The calm after the storm(s): Welcome to Wednesday, dear readers, as Long Island shakes off the Blizzard of the Century – and the world digests that … let’s say “unique” State of the Union address – and we all hurdle into the back half of another wintry workweek.
There’s plenty to think about and lots more to do, intrepid innovators, but chillaxing for five minutes with your favorite innovation newsletter is no crime – so come on over here and warm yourself by the fires of innovation.
Sometimes you feel like a nut: And one of those times is National Chocolate-Covered Nut Day (at least, it should be).
By the people, for the people: Today is Feb. 25, and after last night’s senses-shattering speech, we thought it might be a good day to stretch our legs (and our minds) with a refreshing trip to less-toxic shores – starting with a heartfelt salute to People Power Revolution Day in the Philippines, commemorating a series of nonviolent 1986 public demonstrations that ultimately deposed a tyrannical regime.
Not entirely dissimilar is the Day of Liberation and Innovation in the Republic of Suriname (the smallest of all South American countries), wherein citizens celebrate a 1980 military coup against a corrupt government administration, executed by soldiers who refused to follow illegal orders – another cautionary tale about how it always, always ends for authoritarian dictatorships.
You are what you eat: Here in the States – assuming the nausea has waned after last night’s smorgasbord of hallucinatory “facts” and Seinfeldian grievances – we dig into Let’s All Eat Right Day, when we’re strongly encouraged to make better dietary choices.
Of course, eating “right” is a relative term – so go ahead and indulge in National Clam Chowder Day (Manhattan or New England, your choice) and/or National Chocolate-Covered Nut Day (almonds, peanuts, cashews, hazelnuts … try them all!), both right as rain on Feb. 25.
Eppur si muove: Also fairly nuts was the choice the Roman Catholic church gave Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei on this date in 1616: knock off all that heliocentric nonsense or go to prison. (Galileo publicly renounced his scientific observation that the Earth revolved around the Sun, not vice versa, though he knew Renaissance Era Polish polymath Copernicus was right all along – and 17 years later, he’d pay for it.)
Bank on it: The Sun shined brightly on the First Bank of the United States, which was charted by the U.S. Congress on Feb. 25, 1791. (For the record, it was not actually the first bank in the United States – the Bank of North America opened a decade earlier in Philadelphia).
Gun control: After banks came bank robberies, which actually became a little easier (for the robbers) after Connecticut-based inventor Samuel Colt patented his revolving-chamber percussion pistol on this date in 1836.
Five alive: The first U.S. $5 “greenback” was greenlit by Congress on Feb. 25, 1862.
Paper trail: Also making bank robberies more manageable (for the robbers) was the Legal Tender Act, which authorized the printing of $150 million in paper money – in $5, $10, $20, $50, $100, $500 and $1,000 notes – when Congress passed it 163 years ago today. (The $1 and $2 American “greenbacks” were created in subsequent legislation, for those keeping score.)
Incoming: And it was Feb. 25, 1913, when Americans found they suddenly had fewer greenbacks.
That was the day the 16th Amendment officially became federal law, granting Congress constitutional authority to levy taxes on corporate and individual incomes.
Play it again, Enrico: Italian operatic tenor Enrico Caruso (1873-1921) – who rose to fame just as recording technologies mainstreamed, making him history’s first recording star – would be 152 years old today.
Guitar hero: After strumming for The Beatles, Harrison tuned up a fab solo career.
Also born on Feb. 25 were French painter and sculptor Pierre Renoir (1841-1919), a master of French Impressionism; American politician, lawyer and diplomat John Foster Dulles (1888-1959), a U.S. senator from New York and longtime U.S. secretary of state who was an instrumental resource during the early days of the Cold War; American author and dietician Adelle Davis (1904-1974), among the 20th Century’s leading (and most controversial) nutritionists; English musician, singer, songwriter, record producer and film producer George Harrison (1943-2001), who achieved immortality as the Beatles’ lead guitarist; and American showman “Nature Boy” Ric Flair (born Richard Morgan Fliehr, 1949), a world-class professional wrestler-turned-fairly hilarious automobile-warranty pitchman.
A matter of facts: And take a bow, Jessica Yellin! The American journalist – a former CNN chief White House correspondent and reporter for both ABC News and MSNBC who went on to found independent, fact-based podcast/social media brand News Not Noise – turns 55 today.
Wish the famously nonpartisan journalist well at editor@innovateli.com, where we admit it, we’re biased – we always lean heavily into your news tips and calendar events.
About our sponsor: Sahn Ward Braff Coschignano PLLC is one of the region’s most highly regarded and recognized law firms. Our attorneys are thought leaders, dedicated to achieving success through excellence. With our broad experience in land use, development, litigation, real estate, corporate and environmental law, we have the vision and knowledge to serve our clients and our communities. Please visit sahnward.com.
BUT FIRST, THIS
Temporary position: Millions of dollars in Temporary Municipal Assistance could flow soon from Albany to Long Island.
The New York State Legislature won’t bring Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed $260 million FY 2027 Executive Budget to a floor vote until the end of March at the soonest, but as it now stands, roughly $150 million in TMA could find its way to municipalities outside of New York City. According to the budget proposal, the cities of Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Yonkers will each receive the maximum TMA amount ($10 million each), with an additional $30 million for the City of Buffalo and a separate $20 million heading to “fiscally distressed local governments” around the state – and some $6.3 million in TMA earmarked for cities and towns throughout Nassau and Suffolk, according to the governor’s office.
