Advertise on podcast: Behind The Headlines

Please enjoy this Express Sessions while Behind The Headlines is off. This was recorded live on February 12, 2026 and has been edited for time and conciseness. An unedited version can be found here. Year after year, the Hamptons market has refused to cool. In 2025, the East End saw a record-breaking median sale price, reaching $2 million for the first time in its history, even as the region continues to weather inflation, higher interest rates, soaring insurance costs, relentless traffic and a heated political climate. None of it has dimmed demand for the South Fork’s beaches, natural beauty and coveted lifestyle — or for the exceptional architecture and design available to buy or rent. In this panel discussion, leading Hamptons real estate professionals will explore the pressures shaping today’s market and share their perspectives on what lies ahead.

Please enjoy this Express Sessions while Behind The Headlines is off. This was recorded live on January 29, 2026 and has been edited for time and conciseness. An unedited version can be found here. On January 29, 2026, more than 100 people gathered at The Church on Madison Street for a two-hour Express Sessions event titled “The Evolution and Preservation of Downtown Sag Harbor.” Attendees included a diverse mix of longtime, full-time and part-time village residents, Sag Harbor Village officials, small business owners, community activists, real estate developers and more, all with unique interests and opinions related to the evolution of the business district and how it affects the local economy, history and way of life that has made Sag Harbor such a unique and sought-after destination for people from all walks of life.

This week, the panel takes a deep dive on the Southampton sewage treatment proposal, the background of it and its implications. Denise Civiletti explains Riverhead's development plans and political dynamics and they also touch on affordable housing initiatives, and the complexities of land use. This week’s panel is: Joe Shaw, Consulting Editor at The Express News GroupBill Sutton, Editor-in-chief at The Express News GroupDenise Civiletti, Editor & Publisher of RiverheadLocalBeth Young, Editor & Publisher of East End Beacon Enjoying this show? Rate and review us, and send this episode to someone who should hear it. Together we can keep community news alive on the East End. —— WLIW-FM is community media for Eastern Long Island. Donate to WLIW-FM here. Download the WLIW-FM app so you never miss a beat! for Apple devices | for Android devices

Bob DeLuca is President and CEO of Group for the East End, an environmental organization that has been working to preserve and protext the delicate ecosystems of Eastern Long Island since 1972. He joins the weekly panel to explain the proposed amendments to the State Environmental Quality Review Act - also known as SEQRA - by Governor Kathy Hochul. They focus on the complexities of land development, environmental protection, and local control on the East End. Bob shares his unique insights on how the issues of community planning, environmental safeguards, and the legislative process are so deeply entangled. This week's panel is: Enjoying this show? Rate and review us, and send this episode to someone who should hear it. Together we can keep community news alive on the East End. ------ WLIW-FM is community media for Eastern Long Island. Donate to WLIW-FM here. Download the WLIW-FM app so you never miss a beat! for Apple devices | for Android devices

On this weekend's Behind The Headlines, the panel explains the recent bird flu outbreak that's lead to hundreds of dead geese for East End towns to deal with. They also outline how Trump's war in the Middle East could devastate local agriculture throughout Riverhead and the Twin Forks. Alek Lewis explores innovative approaches to affordable housing in the region, Beth Young discusses local EMT certification, and Denise Civiletti explains the disappointing court ruling on a case regarding a deadly house fire. This week's panel is: Bill Sutton, Editor-in-chief at The Express News GroupAnnette Hinkle, Arts & Living Editor at The Express News GroupDenise Civiletti, Editor & Publisher of RiverheadLocalBeth Young, Editor & Publisher of East End BeaconAlek Lewis, Staff Writer at Newsday Enjoying this show? Rate and review us, and send this episode to someone who should hear it. Together we can keep community news alive on the East End. ------ WLIW-FM is community media for Eastern Long Island. Donate to WLIW-FM here. Download the WLIW-FM app so you never miss a beat! for Apple devices | for Android devices

Please enjoy this Express Sessions while Behind The Headlines is off. This was recorded live on January 15, 2026 and has been edited for time and conciseness. An unedited version can be found here. The "Local Matters" series was a special five-part set of Express Sessions events. Sewer district expansion, environmental concerns and downtown business were the main topics at the Westhampton Beach conversation.

