Jeff Bessen

Long Island

Senior Editor, Nassau Herald at LIHerald.com

Deputy Editor at Amityville Record

Deputy Editor, Herald Community Newspapers, coaching, mentoring and training the next generation of journalists.

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Articles

What to know about measles

1 month ago | liherald.com | Jeff Bessen

Measles, a virus supposedly eradicated in this country for nearly a quarter of century, is making a comeback. Cases have been reported in California, Texas and in Suffolk County a dozen residents were possibly exposed after a baby less than a year old tested positive, according to the county health commissioner. As of press time, there are no reported cases in Nassau County. Some people think of measles as a mild rash and fever that clears up in a few days.
Nassau County possibly dumping more money into Sands legal defense

1 month ago | liherald.com | Jeff Bessen

Nassau County could be spending an additional $3 million in taxpayer money to defend itself against two lawsuits opposing a proposed Sands casino resort at the Nassau Coliseum site in Uniondale.
Queens woman charged in alleged assault of a Woodmere woman

1 month ago | liherald.com | Jeff Bessen

After a woman’s legal guardian found what was called “a significant amount of bruising on her body,” she questioned caretaker who said the woman, who suffers from a cognitive disorder, fell on multiple occasions, Nassau police said. The legal guardian placed a camera in the Woodmere home. While watching the camera footage, a woman was seen physically abusing the woman, 83, by hitting, grabbing, yanking and punching the victim’s face and body on Feb. 19, according to police.
Long Island and the federal budget bill

1 month ago | liherald.com | Jeff Bessen

More than 700 people attended a live budget briefing with Reps. Laura Gillen and Tom Suozzi at Hofstra University that focused on the potentially harmful effects of the partisan budget reconciliation bill passed by the House of Representatives on Feb. 25. Suozzi opened the March 1 briefing with a detailed PowerPoint, explaining that Congress has yet to pass a full budget for fiscal year 2025 and is currently relying on temporary “Continuing Resolutions,” the latest of which expires on March 14.
Look who is leading ERASE Racism as they appoint an acting president

1 month ago | liherald.com | Jeff Bessen

ERASE Racism named April Francis Taylor acting president, effective immediately. Taylor, a highly regarded advocate for equity and educational justice, steps into the role after Laura Harding’s tenure as president, which ended earlier this year. Taylor has spent much of her career advocating for systemic change, with a focus on dismantling structural barriers to education and fostering inclusive learning environments.
How Long Island could be impacted by federal budget bill

1 month ago | liherald.com | Jeff Bessen

More than 700 people attended a live budget briefing with Reps. Laura Gillen and Tom Suozzi at Hofstra University that focused on the potentially harmful effects of the partisan budget reconciliation bill passed by the House of Representatives on Feb. 25. Suozzi opened the March 1 briefing with a detailed PowerPoint, explaining that Congress has yet to pass a full budget for fiscal year 2025 and is currently relying on temporary “Continuing Resolutions,” the latest of which expires on March 14.
Queens man arrested for sex trafficking in Nassau County

1 month ago | liherald.com | Jeff Bessen

Nassau County police arrested Jorge J. Ramos, a Queens resident, in connection with a sex trafficking operation that occurred in the county from July 2024 to February 2025. According to detectives, the investigation into suspected prostitution at multiple locations across Nassau County led authorities to Ramos, 55, who was arrested without incident at his residence, at 42nd St. in Astoria. Ramos is charged with sex trafficking and two counts of promoting prostitution. He will be arraigned on Feb.
Federal appeals court reverses a portion of Ed Mangano’s bribery conviction

2 months ago | liherald.com | Jeff Bessen

A portion of former Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano's corruption conviction — the sentence was a dozen years in prison — was reversed by a federal appeals court. The conviction was reversed on two counts — conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery and federal programs bribery — according to the Feb. 13 decision. Mangano, who began serving prison time in September 2022, was convicted three years earlier.
Hempstead school district facing a $27 million budge deficit

2 months ago | liherald.com | Jeff Bessen

The Hempstead school district finds itself in severe financial straits with a projected $27 million budget deficit and the genuine prospect of laying off employees and restructuring its elementary school buildings, officials said. “Due to decreased enrollment in the district, especially at the elementary level, the Board and District Administration are considering restructuring the District’s use of its elementary buildings,” officials said in a prepared statement.
Snow to fall across Long Island, again

2 months ago | liherald.com | Jeff Bessen

Fresh from the weekend’s snowfall of up to 5 inches, another 3 inches is expected to drop across Long Island beginning Tuesday night around 9 p.m. to roughly 7 a.m. on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service, which issued a winter weather advisory. Once again anticipate slippery road conditions impacting the morning commute. Temperatures will be in the low 30s throughout the night and morning. Wednesday’s forecasted high is 37 degrees.