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What do you think of President Trump’s travel ban?

President Donald Trump signed an executive order that indefinitely bans entry of Syrian refugees into the United States, stops all refugees from entering the U.S. for 120 days and bans non-U.S. citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries (Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen) from entering for 90 days.

The order, which Trump said is needed to help protect Americans from terrorists, has spawned protests around the globe and confusion at John F. Kennedy International Airport and other U.S. entry points. A federal judge has partially blocked the order, preventing the government from deporting some detained travelers.

Newsday wants to hear what Long Islanders and other New Yorkers think about the executive action, and how it’s impacting you. Share your thoughts here.

Submit a response

Thank you for your submission. Check back soon to see if it was posted.

Please respond in 250 words or less. If you want your response to be published, please provide your full name and community. Your response becomes the property of Newsday Media Group. It will be edited and may be republished in all media.

360 View: The Nassau County Police Department police precinct

Long Island

360 View: Inside Nassau’s new police precinct

The new facility houses a dedicated lineup room and private interview areas.

Alt Video TextPlay 360° Video

Newsday puts you at the center of the action with a YouTube 360-degree video experience. Look around by dragging your mouse on your computer, swiping your mobile screen or tilting your mobile device right, left, up or down. (Credit: Newsday/Jeffrey Basinger)

Note: On mobile devices, the 360-degree video experience can be viewed only in the YouTube app.

Dow closes above 20,000: What does it mean?

The Dow Jones industrial average closed above the 20,000 mark for the first time Wednesday, the latest milestone in a record-setting drive for the stock market. The other major U.S. stock indexes were also moving higher, led by banks and other financial companies.

The market has been marching steadily higher since bottoming out in March 2009 during the Great Recession. The rally continued after the election of Donald Trump to the presidency.

What is the Dow?

The Dow Jones industrial average is an index of 30 major publicly traded companies designed to reflect the broad U.S. economy. The Dow is populated by corporate giants like Apple, Exxon Mobil and McDonald’s.

Why is it rising?

The Dow climbs when its member stocks rise, which happens when investors expect those companies’ profits to grow. Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase and other Dow components have rallied as the Trump administration moves to scale back government regulations and cut corporate taxes.

What does Dow 20,000 mean to my 401(k) or IRA?

That depends on what securities your retirement accounts hold. A rally in the Dow may not be reflected in a retirement account invested in bonds or precious metals. Accounts holding large-capitalization stocks could see a benefit.

What does it mean to me if I don’t have any stock investments?

Strength in the Dow reflects optimism about the U.S. economy at least in the short term. Those expectations can translate to hiring and economic expansion of businesses in general.

What does it mean to the LI economy?

Though no Dow components are based on Long Island, some have units here, contract with local companies or employ commuters from Nassau and Suffolk counties. And many Long Islanders work on Wall Street, whose health is signified by the strong Dow.

What do analysts say?

In and of itself, it is just a number, but what it does is it lifts market expectations, in essence, to continue moving higher.
– analyst Quincy Krosby, market strategist at Prudential Financial

Dow Jones Industrial Average over time

John Barres: Long Island’s new bishop

Pope Francis named Bishop John Barres to be the new leader of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, replacing Bishop William Murphy. Barres, who headed the Diocese of Allentown in Pennsylvania since 2009, was installed on Jan. 31, 2017, as the fifth bishop of the diocese since it was created in 1957. Since then, it’s been a whirlwind experience for Barres, visiting parishes, schools and community groups, while also confronting issues facing the Catholic church and the larger community.

Hitting the ground running

100 days

Hitting the ground running

Barres said he is still getting to know the sprawling diocese but has established several priorities. He says he has made a quick transition to Rockville Centre from his previous post as bishop of Allentown, Pa.,
and already feels at home.

Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara

The road less traveled

Profile

The road less traveled

Barres took an unusual path to becoming one of the youngest bishops in the United States when he was appointed in 2009.

Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara

'New and creative approaches'

Beginning of an era

'New and creative approaches'

Hundreds witnessed Barres’ installation at St. Agnes Cathedral as the bishop called for fresh ideas about ministry and evangelization.

Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara

Barres through the years

Then and now

Barres through the years

A look at Barres from his childhood in Larchmont, New York, to his college days at Princeton (he's on the left) to his previous post as leader of the Diocese of Allentown.

courtesy of Bishop John Barres

An appeal to youth

First sermon

An appeal to youth

The night before becoming the diocese’s new bishop, Barres spoke at his first prayer service on Long Island, asking the youth in attendance to be 'on fire with the word of God.'

Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara

See readers' messages for the new bishop

Where he should focus

See readers' messages for the new bishop

What are your hopes for Barres and what he addresses in the diocese? Read others' notes and submit your own.

Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara

Barres' 5 goals as bishop

Here's the plan

Barres' 5 goals as bishop

Barres outlines what he hopes to achieve as the new bishop, including strengthening Catholic schools and preserving religious freedom.

Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara

Embarking on a new journey

Allentown to LI

Embarking on a new journey

See photos of Barres in his posts as bishop in Pennsylvania and on Long Island.

Newsday/Alejandra Villa

How it all began

Lighting the spark

How it all began

Barres recalls the moment he decided to become a priest, as well as what he's looking forward to as the new leader of the diocese.

Newsday/Alejandra Villa

Get to know the new bishop

Tell us about yourself

Get to know the new bishop

From basketball to the Catholic Church, Barres may become known as the 'point guard bishop.'

Newsday/John Paraskevas

Barres gets the good news

Receiving the call

Barres gets the good news

Barres recalls when he found out that he was chosen to lead the diocese, calling it 'a beautiful moment.'

Newsday/John Paraskevas

Pope Francis names new bishop to replace Murphy

Welcome to Long Island

Pope Francis names new bishop to replace Murphy

Barres was introduced as Murphy's replacement in a press conference on Dec. 9, 2016.

Newsday/John Paraskevas

Parishoners have high hopes

Eager to meet him

Parishoners have high hopes

Catholics in Rockville Centre expressed optimism as they prepare for Barres, believing he will energize the diocese.

Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara

What are your hopes for the new bishop?

Bishop John Barres will be installed Tuesday as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, succeeding Bishop William Murphy, who has served since 2001. Barres, 56, takes over the eighth-largest diocese in the United States, with 1.5 million Catholics. He previously headed the Diocese of Allentown in Pennsylvania.

What are your hopes for the new bishop and what he addresses in the diocese?

Submit a response

Thank you for your submission. Check back soon to see if it was posted.

Please respond in 250 words or less. Your response becomes the property of Newsday Media Group. It will be edited and may be republished in all media.

Long Island: Lifting the lid on secrecy

The curious case of Robert Macedonio

The story

Long Island attorney Robert Macedonio pleaded guilty to felony cocaine possession in 2008 and lost his law license. But three years later – under circumstances largely sealed from public view – the judge and district attorney let Macedonio reduce his conviction to a misdemeanor, paving the way for him to regain his law license.

How Newsday got it

Newsday reporters Gus Garcia-Roberts and Will Van Sant searched for records in the Macedonio case and found an obscure real estate transaction confirming the district attorney’s office had moved to seize his property after leveling the drug charge. It led to a Newsday legal challenge that opened up more of the case record. The reporters then built the story in part by developing sources within the district attorney’s office.

How hundreds of court cases are blocked from view

The story

Long Island judges have sealed more than 300 cases involving government agencies, hospitals and other entities key to the public’s welfare – often without justification.

How Newsday got it

Working as a reporter on Long Island, Will Van Sant was familiar with records that had been sealed from public view. Curious, he meticulously reviewed 10 years of records and discovered more than 300 cases over roughly a decade that were questionably sealed. In 35 cases, he discovered, even the sealing orders were sealed, making the propriety of these decisions impossible to analyze.

How LI judges win races before they start

The Story

One in four judicial candidates has been backed by both Republicans and Democrats in the past 10 years, all victors in races that were won before they started.

How Newsday got it

On a secret wiretap reported in a previous Newsday story, a lawyer discussed how one town Republican Party would trade the endorsement of a Democrat for four full-time and eight part-time highway department jobs. Through sources and other reporting, Newsday’s Sandra Peddie then uncovered other vivid instances that illustrated behind-the-scenes wrangling for political support.

Donald Trump’s inauguration

The 45th president

Donald Trump’s inauguration

Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 45th president of the United States on Jan. 20, 2017.

As he was sworn into the nation’s highest office, the Republican billionaire businessman completed a journey that began in Trump Tower in June 2015, and ushered in a new era in American politics.

Confrontational and provocative, Trump triumphed in the most contentious presidential campaign in recent memory. He took the same approach during the transition period, while promising great change for the country.

Trump's inaugural address: Now it's 'America first'

'The time for action'

Trump's inaugural address: Now it's 'America first'

President Trump echoed the populist and protectionist message that propelled his unexpected victory and promised to restore American jobs and greatness.

AP / Patrick Semansky

See a spectator’s view of the moment

360 view

See a spectator’s view of the moment

Get at the center of the action with a 360-degree video experience as Donald Trump takes the oath of office to become president.

Newsday / William Perlman

Editorial: Trump's clear, chilling speech

Stark words

Editorial: Trump's clear, chilling speech

The president's inaugural address was direct, stated clearly his vision, and laid out his goals. But he once again painted a dystopian vision of the country.

