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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.
Study finds more civic education needed: Only 33% of Americans would pass citizenship test
As political tensions have risen in the last few years, experts are calling for a bigger emphasis on civic education. In a 2021 study by the Annenberg Public Policy Center, only half of people surveyed could name ... more
Social workers go virtual, leaving nonprofits shorthanded across New York
Nonprofit social workers in New York are seeing a shortage of people coming into the field, abdicating it for telehealth work. Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth began to fill the gaps for in-person visits ... more
Climate change takes aim at poor communities: New York working to prepare them
New York State has been working to ensure disadvantaged communities aren't so vulnerable to the effects of climate change. However, as storms grow in power, it may not be enough that the state is bracing ... more
New York schools need more social workers: Rural districts can’t retain, afford to compete with urban ones
School districts across the state of New York are facing a shortage of social workers. According to an audit by the state comptroller's office, New York schools are not providing enough social workers per school ... more
Parents encouraged to get kids annual checkups: Vision, hearing are both paramount
As kids return to school, New York parents are encouraged to ensure their kids are getting yearly checkups. According to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, the number of patients younger than 18Â increased by ... more
Small city in New York faces infrastructure issues making national headlines in Mississippi
A small city in New York faces water infrastructure issues similar to the ones making national headlines in Jackson, Mississippi. Mount Vernon has had water infrastructure problems for decades. In 2020, the U.S. Attorney for ... more
State legislature bans some medical debt collection: New rules sought to declare wages and homes off-limits in future
The New York State Legislature passed two bills aimed at easing medical debt back in May, and a new report indicates they're much needed. The first bill bans medical liens and wage garnishment; the second regulates the ... more
Why do people delay end of life planning? Data shows less than half of Americans have a will
August is National Make-A-Will Month, which experts say is an opportune time for New Yorkers to begin end-of-life planning. According to a 2021 Gallup poll, only around 46% of Americans have a will, and most of ... more
Inflation Reduction Act is law now, but climate future still uncertain
Although President Joe Biden has signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, many are hoping he will declare a climate emergency to provide further funding. It would allow for additional provisions to fight the effects ... more
SCOTUS could prevent state courts from reviewing redistricting maps: NY map case plays central role in debate
Whether state courts are allowed to review the validity of redistricting by state legislatures is at the heart of a case to be considered by the U.S. Supreme Court. A ruling in Moore v. Harper would allow ... more
Billions coming to states like NY to fight flooding brought on by climate change
The Inflation Reduction Act, newly passed by the U.S. Senate, allocates $369 Billion to fight climate change, and appropriates funds specifically for coastal areas - like New York's - facing climate change's immediate impacts. $2.6 ... more
Early education needs more support in New York: Reading proficiency, mental health both areas of concern
Early education in New York State needs more support and better resources, according to a new report. The Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book found in the last decade, the number of kids ... more
Restaurant workers fleeing industry: Will worker bill of rights help? Advocates say yes
Restaurant workers have been fleeing the industry throughout the Great Resignation, with no end in sight. In order to codify necessities for better working conditions, Restaurant Opportunities Centers United has been working to develop the ... more
Frequent pop-up drought events could become common in New York
Twenty-one counties in New York are under a drought watch, which could become the norm as climate change heats up the planet. According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, a drought watch is ... more
Empire State Line will be $180M investment to boost, integrate more renewable energy into New York grid
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has commissioned the Empire State Line, a $180 million power transmission line to increase transmission capacity and integrate more renewable energy into the state's electric grid. When the new line ... more
Tops opens in Buffalo after shooting: Neighborhood is a food desert, so officials had to move quickly
The Tops supermarket in Buffalo, where a racially-motivated gunman killed 10 people and injured three, has reopened today, almost two months since the incident. Residents and community leaders on Buffalo's East Side have mixed emotions ... more
Affordable housing formula is broken: 28% of New York renters are ‘extremely low-income’
The reality of "affordable" housing is changing in New York, and advocates for renters' rights argued it is time for an update. For years, affordable housing has been defined by the U.S. Department of Housing ... more
Workers’ Center of CNY: “We see a lot of workers still in really precarious situations”
An organization in Central New York is getting a funding boost to help workers who are still struggling with the financial effects of the pandemic. The Workers' Center of Central New York says it will ... more
