Dr. Christopher Gobler of Stony Brook University joins the panel to discuss the current state of water quality on the East End, focusing on nitrogen, innovative and alternative treatment systems (also known as IA systems), and the impact of algae on local ecosystems. He also clarifies a point about "flesh eating bacteria" after a short clip of him went viral out of context.

This week’s panel is:

• Joe Shaw, Consulting Editor at The Express News Group
• Bill Sutton, Editor-in-chief at The Express News Group
• Denise Civiletti, Editor & Publisher of RiverheadLocal
• Beth Young, Editor & Publisher of East End Beacon
• Dr. Christopher Gobler, Professor at Stony Brook University School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences

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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This episode of Behind The Headlines features smaller panel and takes a deep dive into the state of Long Island's bays. Beth Young outlines issues with septic systems and how outdated infrastructure in Riverhead makes it difficult to control the amount of nitrogen that leaches into the Peconic Bay. Joe and Bill also talk about Southampton zoning updates and infrastructure projects like sewage treatment plants.

This week’s panel is:

• Joe Shaw, Consulting Editor at The Express News Group
• Bill Sutton, Editor-in-chief at The Express News Group
• 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

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 Group
• Bill Sutton, Editor-in-chief at The Express News Group
• Denise Civiletti, Editor & Publisher of RiverheadLocal
• 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

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.

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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

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:

1. Bill Sutton, Editor-in-chief at The Express News Group
2. Annette Hinkle, Arts & Living Editor at The Express News Group
3. Denise Civiletti, Editor & Publisher of RiverheadLocal
4. Beth Young, Editor & Publisher of East End Beacon
5. Alek 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:

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.

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:

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.

------

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