AFP / Getty Images / Timothy A. Clary

Photos: Trump's inauguration ceremonies

Capturing the day

Photos: Trump's inauguration ceremonies

See photos of President Donald Trump and his family — including Melania, Barron, Ivanka and more — as they attended inauguration day events.

AP / Andrew Harnik

5 key issues Donald Trump is likely to face

What's next

5 key issues Donald Trump is likely to face

Trump has promised to bring jobs back from overseas, destroy ISIS and build a wall on the Mexican border, but he'll face obstacles.

AP

Protesters, police clash during inauguration

On the streets

Protesters, police clash during inauguration

Tens of thousands of protesters demonstrated against the rise of the 45th president with flashes of violence mixed with anger and frustration.

AP / Jose Luis Magana

Noteworthy tweets as president-elect

Making news

Noteworthy tweets as president-elect

See Donald Trump's noteworthy tweets since his election as the 45th president of the United States.

Getty Images / Drew Angerer

Behind the scenes of Trump's inauguration

Different views

Behind the scenes of Trump's inauguration

Take a look behind the scenes as Washington commemorated the inauguration.

AP / Alex Brandon

A look at Trump's picks for Cabinet, top jobs

Assembling his team

A look at Trump's picks for Cabinet, top jobs

His picks and possible choices for top posts are an eclectic mix of early backers of his campaign, business execs and conservative activists.

Getty Images / Alex Wong

Editorial: Trump still a president-in-waiting

A freewheeling show

Editorial: Trump still a president-in-waiting

Donald Trump’s first news conference as president-elect was bound to be highly anticipated, unusual and chaotic. It was all three.

Getty Images / Spencer Platt

The most controversial Trump campaign quotes

What he's said

The most controversial Trump campaign quotes

Donald Trump was an unusual candidate from Day 1. See one controversial quote from each month of his presidential campaign.

EPA / Jim Lo Scalzo

Cartoonists size up Trump

Drawing DJT

Cartoonists size up Trump

A collection of cartoons on the incoming 45th president.

The Indianapolis Star / Gary Varvel

From baby boy to TV celebrity

The early years

From baby boy to TV celebrity

See photos from Donald Trump's early years.

Donald Trump via Facebook

Who voted for Trump like Long Island did?

Breaking down the vote

Who voted for Trump like Long Island did?

Nassau and Suffolk voted for Trump in higher margins than any of the U.S. counties closest in size.

Getty Images / Tom Pennington

What 20 billionaires say about Trump

High-flying views

What 20 billionaires say about Trump

Warren Buffett, Peter Thiel and others sound off on Donald Trump.

Getty Images / Mark Wilson

President Trump inauguration 360 parade

Politics

360 View: Donald Trump’s inaugural parade

Get a spectator’s view of President Donald Trump’s inaugural parade.

Alt Video TextPlay 360° Video

Newsday puts you at the center of the action with a YouTube 360-degree video experience of Women’s March taking place the day after President Donald Trump inaugaration. Look around by dragging your mouse on your computer, swiping your mobile screen or tilting your mobile device right, left, up or down. (Credit: Newsday / William Perlman)

Note: On mobile devices, the 360-degree video experience can be viewed only in the YouTube app.

More News

Behind the scenes of Trump’s inauguration

See how Washington is preparing for the president’s swearing-in ceremony.

What Donald Trump needs to do in his inaugural address

President Donald Trump will take the oath of office on the steps of the Capitol shortly before noon.

How do you feel about Trump’s inauguration?

Share your thoughts. Are you hopeful or fearful? Engaged by politics or turned away?

5 key issues Donald Trump is likely to face

The President has promised to bring jobs back, destroy ISIS and build a wall on the Southern border with Mexico.

President Trump inauguration 360 oath

Politics

360 View: President Donald Trump’s swearing-in ceremony

Get a spectator’s view of Donald Trump taking the oath of office.

Alt Video TextPlay 360° Video

Newsday puts you at the center of the action with a YouTube 360-degree video experience. Look around by dragging your mouse on your computer, swiping your mobile screen or tilting your mobile device right, left, up or down. (Credit: Newsday/Jeffrey Basinger/William Perlman)

Note: On mobile devices, the 360-degree video experience can be viewed only in the YouTube app.

More News

Behind the scenes of Trump’s inauguration

See how Washington is preparing for the president’s swearing-in ceremony.

What Donald Trump needs to do in his inaugural address

President Donald Trump will take the oath of office on the steps of the Capitol shortly before noon.

How do you feel about Trump’s inauguration?

Share your thoughts. Are you hopeful or fearful? Engaged by politics or turned away?

5 key issues Donald Trump is likely to face

The President has promised to bring jobs back, destroy ISIS and build a wall on the Southern border with Mexico.