[MUSIC PLAYING] From bustling main streets and quaint village markets to tech hubs and global headquarters, experts say Long Island is an economic powerhouse.

But it's never been harder to live or do business here.

It's your business, Long Island.

I'm Newsday TV's Jasmine Anderson.

And I'm Ken Buffa.

But we're going to help you better navigate your financial life by focusing on your money from Montauk to Wall Street.

We begin with affordability on Long Island.

A Newsday Siena College survey found people like living here but are struggling to afford it.

Newsday's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Chris and Jane Lugo from Deer Park looking to put down permanent roots on Long Island.

But they say they need a home first.

The apartment they're living in will soon be too small for their two daughters and another baby on the way.

However, it hasn't been an easy search.

It is a little harder to find everything that you need for the price that you would like.

This three-bedroom house in West Babylon is listed for $499,000.

The realtor believes it will sell very quickly and for over the asking price.

The cost of living on Long Island many say has been on the rise, putting stress on young and old.

In a recent Newsday Siena College survey comparing the cost of living on Long Island to other places, 77% of respondents said it was somewhat or much worse here.

And when it comes to the availability of affordable housing, 85% said it was poor to fair.

Frank Patron knows that well.

This is the 21st house he's toured.

He's trying to remain positive.

You're not giving up?

No, no, keep looking.

Parents' basement is good, but not permanent.

I think it's a crisis.

Peter Elkowitz runs the Long Island Housing Partnership, an organization that helps people find affordable housing.

He says with high taxes and expenses, then add in low available housing stock, finding that affordable home is more difficult than ever.

He adds saving for a down payment is also challenging for many first-time homebuyers.

And now when you look at the rents that are higher here on Long Island, there is not much room for anyone to save.

25-year-old Anthony Perrone just graduated from Farmingdale State College with a degree in sports management.

He's living at home with his family while trying to find a job with a local team.

He wants to stay on the island to make a life with his girlfriend, but says he's barely getting by.

His older brother left for South Carolina last year.

I would like to stay, but it's just, it's hard to find a job.

It's hard to even afford to live here.

And even with all the challenges that are here on Long Island, there are so many people we've spoken to who say, "This is home.

This is where they want to be."

For me, my roots are so deep here.

77-year-old retired teacher Jennifer Bova says even with increased costs, property taxes, and some friends leaving for other parts of the country, she hasn't considered leaving.

She says the island has the best schools and natural resources.

Plus, her family is still here.

I think some people probably think that I'm crazy and that I should go to Kentucky and pay $2,000 a year in taxes instead of $16,000 and change.

But this is where I want to be.

Back at that house for sale in West Babylon, the Lugos couldn't agree more.

Our whole family is here.

You know?

That's where we want to stay.

Yeah.

In West Babylon, Andrew Ehinger, Newsday TV.

Andrew, thank you.

The Newsday Siena College survey also looked at quality of life and why many Long Islanders have doubts about how long they can afford to live here.

Newsday's Virginia Huey has that angle.

With inflation eating your hearts out, vote for Donald Trump.

What the hell do you have to lose?

During the campaign, President Donald Trump vowed to make housing more affordable, lower grocery prices, and reduce the overall cost of living.

But a new Siena poll shows New York voters overwhelmingly say the president is failing to deliver on those promises.

Everything's going up.

Bill Gardner's view is in line with the majority of those surveyed.

Overall, 63% said Trump is failing to make everyday necessities like food, housing and energy more affordable.

Prices going up.

They keep going up.

There's no matter what you do.

And to me, he's worrying about other things than worrying about the economy.

Valentin Nieves of Farmingdale agrees.

I don't I don't think it's it's been very good at all.

Martin Cantor from the Long Island Center for Socio-Economic Policy thinks it's too early to pin all the blame on Trump.

Whereas people are saying prices are still high, they're right.

Has the president's economic policies impacted the economy yet?

No.

We're still feeling the impact of the previous administration's policies.

Trump's policies will start filtering in in the fall.

Via 54% to 33% margin, New Yorkers said Trump isn't succeeding at making Americans feel safer in their everyday lives.

The respondents' answers fell along party lines.

The Republicans in New York say Trump is doing fine.

Democrats, independents and minority party candidates say Trump is failing on all issues Sienna polls.

I think that what we're seeing is that in New York, Trump did not do well in the presidential election and partly because New York is such a big blue state and there's still a lot of doubt and skepticism about what direction he's taking the country within New York State.

I'm Virginia Huey.

Joining us now to talk more about these issues is Newsday reporter Brianne Ledda.

Brianne, what are some of the things Long Islanders like about living here?

There's a lot that people like about living on Long Island.

Long Islanders overwhelmingly kind of said, you know, this is a great place to live.

You know, my quality of life is relatively high.

And they ranked things like, you know, the beaches.

