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Friday, July 19, 2024
Vol. 99, No. 29
KIDS GUIDE
VISCARDI CENTER GETS STATE FUNDS
NASSAU OFFICIALS REACT TO TRUMP SHOOTING
PAGES 19-22
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AG sues Blakeman, Nassau
O P E R AT I O N S M I L E
James says trans athlete ban unlawful BY M I C H A E L MALASZCZYK State Attorney General Letitia James and the New York Civil Liberties Union sued Nassau County and County Executive Bruce Blakeman Monday in a move to overturn a county law that bans transgender girls and women from participating in women’s sporting events at county-run parks and facilities. James filed her lawsuit immediately after Blakeman signed the legislation into law at a ceremony attended by county legislators. The law, approved by the county Legislature in a 12-5 vote along party lines, would apply equally to private and public school teams, recreational leagues of all ages, charity events, and even competitive professional and amateur adult teams with their own rules on participation. The law closely mirrored an executive order issued by Blakeman in February. A Republican State Supreme Court justice ruled Blakeman had exceeded his authority by issuing the order because there was no “corresponding legislative enactment.” Neither Blakeman nor members of the Legislature have provided a single case in which the law would apply. Continued on Page 37
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MINEOLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Meadow Drive kindergarten students raised $460 for Operation Smile, a non-profit dedicated to treating children with cleft lips and cleft palates in developing countries.
North Shore, NYU Langone-LI ranked among the best in nation BY H A N N A H D E V L I N North Shore University Hospital and NYU Langone-Long Island were ranked among the best in the nation according to the U.S. News Best Hospitals Honor Roll. And North Shore captured the No. 1 spot in New York State. Catholic Health’s St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center also ranked as
one of the top hospitals in the country. The hospital is nationally ranked in eight adult specialties—upholding its 2023 record—including: heart and vascular, orthopedics, geriatrics, gastroenterology and GI surgery, neurology and neurosurgery, diabetes and endocrinology, pulmonology and lung surgery, and urology. St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center was also rated among the top 10 hospitals in New York State as well as the New York Metropolitan Area. The U.S. News & World Report releases its annual Best Hospitals ranking to inform residents about their best care options. The list offers rankings in different healthcare services, such as cancer care, cardi-
ology, and orthopedics. The national Honor Role recognizes hospitals with a wide range of excellence. North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset ranked in the top 20 nationally in six specialties, including orthopedics (7th), pulmonology (11th), cardiac/heart surgery (12th), geriatric care (14th), neurology/neurosurgery (15th) and gastroenterology/GI surgery (16th). In addition to North Shore’s ranking as tops in the state, two other Northwell Health hospitals (Long Island Jewish Medical Center and Lenox Hill Hospital) tied for fifth place in the state as well. “Providing an amazing patient experience is the ultimate goal at all of
our Northwell hospitals and the latest U.S. News Best Hospitals list shows just how dedicated we are at making it happen,” said Michael Dowling, Northwell’s president and CEO. Dowling continued: “Our culture of caring and education begins with our staff and extends to the patients and their loved ones. This health care journey takes a village to heal and its impact continues long after someone is discharged. The goal is to raise the health of the communities we serve in proactive, lasting and meaningful ways.” “I’ve seen the expertise and sheer willpower that our team members exhibit each and every day, first as leader Continued on Page 36