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

Study Shows Huge Economic Potential of Offshore Wind

Andrea Sears Aug 5, 2020

Total investment in the U.S. offshore wind industry is predicted to be $166 billion by 2035. Photo credit Shutterstock licensed. NEW YORK -- Accelerating the development of offshore wind power would bring a significant economic boost to…

Business

New York Set to Expand Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Andrea Sears Jul 31, 2020

The Public Service Commission's "make ready" program could help add 50,000 vehicle charging stations in New York. Photo credit Shutterstock licensed. NEW YORK, NY - In a push to meet ambitious clean-energy goals, New York is giving a…

Environment

International Tiger Day Puts Focus on Conservation

Andrea Sears Jul 28, 2020

Project CAT is conserving nearly six million acres of tiger habitat in three countries. Photo credit: Discovery, Inc. 2018. NEW YORK -- Today is International Tiger Day, and conservation groups are highlighting efforts to preserve tiger…

Health

The ADA at 30: Progress and Continuing Obstacles

Andrea Sears Jul 23, 2020

Thirty years after passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, only 25% of New York City subway stations are wheelchair accessible. Editorial credit: Andriy Blokhin / Shutterstock.com, licensed. NEW YORK - Advocates for people with…

Health

Grants Helping Underserved Communities Cope with COVID-19

Andrea Sears Jul 12, 2020

Children may experience depression and anxiety during and after enforced isolation. According to Migdalia Vasquez, director of community relations and outreach for UnitedHealthcare in New York, the grants target areas driving the…

Environment

Survey: New Yorkers Support Conservation for Post-COVID Recovery

Andrea Sears Jul 7, 2020

Some 92% of New York voters support making parks, open space and natural areas more accessible. Photo credit Shutterstock licensed. NEW YORK -- Seven in 10 New York voters believe that recovering from the economic impact of the COVID…

Environment

Federal Infrastructure Bill Could Benefit New York Harbor

Andrea Sears Jun 30, 2020

Federal funding for coastal resilience could help restore the oyster reefs that once protected New York shoreline. In New York Harbor, the Billion Oyster Project is working with students to restore oyster reefs that are…

Health

LGBT Immigrant Detainees at Heightened Risk

Andrea Sears Jun 28, 2020

LGBT and non-LGBT came out for Black Lives Matter and LGBT support. Like prisons and jails, immigration detention centers are potential hotspots for the spread of COVID-19. File photo. Editorial credit: Aaron of L.A. Photography /…

Environment

Meeting Clean-Energy Goals Means Transmission Upgrades

Andrea Sears Jun 28, 2020

New York's existing transmission system can't move enough renewable energy from where it's made to where it is needed most. Photo credit Shutterstock licensed. ALBANY, N.Y. -- In 10 years, New York will be getting 70% of its electric…

Health

Federal Aid Urged for Community Health Centers

Andrea Sears Jun 23, 2020

NEW YORK -- Despite their role on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, Community Health Centers are receiving very little of the federal aid going to other health-care providers. Community Health Centers serve nearly 30 million…

Crime

Ending Solitary Confinement in New York Top Priority for Prison Reform

Andrea Sears Jun 21, 2020

A prisoner in bad condition in demolished solitary confinement under lightrays. 3D. Photo credit: Illustration by Boscorelli, Shutterstock licensed. NEW YORK -- As New York moves to reform police practices, human rights advocates say…

Politics

DACA Program Upheld by U.S. Supreme Court

Andrea Sears Jun 19, 2020

The U.S Supreme Court ruling calls the Trump administration's action to rescind the DACA program "arbitrary and capricious. NEW YORK - The U.S. Supreme Court yesterday rejected the Trump administration's attempt to end a program that…

Education

Youths Act to End School-to-Prison Pipeline

Andrea Sears Jun 18, 2020

Students rallying at City Hall in New York City call for more guidance counselors and fewer police in public schools. Photo credit: Urban Youth Collaborative. NEW YORK -- Students in New York City are calling for school safety to be…

Society

Supreme Court Ruling Called Huge Victory for LGBT Rights

Andrea Sears Jun 15, 2020

The Supreme Court ruled that firing a person for being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender is discrimination based on sex. Photo credit Shutterstock licensed NEW YORK -- The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that lesbian, gay,…

Health

Helping Hispanic Families Learn About End-of-Life Options

Andrea Sears Jun 11, 2020

An advance directive informs hospitals about a patient's choices for medical interventions and end-of-life care. Photo credit Shutterstock licensed. NEW YORK - As the death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rise, a new…

Health

Census Critical for People with Disabilities; For First Time, Process Can Be Completed Through…

Andrea Sears Jun 8, 2020

The census can be completed by mail, online or on the phone by calling 844-330-2020. NEW YORK -- Despite the COVID pandemic, the U.S. Census is going on right now. And advocates for people with disabilities are stressing the importance…

Environment

Using Nature to Protect Against Disasters

Andrea Sears Jun 8, 2020

A single acre of wetland can store up to 1.5 million gallons of floodwater. he toll from natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods and wildfires has been growing every year, but a new report says nature itself may be the best…

Environment

Funding for New York’s National Park Repairs on the Way

Andrea Sears Jun 7, 2020

More than 100,000 people visit the Fort Stanwix National Monument in Rome, NY, every year. Photo credit: ARK NEYMAN / Shutterstock.com, licensed. ALBANY, N.Y. -- From the Statue of Liberty to Niagara Falls there are more than 30…

Politics

New York State Lawmakers Take Up Police Reform

Andrea Sears Jun 7, 2020

Advocates say police violence against peaceful protesters has amplified calls for accountability. Photo credit: eddtoro / Shutterstock.com, licensed. ALBANY, N.Y. -- New York state lawmakers are expected to act on police reform bills…

Economy

Housing Advocates Pushing to Cancel Rent

Andrea Sears May 27, 2020

Housing advocates say the COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare a long-standing crisis in housing affordability. Photo credit: Suzanne/Adobe Stock. NEW YORK - Housing justice advocates fear that without action from Albany, New Yorkers who…

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