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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.

Affordable housing continues to be a major topic of concern across the East End. New housing initiatives in Southampton and East Hampton will attempt to address it. The panel also outlines how frequent ICE sweeps and the presence of ICE officers is creating an air of great anxiety, especially among the Spanish-speaking community. Plus, the need for improvement to cellular tower and related infrastructure is becoming unavoidable. 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 RiverheadLocalAlek Lewis, Staff Reporter at NewsdayJack Motz, Staff Reporter 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

Local journalism and community newspapers are the heartbeat of a place, especially places like Shelter Island. Jake Williams has a deeply personal connection to both Shelter Island and its struggling hometown newspaper The Shelter Island Reporter as someone with many family ties to the island and a former writer for the outlet. He joined the panel to talk about his journey, what drove him to create the show, the impact of collapsing local journalism, and more. Listen to "Out of Print: The Unmaking of American News" here, and wherever you get podcasts. This week's panel is: Joe Shaw, Executive Editor at The Express News GroupBill Sutton, Managing Editor at The Express News GroupBeth Young, Editor & Publisher of East End BeaconDenise Civiletti, Editor & Publisher of RiverheadLocalJake Williams, journalist and podcast producer of "Out of Print" 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 October 23, 2025 and has been edited for time and conciseness. An unedited version can be found here. The “Local Matters” event focused on Sag Harbor Village and the issues most important to residents, including those living in the village and the surrounding communities of Noyac and North Haven. The panel included Sag Harbor Village Trustee Ed Haye, Sag Harbor Village Trustee Aidan Corish, Sag Harbor Variety Store owner Lisa Field, North Haven resident and The Church owner April Gornik, Sen and KPasa owner Jesse Matsuoka and Bay Street Theater Executive Director Tracy Mitchell. It was moderated by Executive Editor Joseph P. Shaw.

Fred W. Thiele Jr. is a former state assemblyman, life-long Sag Harbor resident, and now a regular columnist with the Express News Group and member of a number of nonprofit boards. He gives unique perspective on the politics of the East End, talking about the ways that national polarization have reached local elections and how voters react to national trends in small races. This week's panel is: Joe Shaw, Executive Editor at The Express News GroupBill Sutton, Managing Editor at The Express News GroupBeth Young, Editor & Publisher of East End BeaconDenise Civiletti, Editor & Publisher of RiverheadLocalFred W. Thiele Jr., East End politician and writer ------ 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

ICE has been enacting sudden raids throughout the East End of Long Island, causing widespread alarm and confusion, especially within the Latino community. Many families have stopped sending children to school, avoid medical appointments, and other basic parts of life for fear of being detained. Minerva Perez is Executive Director of OLA of Eastern Long Island, a Latino advocacy organization. She joined the panel to give detail and context around these instances as well as her position on what elected officials and leaders could be doing to prevent more violence from occurring. This week's panel is: Joe Shaw, Executive Editor at The Express News GroupBill Sutton, Managing Editor at The Express News GroupBeth Young, Editor & Publisher of East End BeaconDenise Civiletti, Editor & Publisher of RiverheadLocalMinerva Perez, Executive Director of OLA of Eastern Long Island Find out how to help OLA further its mission here. ------ 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 October 9th, 2025 and has been edited for time and conciseness. An unedited version can be found here. The first in a series of five special Express Sessions events titled “Local Matters” focused on Southampton Village and the issues that are important to its residents. Topics included traffic, sewers, workforce housing, Lake Agawam and the business community’s struggles and successes. The panel included Southampton Village Mayor Bill Manger, Southampton Village Trustee Rob Coburn, Southampton Association member Jay Diesing, Southampton Village Police Chief Sue Hurteau, Topiaire Flower Shop owner Erin Meaney, and Government Advisor, Lake Agawam Conservancy Janice Scherer.

In this episode of 'Behind the Headlines,' Joe Shaw and Bill Sutton welcome Denise Civiletti, Beth Young, and Cailin Riley to take a deeper dive into Eastern Long Island news. Denise and Beth explain the controversial Riverhead Town Square development and public opinion on it, the demand for hotel accommodations, and a significant subdivision proposal on the North Fork. Cailin goes into the historical significance of the Amistad and local efforts to preserve its story, and the group talks about ongoing initiatives for affordable housing in Riverside. The conversation wraps with the importance of environmental education for children. This week's panel is: Joe Shaw, Executive Editor at The Express News GroupBill Sutton, Managing Editor at The Express News GroupCailin Riley, Staff Writer at The Express News GroupBeth Young, Editor & Publisher of East End BeaconDenise Civiletti, Editor & Publisher of RiverheadLocal ------ 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 week's show, the panel has a serious conversation about the role of local journalism in giving formal endorsements of candidates in local and regional political races. Denise Civiletti and Beth Young express why they each hold policies against the practice as very small organizations, and Joe Shaw gives a counterargument from the perspective of a larger operation. They also talk about New York State's new law requiring all elections to be held on even years, the significance of state support for oyster farming, and the development of a community center in East Hampton. This week's panel is: Joe Shaw, Executive Editor at The Express News GroupBill Sutton, Managing Editor at The Express News GroupJack Motz, Staff Writer at The Express News GroupBeth Young, Editor & Publisher of East End BeaconDenise Civiletti, Editor & Publisher of RiverheadLocal ------ 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

In this episode of Behind the Headlines, the panel takes another deep dive into the cannabis issues on the East End, spurred by a legalization lawsuit filed by Southampton and Riverhead Towns. They also talk about the challenges of local zoning laws, the evacuation of a nursing home during a nor'easter, the expansion of the Riverhead Ambulance Corps, and the controversial purchase of an armored vehicle by the Southampton Town Police Department. Beth and Denise close the conversation with tributes and recognition of recently passed community leaders. This week's panel is: Joe Shaw, Executive Editor at The Express News GroupBill Sutton, Managing Editor at The Express News GroupMichael Mackey, Host of The Long Island Daily on WLIW-FMBeth Young, Editor & Publisher of East End BeaconDenise Civiletti, Editor & Publisher of RiverheadLocal ------ 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 week's Behind The Headlines, the panel details concerns over contaminated soil in Calverton, the unsolved cold case of Montauk Mary, and innovative care programs for the aging population. The conversation also touches on traffic management experiments aimed at improving flow on County Road 39 and highlights the upcoming Hamptons International Film Festival, with Annette Hinkle mentioning A24's "If I Had Legs I'd Kick You" and Joe Lauro's “Newport & the Great Folk Dream" in particular. This week's panel is: Joe Shaw, Executive Editor at The Express News GroupBill Sutton, Managing Editor at The Express News GroupAnnette Hinkle, Arts and Living editor Staff Writer at The Express News GroupBeth Young, Editor & Publisher of East End BeaconDenise Civiletti, Editor & Publisher of RiverheadLocal ------ 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 week's edition of Behind The Headlines, the panel discusses the cannabis shop in Southampton which opened without complete permitting, state regulations versus local laws in cannabis and the frustrations of local cannabis operators. They also talk about the political dynamics surrounding candidate engagement in Riverhead and recent changes in COVID vaccine accessibility in New York State, and more. This week's panel is: Joe Shaw, Executive Editor at The Express News GroupBill Sutton, Managing Editor at The Express News GroupJoe Werkmeister, Staff Writer at Newsday Beth Young, Editor & Publisher of East End BeaconMichael Mackey, host of The Long Island Daily on WLIW-FM ------ 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