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:

1. Joe Shaw, Consulting Editor at The Express News Group
2. Bill Sutton, Editor-in-chief at The Express News Group
3. Denise Civiletti, Editor & Publisher of RiverheadLocal
4. Beth Young, Editor & Publisher of East End Beacon
5. Brendan 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.

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WLIW-FM is community media for Eastern Long Island. Donate to WLIW-FM here.

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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:

1. Joe Shaw, Consulting Editor at The Express News Group
2. Bill Sutton, Editor-in-chief at The Express News Group
3. Denise Civiletti, Editor & Publisher of RiverheadLocal
4. Beth Young, Editor & Publisher of East End Beacon
5. Anita 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.

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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:

1. Joe Shaw, Consulting Editor at The Express News Group
2. Bill Sutton, Editor-in-chief at The Express News Group
3. Denise Civiletti, Editor & Publisher of RiverheadLocal
4. Beth Young, Editor & Publisher of East End Beacon
5. Gavin Menu, Publisher at The Express News Group
6. Chrissy 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.

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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:

1. Joe Shaw, Consulting Editor at The Express News Group
2. Bill Sutton, Editor-in-chief at The Express News Group
3. Denise Civiletti, Editor & Publisher of RiverheadLocal
4. Beth Young, Editor & Publisher of East End Beacon
5. Annette 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.

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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:

1. Joe Shaw, Consulting Editor at The Express News Group
2. Bill Sutton, Editor-in-chief at The Express News Group
3. Denise Civiletti, Editor & Publisher of RiverheadLocal
4. Beth Young, Editor & Publisher of East End Beacon
5. James 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

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.

Live on WLIW-FM Saturday at 10am, and on demand right here where you get podcasts.

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:

1. Joe Shaw, Consulting Editor at The Express News Group
2. Bill Sutton, Editor-in-chief at The Express News Group
3. Denise Civiletti, Editor & Publisher of RiverheadLocal
4. Beth 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.