Pope Leo XIV, the first ever U.S. Pope, addressed a group of 16,000 teens at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis this past Friday. Students from Our Lady of the Hamptons tuned in for the livestream. Pope Leo in Rome, using technology to address the students in Indiana, listed many good things technology does. For example, "it lets us stay connected with people who are far away," he said, and there are "amazing tools for prayer, for reading the Bible, for learning more about what we believe, and it allows us to share the Gospel with people we may never meet in person." "But even with all that, technology can never replace real, in-person relationships; simple things (like) a hug, a handshake, a smile -- all those things are essential to being human and to have those things in a real way, not through a screen," is important.

Cailin Riley reports on 27east.com that OLH Seventh-grader Sofia Sisalima said that she found significance in the pope’s insistence that young people can and should play a big role in the Catholic Church’s present moment. Seeing the thousands of young people gathered in the arena to hear the pope speak was moving as well. “It’s amazing how a bunch of kids went to see the pope, and how their faith is very strong,” she said.

Our Lady of the Hamptons Principal Sister Kathryn Schlueter said that she thinks of Pope Leo as a priest, missionary and teacher. “This is a very important time in our church and our world,” she said. “Having an American pope for the first time is a special invitation to listen, to observe and to realize that the church is headquartered in Rome, but is truly a universal family. This generation of young Americans will be needed to step in and step up to make a difference in the world.”

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Unofficial but “certified results” in this year's Riverhead Town supervisor’s race now show Halpin the winner by 37 votes according to Riverhead Town Democratic Committee Chairperson Laura Jens-Smith. Denise Civiletti reports on Riverheadlocal.com that those numbers show Democratic challenger Jerry Halpin with 3,956 votes to incumbent Supervisor Tim Hubbard’s 3,919 votes, according to a summary provided by Jens-Smith.

Suffolk County Republican Party Chairman Jesse Garcia confirmed Friday that the numbers provided by Jens-Smith are accurate.

However, because the margin of victory is less than 0.5%, state law requires a manual recount. The Suffolk County Board of Elections posted a notice on its website stating that the mandatory manual recount will take place today at 10 a.m.

On election night, November 4, 2025, unofficial results showed Halpin ahead 3,891 to 3,870 (50.23% to 49.77%.) Those results did not count absentee ballots and military ballots that arrived after Election Day or any affidavit (provisional) ballots cast at the polls on Election Day. A total of 113 votes have been added to the Election Day tally, with 65 of them going to Halpin, expanding his lead from 21 to 37 votes.

“I am truly honored that the voters of Riverhead have entrusted me to serve our community. It is with deep humility and gratitude that I step into the role of Riverhead Town Supervisor-Elect,” Halpin said in a written statement.

Hubbard declined comment until today’s recount is completed.

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The annual “Light the Lighthouse” event is set for this coming Saturday, November 29, beginning at dusk, at Montauk Point State Lighthouse, with the switch flipped at dark by former New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. who will be honored for his many years of government service.

“The lighting became an instant tradition the first time we did it, 15 years ago,” said Joe Gaviola, president of the Montauk Historical Society and honorary lighthouse keeper. “Thousands of people join us for the event every year, and tens of thousands more drive out to the Point just to see the holiday lights twinkling on the tower.”

The evening will feature live music by Sarah Conway and the Playful Souls, along with hot chocolate. After the crowd countdown to the lighting, Santa will appear at the top of the lighthouse tower. He returns the following day to pose for photos and hear children’s Christmas wishes.

Sunday’s event, “Santa at the Lighthouse,” runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include Hamptons Coffee hot chocolate and cookies from the Montauk Bake Shoppe.

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Educators and addiction experts across Long Island say that with the legalization of marijuana, vaping among adolescents has become a concerning trend. The problem, which one educator likened to an “epidemic,” has led some schools to install vape-detection systems, while others have stepped up efforts to educate students on the dangers of substance abuse and to provide counseling to students caught with a controlled substance. “There has definitely been an increase in issues with vaping devices, both with nicotine and an increase in cannabis," said Bob Vecchio, executive director of the Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association. "And since the legalization of recreational use of marijuana-type products, we've seen issues not just with cannabis and vape devices, but gummies." Lorena Mongelli reports in NEWSDAY that NYS data shows there was a 35% increase in the number of drug possession cases at Long Island schools in 2023-24 compared with a decade prior. State Education Department spokesperson Rachel Connors said that vapes containing marijuana are included in the data. Nicotine is not counted.

Dafny Irizarry, president of the Long Island Latino Teachers Association, said she has heard from more educators about an increase in vaping in schools — though she wasn't certain if it involved nicotine or cannabis.

