Opening the Debate on Enforcing Fireworks Laws

Jul 10, 2024

1 min

Lawrence Levy, associate vice president and executive dean of the National Center for Suburban Studies, talked to Newsday for a article about the challenges of enforcing the New York state law that says the use of fireworks by anyone other than a certified pyrotechnic is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail.

“Broad enforcement of laws forbidding fireworks is virtually impossible for local police departments, and perhaps even perilous for politicians,” Levy said. “Cops and fire departments already have their hands full with serious emergencies, including some due to mishandling of illegal fireworks, plus everything else they need to do on a busy holiday when people are drinking too much.”

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Lawrence Levy

Associate Vice President and Executive Dean of the National Center for Surburban

Dean Levy works close with Hofstra’s academic community to shape an innovative agenda for suburban study

Suburban Spaces and DevelopmentSuburbsEducationTaxationPolitics of the Suburbs

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Apr 27, 2026

1 min

Remembering the Ludlow Massacre of 1914

Mary Anne Trasciatti, Hofstra University’s director of the Labor Studies Program and professor of rhetoric, is referenced in an article on the website Counter Punch about how a dispute for fair wages and safer working conditions led to the 1914 massacre of 25 miners and family members in Ludlow, Colorado. The author, Robert Forrant, notes that he and Dr. Trasciatti co-edited “Where Are the Workers,” a collection of essays written by labor historians and archivists that explore nationwide efforts to bring the history of labor and working people into mainstream narratives of U.S. history. The Ludlow Massacre, he says, is one of the most dramatic and deadly of those stories.

Apr 21, 2026

1 min

Professor James Sample Provides National Commentary on Voting Rights, Key Supreme Court Cases

Professor James Sample of the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University continued to serve as a prominent national commentator this month, appearing across ABC News, MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), SiriusXM, and Newsday to analyze fast-moving developments in election law, constitutional doctrine, and executive power. Across these appearances, Professor Sample focused on the evolving legal and practical implications of the SAVE America Act, including its potential burdens on married voters and broader access concerns. He also examined a series of high-stakes Supreme Court matters, including disputes over mail-in ballot deadlines and the constitutional debate surrounding birthright citizenship, offering insight into how the Court’s rulings could reshape election administration and individual rights. In addition, Professor Sample provided analysis of expanding presidential authority following the Court’s immunity ruling, situating current developments within a broader conversation about the scope and limits of executive power.

Apr 16, 2026

1 min

“With Global Antisemitism Rising, ‘Never Again’ Rings Hollow”

Hofstra Professor of Political Science and Director of the European Studies Program Carolyn Dudek wrote a guest essay for Newsday: “With global antisemitism rising, ‘Never Again’ rings hollow.” Dr. Dudek was awarded the 2024 Jean Monnet Chair to expand research, teaching, and course development on the European Union, with a specific focus on EU anti-discrimination policies that address marginalized groups, such as Jews, Muslims, Roma, women, communities of color and the LGBTQ+ community.