From ‘Working Newsroom’ Class to Freelance Opportunity

By Alex Pinsky Streinger

I first began writing for Huntington Now, a local Long Island outlet, as part of the “Working Newsroom” course at Stony Brook University; a class which gave students the opportunity to have published work in local newspapers as part of a broader initiative to aid local news coverage.

After completing the course during the Spring 2024 semester, Huntington Now’s editor Pam Robinson reached out to Professor George Giokas — the class’ lecturer and creator — to inquire about whether I was available to work for her as a freelance writer during the summer.

Fast forward nearly a year since that request, I have 13 published articles on the outlet’s website — made up of three during the “Working Newsroom” course, seven as a freelance writer, and three during my JRN 488 Internship tenure.

Most of the pieces I have written for Huntington Now were pitched to me by Robinson. She knows the area — including places and individuals — better than most. Combine that with her journalistic skills, and Robinson understands what is newsworthy within Huntington and slightly beyond. During my time with the outlet, I was able to gain insight into Robinson’s process when selecting what to cover and who to interview.

However, my first article for Huntington Now was a pitch that I actually came up with during the first week of the “Working Newsroom” course. I am a big fan of mixed martial arts, and specifically the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Therefore, I was familiar with Ray Longo, one of the sport’s greatest trainers who has turned three fighters into UFC champions. I also knew that he was from Long Island and trains his fighters on Long Island. Being able to interview him is still one of my favorite moments during my journalism career.

Regarding my Spring 2025 internship period, the articles that I wrote for the outlet were all more in-depth. Previously, there were a lot of brief profiles on individuals and companies, but what Robinson asked me to do throughout this stretch was more challenging, but also more rewarding, because it continued developing my reporting, researching, and writing skills.

For my first piece, I interviewed Dr. Michael Bisogno, an orthopedic surgeon — specializing in adult reconstruction — about Huntington Hospital’s implementation of nerve blocks as a replacement to painkillers, which can cause addiction.

For my second piece, I interviewed Vito D’Elia — superintendent of the South Huntington Union Free School District — and garnered quotes from Jim Hoops and Brian Conboy, spokesperson and interim superintendent of the Half Hollow Hills District, respectively. This article concerned Gov. Kathy Hochul’s 2026 executive budget including legislation aimed at limiting smartphone use in K–12 schools statewide.

For my third piece, I interviewed Michelle Wright — a real estate agent — and Jim Jacobs — a property inspector — for a story about tips on the best steps to take for home buyers and sellers.

The time I spent on research, interviews and writing for these three articles possibly surpassed all of the other pieces I wrote for Huntington Now combined. Although I enjoyed both types of articles — short features and in-depth stories — the latter allowed me to be more creative, which I believe is when I, as a journalist, am at my best.

I am not sure if my time with Huntington Now is finished, but I am certain that I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity given to me by Robinson, but also by Professor Giokas when he brought “Working Newsroom” to Stony Brook.