An effort to change how student test scores factor into performance evaluations for public school teachers seemed to be a done deal just two months ago, but the failure of the state Senate to pass a bill in the waning days of the legislative session is coming back to haunt incumbents in both parties.

New York State United Teachers has promised a “tremendous show of force” against the five Democrats who voted for a Republican bill that tied the proposed changes to evaluations to more funding for charter schools. The union did not endorse any Democrat who voted for the bill, and has also poured money into the campaign of Jim Gaughran, a Democrat who is challenging Republican state Sen....| read more ››

A Long Island inn that’s hosting an NRA fundraiser has drawn the ire of locals who want the facility to cancel the gathering.

The Nassau County Friends of NRA plans to hold its annual “banquet fundraiser” at The Inn at New Hyde Park, in New Hyde Park, on Sept. 27, according to its Facebook page.

A number of residents who live near the inn, however, have called on the venue to cancel the banquet.

The event, which will feature gun auctions and raffles, has been touted as a dinner for “champions of the Second Amendment.”

“My 7-year-old has to do active shooter drills. That’s not something that we had to deal with when we were children and I think that’s...| read more ››