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Edwin Viera
Edwin is a reporter and producer in North Tonawanda, New York. He's previously reported for the Niagara Gazette and the Ithaca Times. Edwin got an early start in radio interning for WBFO-88.7FM, NPR's Buffalo affiliate. In 2018, he graduated from SUNY Buffalo State College with a B.A. in Journalism, and in 2022, graduated from Syracuse University with an M.S. in Communications.
NY, U.S. risk impacts of pushing away international students

In 2021, AJ Jondonero came to the United States from the Philippines to pursue a Master of Science in journalism at Columbia University. He graduated with honors in video newsroom production, and was accepted to ... more
NYS bill aims to cut transportation emissions

A New York bill aims to cut transportation emissions. The "Planes, Trains and Boats Act" seeks to reduce airplane, ferry and train emissions by shifting away from fossil fuel-powered transportation. Some companies are making the ... more
How will Medicaid cuts impact small businesses?

A new report finds New York small businesses could close due to proposed Medicaid cuts. The Georgetown University Center for Children and Families report finds one third of all Medicaid enrollees nationwide work at or ... more
New Yorkers with disabilities face impacts from Medicaid cuts

Disabled New Yorkers could lose access to vital services because of proposed federal Medicaid cuts. The Congressional budget reconciliation bill calls for around $800 billion in cuts to the program over a decade. These could ... more
Report: NY seniors lack stable retirement income

Reports show fewer New York seniors have stable retirement income. A Center for an Urban Future report found almost half of the state’s senior population has no retirement income and lacks access to Social Security ... more
Proposed federal SNAP cuts would impact NYS food banks

New York food banks and pantries would face major impacts from the congressional budget reconciliation bill. The bill calls for cutting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP by $300 billion over the next decade ... more
Analysis: NYers pay high cost for PFAS pollution

A new analysis examines the financial costs "forever chemicals" have on New York. "PFAS" chemicals in everyday items pose numerous health risks, and the report says health-care costs for New Yorkers are up to $4.4 ... more
NY bill ending opportunity zone tax credit fails to pass

New York’s Legislature did not pass a bill ending the Opportunity Zone tax-credit program. The federal tax credit was implemented during the first Trump administration to build more affordable housing in low-income neighborhoods. A New ... more
Report: NY, US nonprofits uneasy about political, economic turmoil

A new report found nonprofit leaders in New York and nationwide are worried about the country's political and economic climate. The 2025 State of Nonprofits report showed risks to funding from federal budget cuts and ... more
NY group helps immigrants being detained in courthouse raids

New York groups are helping immigrants deal with immigration arrests in courthouses. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are detaining immigrants after attending hearings on their immigration status. A Bronx high school student was detained in ... more
Report: NYS shows mixed results for child well-being

New York State is improving child well-being in some ways, but struggles to provide economic opportunity, a new annual report finds. The state ranked 29th in the 2025 Kids Count Data Book, published by the ... more
Report: Federal budget bill would mean big cuts for NY state

New reports show New York faces multibillion-dollar budget cuts if the federal budget reconciliation bill passes in its current form. A nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office report found what is known as the "One Big Beautiful ... more
NY women at higher risk of alcohol abuse disorder

Women in New York and nationwide face challenges with alcohol use. Data from the state's Department of Health data showed 13% of adult New York women are heavy or binge drinkers. American Addiction Centers finds more female ... more
NY bill would force drugmakers to report delays in offering generics

Groups advocating for New York retirees are backing a State Legislature bill requiring drug manufacturers to notify officials of any "pay-for-delay" actions preventing a brand-name medication from becoming a lower-cost generic drug. Senate Bill 488 ... more
Report: NYS faces high risk of PFAS in drinking water

Some New Yorkers are at a higher risk of exposure to forever chemicals in drinking water. An Environmental Working Group analysis found 189 of the state’s water systems have PFAS levels above the federal standard ... more
NY, U.S. could see air quality worsen from emission standard rollbacks

New York and the nation could face poorer air quality because of rollbacks on vehicle emission standards. The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill ending waivers for other states and the Environmental Protection Agency ... more
US Dept. of Justice sues NYS over climate change superfund law

The U.S. Justice Department is suing New York State over a 2024 climate law. The Climate Change Superfund Act fines the largest greenhouse gas emission contributors between 2000 and 2018. That money goes into a ... more
Report: NY can do more to bolster school-based mental health

A new report finds New York is bolstering school-based mental health, but has more work to do. The report from the group Inseparable finds the state has a high number of school psychologists and counselors, ... more
NYS bill creates mental health crisis response system

A bill in New York would establish a statewide mental health crisis response system. Daniel’s Law calls for trained professionals to respond to mental health crises instead of police. The bill is named for Daniel ... more