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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 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-Ã -terre tax: How would it work?
Gov. Kathy Hochul is proposing a pied-Ã -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
NY advocates fight back against federal voter ID bill
Voting rights advocates in New York and across the country are pushing back against the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act in Congress. The U.S. Senate is debating the bill, which would include a strict voter ... more
New York seniors are taking serious measures to afford skyrocketing utilities
A new survey finds New York seniors need relief from high utility costs. AARP New York's survey shows that seniors in the state leave their homes at uncomfortable temperatures or cut other everyday essentials to ... more
New York postal workers face growing safety concerns
Postal workers in New York and nationwide face workplace safety issues and union representatives said they are going ignored. Beyond heat exhaustion, physical injuries and mechanical issues, letter carriers are also frequently bitten by dogs, ... more
Report: NYS among worst states for online, social media scams
New York ranks as one of the top states for online scams, according to a new report. A Consumer Federation of America report finds state consumers lose $6.5 billion a year – or $325 per ... more
Leaked memo shows Gov. Hochul may roll back NYS climate law
A leaked memo suggests New York Gov. Kathy Hochul may roll back part of the state’s climate law. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority memo says elements of the Climate Leadership and ... more
Report ranks some NY colleges as ‘most hostile’ to free speech
A new report considers two New York universities to be among the "most hostile" campuses for free speech nationwide. The Council on American Islamic Relations report evaluates 51 colleges and universities that it says suppressed ... more
Advocates: NYS lawmakers must help disabled people find work
New York disability rights advocates want state lawmakers to help disabled people with employment. It comes after a State Comptroller report pointed out glaring disparities for workers with disabilities, despite progress to make workplaces more ... more
New York experts help lead clean energy plan to power Ukraine during war
Experts in New York and nationwide have created a plan to bolster Ukraine’s clean energy future. With the Russia-Ukraine war in its fourth year, attacks on the country’s centralized fossil fuel systems have left almost ... more
New York students report safety concerns at school despite security investments
New research shows many students in New York and nationwide worry about their safety in school. The study from the nonprofit YouthTruth found a high percentage of elementary, middle, and high school students do not feel ... more
