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  • 🌊Minimum Wage Hits $17 on Long Island as Sea Cliff Moves Toward Lower Speed Limits

🌊Minimum Wage Hits $17 on Long Island as Sea Cliff Moves Toward Lower Speed Limits

The January 1 increase affects millions of workers; Sea Cliff’s Safe Streets study explores crosswalk upgrades and traffic calming.

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516 Update
January 29, 2026

Hello Nassau! Let’s Talk What’s New & What’s Next
As the weekend starts to come into focus, new updates continue to roll in across Nassau County. Today’s issue highlights what’s unfolding locally and what you may want to plan around, whether you’re looking ahead a few days or just staying informed.

Fun Fact Spotlight:
During the Cold War, the New York metropolitan area — including Long Island — was protected by Nike missile defense sites. The nearest confirmed installations to Nassau were at Fort Tilden and Fort Hancock, part of a regional network meant to defend NYC from Soviet bombers.

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Today’s Edition: 
💵 New York Minimum Wage Climbs to $17
🚗 Sea Cliff Studies Speed Limit Reduction
🗓️ Upcoming Events and Things To Do!

💵 New York Minimum Wage Climbs to $17

New York's minimum wage jumped to $17 per hour in NYC, Long Island, and Westchester on January 1st, with the rest of the state hitting $16. This marks three years in a row of increases, giving over 8 million workers a bit more breathing room as living costs keep climbing.

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516 Update Community Guide

Discover cool things to do on Long Island - from beaches to hidden gems - and plan a perfect Nassau County day trip.

🚗 Sea Cliff Studies Speed Limit Reduction

The Village of Sea Cliff is pushing ahead with its Safe Streets project to lower speed limits across town. The study will look at better crosswalks and traffic calming to protect pedestrians and cyclists. Officials hope the changes make the village more walkable and safer for kids and seniors.

🌤️ WeatherWatch

🌥️ Thursday, January 29
High: 30°F | Low: 16°F
💧 52% chance — late breaks of sun, but still a cold, unsettled day

❄️ Friday, January 30
High: 30°F | Low: 19°F
💧 53% chance — light snow with broken clouds and biting wind

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☕ Coffee, Culture, and a Peppermint Twist

Ground Central doesn’t just serve coffee—it sets a tone. Step into any location and you’re met with Heesco’s bold murals, cozy corners made for lingering, and playlists that feel like New York. This winter, the peppermint latte (yes, hot or iced) is quietly making the cold feel a bit more charming.

Know a Coffee Spot Locals Love? Let’s Share It.
From quiet work corners to weekend hangouts, we feature coffee shops that stand out.
👉 Fill out the quick form to get started today!

🎉 WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK IN
NASSAU COUNTY

🌦 Rain or shine, Nassau is full of things to do!
From local fairs to live music and community events, there’s always something happening across the county. Grab your calendar — and maybe an umbrella — and see what’s coming up this week 👇

🎉 Got an Event? Let’s Get It Listed!
From live music to local sports, fairs to fundraisers—if it’s happening in Nassau, we want to share it with our readers!
👉 Submit your event here: [email protected]

Thanks for reading this week’s 516 Update! We hope you found something to enjoy, explore, or share. Please share this with a friend or family member — we would really appreciate it!