In the News
OCEANSIDE, NY — As the United States approaches the 25th anniversary of one of its darkest days, an effort to honor a hero of Sept. 11 in Oceanside is nearing its finish line.
A plan to add an elevator and ramps at the last inaccessible LIRR station in Nassau County is getting a $250,000 injection of federal funding, officials said Tuesday.
Rep. Laura Gillen (D-Rockville Centre) gathered with riders with disabilities and other elected officials at the Long Island Rail Road’s Bellerose station to announce the new funding, which Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials confirmed had been earmarked in the federal budget. The station is the last of the 59 in Nassau County to be made accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
WASHINGTON — The accidents may be shams, but the felonies would be real.
Long Island Rep. Laura Gillen is taking aim at dopes who have been caught staging car accidents involving unsuspecting drivers in order to cash in on insurance payouts.
On Thursday, Gillen (D-NY) introduced the Stop Auto Fraud Act of 2026, which would make the “crash for cash” practice a federal offense punishable by up to 10 years behind bars, with sentence enhancements for smash-ups causing injury or death.
Every day, 4 million to 6 million gallons of water pass through Long Beach’s aging water filters before flowing to city faucets.
All 10 of the sand filters, which remove iron from the water, were installed in 1969. With their age in mind, the city has embarked on a multiyear, multimillion-dollar project to replace them.
Two of the new filters already have been installed and will soon be in service, city officials said. And the city has begun Phase 2 of the project, taking on the design of the next four replacement filters.
A long-planned effort to replace the aging roof at the Franklin Square Public Library took a major step forward, as library officials begin planning comprehensive renovations they agree will protect the building for decades while improving energy efficiency and expanding services for the community.
The project received a $250,000 federal Community Project Funding allocation secured by Rep. Laura Gillen. Library officials said the funding will allow them to begin the architectural and engineering work needed before construction can move forward.
The Floral Park Fire Department will be receiving $250,000 in federal funding to purchase a new hook-and-ladder truck.
The funding was secured by Rep. Laura Gillen through the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process and will support about 10% of the new truck’s costs, which amount to over $2.7 million, Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald said.
“Every dime that we can get that doesn’t cost the taxpayers here in Floral Park is important to us,” Fitzgerald said. “Thank you once again for doing that.”
FRANKLIN SQUARE, NY — The Franklin Square Public Library came into some money this week, as Congresswoman Laura Gillen announced the library had been awarded $250,000 in federal funds to replace its roof and HVAC.
According to the 4th-district representative’s office, the investment will help replace an outdate, 10-unit HVAC system that suffers from leaks, mold, poor drainage and issues with its temperature regulation.
In the eyes of library officials, the work will help preserve an institution that sits at “the heart of” the Franklin Square community.
Congresswoman Laura Gillen toured the Village of Malverne Police Department on July 24, meeting with Police Chief Thomas Martini, PBA President Sgt. Castellano and Officer McCoy to discuss public safety priorities, tour the department’s new headquarters and participate in a ride-along through the village.
During the visit, department leaders briefed Gillen on the challenges facing local law enforcement, including staffing, resources and public safety needs, while discussing ways Congress and the federal government can provide additional support for municipal police departments.
Congresswoman Laura Gillen (D-NY-04) alongside Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11) introduced the bipartisan Never Forget the Victims of Terrorism: Joseph D. Mistrulli and Alan Kleinberg USVSST Fund Solvency Act to deliver justice for victims of Iranian-backed terrorism, including families of 9/11 victims. The legislation would provide temporary targeted financing for the U.S. Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism (USVSST) Fund from the billions of dollars of compensation Iran and other state sponsors of terrorism owe to American victims.
When 10-year-old Owen Burkart steps onto the outdoor roller hockey rink in Lynbrook’s Greis Park, his most challenging opponents isn’t always the other team.
Sometimes it’s the sun.
“The sun is always in my eyes because I play goalie,” Owen said, “and it makes it hard to see the puck.”