On this edition of Behind The Headlines, Brendan O'Reilly explains the complexity that has arisen around Justin Timberlake's 2024 drunk driving arrest in Sag Harbor. The panel discusses how the Freedom of Information act plays into the legal battle over the body-cam footage of the police officer involved in the incident. They also cover property erosion and ongoing traffic challenges. This week's panel is: Joe Shaw, Consulting Editor at The Express News GroupBill Sutton, Editor-in-chief at The Express News GroupDenise Civiletti, Editor & Publisher of RiverheadLocalBeth Young, Editor & Publisher of East End BeaconBrendan O'Reilly, Digital Editor at The Express News Group Enjoying this show? Rate and review us, and send this episode to someone who should hear it. Together we can keep community news alive on the East End. ------ WLIW-FM is community media for Eastern Long Island. Donate to WLIW-FM here. Download the WLIW-FM app so you never miss a beat! for Apple devices | for Android devices

Legislation drafted by OLA of Eastern Long Island and Fred Thiele has been written in a nonpartisan rhetoric and seeks greater accountability and transparency from ICE agents, and clarifies what local emergency services are supposed to be doing when faced with difficult circumstances in dealing with the undertrained federal agents. Local dancer/choreographer turned activist Anita Boyer has been organizing protests, marches, vigils, and other events to bring attention to ICE actions in the community and demand stronger response from local governments. She speaks on the legislation, how she views her role in the struggle, what she hopes will happen and more. This week's panel is: Joe Shaw, Consulting Editor at The Express News GroupBill Sutton, Editor-in-chief at The Express News GroupDenise Civiletti, Editor & Publisher of RiverheadLocalBeth Young, Editor & Publisher of East End BeaconAnita Boyer, dancer/choreographer and independent activist Enjoying this show? Rate and review us, and send this episode to someone who should hear it. Together we can keep community news alive on the East End. ------ WLIW-FM is community media for Eastern Long Island. Donate to WLIW-FM here. Download the WLIW-FM app so you never miss a beat! for Apple devices | for Android devices

Please enjoy this Express Sessions while Behind The Headlines is off. This was recorded live on December 20, 2025 and has been edited for time and conciseness. An unedited version can be found here. The "Local Matters" series, a special five-part set of Express Sessions events, continued on November 20 at Cowfish.

Please enjoy this Express Sessions while Behind The Headlines is off. This was recorded live on December 11, 2025 and has been edited for time and conciseness. An unedited version can be found here. The "Local Matters" series, a special five-part set of Express Sessions events, continued on December 11 with a luncheon panel discussion in Amagansett at Rowdy Hall. The conversation focused on issues of direct consequence to East Hampton Village, East Hampton Town and its environs, and the panel included both town and village leaders. Topics were chosen by the community. As with every Express Sessions event, those in attendance had a chance to ask questions and offer comments on the subjects at hand.

The Washington Post recently gutted much of their staff, in departments ranging from sports to their flagship podcast. Many large outlets like Slate and The Atlantic have described the layoffs as Jeff Bezos "killing" or "murdering" the Post. What does this dismantling mean for the media landscape and what picture does it paint for local news outlets in particular? This week's Behind The Headlines features Express News Group Publisher Gavin Menu, speaking from the perspective of a business owner with a bottom line, but also a local community leader who recognizes that local newspapers are so much more than just another business. This week's panel is: Joe Shaw, Consulting Editor at The Express News GroupBill Sutton, Editor-in-chief at The Express News GroupDenise Civiletti, Editor & Publisher of RiverheadLocalBeth Young, Editor & Publisher of East End BeaconGavin Menu, Publisher at The Express News GroupChrissy Sampson, Director of Community Engagement at LTV Enjoying this show? Rate and review us, and send this episode to someone who should hear it. Together we can keep community news alive on the East End. ------ WLIW-FM is community media for Eastern Long Island. Donate to WLIW-FM here. Download the WLIW-FM app so you never miss a beat! for Apple devices | for Android devices

