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PHL17 •

Insects are in decline — and Pennsylvania does not know the full extent

(WPHL) — For many in Southeastern Pennsylvania, butterflies fluttering through gardens, bumblebees buzzing around flowers and fireflies lighting up summer nights were once familiar sights. But those insects are becoming harder to find.


“The insects are just not in the same abundance as they were when I was much younger, 20 or 30 years ago,” Lauren McGrath said. “That is a really big red flag that something is happening that we should be concerned about.”


McGrath is the watershed program di...
PHL17 •

Southeastern Pennsylvania Orchards recover after late-April freeze

Late July is typically when peach trees in Southeastern Pennsylvania are heavy with ripened fruit. Instead of harvesting ripe peaches, many fruit growers are surveying nearly empty trees.


“All of our peaches were lost,” said Stephen Griffith, a farmer at Linvilla Orchards. “Just about 100%. We found eight peaches so far.”


An unusually warm start to April caused fruit trees to bloom weeks earlier than normal, which looked promising, Griffith said.


“It was going to be a great year for pic...
The Long Island Advocate •

Compassion on the line: An inside look at the work of Suffolk County crisis counselors

Noah Zaharia, a 26-year-old crisis counselor, sits at his computer in his Melville home office. Three monitors glow in front of him.

Then, his computer emits a rotary phone ringtone. It’s an alert: a call for help.

Zaharia never knows who will be on the other line. Some callers need someone to listen. Others are seeking help finding services or basic needs like housing and food. Some are in life-threatening crises. As he put it, people reach out for “a plethora of other...
The Long Island Advocate •

Moving mountains: The parents of transgender youth and the Trump administration

Since 2021, Republican legislators and politicians across the country have attacked the rights of transgender people, limiting access to bathrooms, sports, healthcare and more. While it may be most difficult for trans people themselves, the parents of transgender children struggle too. In this in-depth, personal feature, journalist Camryn Bowden speaks with parents to discuss the struggles they faced when their children came out, and the even larger threat that comes...

Pump to Pantry: Gas Price Swings Hit Grocery Costs

In late February, the United States began its aerial bombardment of strategic targets in Iran, and the world economy quickly reacted.
In a matter of days, gasoline and crude oil prices skyrocketed.

The World Economic Forum reports that Iran produces approximately 12% of the world’s oil. Following the initial strikes by the U.S. and Israel, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway that sees 20 million barrels of oil move throu...

As Newsrooms Face Layoffs, Number of Long Island Journalism Graduates Decline

On March 20th, Reuters reported that CBS News would lay off about six percent of its staff, including closing down its storied radio operation. Over a month earlier, the Washington Post made the decision to lay off around 30% of its workforce, more than 300 journalists of the 800 person newsroom.As the industry struggles with declining traditional advertising revenue, corporate cost-cutting decisions and convergence across operations, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a four percent decli...
The Long Island Advocate •

Is AI the future of mental health care? Experts warn of risks.

Artificial intelligence is a rapidly developing tool in many areas. Economically, it’s the focus of most high-tech companies. Culturally, it’s a major focus of the media industry and advertising industries. And, according to new reports, it’s also become a replacement for friendship—and in certain cases, mental health care.

Across the U.S., an estimated 60 million Americans suffer from mental illness, according to Mental Health America, a national, community-based nonprofi...
The Long Island Advocate •

42nd Oyster Fest held in Oyster Bay

The fall season brings changing leaves, colder temperatures and for Long Islanders: the salty, sweet delicious taste of oysters. For the second year in a row, the Long Island Oyster Festival has returned to Oyster Bay, drawing in thousands of people to shop for artisan goods; they enjoy live music and slurp up the delicious ocean delicacy that gives Oyster Bay its name.The Long Island Advocate’s Camryn Bowden spoke to visitors, vendors and oyster farmers about the impacts of...
The Long Island Advocate •

