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.

Society

House Bills Would Give Millions a Path to Citizenship

Andrea Sears May 23, 2019

Natural disasters, violent conflicts or epidemics are among the circumstances that prevent TPS and DED recipients from returning safely to their home countries. (Alex/Adobe Stock) NEW YORK - The Dream Act and American Promise Act,…

Business

Disability-Rights Advocates Sue MTA for Accessibility

Andrea Sears May 20, 2019

Three-quarters of New York City subway stations still are inaccessible for wheelchair users. (Tdorante10 ) NEW YORK - A federal class-action lawsuit claims New York City's subway system has broken the law by failing to make stations…

Environment

NY to Close Coal-Fired Power Plants by 2020

Andrea Sears May 10, 2019

New York may be closing its coal-fired power plants, but smog and acid rain still drift in from plants in the Midwest. (laborec425/AdobeStock) NEW YORK - The last of New York state's coal-fired power plants will be phased out by the end…

Business

Congress Urged to Fund National Park Repairs

Andrea Sears May 1, 2019

In 2017, the deferred-maintenance needs at Statue of Liberty National Monument totaled $166.4 million. (MonicaVolpin/Pixabay) NEW YORK - National parks in New York and around the country are jeopardized by a $12 billion backlog of…

Business

Labor Groups Show Support for NY Offshore Wind

Andrea Sears Apr 26, 2019

The New York Offshore Wind Master Plan estimates that building 2,400 MW of offshore wind-power production would create about 5,000 jobs. (Kruwt/AdobeStock) NEW YORK - New York's push for offshore wind power is getting a boost from…

Environment

New York Plastic Bag Ban Becomes Law; Takes Effect March 2020

Andrea Sears Apr 23, 2019

By 2050, experts estimate, there will be more plastic by weight in the oceans than fish. (Richard Carey/Adobe Stock) KINGSTON, N.Y. - The bill banning single-use plastic bags statewide has been signed into law. New York Gov. Andrew…

Environment

EPA Gives GE Certificate of Completion Despite Ongoing PCB Risk

Andrea Sears Apr 15, 2019

NEW YORK - New York plans to sue the Environmental Protection Agency for giving General Electric a Certificate of Completion for its cleanup of PCBs in the upper Hudson River. The EPA said the $1.7 billion cleanup of PCBs, a…

Health

87% of Young Adult Clients in HIV/AIDS Program From Racial or Ethnic Minority Groups; More Than 70%…

Andrea Sears Apr 11, 2019

NEW YORK - Wednesday was National Youth HIV and AIDS Awareness Day, and this year the focus is on HIV-related health disparities and barriers to achieving viral suppression. In 2017, about 87% of the young adult clients in…

Society

Trump Administration Wants 2020 Census to Ask Respondents if They Are U.S. Citizens; Question Being…

Andrea Sears Apr 8, 2019

The Trump administration wants the census to ask respondents if they are U.S. citizens, which many believe would discourage non-citizens from participating. That question is being challenged in the courts. But Olsen said either way, no…

Health

New Report Indicates Child-Welfare Systems in New York and Around the Country are Putting Family…

Andrea Sears Apr 5, 2019

The Annie E Casey Foundation found that from 2007 to 2017, placements of children and youth with relatives or in family settings rose to 86%, an increase of five percentage points. Photo: PxHere NEW YORK - For children who are separated…

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