Thomas’ Story
Covering Long Island like no one else can
Newsday journalists work around the clock to bring you the latest news and information that impacts the way you live your life on Long Island.
A note from our publisher.

Newsday journalists make it their mission to report the facts, uncover the truth and inform you about what’s really happening in our community. They’re passionate about producing independent local journalism that empowers Long Islanders to live a better and more informed life.
As the publisher of Newsday, I’ve seen first-hand how vital quality journalism is to our local community and how it can affect positive change. Our journalists are working on your behalf to shine a light on your local governments, probe corruption wherever it may be and keep a watch on your schools, your neighborhoods, crime, and the environment.
Our dedicated reporters are inspired to connect you to what makes Long Island such a wonderful place to live. Whether it’s a new shop on Main Street, the best restaurants, or a fun place to visit with your family and friends, they are committed to sharing new discoveries so you can make the most of your leisure time.
As we move ahead, we’d like to introduce you to our exceptional team of journalists who are in your communities, working hard to bring you the news as it happens. We hope you will take a moment to read their stories and learn what makes them so dedicated to what they do. I couldn’t be more proud of them and their commitment to you and our Island.
Sincerely,
Debby Krenek,
Publisher
Meet our Journalists


Thomas A. Ferrara
Photojournalist- Nassau Community College, LIU
- Covered three Super Bowls


Nicholas Spangler
General Assignment reporter- Williams College
- Enjoys playing tennis
Nicholas’ Story


Jeffrey L. Williams
AME for features- SUNY-New Paltz and University of Md. J-School
- Enjoys singing, sci-fi writing, motorcycling
Jeffrey’s Story


Deborah S. Morris
Towns reporter- Virginia Commonwealth University
- Novice gardener
Deborah’s Story


Tory Parrish
Business reporter – retail & small business- George Mason University
- Avid reader
Tory’s Story


Michael O’Keeffe
Criminal justice reporter- University of Colorado at Boulder
- Punk Rock Warlord
Michael’s Story


John Asbury
Breaking news reporter- Palomar College
- Home Chef
John’s Story


Anthony M. DeStefano
Special writer – crime- Ithaca College
- Author of 10 true crime books
Anthony’s Story


Brianne Ledda
Towns Reporter- Stony Brook University
- Loves fantasy novels
Brianne’s Story


Jean-Paul Salamanca
Towns Reporter- Columbia University
- Likes Traveling, NBA Basketball
Jean-Paul’s Story


Beth Whitehouse
Family Writer- Northwestern University
- Fire Island Fangirl
Beth’s Story


James T. Madore
Business Reporter – Economy- Washington U. in St. Louis & Columbia J-School
- Enjoys vacationing in NH
James’ Story


Anastasia Valeeva
Investigative Data Reporter- Moscow State University
- Opera fan
Anastasia’s Story


Darwin Yanes
Education Reporter- Stony Brook University
- Mixed Martial Arts enthusiast
Darwin’s Story


Joseph Ostapiuk
Towns Reporter- Molloy College
- Hockey enthusiast
Joseph’s Story


Tara Smith
Towns Reporter- Arcadia University
- Green thumb
Tara’s Story


Macy Egeland
Anchor / Reporter- Minnesota State U
- Ranch dressing connoisseur
Macy’s Story


Colin Stephenson
NY Rangers beat writer- St John’s University
- Reggae Boyz & Liverpool fan
Colin’s Story


Mark Harrington
Staff writer- San Diego State U
- Recovering Instagrammer
Mark’s Story


Marie Elena Martinez
FeedMe reporter- University of Michigan
- Girl Mom
Marie Elena’s Story


Olivia Winslow
Demographics/General assignment- Howard U/Temple U
- Church singer
Olivia’s Story


Grant Parpan
Suffolk/Federal Courts Reporter- Longwood High School
- Visited 17 MLB ballparks
Grant’s Story


Tiffany Cusaac-Smith
General assignment reporter- Howard University
- Enjoys playing the piano
Tiffany’s Story


Robert Brodsky
Breaking news reporter- Queens College & AU
- Everyone calls me Brodsky
Robert’s Story


Jim Baumbach
Investigative Reporter- St. John’s University
- Dave Matthews Band fan
Jim’s Story


Arielle Dollinger
Newsday reporter- Stony Brook University
- Trained Fitness Instructor
Arielle’s Story


Candice Ferrette
Politics reporter- Stony Brook University
- Loves beach press conferences
Candice’s Story


Jasmine Anderson
Morning Anchor- University of Illinois
- Architecture enthusiast, DIY queen
Jasmine’s Story


Tom Rock
NFL Columnist- C.W. Post
- No known allergies
Tom’s Story


Laura Albanese
Sports reporter- Brooklyn College
- Fluent in Italian
Laura’s Story


Dandan Zou
Education Reporter- University of Missouri
- Hates snakes
Dandan’s Story


Rafer Guzmán
Entertainment Reporter- UC Berkeley
- Intrepid traveler
Rafer’s Story


Rachel Weiss
Real Estate Reporter- Purchase College
- Loves animals
Rachel’s Story


Scott Eidler
Deputy editor – towns- Cornell U & Columbia J-School
- My politics is pro-coffee
Scott’s Story


Meghan Giannotta
Lifestyle Editor- Hofstra University
- Bookworm
Meghan’s Story


Shari Einhorn
Health/Education Reporter- Binghamton University
- Hates spicy food
Shari’s Story


Erica Marcus
Food reporter-critic- Swarthmore College
- Compulsive doodler
Erica’s Story


Vera Chinese
Deputy editor of LI Life- Wagner College
- Backyard chicken keeper
Vera’s Story


Jonathan LaMantia
Business reporter – real estate- University of North Carolina
- Perennially optimistic Mets fan
Jonathan’s Story


Victor Ocasio
Business Reporter – Employment- University of Central Florida
- Avid board gamer
Victor’s Story


Sandra Peddie
Investigative Reporter- Wellesley College
- Wrote a book about mobsters
Sandra’s Story


David Olson
Reporter- University of California, Berkeley
- Loves hiking and long walks
David’s Story


Paul LaRocco
Investigative Reporter- Emerson College
- Compiler of mixtapes
Paul’s Story


Keith Herbert
AME for Investigations- Temple University
- Running enthusiast
Keith’s Story


Joye Brown
Associate Editor- George Washington University
- Open water swimming fanatic
Joye’s Story


John Hildebrand
Senior Education Reporter- Columbia University
- Avid reader
John’s Story


Gregg Sarra
HS Sports Editor- Dowling College
- Loves golden retrievers
Gregg’s Story


Alfonso Castillo
Transit Reporter- Queens College
- Pro wrestling fan
Alfonso’s Story


Scott Vogel
Food Critic- New York University
- Epicurean
Scott’s Story


Laura Figueroa Hernandez
White House Correspondent- University of Florida
- Proud mom of two
Laura’s Story


Yancey Roy
Albany Bureau Chief- McNeese State University
- Gave up basketball for bicycling
Yancey’s Story


Tom Brune
White House correspondent- Northwestern University
- Biking and hiking
Tom’s Story


Carissa Kellman
HS Sports Reporter- Marist College
- Sewing enthusiast
Carissa’s Story


Ken Buffa
Anchor- Quinnipiac University
- Tech enthusiast
Ken’s Story


Elisa DiStefano
Senior Lifestyle Host- Boston University
- Master hula hooper
Elisa’s Story


Steve Langford
Human Interest Reporter- University of Western Ontario
- Reported on-air in French
Steve’s Story
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