A grant established by the Institute of Museum and Library Services Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program — designed to support libraries nationwide — is now available to local libraries. more

If you’re like me, you couldn’t be more frustrated with the way things are going in Washington lately, with all the gridlock; the endless bickering and partisanship; the negative, divisive tone; and votes made not in the spirit of doing good for the people but just to score political points and headlines. more

Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY4) is re-introducing the “Ending Corporal Punishment in Schools Act” — legislation that aims to end the practice of children being struck or beaten in schools by school personnel — on Sept. 22. McCarthy first introduced the legislation last year. more

As local officials work to restore electricity and assess property damage from Hurricane Irene, another critical problem has also resulted from the storm: a dangerous shortage of blood supplies in local banks. more

In what could be a sign of relief for hundreds of Franklin Square and Elmont homeowners, the House of Representatives passed the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2011 on July 13. more

Like many of you, I was shocked and heartbroken over the tragic shooting in Tucson that left six people dead, including U.S. District Judge John Roll and the inspirational 9-year-old, Christina Taylor Greene. more

Almost two weeks ago, 22-year-old Jared L. Loughner, allegedly armed with a Glock 9mm with a 30-round magazine (and another bullet in the chamber) opened fire at a public meet-and-greet outside a Safeway store in Tucson, killing six and wounding 13, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. more

The anticipated nationwide wave to oust incumbents didn’t make it all the way to the South Shore this Election Day, as most current office holders — both Democrats and Republicans — … more

Voters in the 4th Congressional District will choose between 14-year incumbent Carolyn McCarthy, a Democrat, and Republican Francis X. Becker, a 14-year Nassau County legislator, on Election Day. Campaigns are different for incumbents and challengers. An incumbent needs to convince the voting public — and the media — that he or she has done a good job and will continue to do so. A challenger needs to have a plan, needs to show how that plan would be carried out, and has to convince voters that he or she will do a better job than the incumbent. more

By Clarissa Hamlin In her race for re-election, Democrat incumbent Carolyn McCarthy said she is running this election like she has run every election – full steam ahead. “I don’t take any opponent or any election for granted,” she said. And with election season in full swing, McCarthy will face Republican Primary Winner Francis X. Becker, Nassau County legislator for the 6th legislative district, in the 4th Congressional District race in November’s national election. But first, here is a breakdown on what McCarthy told the Herald about her issues and views on the road to trying to achieve re-election.Carolyn McCarthy, 66, is currently serving her 7th term in the U.S. Congress as a representative of 4th Congressional District. The district includes Baldwin, East Meadow, East Rockaway, Elmont, the Five Towns, Lynbrook, Floral Park, Franklin Square, Garden City, Hempstead, Malverne, Mineola, Carle Place, New Hyde Park, Oceanside, Rockville Centre, Roosevelt, Uniondale, Valley Stream, West Hempstead, and Westbury. She is widowed and lives in Mineola. more