Phone ban proves extremely succesful; Hamptons Pride reaches 5 year milestone; and more East End news

Recently passed state auto insurance reforms could help lower car insurance rates as much as 10% for New York drivers, according to some estimates. That includes Long Island, where the cost to buy and maintain a vehicle is notoriously expensive.Brianne Ledda reports in NEWSDAY that Gov. Kathy Hochul's office has touted the reforms as part of a broader affordability push in her recently passed budget, as Long Islanders and others across New York struggle with rising costs of living. The nonprofit Citizens Budget Commission estimates the changes could shrink premiums as much as 10%, saving at least $200 per individual annually, and as much as $2 billion for New York residents and businesses, without any additional state spending. But while proponents have lauded the initiatives for tackling high premiums, others say the changes could prove harmful to injured crash victims. The measures take aim at high rates of insurance fraud that experts say have been driving up premiums, by strengthening penalties against fraudsters and tightening the legal definition of a "serious injury."The reforms also ban using ZIP codes, occupation, education level or homeownership as primary rating factors — a change that could prove especially beneficial on Long Island, where some ZIP codes last year saw average six-month premiums soar as high as $2,460, said Beth Swanson, an insurance analyst at The Zebra, an insurance comparison company.Historically higher premiums for Long Island "comes down to factors like rampant fraud, runaway litigation, high state minimums, brutal traffic congestion, and just a higher cost of living overall," Swanson said. The reforms take "direct aim at several of those root causes," she added.In New York, insurance fraud and attorney representation in accident cases have played a significant role in driving up costs, said Tim Zawacki, an S & P Global Market Intelligence insurance analyst.Opponents say the changes could prove financially harmful to injured crash victims.***OLA of Eastern Long Island has announced the recipients of its 2026 OLA Youth Scholarship, recognizing eight students from across the East End for their academic achievement, leadership and commitment to their communities.Founded in 2002, OLA of Eastern Long Island, Inc. (Organización Latino Americana) is a nonprofit Latino-focused advocacy organization working in the five East End towns of East Hampton, Southampton, Riverhead, Southold, and Shelter Island.As reported on 27east.com, OLA scholarship recipients this year are Ashley Buestan; Faith Welch; Santiago Solorzano; Shirley Jiang; Angie Castillo; Cristian Bernal; Bruce William Apolo; and Emmanuel Morales Gonzalez.OLA’s youth scholarship program supports students pursuing two- and four-year college programs as well as specialized vocational training. The scholarships provide financial assistance for up to four years to help students continue their education while developing leadership opportunities within their communities.According to OLA, its 2026 recipients plan to pursue careers in medicine, law, engineering, architecture, environmental advocacy and public leadership. Many also have backgrounds in robotics, athletics, theater, climate advocacy, volunteer firefighting, music and mentoring immigrant students.“Ashley, Faith, Santiago, Shirley, Angie, Cristian, Bruce and Emmanuel each represent the extraordinary determination and brilliance that exists within our community,” said Minerva Perez, the executive director of OLA of Eastern Long Island. “Their stories reflect not only academic excellence, but courage, leadership, compassion and the sacrifices of immigrant families who work every day to create brighter futures for the next generation.”***The Riverhead Chamber of Commerce will host “America 250: 4th Before the 4th,” a country-themed BBQ street fair at Grangebel Park in Riverhead, this coming Thursday, the 4th of June, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.The event will feature live country music, BBQ food vendors, line dancing, cold drinks and family activities. Organizers are promoting the event as a kickoff to the summer season and America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.Line dancing – Kids zone – Family fun!The “America 250: 4th Before the 4th,” country street fair is this Thursday at Grangebel Park in downtown Riverhead from 5 to 9 p.m.For more information, email [email protected].***The federal Education Department's investigation into the Connetquot school district has been referred to the U.S. Department of Justice, after the agency determined that the district violated civil rights law by complying with the state's Native American mascot ban. Darwin Yanes reports in NEWSDAY that in a letter dated May 29, the Education Department's assistant secretary for civil rights, Kimberly Richey, asked the U.S. Justice Department to "commence judicial proceedings" against the district."After the District changed its Native American mascot in response to a state regulation that [Office of Civil Rights] has determined to be discriminatory, Connetquot has not yet taken the steps necessary to come into compliance with federal civil rights law," Richey said in a statement. "It is neither fair nor lawful to permit certain national‑origin‑based names and mascots while erasing others, and we are now referring the matter to the Department of Justice for further enforcement."Public school districts in New York State were given until June 30, 2025, to comply with a state regulation banning the use of Native American mascots, team names and logos in public schools.Some Native American leaders have said that the mascots promote hurtful stereotypes and can have a negative impact on the mental health and self-esteem of Native youth.But the federal Education Department has said the ban violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination in federally funded education programs on the basis of race, color, or national origin. The agency's argument is that the ban does not allow the use of Native American mascots while permitting those "derived from other racial or ethnic groups, such as the 'Dutchmen' and the 'Huguenots.' "The ban affected 13 districts on Long Island. Connetquot, which used the nickname the Thunderbirds, was among them.Experts have told Newsday that the federal determination puts the Connetquot district in an "impossible" position of having to choose between complying with either state or federal officials.JP O'Hare, a spokesman for the state Education Department, said in a statement yesterday that the department was "not concerned" by the referral of the Connetquot case to the Justice Department because "it does not impact" the settlement agreement between the state and the district.He added that the federal Education Department "has made a similar referral in the past without effect."The federal agency, after determining the state ban violated civil rights law, had also referred that case to the Justice Department.***After lagging behind other state regions for years, police in Suffolk County significantly increased enforcement against dangerous driving violations in 2025, new statewide data show. Meanwhile, in Nassau County, enforcement for those offenses dropped last year and is significantly below its pre-pandemic level.Peter Gill reports in NEWSDAY that the Suffolk County Police Department handed out around 76,150 tickets for speeding, aggressive driving, impaired driving, distracted driving and seat belts in 2025 — a 26% increase from 2024 and the department's highest number in at least a decade. Several village and town police departments also increased ticketing for those core safety violations, according to official data from the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research at SUNY Albany.But ticketing for those same categories declined in Nassau County in 2025.The new ticketing data comes after Newsday reported last year that between 2016 and 2024, police in Suffolk County had issued significantly fewer dangerous driving tickets than other parts of the state when adjusted for traffic. However, the new data indicates Suffolk County caught up in 2025 and surpassed several other regions and Nassau, relative to miles driven.***Hamptons Pride will hit a five-year milestone this year with the nonprofit’s annual Pride Parade, which will return for another colorful march through East Hampton Village this coming Saturday, June 6.Jack Motz reports on 27east.com that this year’s parade, the only pride parade on the South Fork, will start between the Presbyterian Church and Guild Hall on Main Street. Parade lineups will begin at 11 a.m.; the parade will step off at 12 noon. Those registered to march will make their way east on Main Street to Newtown Lane, Railroad Avenue and Lumber Lane.The parade will end at Herrick Park, where there will be music and celebration until 3 p.m., with performances by the Bridgehampton School Marimba Band, DJ Watts and local singer-songwriter Inda Eaton, who will be joined by Jeff Marshall and Mila Tina.The parade, which commemorates Pride Month, has grown into a major community event. Last year, the parade brought a crowd despite steady rainfall throughout the day.That's the 2026 Pride Parade in East Hampton Village this Saturday from noon to 3 p.m.***They’re calling it a ringing success.A majority of New York teachers reported huge classroom improvements after the state’s first phone-free school year — thanks to better student focus, less bullying and more kids just being kids.Hannah...