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...