Please enjoy this Express Sessions while Behind The Headlines is off. This was recorded live on October 9th, 2025 and has been edited for time and conciseness. An unedited version can be found here.

The first in a series of five special Express Sessions events titled “Local Matters” focused on Southampton Village and the issues that are important to its residents. Topics included traffic, sewers, workforce housing, Lake Agawam and the business community’s struggles and successes.

The panel included Southampton Village Mayor Bill Manger, Southampton Village Trustee Rob Coburn, Southampton Association member Jay Diesing, Southampton Village Police Chief Sue Hurteau, Topiaire Flower Shop owner Erin Meaney, and Government Advisor, Lake Agawam Conservancy Janice Scherer.

In this episode of 'Behind the Headlines,' Joe Shaw and Bill Sutton welcome Denise Civiletti, Beth Young, and Cailin Riley to take a deeper dive into Eastern Long Island news. Denise and Beth explain the controversial Riverhead Town Square development and public opinion on it, the demand for hotel accommodations, and a significant subdivision proposal on the North Fork. Cailin goes into the historical significance of the Amistad and local efforts to preserve its story, and the group talks about ongoing initiatives for affordable housing in Riverside. The conversation wraps with the importance of environmental education for children.

This week's panel is:

• Joe Shaw, Executive Editor at The Express News Group
• Bill Sutton, Managing Editor at The Express News Group
• Cailin Riley, Staff Writer at The Express News Group
• Beth Young, Editor & Publisher of East End Beacon
• Denise Civiletti, Editor & Publisher of RiverheadLocal

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On this week's show, the panel has a serious conversation about the role of local journalism in giving formal endorsements of candidates in local and regional political races. Denise Civiletti and Beth Young express why they each hold policies against the practice as very small organizations, and Joe Shaw gives a counterargument from the perspective of a larger operation. They also talk about New York State's new law requiring all elections to be held on even years, the significance of state support for oyster farming, and the development of a community center in East Hampton.

This week's panel is:

• Joe Shaw, Executive Editor at The Express News Group
• Bill Sutton, Managing Editor at The Express News Group
• Jack Motz, Staff Writer at The Express News Group
• Beth Young, Editor & Publisher of East End Beacon
• Denise Civiletti, Editor & Publisher of RiverheadLocal

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WLIW-FM is community media for Eastern Long Island. Donate to WLIW-FM here.

Download the WLIW-FM app so you never miss a beat!

for Apple devices | for Android devices