This week on Behind The Headlines, the panel opens with a check-in on the recent severe winter weather conditions, with Denise Civiletti pointing out dangerous pedestrian conditions due to lack of snow clearing on many sidewalks. They also discusses the importance of community engagement in local governance, local impact of the ongoing ICE conflict in Minneapolis, the ways in which Facebook and Instagram shape public discourse and impact journalism, and the closing of Hampton Bays' movie theater. Beth Young mentions youth involvement in environmental initiatives and Annette Hinkle wraps the conversation talking the upcoming Ken Burns project on the American Revolution, emphasizing the need for historical narratives in contemporary discussions. This week's panel is: Joe Shaw, Consulting Editor at The Express News GroupBill Sutton, Editor-in-chief at The Express News GroupDenise Civiletti, Editor & Publisher of RiverheadLocalBeth Young, Editor & Publisher of East End BeaconAnnette Hinkle, Arts & Living Editor at The Express News Group Enjoying this show? Rate and review us, and send this episode to someone who should hear it. Together we can keep community news alive on the East End. ------ WLIW-FM is community media for Eastern Long Island. Donate to WLIW-FM here. Download the WLIW-FM app so you never miss a beat! for Apple devices | for Android devices

With the growing prevalence of cameras in public spaces and what some refer to as a "surveillance state," many citizens are concerned with the widespread use of license plate readers and related video technologies in police departments. James Kiernan is Chief of Police for the Town of Southampton police department. He joins the panel to discuss the practical and local applications of video surveillance and how he views law enforcement's moral precedent to use technology available to them for the sake of public safety. The topic was prompted by a recent article from the East End Beacon about the seemingly sudden rise in solar-powered traffic cameras across the East End. This week's panel is: Joe Shaw, Consulting Editor at The Express News GroupBill Sutton, Editor-in-chief at The Express News GroupDenise Civiletti, Editor & Publisher of RiverheadLocalBeth Young, Editor & Publisher of East End BeaconJames Kiernan, Chief of Police for Southampton Town Enjoying this show? Rate and review us, and send this episode to someone who should hear it. Together we can keep community news alive on the East End. ------ WLIW-FM is community media for Eastern Long Island. Donate to WLIW-FM here. Download the WLIW-FM app so you never miss a beat! for Apple devices | for Android devices

As the country grapples with a recent murder by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, the East End prepares for potential demonstrations and vigils. The panel expresses their personal views on the issues of ICE possibly causing more unrest than they solve. They also discuss the efforts of the Montaukett people to gain recognition from New York State, Jerry Halpin's unique style as the new Riverhead Town Supervisor, and horseshoe crab protection. They close the talk on a positive note about Peconic Community School's growth and the new programming's impacts on the local area. This week's panel is: Joe Shaw, Consulting Editor at The Express News GroupBill Sutton, Editor-in-chief at The Express News GroupDenise Civiletti, Editor & Publisher of RiverheadLocalBeth Young, Editor & Publisher of East End Beacon Enjoying this show? Rate and review us, and send this episode to someone who should hear it. Together we can keep community news alive on the East End. ------ WLIW-FM is community media for Eastern Long Island. Donate to WLIW-FM here. Download the WLIW-FM app so you never miss a beat! for Apple devices | for Android devices

The Montaukett have been denied state recognition as a formal nation 7 times. In her recent veto memo, Gov. Hochul cites a case from 1910 in which the Montaukett were denied recognition as a formal nation. What is the reasoning behind her decision? Plus, what will the local impact be following the murder of Renee Nicole Good? The panel discusses these pressing issues plus horseshoe crab protection, Riverhead's news Town Supervisor, and a positive story about Peconic Community School. Live on WLIW-FM Saturday at 10am, and on demand right here where you get podcasts.