Name: Picture This: That time when a traffic stop led to a serial killer's arrest
Uploaded: 2025-10-22T09:00:00Z
Duration: 1 min 58 s
Description: NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland looks back at the 1993 arrest of Joel Rifkin, New York State's most prolific serial killer.

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In Dec. 2024, an East Patchogue teen went missing for 25 days. NewsdayTV&#39;s Ken Buffa spoke with reporter Shari Einhorn about the girl, her life, the search and some of Long Island&#39;s dark secrets the investigation exposed.

Long Island

Investigations

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The Backstory: Missing and Unprotected

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Newsday

'Really, really tough stuff to talk about'

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In Dec. 2024, an East Patchogue teen went missing for 25 days. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa spoke with reporter Shari Einhorn about the girl, her life, the search and some of Long Island's dark secrets the investigation exposed.

History

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84th anniversary of attack on Pearl Harbor commemorated at LI museum

Farmingdale

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'I just did what I had to do'

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A solemn ceremony was held at the American Airpower Museum in Farmingdale where veterans were honored and roses were blessed and flown to the Statue of Liberty. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

The first naturalization ceremony since the government shutdown was held in Central Islip, where 86 people from 37 countries became U.S.&nbsp;citizens. NewsdayTV&#39;s Ken Buffa reports.

Suffolk

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86 people become U.S. citizens at ceremony in Central Islip

Central Islip

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'I finally accomplished that goal'

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The first naturalization ceremony since the government shutdown was held in Central Islip, where 86 people from 37 countries became U.S. citizens. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

A rehearsal was held on Monday at the United Methodist Church of Hempstead for an upcoming gospel concert that&nbsp;will raise funds for local social justice movements.

Nassau

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LI gospel choir prepares for fundraising concert

Hempstead

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'Empowered to use our voice'

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A rehearsal was held on Monday at the United Methodist Church of Hempstead for an upcoming gospel concert that will raise funds for local social justice movements.

A Wantagh mosque&rsquo;s appeal to move a fence is drawing&nbsp;community opposition. NewsdayTV&#39;s Virginia Huie reports.&nbsp;

Towns

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Hearing held over LI mosque's appeal to move fence

Hempstead Town

Wantagh

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'For safety reasons and religious privacy reasons'

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A Wantagh mosque's appeal to move a fence is drawing community opposition. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

Filmmaker Ed Burns&nbsp;returns to his childhood home in Valley Stream&nbsp;to talk about&nbsp;his 1995 classic, &quot;The Brothers McMullen,&quot;&nbsp;and 2025 follow-up, &quot;The Family McMullen.&quot;

Entertainment

Movies

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LI filmmaker returns home for 'The Family McMullen'

Valley Stream

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'House in Valley Stream, served as the inspiration for all of this work'

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Filmmaker Ed Burns returns to his childhood home in Valley Stream to talk about his 1995 classic, "The Brothers McMullen," and 2025 follow-up, "The Family McMullen."

Montauk has a lot to offer, not just in the summer, but all year round. Newsday&#39;s travel reporter, Carissa Kellman, visits &quot;The End.&quot;

Travel

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'The End' of LI, without the crowds: Montauk in winter

Montauk

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Offseason in Montauk: Holiday lights, lobster rolls and lighthouse views

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Montauk has a lot to offer, not just in the summer, but all year round. Newsday's travel reporter, Carissa Kellman, visits "The End."

A Newsday analysis found Suffolk ticketing for safety violations lags New York State, while Nassau remains below pre-pandemic levels. NewsdayTV&#39;s Doug Geed reports.

Transportation

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Is there enough traffic enforcement on LI?

Yaphank

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'It's extremely important writing those tickets'

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A Newsday analysis found Suffolk ticketing for safety violations lags New York State, while Nassau remains below pre-pandemic levels. NewsdayTV's Doug Geed reports.

A man and woman were found dead at A&amp;A Italian Deli &amp; Pizza in Plainedge.&nbsp;NewsdayTV&#39;s Ken Buffa has more.&nbsp;

Crime

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Two people fatally stabbed at Plainedge deli

Bethpage

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'I stabbed my parents'

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A man and woman were found dead at A&A Italian Deli & Pizza in Plainedge. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa has more.

From local treasures to this year&#39;s hottest toys, NewsdayTV&#39;s team has a tour of our 2025 Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide.

Things to Do

Holidays

Winter Holidays

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Newsday's Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide

Stony Brook

Cold Spring Harbor

Oceanside

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Step inside Newsday's Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide

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From local treasures to this year's hottest toys, NewsdayTV's team has a tour of our 2025 Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide.

