As a media company, Pulse prides itself on not only recommending a place to go for dinner but also in joining the conversations people are having over a glass of wine. As change and political controversy mounted, Pulse responded with fact-driven pieces as well as personal anecdotes from people impacted by new legislation. And whether you loved it or hated it, you shared your own anecdotes and opinions with us. We hope to hear more of them in 2018. For now, let’s reflect on seven Long Island stories that moved us.

Wall of Fear

image: facebook.com/longislandwins

Web editor Anna Halkidis’ story on immigration started with three words, “Am I safe?” The people asking it weren’t walking down the street late at night. They were immigrants scared for what their future held under President Trump, who called for travel bans and walls. But, as Halkidis reported, immigrants actually benefit the Long Island economy. Read more 

Sweet Dream to an American Nightmare: Laura Lemus

Laura Lemus graduated SUNY Old Westbury

Digital strategist Beth Ann Clyde introduced Laura Lemus, Sag Harbor native, college graduate and DACA recipient, as part of Pulse’s immigration series. Brought to the United States from Mexico as a six-month-old, Lemus received protection under Dreamer Act in June 2012. She went on to graduate college—paying out of pocket—and got a job in non-profit. But her status is now up in the air, as Trump ended DACA in September. What would she tell him? “I’m just as much of a New Yorker as he is.” Read more 

The Death of Pro-Life

Nothing can fire up a crowd like an abortion debate. But when it comes to funding Planned Parenthood, the abortion debate really isn’t necessary. Clyde separated fact from fiction. Read more 

Our Addiction to Addiction: The Spiral Into Fentanyl

Pulse has been tracking Long Island’s addiction to opioids, particularly heroin, for years. But a new drug is now outpacing heroin as the deadliest on Long Island. Clyde explored the latest wrinkle in an epidemic that—despite increased coverage and advocacy—is  only getting worse. Read more 

School of Thought

Shot of two college students studying while sitting on a bench on campus

Just in time for back to school and in the midst of a polarized political climate, Halkidis delved into the way people skew information based on opinions. Much of her focus was on the way information bias is impacting college campuses and perhaps impeding students’ ability to explore, learn and grow with rather than against each other. Read more 

Street Fighter

Geri Barish lost a child to cancer. She battled breast cancer herself. Now in remission, she’s still fighting as president of 1 in 9, a non-profit that focuses on  breast cancer outreach, education and environmental advocacy. In 2001, 1 in 9 established Hewlett house, a non-profit community resource open to all patients. Its most important goal? Helping people feel human again, she told senior associate editor Andrew Sheldon in the October issue of Pulse. Read more 

Beating the Odds

image: katie burnett for a world of pink

Five generations of women in Taylor Basile’s family had breast cancer. Determined not to be one of them, she got tested for the BCRA1 gene. She tested positive and was told she had an 80 percent chance of developing breast cancer. Basile decided to beat the odds, opting for a preventative double mastectomy at the age of 24. She told Clyde about her life-changing decision and what it was like to have her mom and grandmother—two breast cancer survivors—by her side. Read more