This week, the panel discusses COVID-19 and the effect it has had on nursing homes and nursing home workers, the current state of the vaccine rollout on the East End, and Thursday’s approval by the New York State Public Service Commission of a proposal to land the South Fork Wind Farm power cable in Wainscott.

Joseph P. Shaw, Executive Editor, The Express News Group

Bill Sutton, Managing Editor, The Express News Group

Michael Wright, Senior Writer, The Express News Group

Denise Civiletti, Publisher at Riverhead Local

David Rattray, Editor, The East Hampton Star

This week, the panel discusses a wide range of topics, including the one year anniversary of coronavirus being declared a pandemic; the current state of vaccinations on the East End; the story about a Calverton family that received a survey from a local nursing home asking about the stay of a family member who had died of COVID-19; the call to impeach Governor Andrew Cuomo; and the upcoming East Hampton Town election.

Joseph P. Shaw, Executive Editor, The Express News Group

Bill Sutton, Managing Editor, The Express News Group

Carissa Katz, Managing Editor, The East Hampton Star

Joe Werkmeister, Editor, Times-Review Media Group

Vera Chinese, Reporter, Newsday

This week, the panel discusses what appears to be a loosening up of the COVID-19 vaccine, with several pop-up PODs distributing doses in local communities on the East End in the past week; statements from U.S. Representative Lee Zeldin on his possible interest in running for Governor in New York State in November; Suffolk County’s decision last week to extend bay-bottom leases to oyster farmers for another 10 years; and the beginning of an abbreviated “fall” sports season this week, which will include spectators for the first time during the pandemic.

Joseph P. Shaw, Executive Editor, The Express News Group

Bill Sutton, Managing Editor, The Express News Group

Denise Civiletti, Publisher/Editor, Riverhead Local

Beth Young, Publisher/Editor, East End Beacon

Ambrose Clancy, Editor, Shelter Island Reporter

This week, the panel discusses the influx of new residents to the East End in the wake of the pandemic, and the effect that has had and will have in the future, including adding to the affordable housing crisis; an update on the Shinnecock Nation’s plans to construct a casino just outside of Southampton Village and the effect that might have on an already overburdened traffic situation; the arrest of Southold political figure Damon Rallis, who was charged with distributing child pornography; and efforts to preserve John Steinbeck’s former Sag Harbor home, which hit the market last week for $17.9 million.

Joseph P. Shaw, Executive Editor, The Express News Group

Bill Sutton, Managing Editor, The Express News Group

Kathryn Menu, Co-Publisher, The Express News Group

Grant Parpan, Content Director, Times-Review Media Group

Michael Mackey, Local Host For Long Island Morning Edition, WLIW-FM

The panelists, including East Hampton Star Editor David Rattray, are joined  by Shinnecock Nation Council of Trustees Chairman Bryan Polite for an  in-depth discussion of recent headlines that the Shinnecock Nation plans  to build a 76,000-square-foot casino on the Shinnecock Territory just  west of Southampton Village, as an economic driver to help the people of  the Nation.

Joseph P. Shaw, Executive Editor, The Express News Group

Bill Sutton, Managing Editor, The Express News Group

David Rattray, Editor, The East Hampton Star

Bryan Polite, Chairman, Shinnecock Nation Council of Trustees

The panelists discuss the state of COVID-19 in local schools, including developments in districts returning to high risk sports; pending legislation that would help local governments better control sand minds, including often targeted mines in Noyac and Calverton; and legislation proposed by Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr. that would impose fines on agency and government officials who violate the state’s Freedom of Information and Open Meetings laws.

Joseph P. Shaw, Executive Editor, The Express News Group

Bill Sutton, Managing Editor, The Express News Group

Denise Civiletti, Publisher at Riverhead Local

Beth Young, Editor/Publisher at East End Beacon

Chrissy Sampson, Deputy Managing Editor at East Hampton Star

The panelists discuss the recent court decision regarding “Truck Beach” in Amagansett, in which the judges ruled that the popular beach is privately owned and that the East Hampton Town Trustees cannot allow vehicles to park on the sand; the continued saga over COVID-19 vaccine distribution on the East End; and a dispute between the Riverhead Water District and the Suffolk County Water Authority over which agency should provide service in Manorville and Calverton.

Joseph P. Shaw, Executive Editor, The Express News Group

Bill Sutton, Managing Editor, The Express News Group

Joe Werkmeister, Editor, The Suffolk Times/Riverhead News-Review

Jamie Bufalino, Reporter, The East Hampton Star

Brian Cosgrove, Host, The Afternoon Ramble, WLIW-FM

The panelists discuss New York State and Suffolk County agreeing to allow high-risk high school sports beginning in February, and one school’s decision not to participate; ongoing civil case in Riverhead resulting from a fatal DWI crash in 2014; and discussions about a proposed paid parking app in East Hampton Village.

Joseph P. Shaw, Executive Editor, The Express News Group

Bill Sutton, Managing Editor, The Express News Group

David Rattray, Editor, The East Hampton Star

Grant Parpan, Content Director, Times-Review Media Group

Cailin Riley, Contributing Writer, The Express News Group

The panelists discuss continued issues with the coronavirus vaccine rollout on the East End of Long Island; solar farms in Riverhead and the proposed South Fork Wind Farm in East Hamptons, and the signing of an easement agreement for the project by East Hampton Town officials this week; and the continued efforts by local police departments to comply with the state’s requirements to address systemic racism in their ranks.

Joseph P. Shaw, Executive Editor, The Express News Group

Bill Sutton, Managing Editor, The Express News Group

Denise Civiletti, Publisher, Riverhead Local

Beth Young, Editor/Publisher at East End Beacon

Vera Chinese, Reporter, Newsday

The panelists discuss the events in Washington, D.C. on January 6, and the response of 1stDistrict U.S. Representative Lee Zeldin, as well as the current state of the coronavirus vaccine rollout on the East End of Long Island.

Hosts:

Joseph P. Shaw, Executive Editor, The Express News Group

Bill Sutton, Managing Editor, The Express News Group

David Rattray, Editor, The East Hampton Star

Joe Werkmeister, Editor, The Suffolk Times

Ginana Volpe, The Heart of The East End Morning Show Host/On-Air Journalist