When the new school year starts in September, students in New York State’s public schools will be prohibited from accessing their smartphones throughout the entire school day. Cailin Riley reports on 27east.com that the new “bell-to-bell” ban is part of Governor Kathy Hochul’s $254 billion state budget which was approved by the NYS Legislature last week...more than a month after the April 1 deadline. The new statewide policy will mean that phones will not be allowed even in hallways or during lunch or recess periods.

The budget includes $13.5 million set aside to help schools institute the school day ban. New York is now the largest state in the nation with a bell-to-bell ban.

Hampton Bays Superintendent of Schools Lars Clemensen said, “We want to do a thoughtful and appropriate process to create this policy,” he said. “I want to include kids’ voices, teachers, administrators, so the specifics are really important for us to know.” current President of the New York Council of School Superintendents

From a philosophical point of view, Clemensen, who is also President of the New York Council of School Superintendents, said he still struggles with whether or not a bell-to-bell ban is in the best interest of students.

“Another thing I’m concerned about is the obligation we have as public schools to teach responsible use of these devices,” he said.

“At the elementary and middle school level, I understand, but I’m struggling to get my head around how, on June 1, we can tell an 18-year-old senior you’re not permitted or trusted to use this device, but on July 1, they can report to basic training and be handed a gun. We have to get kids ready for when we’re not there to tell them they can’t use something.”

Clemensen said he’s currently most curious about what kind of guidance will be handed down from the state in terms of “policing” the ban.

He said it will require a “cultural change” within the school building, and said he has concerns about what will happen when teachers or staff have to engage with a student who does not want to comply with the new rules.

“It’s not just going to be, hand over your phone and go on about your day,” he said. “Implementation is going to be a process.”

He added he’s anticipating some pushback from parents as well.

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Memorial Day is still 13 days away, but the American Automobile Association {AAA} is already warning of roads and airports packed with holiday travelers. John Valenti reports in NEWSDAY that more than 45 million people are expected to travel domestically, according to AAA, which defines the holiday weekend as Thursday, May 22, through Monday, May 26. Those travelers will take trips at least 50 miles from home, AAA said in a statement Monday.

This year’s domestic travel forecast is an increase of 1.4 million travelers compared to last year and is expected to set a new Memorial Day weekend record, AAA said.

"Despite concerns over rising prices, many Americans are planning to take advantage of the holiday, even if the trips are closer to home," AAA Northeast spokesman Robert Sinclair said in a statement.

Road trips will be the hottest ticket on the travel market, the AAA said, with 39.4 million — or, 87% of all Memorial Day weekend travelers in America — opting to go someplace by motor vehicle, 1 million more than did so in 2024. That boom, according to the AAA, is in part due to cheaper gas prices.

The average pump price in the New York City-metro area is down 68 cents a gallon from the same time last year, according to AAA.

Domestic air travel is expected to account for about 3.61 million travelers over the holiday weekend, an increase of more than a half a million compared to last year. The spike comes despite booking data from the AAA showing ticket prices have increased at least 2%.

An additional 2.08 million people are expected to travel by train, bus or cruise ship — an 8.5% increase over last year's numbers, AAA said.

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The Cutchogue Civic Association will discuss “The Challenges and Joys of Running a Small Business: Insights from Cutchogue Businesses” this coming Thursday, May 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Cutchogue-New Suffolk Library, on Main Road, Cutchogue, with Vincent Alibrandi of Barth’s Pharmacy, Fernando Rodriguez of the Cutchogue Diner, Dorothy Raynor of Dottie’s Pilates, Denise Schlachter of Making Waves Hair Studio and John Fab of Twin Fork Landscaping/Oregon Road Organics.

The event is free.

That’s “The Challenges and Joys of Running a Small Business: Insights from Cutchogue Businesses” this coming Thursday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Cutchogue-New Suffolk Library, on Main Road in Cutchogue.

For more details, visit cutchoguecivicassociation.com

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Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. An estimated 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Not all skin cancers are alike — in appearance, treatment and prognosis. But they all share some important things in common: risk of developing them can be greatly reduced by simple prevention techniques; and routine screening and early detection can greatly improve one’s chances of cure. Denise Civiletti reports on Riverheadlocal.com that Dr. Steven Ouzounian, a surgeon and Peconic Bay Medical Center’s Cancer Committee chairman, will give a free talk this coming Saturday, May 17 at the Riverhead VFW, providing vital information on the types of skin cancers, how to recognize them, what to do for screening and treatment, and advice on how to minimize your risks of getting skin cancer. With the summer season upon us and people spending more time outdoors — and especially at the beach — it’s very important for people to understand skin cancer prevention, detection and treatment, said Dr. Ouzounian. Appropriately, May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month.

