Author

Andrea Sears

Andrea Sears has been a radio journalist for 30 years participating mostly at WBAI-Pacifica Radio in NYC as an editor, anchor and reporter for more than two decades. Sears contributes to a variety of publications through involvement in the New York News Connection, a Bureau of the Public News Service.

Business

Record Settlement for Death of Man in New York Prison

Andrea Sears Feb 27, 2020

Karl Taylor (Left) was one of nearly 10,000 people in New York prisons who have been diagnosed with a mental illness. Taylor died of a heart attack. But lawyers for Taylor's family alleged he had been beaten and strangled by guards in…

Environment

Major Environmental Review Law Under Attack

Andrea Sears Feb 27, 2020

Proposed changes to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) would restrict review of long-term environmental impacts on major federal projects like pipelines and dams. File photo: Pixabay. NEW YORK -- Environmental groups testified…

Business

New Proposal to Expedite Clean Energy in New York

Andrea Sears Feb 24, 2020

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposed budget amendment would create a new Office of Renewable Energy Permitting to expedite the development of renewable energy projects. The current siting process was created for permitting fossil fuel generating…

Business

Three Non-Profit Environmental Organizations File Lawsuit Against U.S. Department of Defense for…

Andrea Sears Feb 21, 2020

According to the suit, the case challenges the U.S. Department of Defense’s failure to conduct an environmental review and to comply with applicable environmental requirements before approving the incineration of millions of gallons of…

Business

Security Officers In Five Boroughs Bargaining for New Contract

Andrea Sears Feb 20, 2020

Local 32BJ began negotiations Wednesday to renew contracts with building owners and security contractors. The contracts will cover 14,000 workers at colleges, government buildings, museums, libraries, stadiums and landmarks around…

Environment

Trump Budget Called a ‘Big Step Backward’ for Great Lakes

Andrea Sears Feb 14, 2020

"Many local and state governments are cash-strapped and depend on the federal government and its partnership with those communities to help pay to provide essential clean water services," says Chad Lord, Healing Our Waters - Great Lakes…

Environment

Environmentalists Call for Commitment to New Climate Spending

Andrea Sears Feb 11, 2020

Investing clean-energy dollars in vulnerable communities creates jobs and fights climate change. A coalition of environmental, justice, faith, labor and community groups says Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposed budget comes up short on…

Education

Turn Up to Fight Childhood Hunger

Andrea Sears Feb 10, 2020

One-in-six children in New York is food insecure. That's more than 730,000 children. But many parents can't access or aren't aware of school breakfast, after-school supper and summer meal programs that can help. File photo: Pixabay. …

Environment

Concerns Raised about Changing NY Drinking Water Regulations

Andrea Sears Feb 5, 2020

The proposed revisions would allow water suppliers that exceed the MCLs to apply for deferrals that could delay installing treatment technology for up to three years. Cunningham said she believes the revisions are unnecessary. File photo:…

Politics

Rally in Albany Seeks Respect and Dignity for All

Andrea Sears Feb 3, 2020

The Respect and Dignity for All platform includes 17 policy priorities for immigrants and working-class people of color in New York. Photo credit: Dubo/Adobe Stock. NEW YORK -- Hundreds of immigrants and people of color are in Albany…

Health

A Personal Mission: Help for Patients with Rare Cancer

Andrea Sears Jan 31, 2020

There are about 12,000 cases of sarcoma diagnosed each year, and making it possible to get to a treatment facility is a critical step in patient care. The Sarcoma-Oma Foundation helps people with medical travel expenses and access to…

Environment

Tests Show Toxic PFAS Contaminate Water

Andrea Sears Jan 27, 2020

PFAS, used in the hundreds of everyday products, are called 'forever chemicals' because they build up in our bodies and don't break down. Very small doses have been linked to cancer, immune and reproductive harm and other diseases. File…

Business

Transportation Workers Ask Albany for Better Benefits

Andrea Sears Jan 14, 2020

Transportation-hub workers say the Healthy Terminals Act would help them get quality, affordable health care. Photo credit: SEIU 32BJ ALBANY, N.Y. - Workers at New York's transportation hubs went to Albany yesterday to tell legislators…

Business

New York Plots Course for Clean Energy, Jobs

Andrea Sears Jan 11, 2020

Building 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind power for New York by 2035 will require skilled workers. Gov. Cuomo's proposals for New York include ambitious goals for developing renewable energy and training a workforce to help make it…

Security

Lawsuit Seeks NYPD Cell-Phone Search Records

Andrea Sears Jan 6, 2020

Last year a court ordered the NYPD to respond to an earlier FOIA request over its use of cell phone surveillance technology against protesters. It has not yet responded to this new lawsuit. File photo: Pixabay. NEW YORK - New Yorkers…

Business

Veto of New York Wage-Theft Bill Draws Criticism

Andrea Sears Jan 3, 2020

Some employers accused of wage theft avoid judgments by transferring their assets to family members and declaring bankruptcy. Dunlea points out that the SWEAT bill would freeze those assets while ensuring that the people accused are…

Crime

Keeping Girls Out of New York’s Juvenile Justice System

Andrea Sears Dec 30, 2019

According to project director Lindsay Rosenthal, when Vera Institute of Justice first started, 56 girls were in long-term juvenile detention in the city. But in the first six months of 2019, there were only seven. File photo: Pixabay. …

Business

Workers Rally Outside Gov. Cuomo’s Office: Sign SWEAT Bill Now

Andrea Sears Dec 23, 2019

Workers are rallying outside Gov. Andrew Cuomo's NYC office Monday. Workers plan to be back outside the governor's office Tuesday and every weekday after Christmas through the end of the month unless the bill is signed. Photo credit:…

Society

Pentagon Must Show Trans Ban Documents

Andrea Sears Dec 20, 2019

The Defense Department has said the documents are irrelevant and that exposing them would hinder future discussions between low-level officials and their superiors - claims the court rejected. File photo: Pixabay. New York - The…

Business

Immigration Advocates Celebrating As Green Light NY Law Now in Effect

Andrea Sears Dec 16, 2019

On Monday, the Green Light New York law took effect, clearing the way for all drivers in the state to get a license regardless of immigration status. And the law prohibits Department of Motor Vehicle offices and county clerks…

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