Long Island’s is the second-lowest haul among all nine of the state’s non-NYC economic regions, besting only the $4 million promised to the North Country region – but every penny helps, according to Village of Sea Cliff Mayor Elena Villafane, who doubles as president of the Nassau County Village Officials Association. “This funding represents an important initial step in strengthening municipal stability and supporting our communities,” Villafane noted.
Pet project: Guide dogs were part of the innovative lesson plan Feb. 12 at the Zucker School of Medicine.
Leading the blind (and deaf): Second-year students at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell have received essential insights into the specific needs of vision- and hearing-impaired patients.
As part of their Patient, Physician and Society curriculum, the second-years heard firsthand perspectives Feb. 12 from representatives of Mill Neck Services, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization providing habilitation and vocational services for deaf persons, and Helen Keller Services for the Blind, a Hempstead-based nonprofit servicing the sight-impaired. Leaning heavily into health equity, the annual two-agency workshop reinforced the importance of humanism in healthcare, with students learning how to avoid common misconceptions and how to communicate effectively with different patient groups – all with a bright spotlight on compassion and emotional sensitivity.
Associate Professor of Medicine and Science Education Julia Caton, who co-directs the Zucker School’s PPS component, called the annual vision- and hearing-impaired lesson a crucial part of “training compassionate, inclusive physicians” and otherwise preparing future healthcare providers for the real world. “Every year, students describe the session as eye-opening and inspiring,” Caton noted. “[It] highlights how hearing firsthand perspectives dispels myths and enhances readiness to communicate effectively with their patients.”
TOP OF THE SITE
Premium upgrade: Governor Hochul is attacking the fraud and abuse driving up New York auto-insurance premiums – and the head of the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce is cheering her on.
No time like the present: New episodes of “Spark: The Innovate Long Island Podcast” return in March … but you don’t have to wait another minute to enjoy an engaging and entertaining one-on-one with a brilliant innovation-economy leader. Dozens of episodes are ready for you right now.
VOICES
Are you hearing Voices? You’d better be, if you want to succeed in business (and life) on Long Island.
The Innovate Long Island Voices Library is jam-packed with actionable intelligence straight from the innovation economy’s front lines, courtesy of the biggest brains in law, media, technology, healthcare, environmental sciences, social services and other critical sectors … with new genius-level observations and guidance added every week. Choose an issue, pick a leader and get smarter right now!
STUFF WE’RE READING
Tarnished: Minutes after their golden victory, the U.S. Men’s Hockey Team inexplicably threw themselves off the cultural podium. USA Today feels the sting.
Grounded: NASA has been forced to postpone the long-awaited Artemis II lunar mission – once again. NPR aborts the countdown.
Undisputed: Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool, but human intuition still matters most in high-pressure innovation situations. Forbes champions human input.
RECENT FUNDINGS
+ Circadian Risk, a Michigan-based enterprise-risk analyst and SaaS provider, raised $6 million in Series A funding led by Arthur Ventures, with participation from Roll Tack Ventures, 11 Tribes and Tamiami Angel Funds.
+ Letter AI, an Illinois-based artificial intelligence-native revenue-enablement platform for go-to-market teams, raised $40 million in Series B funding led by Battery Ventures, with participation from Y Combinator, Lightbank, Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures and Stage 2 Capital.
+ Handl Health, a California-based health-plan technology platform, raised $14 million in Series A funding led by Arthur Ventures, with participation from Syndra Capital Partners, Mucker Capital, Riverfront Ventures, Digital Health Venture Partners and Boutique Venture Partners.
+ Subject, a California-based AI-powered education platform, raised $28 million in funding led by Vistara Growth, with participation from NextEquity Partners, Green Street Impact Partners, Outcomes Collective, Kleiner Perkins, True Equity, L’Attitude Ventures and Hannah Grey.
+ Slate Medicines, a North Carolina-based biotech developing new therapeutics for migraines and other headache disorders, raised $130 million in Series A funding led by RA Capital Management, Forbion and Foresite Capital.
+ Giant, a California-based interactive storytelling platform, raised $8 million in Seed funding led by Matrix, Decasonic and Griffin Gaming Partners, with participation from Perceptive Ventures, Flex Capital, Arbitrum Gaming Ventures, Unpopular Ventures and LightShed Ventures.
Like this newsletter? Innovate Long Island newsletter, website and podcast sponsorships are a prime opportunity to reach the inventors, investors, entrepreneurs and executives you need to know – on Long Island, and soon, across New York State (just ask Sahn Ward). Gregory Zeller can tell you more.
BELOW THE FOLD (Illegal Tariffs Edition)
See you in court: The battle over tariff refunds is expected to rage through U.S. courts for half-a-decade or longer.
Now meets next: Federal Express fires the first shot as major corporations line up for tariff refunds.
Small potatoes: Small businesses that bore the brunt of the tariff debacle are also due a refund … but will they get it?
Net zero: Those “$2,000 dividend checks” for all American taxpayers were always BS – and there’s absolutely no shot now.
In your corner: Business entities of all shapes and sizes have a long tariff-refund fight ahead of them, requiring true corporate-law muscle and finesse – exactly what you get from Sahn Ward Braff Coschignano, one of the amazing firms that support Innovate Long Island. Check them out.
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