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.

Health

Petition Demands Emergency Action to Supply PPE

Andrea Sears Aug 18, 2020

PPE shortages have forced some health-care workers to recycle single-use respirators. Even in areas where the number of COVID patients has declined dramatically, de Hernandez noted the PPE supply for health care workers hasn't been…

Education

Nurses on Reopening New York Schools: “A Clear and Present Danger”

Andrea Sears Aug 13, 2020

New York nurses warn that restarting in-person schooling could spark a resurgence of COVID-19 infections. Photo credit Shutterstock licensed. NEW YORK - Nurses are warning that reopening New York public schools for in-person classes…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

Politics

Disability Groups Say New York’s Absentee Ballots Discriminate

Andrea Sears May 26, 2020

Online voting systems allow people with disabilities to vote independently and privately. Photo credit: Dob's Farm/Adobe Stock. NEW YORK -- A federal lawsuit claims many people with disabilities are being excluded from New…

Health

New York Vigils Demand Protection for Nursing Home Staff, Residents

Andrea Sears May 26, 2020

Socially distanced and virtual vigils are taking place at nursing homes across New York state. Photo credit: NY Caring Majority. NEW YORK -- Seniors, community, faith and labor leaders joined in vigils at nursing homes over the Memorial…

Business

Calls to Put People Over Profits in Next Stimulus Bill

Andrea Sears May 14, 2020

Environmental groups say the next economic stimulus bill from Congress is an opportunity to establish new priorities. But will Congress agree? Photo credit: DisobeyArt, Adobe Stock. NEW YORK - Climate activists are pleased with much of…

Business

Farm Labor: The Forgotten “Essential Workers”

Andrea Sears May 12, 2020

The COVID pandemic has raised public awareness of the essential role that undocumented workers play in the U.S. agricultural industry. Photo credit: David A. Litman / Shutterstock.com, licensed. NEW YORK -- Undocumented New York farm…

Finance

Plan Offers Relief for Hungry Children

Andrea Sears May 11, 2020

While the Pandemic-EBT program was not created to be ongoing federal assistance, Berg noted the need is greater than Congress originally anticipated. Photo credit: KIRYAKOVA ANNA / Shutterstock.com NEW YORK -- Families with children who…

Health

Vigils Demand Clemency for Those Threatened by COVID in Prisons

Andrea Sears May 10, 2020

Families and advocates demand testing of all incarcerated people and clemency for those most at risk of COVID-19. Photo credit: Walter Hergt, North Star Fund. NEW YORK -- Formerly incarcerated people and the families and communities of…

Health

Upstate COVID Nurse Corps: Deploying Nurses Where They’re Most Needed

Andrea Sears May 7, 2020

More than 120 nurses have volunteered to participate in the Upstate COVID Nurse Corps, a new program is bringing nurses on furlough from upstate hospitals to New York City to help out at understaffed hospitals in the epicenter of the…

Health

HHS Asked to Rescind End-of-Life Directive Waiver

Andrea Sears Apr 30, 2020

Advance directives let patients decide if they want invasive medical treatment. Photo credit Shutterstock licensed. NEW YORK - Advocates for end-of-life care options have written a letter asking the federal Health and Human…

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