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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.
NYS pre-apprenticeship program helps clean-energy workforce grow
New York state’s clean-energy workforce is continuing to grow, and one program is working to connect people from low-income communities with union apprenticeship opportunities. Pathways to Apprenticeship’s clean-energy program combines climate policy and environmental justice ... more
Advocates: NYS lawmakers must reconsider IDA reforms in 2027
New York advocates want state lawmakers to revisit reforms to industrial development agencies next year, including measures aimed at increasing oversight of tax breaks. The proposals include adding school board members to IDA boards to ... more
Report: New York laws restricting PFAS work, more regulation needed
New research from the Natural Resources Defense Council finds laws restricting perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in New York and California are having an effect. One year after New York implemented a law banning PFAS in ... more
Report: New York State sees mixed results on child well-being
New York is seeing mixed progress on child well-being, according to a new annual report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The state ranks 30th in the 2026 Kids Count Data Book, a slight drop ... more
NYS lawmakers consider broad redistricting amendment
New York state lawmakers approved a new redistricting amendment, which could go before voters in 2027. The measure would give lawmakers the power to redraw congressional lines mid-decade and would allow legislators to redraw their ... more
‘Hands Off Our Vote’ bills aim to buoy NY voter protections
Several New York bills are aimed at strengthening voter protections by addressing issues in election administration and at the polls. The “Hands Off Our Vote” package is being considered as the Trump administration tries to ... more
NY lawmakers consider senior consumer protection legislation
New York lawmakers are considering several bills that supporters say would strengthen consumer protections for seniors. AARP data finds older New Yorkers lost more than $400 million to scams in 2025, a substantial increase from ... more
NYS Legislature passing bills at higher rate, despite late budget
Despite New York’s delayed budget, state lawmakers are passing bills at the highest rate since 2022, according to new data. This year’s budget is the most delayed in the last decade, but Rachael Fauss, senior ... more
Inside the proposal to postpone electric school bus rollout
New York state’s electric school bus mandate faces a likely delay under a state budget proposal that would push back the original July 2027 transition start to 2032, the year it was initially supposed to ... more
NY online scam survivors: Tech companies profit from our pain
Survivors of online scams in New York are backing legislation to hold social media companies accountable for sharing fraudulent ads on their platforms. A recent report by the Consumer Federation of America finds New Yorkers ... more
NYers oppose Gov. Hochul’s plan to roll back state’s climate law
Many New Yorkers concerned with climate change are against Gov. Kathy Hochul’s plan to roll back the state’s environmental goals. She is calling for a seven-year extension of a deadline set by the Climate Leadership ... more
Experts say New Yorkers face health harms from plastic packaging
As New York works to reduce plastic use, experts note avoiding it has numerous health benefits. State lawmakers are considering a bill requiring manufacturers to reduce plastic packaging by 30% over 12 years, with the ... more
Gov. Hochul proposes pied-à-terre tax: How would it work?
Gov. Kathy Hochul is proposing a pied-à-terre tax for New York City. It would tax second homes in the city valued at $5 million or more. Advocates and Mayor Zohran Mamdani pointed out the tax ... more
Experts: New Yorkers benefit from early end-of-life planning
During National Healthcare Decisions Day on Thursday, experts feel New Yorkers must consider end-of-life care options. The 2022 America’s Health Rankings show around a quarter of the state’s Medicaid decedents used hospice, far lower than ... more
NYS lawmakers commit to youth justice fund in budget proposals
New York state lawmakers are including the Youth Justice Innovation Fund in their 2027 budget proposals. The program would use existing Raise the Age funds for community-based organizations providing services for people ages 12-25, including ... more
Rural NYers face limited ballot access from SAVE Act
Rural New Yorkers could face greater challenges to vote from the federal SAVE America Act. The bill requires voters to present a birth certificate or passport when voting, registering to vote, or updating their voter ... more
Study finds low-income NYS students taking longer to finish college
New data showed many New York students are leaving college without a degree. The analysis of 2017 and 2018 data found students with low-income backgrounds are either taking more time to complete degrees or dropping ... more
Social workers say older foster kids face long odds of finding families
As National Social Work Month comes to an end, child welfare advocates said social workers in New York and across the nation have complex feelings about legal permanency. A 2024 poll from the Dave Thomas ... more
MINIMUM WAGE: $30 NYC proposal would lead to job losses, stagnation
The New York City Council is considering a bill to raise the minimum wage significantly. It calls for an incremental increase to raise the minimum wage from $17 an hour to $30 an hour by ... more