They like things like the good schools, good hospitals, good jobs, good food, close to New York City, downtown, the sense of community.

There were a lot of different things that people said they liked about living here.

So many options.

But what is their biggest concern?

People are mostly concerned about the rising cost of living and affordability issues, especially when it comes to housing.

Around 85% of survey respondents said they're concerned about the low availability of affordable housing in the region.

That's something that's really been an issue for a few years now, post-pandemic.

Demand for housing on Long Island sort of surged and supply has kind of struggled to catch up because there is limited zoning, there's zoning restrictions that limit development, and you know there's also not a ton of land here.

You know, we are an island.

There is a limit to how much we can expand.

Was there anything else that stuck out to you?

Yeah, so actually, minorities that were less likely to rate their quality of life here as highly as white respondents.

And some of the reasons for that were because of racial discrimination and his systemic racism on Long Island.

If you want an example, just look back to news day series back in 2019, Long Island divided about housing segregation that's that's continued.

That's a way in.

Brianne, thank you.

So as you heard, housing is a big part of the affordability challenge here on Long Island.

And home prices are rising fast in some Long Island neighborhoods.

Newsday Business Reporter Jonathan LaMantia takes a look at just where.

From talking to agents and seeing the data on a town by town level across Long Island, we really see that prices in most places in the first half of the year grew by about 5 to 10 percent.

There are five towns when we looked at places that had at least 50 sales in the first half of the year where the median price increased 15% almost 15% or more compared to last year.

The top two places Northport and Dix Hills they both saw the median price increase by more than 20% and then Glen Cove, Westbury and New Hyde Park were the next on the list in terms of how fast prices were rising.

Now if you take the train to work, listen up because the cost of your commute is going up.

The MTA approved a rate hike in late September.

LIRR fares will jump about 4.4%.

Newsday Transportation Reporter Alfonso Castillo takes a look at the changes.

You'll pay more for your Long Island Railroad ticket and have less time to use it.

Beginning in January, the MTA board voted to approve the latest fare and toll increase.

It's going to raise the cost of Long Island Railroad tickets by about 4.4% and comes with a lot of other changes, one of the most notable of which is reducing the validity periods for one-way tickets from the current 60 days till just 4am the day after you purchase it.

They're doing away with the round-trip ticket being replaced by a day pass to let you go back and forth as many times as you want.

The tent-trip ticket also gone, being replaced by a buy 10 get one free e-ticket program.

Always painful to do fare increases, but I think this one is really structured in a way that responds to what we heard from the riders through the outreach the outreach process and preserves affordability which is something that we're very proud of in the transit system.

Some improvements the family fair now expanding eligibility from 11 years old all the way to 17 years old.

Kids that age riding with an adult pay just a dollar.

Disabled and senior fairs finally going to be accepted during the morning peak.

That's new.

Bus and subway riders, the cost of a ride going to $3 from 2.90.

A level that people have been kind of looking out for for a long time finally got there.

$3 and bridge and tunnel tolls also going up by about 7.5 percent.

It all happens January 4th.

In downtown Brooklyn for Newsday TV, I'm Alfonso Castillo.

All right, some big changes are in the works at some local malls, so let's head out to Holbrook for this month's retail roundup.

Mall nostalgia runs deep on Long Island, the center of teenage life and weekend hangouts for many of us.

And now some of the cornerstone shopping meccas are getting major overhauls, including the SunVet Mall behind me in Holbrook.

In fact, it has a new name, new concept, and of course, new business.

And here to talk more about it is business reporter who focuses on retail and small business, Tory Parrish.

Tory, give us the breakdown and what can we expect to see here?

We all know this mall was struggling for several years as it lost big tenants like Toys R Us and the supermarket and now it's being turned into an open-air shopping center.

The developers are trying to bring in a more upscale mix of tenants such as Whole Foods, Crumble Cookies, Sephora.

By the time this work is done, almost every tenant here will be new.

Let's talk about this open-air concept.

Developers seem like they're banking on convenience.

Is this trend going to continue at other mall locations?

Yes.

On Long Island we have two other malls that are being redeveloped as open-air shopping centers, at least partially.

And so one is Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream is getting a $130 million redevelopment, adding a shop right, adding a cheesecake factory, some other stores, some entertainment options, demolishing the Sears, making the mall smaller and having an open-air concept.

And then over in Hicksville we have what was called Broadway Commons, which has been renamed the Shops on Broadway, also being redeveloped to be 80% open air, 20% enclosed mall.

It's getting a BJ's Wholesale Club and more entertainment, like family entertainment, more restaurants, to try to refresh the malls and bring foot traffic back to what had been a struggling property.

So three locations, three different renovations.

When can we expect to enjoy all of this?

Okay, well the developers told me that at SunVet most of the new tenants will open by spring at Green Acres/Marlin Valley Stream.

