In the opening days of the state budget battle, the budget axe chopped several programs aimed at giving students access to college. Assemblyman Tom Alfano was one legislator who said those kind of cuts were "dead on arrival." Alfano was as good as his word as news spread that the state budget enacted this past week would restore and save programs like college loans, TAP, Bundy Aid and Regents Scholarships. FULL STORY

Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray and Town Councilmen James Darcy and Edward Ambrosino announced that the Hempstead Town Board passed resolutions allowing residents of the North Valley Stream Library District and the East Franklin Square Library District to vote in a special election to choose a host library for their districts. The North Valley Stream Library District is comprised of residents of North Valley Stream and those residents of Elmont and Franklin Square who reside in the district. The East Franklin Square Library District is comprised of those residents of Malverne and Valley Stream who reside in the district. FULL STORY