Tag: Steve Stern

Kratom, an herb Suffolk lawmakers proposed banning—sparking a local debate over whether it’s addictive or has medicinal value—will be illegal nationwide. The DEA is classifying mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, the active ingredients in Kratom, as Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act, effectively making possession of the herb a crime, the agency said. Users that tout its effectiveness as an alternative painkiller, anti-depressant, anti-anxiety and addiction treatment were saddened by the news.

Ex-Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi and U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Queens) won Long Island Democratic congressional primaries Tuesday, but a third local race was too close to call, according to unofficial results. Suozzi decalred victory with 36 percent of the vote in the crowded field of five Democrats seeking to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington), who’s not seeking re-election. Meeks, who represents part of Nassau County, easily fended off Democratic challenger Ali Mirza, a publicist and county worker. But former Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst had a slim 29-vote lead over opponent David Calone, a former federal prosecutor turned venture capitalist.

Voters who are registered Democrats will cast their ballots to decide who wins their party line in three Long Island Congressional primary elections on Tuesday, June 28. What follows is a voters’ guide profiling each of LI’s nine Democratic Congressional primary candidates.

The county legislature is scheduled to vote on the bill May 10.

If the bill passes, violators would face punishments of fines up to $1,000 or one year in jail. A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for Tuesday. New York State is considering similar legislation.

The veteran Long Island Democrat leaves after eight terms in Congress and now the race is on to succeed him.

A murder victim's family joined Suffolk County lawmakers and supporters backing legislation that would require hotels and motels to update their phone systems to allow direct calls to police without dialing "9" first.