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By Mike White · July 31, 2025

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☕ Good morning, Long Island!

☀️ We're getting a break from the high heat. Today will be partly sunny with a high near 83. Chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m.

🥗 Bango Bowls has just opened two new spots in Nassau County and is closing in on a dozen across Long Island and Westchester. They're also getting some big accolades from within the fast-casual industry.

If you've never heard of them, go try!

✍🏼 Feel free to respond to this email with feedback!

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CONSIDER CATHOLIC H.S.

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FOOD & DRINK

First, Ditch owners taking their beachy vibe in Bay Shore to Port Jefferson

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🏖️ The beach-themed surf bar and restaurant Ditch in Bay Shore is opening a second location on Main Street in Port Jefferson next month, in the former Spycoast space.

🇮🇹 It may look like pizza, but it’s not. La Focacceria in Long Beach is serving up a unique twist on the classic Italian favorite by using focaccia bread as the base for its fully-loaded creations.

🌯 A new QDOBA is coming to Deer Park and it’s bringing something that has never been seen before for the brand on Long Island: a pickup window.

🍕 After spending years as a cashier, delivery driver and working in the kitchen at Joey’s Pizza in Lynbrook, Josseline Jimenez wanted to do even more. So, she bought the place from her former boss. This is her story.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Second, Stray Cats announce new tour with stop on Long Island

🐱 The legendary rockabilly trio, all Long Island natives, has announced a month-long tour that includes a performance Nov. 5 in Westbury.

🎥 The 30th Annual Stony Brook Film Festival wrapped up this past weekend — and it went out with a bang. Here is a list of this year's winners.

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HEALTH

Third, 6 LI hospitals land in NYC area’s top 25 in new U.S. News ranking

⚕️Six local hospitals secured spots among the top 25 in the New York metropolitan area in the newly released 2025‑26 U.S. News & World Report rankings. Placing highest on the list are North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center, both in Nassau.

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OPINION

NFL headquarters shooting will spark a new CTE reality check

By Brian Harmon

People will point out — and they’re absolutely right — that one former high school football player committing a mass shooting isn’t an indictment of football, or of CTE, or of the damage we know the sport can inflict.

But it can force a conversation.
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