STEM Money For Jewish Schools + Rep. Rice Pro Jan. 6 Commission

Good morning Five Towns!

In today's Daily, find out about a new state budget funding increase for STEM learning in private schools. Get the details on how your U.S. Representative voted on the creation of the January 6 insurrection independent commission. A local boy is finding success on sports radio and local businesses look to the post-COVID future.

First, today's weather is looking nice: partly cloudy with a high of 70 degrees.

Today's top news from the Five Towns:

1. Jeff Bessen explores in-depth the new state budget item that will increase funding for STEM (science, technology, education and math) education in yeshivas and Jewish schools. This year's budget ups the amount from $30 million to $40 million, the most ever for non-public schools in New York State. (LI Herald)

2. Peggy Spellman Hoey reports on how Long Island's U.S. Representatives voted on Wednesday on the bipartisan 9/11-style commission to investigate the Capitol insurrection. Rep. Kathleen Rice joined along with two LI Democrats, Thomas Suozzi and Gregory Meeks. Suffolk's Andrew Garbarino, a Republican, also voted in favor while Suffolk's Lee Zeldin, a Republican, was the only local member of Congress to vote no. (Patch)

3. Neil Best looks at how Woodmere native Evan Roberts has achieved success with his WFAN sports talk radio show. Now his afternoon show that he hosts with Craig Carton will also have a television simulcast on SNY. (Newsday)

Five Towns Notebook

• Woodmere native Yaakov Kaminetsky was recognized for academic excellence at Yeshiva University. He majored in mathematical economics and now lives in Israel. (Yeshiva University)
• The owners of Heavenly Coffee in Merrick and East Rockaway talk to Patch's Jerry Barmash about business post-pandemic. (Patch)
• Two Hewlett parents painted a new mural at Hewlett Elementary School last month. Hewlett schools wants you to check out the handiwork of Randi Hananel and Torie Goldsmith. (Facebook)

That's today's five minute must-know Five Towns recap. Check back tomorrow to keep updated and informed. If you know of something that should be included in the Five Towns Daily, drop us a note!

-Jackie

About me: I am a lifelong Long Islander who has covered local news for over a decade. I'm a busy working mom who loves to share nearby news to inform, educate, inspire or just make your daily life a bit easier.