by the numbers

During the hardest period of their lives, families turn to Vanessa Zenz, a funeral director, for comfort during their grief. Her sincere care for her job and the people she meets and takes care of is anything but ordinary. Producer

It's probably safe to say you've never met a child like Gabriel Dispenziere. Gabriel, who has eosinophilic esophagitis, is allergic to nearly all food. The condition affects about one in 2,000 people in the United States, less than 1 percent of those with the condition have as severe a case as Gabriel. Newsday followed this remarkable fourth-grader for a few months to tell his story in this in-depth video feature. (Credit: Newsday / Alejandra Villa)

Inside the last trailer park in Nassau County, a tight-knit community has dispersed after a spirited 9-year legal battle that the residents were never equipped to fight. Many of the 80 families lost hope and moved away long ago. Newsday followed the last remaining family as it struggled against a deadline to find an alternative to becoming homeless. Director of Photography / Editor: Raychel Brightman Additional Photography: Chris Ware, Arnold Miller, Ted Phillips Produced by: Raychel Brightman, Robert Cassidy, Arnold Miller, Jeffrey Basinger, Jessica Kelley Sound Design: Raychel Brightman Original Music: Richard J. Brightman, Raychel Brightman Graphics: Jeffrey Basinger

For two years, Newsday has followed and filmed various Long Island drag racers. While some practice the sport legally, there exists a sub-culture of racers who do not. The consequences of those illegal street races have, at times, led to tragedy. For decades, there were three sanctioned drag strips on Long Island. But each has been shuttered, leaving many in the film to wonder, if Long Island still had a legal drag strip, would that curtail the amount of illegal racing?

Five years after the first body was found on Gilgo Beach, Newsday takes a comprehensive look at the state of the investigation and caught up with family members. Photographers: Jeffrey Basinger and Chris Ware Editors: Jeffrey Basinger and Greg Inserillo Additional Photography: Arnold Miller and Raychel Brightman Sound Editor: Raychel Brightman Media Manager: Susan Elder Archival Footage: James Carbone, Jim Staubitser, and Mario Gonzalez Producers: Arnold Miller, Jessica Kelley, and Robert Cassidy

At Douglas MacArthur High School in Levittown, the story is not about bullying or outcasts, but rather, how many students rally around Brendan Gallagher, a classmate with severe autism. (Credit: Newsday Staff) For the full Newsday story, visit: http://www.newsday.com/sports/brendan-gallagher-always-a-general-1.10795131

Farmingdale's own Marc Anthony Bynum pulled himself out of depression as he discovered culinary arts in his teens. Known for being on Food Network's "Chopped" and for his consulting work around the world, Chef Bynum gave Newsday a behind-the-scenes look over the course of several months, ending July 10, 2015, at the life and struggles of a chef trying to open his first restaurant, Hush Bistro, in his hometown. Editor: Jeffrey Basinger Producers: Jeffrey Basinger, Jessica Kelley, Arnold Miller Photographers: Jeffrey Basinger and Chris Ware Assistant Editor: Rory Glaesman