That is supposed to be done by 2027.

What was Broadway Commons, which is now the shops on Broadway, that will be done by either end of 2027 or early 2028.

So a lot to see here and to come on Long Island with the changes.

Thank you, Tory.

Thank you.

So to get more information about our retail roundup, just head to our website, Newsday.com, for the latest business stories.

I'm Jasmine Anderson.

Cannabis culture.

Now business is booming at local pot shops, but visiting a dispensary can be overwhelming.

Newsday's Andrew Anger has a look at what you need to know.

Is there anything I can help with?

Do you want to look around first?

This is what legal marijuana dispensaries tend to look like in 2025.

Planet Nug on the Suffolk County side of Farmingdale is one of the largest adult-use cannabis dispensaries on the island.

Its operations are carefully monitored and taxed by the New York State Office of Cannabis Management.

Everything is highly regulated.

Currently there are seven adult-use cannabis dispensaries licensed by the state on Long Island and all of them are in Suffolk County.

Newsday Cannabis Beat reporter Lee Meyer says more are planned in Suffolk but not in Nassau.

The county and all of its towns he says have opted out of allowing dispensaries to open up.

I don't think it's gonna change under the current political climate so for the next few years I think people are gonna have to come out to Suffolk County.

State law requires all cannabis products sold at dispensaries to come from New York growers and processors.

Some are even made on Long Island.

Dispensary owner David Tubens says that assures quality and safety compared to illegal sellers.

When you walk into Planet Nug or any New York State legal dispensary you know the packaging is tamper proof.

You know that the product you're getting has been tested rigorously.

Inside dispensaries, a variety of products can be overwhelming.

That's where manager Steve Lack says highly trained bud tenders can help.

We call this the bud bar.

Traditional marijuana or flour is divided by strains, strengths and effects.

Lack says smoking flour the traditional way gives the fastest high, but other forms of cannabis can deliver different experiences.

Edibles are one of the biggest markets as far as cannabis categories are concerned.

That means the THC, the psychoactive chemical in cannabis, has been removed from the flower and added to foods like gummies, even granulated sugar, for more discreet use.

You say $15 bucks too, we'll be ready at the counter for you.

There are also cannabis vape products, even THC infused beverages.

It's a super social way to use cannabis.

Chuck Ferris from Lindenhurst says he doesn't mind paying a little more in taxes at a state regulated dispensary over a shady seller so he can get a trusted product and advice.

It's almost like you're going into a CVS speaking to a pharmacist.

Of course, cannabis can have its intoxicating effects similar to that of alcohol.

So the experts here recommend always using it in moderation.

And of course, never get behind the wheel of a vehicle under its effects.

You don't want to operate any kind of vehicles while on it in any kind of way.

We stress that to everybody.

It's something that you should just use in your home or in a place where you're relaxing.

In Farmingdale, Andrew Ehinger, Newsday TV.

Yeah, safety first.

Thank you, Andrew.

Huntington is the only Long Island town that bans self-service gas.

Newsday's Shari Einhorn looks at why.

Gas station attendant Noor Ahmed says happily he's always pretty busy.

How are you?

The mobile he works at is in Huntington, the only town on Long Island where customers are banned from pumping their own gas.

The ban on self-service took Gracie Romero by surprise.

She was already out of her car.

You can't pump your own gas?

Oh, yeah, I didn't know that.

Town officials say the self-service ban started decades ago with initial concerns about customers with skimming gas and overall safety.

I remember waiting in line in the 70s to get gas when there was a shortage I guess and they would pump our gas then.

Every gas station that I go to they always come to you and fill it up for you which is convenient.

But not everyone is a fan of the ban.

There's been times that I went to the gas pumps and I wanted to do it myself.

But why do you want to do it yourself?

Because then like you feel like you owe somebody something for doing it for you.

Like a tip?

Yeah.

Others say they simply enjoy the perk.

I mean sometimes when it's cold out it's just nice not to have to get out of the car and then other times it's just nice that you don't get your hands dirty.

So I guess I just like being spoiled a little bit.

Huntington's town supervisor says the ban is brought up every time a new gas station moves into the area and admits things could change somewhere down the road.

We'll probably take a look at this and say all right if so long as there is a gas station attendant available then not every gas pump at the gas station needs to be full service.

So it becomes optional.

Some don't even think about who's paying more because of it.

If it's the same price, I don't care.

If it's more expensive, then I care.

In Commack, I'm Shari Einhorn for Newsday TV.

Looking to get the most out of the island when you're off the clock?

Newsday travel reporter Carissa Kellman takes us to a top-notch dog-friendly destination.

Greenport may be known for wine, seafood and sailboats, but did you know it's also a dog's paradise?

From beaches, boutiques and breweries, Greenport's got something for every pup personality.

