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.

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…

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…

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…

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…

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. …

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:…

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…

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…

Report Calls for Carbon Pricing to Advance NY Clean Energy

Andrea Sears Dec 9, 2019

Reynolds notes that carbon pricing is similar to the approach taken by the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, but instead of selling pollution credits, carbon pricing factors the cost of pollution directly into the market price of power…

Economists Fault Trump Administration’s Mercury Rule Proposal

Andrea Sears Dec 5, 2019

Reducing mercury emissions also cuts sulfur dioxide and particulate pollution. A new report says the Trump administration's proposal to weaken rules for emissions of mercury and other toxic substances is based on a faulty economic…

More than 1/3 of America’s Fish and Wildlife Species at Increased Risk of Extinction; Bill…

Andrea Sears Dec 4, 2019

New York state has identified 366 "Species of Greatest Conservation Need," 166 of which are designated as high priority. The bill has more than 150 co-sponsors, including six members of the New York congressional delegation. File photo:…

Survey: Consumers Want Automakers to Support Cleaner Cars

Andrea Sears Nov 29, 2019

Despite strong consumer interest in clean cars, several automakers are siding with Trump administration efforts to freeze emission standards and stop states adopting tighter standards. Comments by Alexandra Zissu, a member of Moms Clean…

“Trouble in Toyland” Report Finds Unsafe Toys Still in Stores

Andrea Sears Nov 21, 2019

Hundreds of thousands of children end up in hospital emergency rooms every year with toy-related injuries. Photo credit: Jovan Nikolic/Adobe Stock. ALBANY, N.Y. - Choking hazards, loud sounds and hidden toxins are some of the dangers…

Forum to Explore Public Health Impact of Wind Energy

Andrea Sears Nov 14, 2019

A public forum coming up in Buffalo next week takes on the impact of rapidly expanding wind energy development on public health. Studies have shown positive public health and climate impacts from wind farm development. File photo:…

Draft Plan for Green Transportation Draws Praise

Andrea Sears Nov 11, 2019

Switching to electric buses will help ensure all communities benefit from the Transportation and Climate Initiative. Photo credit: Oleksandr/Adobe Stock. ALBANY, N.Y. - The draft of a policy proposal for a regional effort to switch to…

Report Shows New York as Leader in Children’s Health Insurance

Andrea Sears Oct 30, 2019

A report from the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families found that between 2016 and 2018, the number of uninsured children nationwide increased by more than 400,000 while New York continued to reduce those numbers. File…

Schumer Plan Tackles Transportation to Fight Climate Change

Andrea Sears Oct 27, 2019

New York Sen. Chuck Schumer estimates the plan will replace 63 million gas powered cars with electric vehicles by 2030. File photo: Pixabay. ALBANY, N.Y. - Clean air advocates say combating climate change requires switching from…

John F. Kennedy Airport Workers Strike for Organizing Rights

Andrea Sears Oct 21, 2019

Striking workers at John F. Kennedy Airport on Monday were joined by union leaders and elected officials. Photo: 32BJ SEIU. NEW YORK - Passenger-service workers including baggage handlers and wheelchair agents staged a strike at John F.…

Forum to Focus on Safety of Decommissioning Nuclear Power Plants

Andrea Sears Oct 8, 2019

Indian Point is one of several nuclear power plants across the country scheduled for decommissioning. Photo: Mandritoiu / Adobe Stock. MONTROSE, N.Y. - Elected officials, environmental groups and scientists will gather in Montrose on…

Multiple Court Rulings Bring Relief to Immigrant Workers, Families

Andrea Sears Oct 1, 2019

Three separate court rulings last week blocked federal efforts to step up immigrant detentions and deportations. Photo: JP Photography/Adobe Stock. NEW YORK - Unionized workers in New York are praising three recent court…

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