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

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:…

Business

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…

Health

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…

Business

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…

Business

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.…

Business

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…

Business

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…

Finance

Cuomo Urged to Release Census Outreach Funds

Andrea Sears Oct 1, 2019

Advocates say to get an accurate count, census outreach efforts need to begin by January. Photo: U.S. Census Bureau NEW YORK - Now is the time to begin distributing funds for promoting participation in the 2020 census: That's the…

Finance

Concentrations of Child Poverty Persist in New York

Andrea Sears Sep 27, 2019

More than 700,000 children in New York State live in areas of concentrated poverty. File photo: Pixabay. ALBANY N.Y. - A new report says the percentage of children living in areas of concentrated poverty has dropped in 29 states, but…

Business

Clean Cars a Matter of Life and Breath for New York

Andrea Sears Sep 25, 2019

The American Lung Association gives ten New York counties a failing grade for high ozone days, including some of the state's most densely populated areas. Photo: 290712/Adobe Stock. NEW YORK - New York is one of 14 states that has…

Environment

Conference to Address Achieving Clean-Energy Goals

Andrea Sears Sep 10, 2019

The two-day conference is scheduled for Thursday, September 19, and Friday, September 20, at the Albany Capital Center and will feature discussions on the challenges of and opportunities for building wind farms, solar arrays and offshore…

Society

Immigrants, Advocates Move to Defend Driver’s Licenses

Andrea Sears Sep 6, 2019

The Green Light Law would give 750,000 immigrants in New York access to a driver's license. (Nomad_Soul/Adobe Stock) NEW YORK - Restoring immigrants' access to driver's licenses would benefit all New Yorkers - that's the message of a…

Education

Student Homelessness Growing in NYC

Andrea Sears Aug 30, 2019

Between the 2010-11 and 2016-17 school years, the number of homeless New York City school children increased 56%. (vectorfusionart/Adobe Stock) NEW YORK - Rising numbers of New York City school children experience homelessness every…

Environment

Conservationists Object to Forest Service Rule Change

Andrea Sears Aug 26, 2019

NEW YORK - Conservation groups say proposed changes to the National Environmental Policy Act would cut off the public's right to comment on more than 90% of decisions affecting national forests and grasslands. The groups filed their …

Environment

New York State Suing EPA Over Hudson PCBs

Andrea Sears Aug 22, 2019

From the foothills of the Adirondacks to New York Harbor, Hudson River fish still are contaminated with PCBs. Photo: rabbit75_fot/Adobe Stock. ALBANY, N.Y. - Environmentalists are calling the state of New York's lawsuit against the…

Business

Bigger Tax Break for NYC Green Roofs

Andrea Sears Aug 14, 2019

Green roofs lower heating and cooling costs by increasing a building's energy efficiency. Photo credit: Victor217, Adobe Stock. NEW YORK - Some building owners in New York City now have added incentive to create a green space on their…

Society

New Rule Threatens More Immigrant Family Separations

Andrea Sears Aug 13, 2019

On average, naturalized citizens have lower poverty rates and higher incomes than native born Americans. Photo: Blvdone/Adobe Stock. NEW YORK - Nutrition and immigrant advocates are condemning a new rule denying green cards to…

Environment

Agricultural Practices Critical to Fighting Climate Change

Andrea Sears Aug 12, 2019

NEW YORK - A new report says farming has an important role to play in fighting climate change. The Climate Change and Land Use report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says rising temperatures and severe weather are…

Crime

Suit Challenges New Fast-Track Deportation Rule as Unconstitutional

Andrea Sears Aug 8, 2019

Under a new rule, immigrants can be detained and deported within days without seeing an immigration judge. Photo credit: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. NEW YORK - Immigrants' rights advocates say a new rule expanding…

Business

New York Renewables Protection Act Headed to Governor’s Desk; Cuomo Urged: NY Needs All Its…

Andrea Sears Aug 1, 2019

Renewable resources such as hydroelectric now supply 26 percent of New York's energy. Photo credit: Demerzel21 / Adobe Stock. ALBANY, N.Y. - To reach clean energy goals, New York needs to maintain its existing baseline of renewable…

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