Please enjoy this Express Sessions while Behind The Headlines is off. This was recorded live on February 12, 2026 and has been edited for time and conciseness. An unedited version can be found here.

Year after year, the Hamptons market has refused to cool. In 2025, the East End saw a record-breaking median sale price, reaching $2 million for the first time in its history, even as the region continues to weather inflation, higher interest rates, soaring insurance costs, relentless traffic and a heated political climate. None of it has dimmed demand for the South Fork’s beaches, natural beauty and coveted lifestyle — or for the exceptional architecture and design available to buy or rent. In this panel discussion, leading Hamptons real estate professionals will explore the pressures shaping today’s market and share their perspectives on what lies ahead.

Please enjoy this Express Sessions while Behind The Headlines is off. This was recorded live on January 29, 2026 and has been edited for time and conciseness. An unedited version can be found here.

On January 29, 2026, more than 100 people gathered at The Church on Madison Street for a two-hour Express Sessions event titled “The Evolution and Preservation of Downtown Sag Harbor.” Attendees included a diverse mix of longtime, full-time and part-time village residents, Sag Harbor Village officials, small business owners, community activists, real estate developers and more, all with unique interests and opinions related to the evolution of the business district and how it affects the local economy, history and way of life that has made Sag Harbor such a unique and sought-after destination for people from all walks of life.

This week, the panel takes a deep dive on the Southampton sewage treatment proposal, the background of it and its implications. Denise Civiletti explains Riverhead's development plans and political dynamics and they also touch on affordable housing initiatives, and the complexities of land use.

This week’s panel is:

• Joe Shaw, Consulting Editor at The Express News Group
• Bill Sutton, Editor-in-chief at The Express News Group
• Denise Civiletti, Editor & Publisher of RiverheadLocal
• Beth Young, Editor & Publisher of East End Beacon

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