Author Archives: scottbrinton1

So, 2020 happened. Nothing went as planned. As journalists, you might like to reflect on it all. At the Press Club of Long Island, we created a platform — Good Riddance to 2020 — to do just that. Check it out here or below. Hope to see you at our GRT2020 Party!

In my latest #LIHerald column, I look back at the wonderful and wondrous TV series “Northern Exposure.” In the interior of Washington state, in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, there is a tiny city, population about 900, that I have long wanted to visit — Roslyn. There are no vacation amenities in this placeContinue reading “Seeking comfort in a cult classic this pandemic year”

My latest #LIHerald column looks at the wonderful documentary, “A Towering Task: The Story of the Peace Corps.“ Surrounded by thousands of adoring supporters, many sporting red MAGA caps, President Trump sauntered into a victory rally in Cincinnati on Dec. 1, 2016, three and a half weeks after his election, and laid out the TrumpContinue reading “Peace Corps: A history of spirited engagement”

Mortality statistics may paint a skewed picture of the coronavirus pandemic, leaving the impression that relatively few under age 70 are dying of Covid-19, which is the furthest thing from the truth. Here’s my #LIHerald editorial of last week that I wrote to help clear up the confusion: No doubt, understanding the coronavirus takes work.Continue reading “Clearing up Covid-19 misconceptions”

Journalism is, no doubt, a tough, time-consuming business, often with late hours and unpredictable schedules dictated by the news cycle. How does one balance family life with a career in a profession as demanding as journalism? That will be the subject of an upcoming Press Club of Long Island panel discussion, ‘A high-wire balancing act:Continue reading “A high-wire balancing act: Do journalism and family mix?”

Here’s my latest #LIHerald column, “The New York Times, a historical treasure trove”: By Scott A. Brinton The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Jesse Jackson were chatting, King on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn., and Jackson in the parking lot below, when the shot rang out. King “toppled toContinue reading “The New York Times, a historical treasure trove”

I am sooo excited that the Press Club of Long Island and Hofstra Univeristy will host the Society of Professional Journalists Region 1 2020 conference March 20-21. For everything you need to know, click here. Hope to see you there!

Have to give credit where credit is due. Thank you to Nassau County Executive Laura Curran for signing the State Department of Environmental Conservation’s #ClimatePledge. Here’s our #LIHerald editorial: At the Herald, we like to give credit where credit is due. In our Nov. 8-14 editorial, “Nassau should take the Climate Smart Pledge,” we calledContinue reading “Kudos to Nassau for signing the climate pledge”

I recently had my first colonoscopy, so you know that I had to write a #LIHerald column about the experience…. The doctor wished me a good sleep. Then I blacked out. I awoke a half-hour later, but it felt as if only seconds had passed. I couldn’t open my eyes. It was if they were squeezed shut.Continue reading “My colonoscopy: not the ordeal I dreaded”

In this #LIHerald column, I examine the desperate need to preserve Long Island’s diminishing aquifers — for the benefit of future Long Islanders: By Scott Brinton In January 2018, officials in Cape Town, South Africa, issued a dire warning: In three months, the city of 4 million people would run out of water unless urgentContinue reading “In 2020, let’s resolve to save L.I.’s aquifers”

Note: I covered Northwell Health’s Gun Violence Prevention Forum in Manhattan on Dec. 12. Here’s my Herald Community Newspapers story: By Scott Brinton Six bullets pierced Jessica Ghawi’s body on July 20, 2012. The “kill shot,” said her mother, Sandy Phillips, cut a five-inch hole in the side of her face. The aspiring sports reporterContinue reading “Gun violence as a public health crisis”

I was proud to serve on the media panel at Vision Long Island’s Smart Growth Summit last week. This Herald Community Newspapers editorial emerged out of that conference, which is always informative and inspirational: Transforming the Hub will take political leadership “What does the future of the suburbs look like?”  That was the question ponderedContinue reading “The future of suburbia”

Everyone had an awesome time at the Press Club of Long Island’s annual Holiday Party to raise money for scholarships for high school and college journalism students. Only sorry I couldn’t be there as I was teaching. Check out our pics from the evening: http://bit.ly/2PbQ6Mt @PCLI #PCLI

In my latest LIHerald.com column, I look at how Nassau County can save its remaining trees…. Posted December 5, 2019  By Scott Brinton It was around 8 a.m. on a Saturday, if I remember correctly. The chainsaw revved, then wailed, as it tore into the old oak tree in the far corner of my neighbor’s yard.Continue reading “The inherent right of trees to exist”