There are three different types of skin cancer: basal cell, squamous cell and melanoma.

It’s very important to be aware of changes in lesions on your skin, particularly dark-colored ones of a lesion that is ulcerated and doesn’t heal.

Dr. Ouzounian’s presentation at the VFW this Saturday will include photos of the different types of skin cancer and detailed descriptions of the lesions. He will also provide information for self-exams. Everyone is urged to get screened annually by a dermatologist.

He said he can’t stress enough the importance of protecting your skin from sun damage in the first place. Generously apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF 30 of 30 or higher — even in winter and on cloudy days. Re-apply every two hours or after swimming or sweating.

Learn about skin cancer risks and prevention with Dr. Steven Ouzounian, Peconic Bay Medical Center’s Cancer Committee chairman, this Saturday, May 17 at the Riverhead VFW Post 2476 in Riverhead. The event starts at 10 a.m. It is free and open to the public. Riverhead VFW will provide light refreshments.

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A former Riverhead High School teacher is facing new charges related to alleged online chats with minors in which he solicited nude photos of them, authorities said. John Asbury reports in NEWSDAY that Ryan McCaffery, 37, of Ridge surrendered yesterday to New York State Police, about three months after being charged in February in Bergen County, New Jersey, when detectives said he allegedly posed as a teenager in an online chat room and requested nude photos from two children under the age of 13.

As a result of the ongoing investigation, McCaffrey was charged in Suffolk County yesterday to the 11 new charges. School officials said in both cases authorities indicated there was no involvement by students in the district or any connections he made as a teacher.

Riverhead Central School District officials said they notified parents of McCaffery's arrest on Monday and had followed the charges in New Jersey in February. The former social studies teacher at Riverhead High School resigned in February, before the initial arrest, citing personal reasons.

"We have again been informed that there is no current evidence that any of the New York charges are related to Mr. McCaffery's prior work as a teacher in the Riverhead Central School District or any interactions Mr. McCaffery may have had with any students in his classes or any other child in the Riverhead Central District," Interim Superintendent Cheryl Pedisich said in a letter to parents.

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The Hampton Library in Bridgehampton will hold a Family Fest FUNdraiser this coming Saturday, May 17, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Channing Daughters Winery in Brigehampton.

The afternoon of family-friendly activities will include outdoor fun and games, a family olympics run by the children’s librarians, and activities led by the Children’s Museum of the East End.

Jake Lear, a Hamptons-based blues guitarist will perform live, as will librarians with stories and songs. Included in the ticket price are food and drinks donated by local businesses.

Tickets may be purchased on Eventbrite or at the gate. Proceeds will go toward the Hampton Library Capital Campaign for interior renovations.

That’s this Saturday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Channing Daughters Winery in Brigehampton.

For more information, email [email protected].

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New York’s state budget includes $1 billion to cut greenhouse gas emissions and increase green energy projects statewide as well as $1.7 billion to reduce the risk of coastal damage along Long Island’s South Shore. The $254 billion state budget was passed by the State Legislature and approved by Gov. Kathy Hochul last week — more than a month after the April 1 deadline. The spending plan, which includes funding for a variety of actions aimed at reducing the impact of climate change, comes as the federal government proposes cuts to clean energy and environmental programs.

Keshia Clukey reports in NEWSDAY that the state budget allocates $1 billion for a "Sustainable Future Program," including $450 million to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in buildings, make schools and homes more energy efficient and build out zero-emission thermal energy projects on state and city university campuses. It also provides $200 million for renewable energy projects and $250 million for zero-emission transportation, including up to $100 million for zero-emission school buses and infrastructure. The spending plan allocates $500 million for clean water grants and $425 million for the state’s Environmental Protection Fund.

The budget makes available $1.7 billion over 50 years for the $3.46 billion Fire Island to Montauk Point Project to protect the South Shore. This includes $1.3 billion in state funding and $430 million in local funds that will be paid back to the state. The coastal-storm risk-management project aims to reduce flood risks and protect communities, homes and businesses and critical infrastructure.

Environmental advocates lauded the investments but said they wished the budget did more to address climate change and environmental protections, particularly because the federal government proposes cuts to clean energy, environmental and public health programs.

Mentioned in this episode:

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