in Riverhead where two adults and one child were rushed to the hospital after a bus crash. Details are still coming in on the victims' conditions, but the area was a mess for commuters early this morning.
- Wastewater Leak in the Peconic: This is kind of gross, but important. About 10,000 gallons of untreated wastewater leaked into the Peconic River. If you’re a fisherman or just like walking the docks, you’ll want to steer clear until the health department gives the all-clear.
- The Bellmore-Merrick Probe: The feds are officially looking into the Bellmore-Merrick school district. It’s all over alleged violations regarding gender-identity policies in sports. This is becoming a massive flashpoint for parents on both sides of the aisle.
Affordable Housing and the "State of the State" Fallout
Governor Hochul just finished her State of the State address, and today we’re seeing the first "shovel in the ground" results of those promises. She was in Patchogue today to announce the completion of The Grove Apartments.
It’s a $35 million mixed-use spot with 55 units. The goal? Affordable housing. It sounds great on paper, but if you read the local op-eds in Long Island Life and Politics, people are skeptical. They’re asking the same question we all ask: "Where is the money coming from?" New York is facing a massive deficit, yet the governor is promising universal pre-K, free childcare, and lower insurance costs. It’s a lot.
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Crime and Courts: The Gilgo Trial Update
We finally have a date for the Rex Heuermann trial. The judge basically said "come hell or high water," the trial for the accused Gilgo Beach serial killer starts after Labor Day. It’s been a long time coming for the families.
On a weirder note, there’s a scammer in Valley Stream you should watch out for. Police say a guy has been posing as a car salesman and has already swindled someone out of $14,000. It’s a reminder that if a deal on a new SUV feels too good to be true, it probably is.
What You Should Actually Do Today
Don't just read the headlines and worry. Here is the move for the rest of your Thursday:
- Check your pipes. This "bitter blast" isn't playing around. If you’re in an older house in Huntington or Patchogue, keep a drip going so you don't wake up to a burst pipe.
- Avoid the Peconic River area. Seriously, 10,000 gallons of sewage is no joke. Keep the dogs away from the water's edge for a few days.
- Nominate a teacher. Applebee’s is doing that "Above & BEE-yond" contest right now. Students in Nassau and Suffolk can win a $500 grant for their favorite teacher. It’s a nice way to balance out all the heavy news.
Stay warm, Long Island. It's going to be a long winter, but at least the lights (and maybe the wind turbines) are staying on.