You ready for the weekend, Z?

Let's go!

Kick off your trip to this charming east end town at 67 Steps Beach.

Yep, it's exactly what it sounds like.

67 steps down to a stunning Long Island sound view.

For my 7 month old shelty pup Finn, the shoreline was less about fetch and more about sniffing every single rock.

Head to town to treat your dog at Harbor Pet.

It isn't it's a boutique and bakery rolled into one.

We started using spent grains from local breweries and created four flavors And even now we are starting with dehydrated and freeze dried treats.

Think elephant ears, duck heads, turkey necks and baby octopus perfect to create your own doggy charcuterie Now stretch those legs and head to the weathered barn, a quirky concept store with cool candles reclaimed wood art and some seriously adorable dog portraits commissioned by the owner your pup might just become a local celebrity.

By afternoon, it's time for Harbor Brewing Company.

Dogs basically run the place here.

We always wanted to be a dog friendly place that was inviting.

Indoor/outdoor seating, rotating local beers, live music or food trucks on weekends You can grab a beer with your pup right next to you.

Yup.

Absolutely.

As the sun sets cruise over to Sound View Hotel, super dog friendly vibes, including a dog stick library.

You like that one?

And if you're feeling fancy, their rooms come with dog beds, dog bowls and treats upon request.

You ready to take a nap?

Because why should humans have all the comfort?

Back in town, American Beach is where Style meets dog-friendly hospitality.

Their patio restaurant welcomes your pup.

And inside the hotel, they've got pink dog bowls waiting inside the stylish, dog-friendly rooms.

So leash up, grab the treats, and get ready for a tail-wagging good time.

Because in Greenport, pups aren't just welcome, they're celebrated.

For Newsday TV, I'm Carissa Kellman.

Glad to see those dogs are having fun.

Now, a look at the jobs you do in this month's LI Works.

We're going behind the scenes at a bowling alley.

You're about to learn a lot about bowling.

Not so much the sport, but the sweat and science needed by a maintenance worker to keep the game rolling here at All-Star in Riverhead.

Chris Keller, owner of the All-Star.

I've been doing this for 40 plus years and I love my job because I make people smile every day.

First, let's talk about the lanes and the oil coating them that affects each player's frame.

The oil in the middle of the lane, the center out, is heaviest and it's kind of like the deep end of the pool and then as you go towards the gutters on each side there's less oil.

Just so you understand how meticulous you have to be, there's oil down this lane and you have to make sure it's a certain amount.

But one thing you also have to remember is that the ball collects oil as it's rolling.

So even if you're in your first frame, it could feel a lot different than your last.

Now let's head behind the lanes.

Where several pin machines are not only re-racking pins, but also rotating them.

So no one pin takes all the damage from a barreling ball.

So the different ones being the head pin, the one next to the head pin, which gets the most impact.

And according to facility manager Tim Gaffney, not only will a worker have to use their eyes to spot a damaged pin, but they also have to be able to use their ears.

"If you see this pin, if I drop it, you hear that?

It's kind of like a dud.

So now if I take this pin, which is brand new, and I went... So you can hear it.

Lastly, let's not forget when things go wrong.

That's what this entire wall of spare parts is used for.

Because if a lane goes, the maintenance man has to quickly go to work.

You do have to be very mechanical, I think, because there is many moving parts in the pin spotter you have to have the background of being mechanically inclined Keller says anyone a bowling maintenance man than just good at the game But if they can stick it out, the game, the science, and the environment all make it worth it.

Thing is, I think all of us here are happy to do what we do because we bring a lot of smiles to people's faces.

Now the process is so seamless so that way we can have all these fun times with family.

A lot of fun bowling and a lot of science behind it too.

Alright now let's take a look at one Long Islander who made it his mission to help local families in need.

My name is Darryl Morris and volunteering to me is a passion for me and it's a way of life for me.

I get to change other people's lives.

I currently volunteer at Long Island Cares and what we do is we give out food for those in need.

The people that we help basically are those that have had difficulties in their life.

Things happen to everyone.

Handing off food for people of need and watching them smile, watching the relief on their face, watching them realize that hey we're going to have food to eat.

No better feeling than that.

How volunteering makes me happy is that I am doing something that is of purpose, that I can be a part of and I can work with a group of people that feels the same way.

I've had difficulties in life and there were people there that actually came beside me and helped me as well.

So if everybody does that it would be a better place for everyone.

You just never know what can happen to people and why they need the help that they need.

We've all gone through difficult situations in life.

So we don't judge how they come in, we look at them as people that need help.

That's your business Long Island.

That's right.

And coming up next month, the latest housing trends.

Remember, for the latest local business news and how it impacts you, go to Newsday.com.

I'm Jasmine Anderson.

And I'm Ken Buffa.

Thank you so much for watching.

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