“The use of vaping has been a challenge," she said. "Educators are concerned with the presence of vapes in schools and outside of schools."

Some mental health experts said one factor that could explain the trend is a rise in the number of young people dealing with mental health issues.

In addition to coordinating with community groups focused on "prevention and intervention," Longwood schools Superintendent Lance Lohman said in a statement the district is working with local officials to crack down on unlicensed retailers targeting youth and the marketing of THC products.

The Suffolk County district reported 46 drug possession cases in 2023-24.

The use of cannabis and vaping in schools is a statewide issue, Lohman said, noting school districts face "significant challenges...regarding student access to cannabis products in recent years. Most incidents involve vaping devices deliberately marketed to young people."

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A Northwell Health laboratory in Glen Oaks, New York set to open early next year will study the potential positive and negative effects of cannabis and psychedelic drugs, as well as alcohol. It would be one of the few to legally dispense cannabis and psychedelics on-site. Research on cannabis and psychedelics has been limited because of tight federal restrictions on their use in studies, experts say. Some people use the drugs for medical conditions despite the lack of solid evidence of their benefits. The absence of extensive data also prevents some health care providers from recommending the drugs, even though they may help. David Olson reports in NEWSDAY that the Northwell Health lab — called the Human Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory — is applying to the federal government to join what experts believe are only about 10 labs nationwide in which cannabis can be legally dispensed on-site to subjects. Researchers will then observe the participants after they consume marijuana, as well as psychedelics and alcohol, to glean information that surveys and other methods cannot obtain. The lab is scheduled to open in January. Recruitment of human subjects for studies will likely begin several weeks later, said Hofstra University professor and clinical psychologist Nehal Vadhan, the lab's director.

Tens of millions of Americans use marijuana every year, many just to get high, others because they believe it will help with a medical condition. Millions more take psychedelics. Yet there has been relatively little rigorous scientific research into the drugs' effects, good and bad, experts say.

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It’s a tradition 30 years strong. On Saturday, November 29, at 8 p.m., the Hampton Synagogue in Westhampton Beach will host its annual Cantorial Concert, bringing together some of the most renowned and accomplished cantors in the world for an evening of top quality Jewish liturgical music.

Cailin Riley reports on 27east.com that Rabbi Marc Schneier speaks with effusive pride about the cantorial concert, and the place of importance it has both in the greater Hamptons community and worldwide…pointing out that the synagogue becomes standing room only for the event, which draws families from all over the country and even the world, with attendees from as far afield as London. “It’s really incredible that on Thanksgiving weekend, the synagogue is overflowing with cantorial aficionados,” he said. The synagogue’s world-renowned cantor, Netanel Hershtik, will host the concert, which will feature two rising stars of the cantorial world, Nissim Saal and Chaim Stern. “It’s an all-star lineup, and it’s keeping within the standards of the synagogue of making the ordinary extraordinary,” Schneier said. “I believe we’re simply the best at what we do and so is this concert. “And you can’t beat the price,” he quipped. “Not only is it complimentary, but we feed you after.” The concert will take place in the Berman Sanctuary of the Hampton Synagogue, 154 Sunset Avenue, Westhampton Beach. Admission is free. A dessert reception will follow. To reserve for the reception, email [email protected] or call 631-288-0534 ext. 210.

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The Grieving Families Act, which would change the state's wrongful death statute by letting families recover damages for emotional suffering, including by suing for negligence, has been passed by legislators and next goes to Governor Kathy Hochul for approval. Currently, civil court judgments are only for "pecuniary loss," or the potential earning power of the deceased person, meaning children and adults who don't work outside the home are valued less than members of the active workforce. Groups representing insurance companies, some small businesses, municipalities, and doctors and hospitals, however, oppose the proposed act saying it would cause insurance premiums to soar. New York is one of just two states — the other is Alabama — that bars claims for grief and mental anguish caused by wrongful deaths. Robert Brodsky reports in NEWSDAY that the current statute dates to 1847.

Advocates have argued that the current 178-year-old system also bars nontraditional family members, such as unmarried partners, from filing suit and results in higher damages for the wrongful death of a doctor or lawyer compared with a custodian or cashier, simply based on their respective incomes.

Families of Long Island children killed in horrific crashes in recent years blame the governor, who is seeking reelection next year. They note that Hochul has repeatedly refused to meet with them to discuss the legislation and contend she is beholden to the insurance and health care lobbies, along with other special interests who have fought against the bill.

Hochul has until year's end, or 10 days, minus Sundays, after the bill is delivered to her desk, to sign or veto it.

Records show the bills, sponsored by Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemb. Jennifer Lunsford, Democrats from Manhattan and Perinton, respectively, have yet to be delivered to Hochul.