Edwin J. Viera, Public News Service Journalist Profile

Articles

Report: NYS faces high risk of PFAS in drinking water

1 week ago | fingerlakes1.com | Edwin J. Viera

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 but below New York’s standard. Adrienne Esposito, executive director of the Citizens Campaign for the Environment, said Long Island faces a higher risk of PFAS exposure since all its water comes from the same aquifer.
NY, U.S. could see air quality worsen from emission standard rollbacks

1 week ago | fingerlakes1.com | Edwin J. Viera

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 to adopt California’s emission standards. The rollback comes as the American Lung Association’s new “State of the Air” report found New York counties received mixed air quality rankings.
US Dept. of Justice sues NYS over climate change superfund law

1 week ago | fingerlakes1.com | Edwin J. Viera

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 fund, which will be used to help the state adapt to climate change. The DOJ’s lawsuit stems from an executive order calling for the Attorney General to crack down on climate change laws.
Report: DE makes strides bolstering school mental health

2 weeks ago | publicnewsservice.org | Edwin J. Viera

A new report showed Delaware is making strides in building its school mental health services. The report found the state has expanded its ratio of students to social workers at schools, thanks in part to bills passed in the last two years. A 2024 law required the Department of Health and Social Services to apply for school Medicaid reimbursement.
Report: NY can do more to bolster school-based mental health

3 weeks ago | fingerlakes1.com | Edwin J. Viera

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, but lags in school social workers. The report also finds schools lack mentally healthy climates. Nathan McLaughlin,executive director ofthe National Association of Mental Illness New York State, said mental health stigmas can make it hard for students to be open about what’s ailing them.
CT coalition supports ‘Right to Vote’ legislation

1 month ago | ctlatinonews.com | Edwin J. Viera

Community groups are coming together to expand voting rights to all Connecticut residents. The Connecticut Right to Vote Campaign says it aims to ensure all lawful permanent residents would be able to vote, as well as encourage them to turn out for local, state and federal elections. The campaign’s centerpiece is HJ 26, a bill that would allow lawful permanent residents to vote. Helen Quinonez, a community organizer with Make the Road Connecticut, said the campaign and bill have widespread support.
Survey: Most NYers support creating state public bank

1 month ago | fingerlakes1.com | Edwin J. Viera

A new survey found New Yorkers widely support public banking. The Community Service Society of New York survey showed more than half of people would support creating a public bank, run as a nonprofit by a local or state government, rather than being owned by private investors. Bills to create a public banking system are being considered by the state Legislature and the New York City Council, but have yet to pass.
Tool helps New Yorkers see businesses accused of wage theft

1 month ago | fingerlakes1.com | Edwin J. Viera

A new tool is helping New Yorkers track wage theft statewide. The Wage Theft Monitor was developed by an investigative watchdog and journalism project called Documented and uses state and federal Department of Labor data from 2012 to 2024 to show businesses withholding wages from their workers.
NY lawmakers consider environmental programs in 2025-26 budget

2 months ago | fingerlakes1.com | Edwin J. Viera

New York has added certain environmental policies to the latest state budget proposals. Lawmakers have included language for a cap-and-invest program to curb greenhouse gas emissions across the state’s economy. It would mean some businesses would have to buy allowances for having higher emissions, which, in theory, would prompt them to invest in more carbon-neutral programs.
NYS home-care nurses face contentious contract negotiation

2 months ago | fingerlakes1.com | Edwin J. Viera

New York nurses who work for CenterLight Healthcare said they are fighting for a fair union contract. The nurses pointed out they have been working without a contract since last September and negotiations with the company have been contentious. They are looking for higher wages and no reduction of their health care benefits but they stressed management cut off their insurance at the end of last year after the nurses rejected an offer, which they said would have quadrupled their health care costs.