NewsdayTV&#39;s Ken Buffa visits Made by Michael Russo in Cold Spring Harbor to learn some tips and tricks from a professional gift wrapper.

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LI Works: Wrap your holiday gifts like a pro

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'You should really amp it up'

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NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa visits Made by Michael Russo in Cold Spring Harbor to learn some tips and tricks from a professional gift wrapper.

NewsdayTV&#39;s Ken Buffa takes a deep dive into the grilled cheese smashburger at&nbsp;No Good Burger Joint in Rockville Centre.

FeedMe

Feed Me TV

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Trendy Bites: Viral grilled cheese smashburger

Rockville Centre

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'Let the juices and onions flow'

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NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa takes a deep dive into the grilled cheese smashburger at No Good Burger Joint in Rockville Centre.

Kevin McDonald was&nbsp;sentenced in the rape of a 14-year-old Patchogue girl who went missing for 25 days last year. NewsdayTV&#39;s&nbsp;Virginia Huie reports.&nbsp;

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LI man sentenced in missing girl case

Patchogue

Bellport

long island

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'He took full responsibility for what transpired'

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Kevin McDonald was sentenced in the rape of a 14-year-old Patchogue girl who went missing for 25 days last year. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

NewsdayTV&#39;s Elisa DiStefano visits Jessy&#39;s Pastries in Oceanside to learn how to make&nbsp;alfajores, which are dulce de leche-filled Peruvian cookies.

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Dulce de leche cookies at Jessy's Pastries

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'It's like a shortbread cookie, so it just melts in your mouth'

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NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano visits Jessy's Pastries in Oceanside to learn how to make alfajores, which are dulce de leche-filled Peruvian cookies.

On the latest episode of &quot;Sarra Sounds Off,&quot; Newsday&#39;s Gregg Sarra takes&nbsp;a look back at the Long Island Championships,&nbsp;plus Jared Valluzzi and Jonathan Ruban with the plays of the week.

Sports

High School

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Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 13: Recap of Long Island Football Championships

Garden City

Massapequa

Bayport

Sayville

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Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 13: LIC highlights

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On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra takes a look back at the Long Island Championships, plus Jared Valluzzi and Jonathan Ruban with the plays of the week.

The annual &ldquo;Pennies for Charity&rdquo; report found professional fundraisers took a big chunk out of donations last year. NewsdayTV&rsquo;s Virginia Huie has more.

News

Region/State

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'Pennies for Charity' under controversy after 2025 report

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'That's not right'

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The annual "Pennies for Charity" report found professional fundraisers took a big chunk out of donations last year. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie has more.

&quot;It&#39;s not good enough&quot; said Giants general manager Joe Schoen on Tuesday as he spoke for the first time about moving on from head coach Brian Daboll and getting the franchise back in the proper direction.

Football

New York Giants

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Giants GM Joe Schoen looking to get team back in the right direction

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Giants GM: '2 wins is not where we want to be right now'

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"It's not good enough" said Giants general manager Joe Schoen on Tuesday as he spoke for the first time about moving on from head coach Brian Daboll and getting the franchise back in the proper direction.

Fire officials demonstrate how fast a Christmas tree can become a major fire and share tips on&nbsp;preventing disaster.

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Christmas tree safety tips

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Watch how fast a Christmas tree fire can spread

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Fire officials demonstrate how fast a Christmas tree can become a major fire and share tips on preventing disaster.

NewsdayTV&#39;s Ken Buffa vists The Little Cigar Factory in Alberston to see what it takes to become a master roller.

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LI Works: Cigar roller wraps tobacco with tradition

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'There's definitely an art and a method to making the perfect hand-rolled cigar.'

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NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa vists The Little Cigar Factory in Alberston to see what it takes to become a master roller.

Nassau police say Michael Dotzler&rsquo;s disappearance is still an active missing person&#39;s case, while a private detective suspects foul play.&nbsp;NewsdayTV&#39;s&nbsp;Virginia Huie reports.&nbsp;

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A court officer vanished nearly 2 years ago. His family hasn't given up hope for his return.

New York State

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'Where are you? Please come back to us.'

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Nassau police say Michael Dotzler's disappearance is still an active missing person's case, while a private detective suspects foul play. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

HOLIDAY SEASON 2025

FLEXIBLE SLOT

Ralph Macchio, star&nbsp;of &quot;The Karate Kid&quot; movies and the Netflix series &quot;Cobra Kai,&quot; made an appearance at this year&#39;s Huntington tree lighting.

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Ralph Macchio hosts Huntington tree lighting

Huntington

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'Karate Kid' helps Huntington kick off the holiday season

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Ralph Macchio, star of "The Karate Kid" movies and the Netflix series "Cobra Kai," made an appearance at this year's Huntington tree lighting.