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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.
Senate passes HEAT Act: Natural gas appliances one step closer to being banned in NY
The New York State Senate has passed the HEAT Act, which now goes to the Assembly. The legislation aims to phase out gas-line extension allowances, which would reduce the use of natural gas in the state ... more
Foster kids in New York need better support once they age out, report finds
Foster children in New York and across the nation need better transition support once they age out, according to a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The Fostering Youth Transition report found 74% ... more
Parents say they need help with youth mental health crisis in New York State
Parents in New York and across the U.S. want to see schools improve kid's mental health, a recent survey found. The National PTA Survey showed 72% of parents support schools providing mental health services for ... more
What would be the impact of a US debt default on New York?
The looming U.S. debt default could affect a host of programs across the country - and in New York, the list includes clean-energy investments. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has said the U.S. has until June ... more
House votes to rescind Biden’s student debt relief program
A new report outlined the importance of student debt relief to workers in New York and across the country. An American Federation of Teachers analysis found rising education costs have forced people to borrow more ... more
Bill would grow outreach in New York through community media
New York lawmakers are considering a bill to broaden statewide outreach through local media. The Local Community and Ethnic Media Commitment Act would require state agencies to spend about 50% of their print and digital advertising budget ... more
Hospitals are going to get a funding boost thanks to NYS budget: How much will it help?
New York State's new 2024 budget provides some needed relief to hospitals. Along with a Medicaid rate increase, the budget includes $1.4 billion for distressed hospitals. But, provisions ensuring hospitals can afford to provide certain ... more
Money to fight mental health crisis coming: Will it help?
Provisions in New York state's 2024 budget will have resounding impacts across the state. Along with $60 million to improve youth mental health services, the budget includes $1 billion to grow the state's capacity for inpatient psychiatric ... more
New York tries to deal with youth mental health crisis
With the Covid-19 public health emergency over, New York and the U.S. are dealing with a youth mental health crisis. According to Mental Health America's 2023 State of Mental Health Report, the number of New ... more
New York taking steps to improve women’s health during National Women’s Health Week
This week is National Women's Health Week, and New York is taking steps to improve women's health. The New York state Legislature has passed numerous bills to strengthen reproductive health and eliminate maternal health care inequities ... more
Should terminal patients have the ‘right’ to die? Lawmakers consider bill that would create path
New York State's Legislature is reviewing a bill to approve medical aid in dying, which would apply to people suffering from a terminal illness who only have six months to live. It comes with numerous safeguards ... more
Eco-friendly fun: Green playgrounds propel New York toward climate goals
The new schoolyard at PS 184M Shuang Wen, a grade school in Manhattan’s Chinatown, features new play equipment, a yoga circle, a stage and basketball and tennis courts. It also has a porous turf field that ... more
How will NY’s ban on natural gas stoves, other appliances work?
The state of New York has passed a first-in-the-nation law banning the use of natural gas and other fossil fuel-powered systems in new buildings. The law, which was approved as part of the state's budget, requires all-electric ... more
HEAT Act aims to get ratepayers off gas by phasing out gas-line extension allowances: What does that mean?
New York State's Legislature is reviewing a bill to align the state's public utility law with its climate goals. The New York HEAT Act aims to get ratepayers off of gas by phasing out gas-line extension allowances ... more
Group focuses on educating people about mental health during Mental Health Awareness Month
During Mental Health Awareness Month, a New York organization is celebrating by helping people learn about mental health. The Center for the Independence of the Disabled New York will be holding a Wellness Fair on ... more
Lawmakers question why schools closed during COVID-19 pandemic
GOP lawmakers are re-evaluating policies about how and why schools closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Critics of the effort say it's a back-handed attempt to weaken teachers' unions. This week in the U.S. House Select ... more
Growth in green jobs in NY undeniable: What does that mean for the future?
Before he joined the Civilian Climate Corps, Robert Clark assumed building and electric work was all low-skilled labor, akin to “working at McDonald’s,” he said. That was before he learned to install electric heat pumps, maintain ... more
Lawmakers, environmentalists work to prevent radioactive wastewater from being dumped in NY
New York lawmakers and environmentalists are working to prevent radioactive wastewater from being dumped into the Hudson River. As part of the decommissioning of the Indian Point Energy Center, the facility's owner Holtec International is ... more
Offshore wind is a ‘win’ for New York’s energy goals, officials say
Throughout Earth Month, elected officials across the U.S. are celebrating renewable energy projects. In New York, several wind, solar and hydroelectric developments were completed that will power more than 150,00 homes across the state with clean electricity ... more
