With little surprise, the newly elected independent Senator from Maine, Angus King, declared that he will join the Democratic Caucus at a press conference on Wednesday.

Sand blocks beach view homes on Long Island

Despite forewarned gas and housing shortages, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) response to Hurricane Sandy is commended by many as a marked improvement from 2005 Hurricane Katrina efforts. However, the Long Island Power Authority's (LIPA) failure to improve relief services after 2011's Hurricane Irene has received widespread criticism.