Long Island sees drop in volunteer firefighter recruitment

A national issue impacting counties across the United States is being felt here on Long Island. Fire departments in Nassau and Suffolk counties are seeing drops in the recruitment and retention rate of volunteer firefighters. These unpaid heroes are vital for keeping communities safe. They are also the backbone of almost all of Long Island’s 179 fire departments. The Long Island Advocate’s Camryn Bowden spoke to Uniondale Fire Commissioner Fitzroy Morgan and Nassau County Leg...
The Long Island Advocate •

"I'm here and I'm having a blast and I'm really good," says Rachel Crowl in her new role as Princess Kate

The slate of Off-Broadway plays tend to be a variety of classic plays, interesting think pieces and some of the stuff that wouldn’t slide on the big stage. One of those plays is Prince Faggot.

This Studio Seaview production is the telling of the first out, gay member of the royal family, interspersing the real lived experiences of 6 queer and trans actors. Rachel Crowl is one of those performers.

Crowl started her theater experience out of high school in a repertory the...
The Long Island Advocate •

Coastal erosion threatens Long Island's beaches

The sound of waves, the salty air and the warmth of the sun draw Long Island residents and non-residents alike to the beach experience every summer. Those sandy stretches, however, are slowly disappearing, worn away by the relentless tides.

Coastal erosion, as described by Dr. Jase Bernhardt, the director and an associate professor of sustainability studies at Hofstra University, is the natural process of waves surging in from the ocean and breaking down the shoreline, dra...
Long Island Press •

Measles on the rise: Inside the beliefs of Long Island’s ‘medical freedom’ families

“My child who has had the measles and has natural immunity [and] can no more catch the measles than I can. I have 0% fear of him catching the measles. I do have 100% fear of him going into cardiac arrest and seizing if he receives the MMR [measles, mumps and rubella vaccine],” said one “medical freedom” mother from Holbrook who wished to remain anonymous for this investigation.

Measles, a dis...
The Long Island Advocate •

Measles on the rise: Inside the beliefs of Long Island's 'medical freedom' families

“My child who has had the measles and has natural immunity [and] can no more catch the measles than I can. I have 0% fear of him catching the measles. I do have 100% fear of him going into cardiac arrest and seizing if he receives the MMR [measles, mumps and rubella vaccine],” said one “medical freedom” mother from Holbrook, in Suffolk County, who wished to remain anony...
The Long Island Advocate •

Oyster Bay board appoints Andrew Monteleone to fill vacancy

The Oyster Bay Town Board is once again full, closing a vacancy opened by Michele Johnson with newly appointed Andrew Monteleone, who will hold this position until the general election in November. Johnson stepped down from her position as council member after she was elected District Court judge in 2024, which left a vacancy that Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino was tasked with filling. On Feb. 11, he did just that, selecting Monteleone for the role.

On Jan. 1, Joh...
The Long Island Advocate •

Bellmore-Merrick district embraces artificial intelligence

Since the first signs that ChatGPT would be a tool to disrupt traditional learning, schools from kindergarten to 12th grade, and even beyond in higher education, have weighed what policies are appropriate to curb the use of artificial intelligence. On Feb. 5, the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District detailed its attempts to embrace AI rather than shy away from it.

During the monthly Board of Education meeting, CHSD trustees heard from teachers a...
The Long Island Advocate •

Artist serves up Haitian cuisine, culture in Uniondale

On Oak Street in Uniondale, there sits a strip of crowded eateries boasting a number of cultural cuisines. In the middle of these storefronts is Blue Mermaid Gourmet. It may seem unassuming on the outside, but the vibrant colors, the smell of fried goat and the welcoming faces paint a picture of the Caribbean. 


Blue Mermaid Gourmet is dedicated to the foods of Haiti and Jamaica, highlighting traditional staples from these island nations. Menu items such as griot (pork shou...
The Hofstra Chronicle •

The first-generation student community thrives at Hofstra University

There are several identity-based groups at Hofstra University that share characteristics such as gender, race, sexuality and religion. While these attributes are showcased within the vast student body population on campus, first-generation students are a lesser-known community.
For an entire week starting on Monday, Nov. 4, the Office of First-Generation Support and Engagement hosted First-Gen Students Week. Th...
The Hofstra Chronicle •

Hofstra community acknowledges Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance

Many in the LGBTQ+ community celebrate Transgender Awareness Week, a time to bring attention to the transgender community and their existence. This week, spanning from Nov. 13 to Nov. 19, ends with Transgender Day of Remembrance, an arguably more important piece of the week. It is dedicated to honoring those who have lost their lives through violence or suicide, two of the biggest r...
The Long Island Advocate •

Nassau poll worker says he's excited this election season

With early voting under way in New York State since Saturday, Long Islanders can vote now through the general election on Nov. 5. Many, however, are unaware of the process that comes with early voting.

In comes Elijah Fischer. Fischer is a public policy major at Hofstra University, and also a civil servant during the election season. He works as a Nassau County poll worker, assisting voters with casting their ballots. Poll working is a tough job, according to Fischer, faci...
The Long Island Advocate •

Religion expert speaks at Hofstra on the rise of Christian nationalism

The rise in Christian nationalism in the United States is not a new phenomenon. Since the creation of the country, there have been people who believe that the United States is destined to be a nation guided by Christian principles. In the present, that manifests in decisions by politicians to push for Bible teaching in schools and for the 10 Commandments to be posted in classrooms.   

Dr. Robert P. Jones is a foremost expert on Christian nationalism and its relationship to...
The Hofstra Chronicle •

Hofstra community comes together for 9/11 remembrance

Hofstra University administrators and community members placed red roses on the 9/11 Remembrance memorial wreath. Photo Courtesy: Hofstra University / Instagram
Twenty-three years after the tragedies of 9/11, the Hofstra University community came together to remember the alumni and students who lost their lives in the 2001 terrorist attack. 9/11 serves as a day to remember and reflect, and at C.V. Starr, that was the exact ambiance.
The small yet powerful ceremony started around 11:00 a.m., welc...
The Hofstra Chronicle •

Pride network rebrands to Lavender Grove and mixes with QTPOCC

The Lavender Grove E-board members and QTPOCC E-board members share upcoming events hosted by their organizations.// Photo courtesy of Camryn BowdenEvery summer ushers in new changes for the Hofstra community. This summer, new changes to the on-campus LGBTQ+ community came in the form of a Pride Network rebrand, now called the Lavender Grove.The Lavender Grove is one of three organizations on campus dedicated to fostering inclusion and diversity among queer and transgender students on campus. Th...
WLIW-FM •

Hofstra Student Reporting | Programs

Hofstra students Camryn Bowden and Kenny Forman report from the field during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago leading up to the 2024 presidential election. Listen to their stories below.

Camryn Bowden is a current Hofstra University student within the Lawrence Herbert School of Communications, and is pursuing her Bachelors and Masters of Arts in Journalism and a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science. She is known for her work across a myriad of...
The Hofstra Chronicle •

Slashing at Hofstra Incites Concerns Amongst Students About Their Safety

Two people were assaulted with a knife by a group of masked men outside of the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Center on Wednesday, June 19 at 4:20 p.m., where the Academy Charter High School was hosting their graduation ceremony. Since Wednesday, six men have been charged with gang assault and weapons charges after being taken into police custody, according to FOX5 NY.  Charlotte Mysliwiec, a rising senior filmmaking major and creative writing minor, was at the Exhibition Center working as...
The Long Island Advocate •

"I'm here and I'm having a blast and I'm really good," says Rachel Crowl in her new role as Princess Kate

The slate of Off-Broadway plays tend to be a variety of classic plays, interesting think pieces and some of the stuff that wouldn’t slide on the big stage. One of those plays is Prince Faggot.

This Studio Seaview production is the telling of the first out, gay member of the royal family, interspersing the real lived experiences of 6 queer and trans actors. Rachel Crowl is one of those performers.

Crowl started her theater experience out of high school in a repertory the...