The next edition of the award-winning program MetroFocus premieres in the New York metro area tonight, August 28 at 7:30 p.m. on WLIW21 and Thursday, August 29 at 8:30 p.m. on THIRTEEN and at 10:30 p.m. on NJTV.
The next edition features a look behind the jobs numbers that perplex economists and drive the conversation on the campaign trail. Unemployment is dropping but what kinds of jobs are being created and how much do they pay? MetroFocus visits a small start-up grocery store in the booming Brooklyn neighborhood of Williamsburg to find out.
Host Rafael Pi Roman follows up with an interview with The Wall Street Journal's Laura Kusisto who analyzes the economic recovery in the New York region. In the continuing series of interviews with the major candidates for mayor, NYC Votes 2013, Republican candidate Joe Lhota, former head of the MTA and deputy mayor under Rudy Giuliani, talks to Pi Roman about why he's running. Lhota said one of his first actions will be to negotiate contracts for city workers, but that he will ask for higher contributions to health care plans. "It is very important that New York City workers pay, and begin the process of paying for their healthcare," Lhota tells Pi Roman. "Some New York City employees pay nothing, others pay one and a half percent, the average of New Yorkers' employees pay about 25% of their healthcare. We have to begin the process of making sure that employees are on a fair basis with other employees."
As the one year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy looms, The Nature Conservancy's chief scientist Peter Kareiva explains how nature can protect us from natural disasters. Pi Roman interviews Kareiva about a new study from The Natural Capital Project that outlines the value of marshes, dunes and much more in protecting millions of coastal residents. And finally, from Binghamton station WSKG, the story of self-taught artist GC Myers whose successful painting career began after a serious accident sparked his imagination and skills.
MetroFocus is an award-winning multi-platform news magazine focusing on the New York region. The MetroFocus television program features interviews, in-depth reporting, content from many partners and solutions-oriented reports from the community. Major areas of coverage include sustainability, education, science and technology, the environment, transportation, poverty and underserved communities. MetroFocus.orgamplifies that reporting with daily updates and original stories that also cover culture, government and politics, the economy, urban development and other news in the metropolitan region. More information at: thirteen.org/metrofocus/about-us-faq/
MetroFocus is a production of WLIW21 in association with WNET, parent company ofTHIRTEEN and WLIW21. For 50 years, THIRTEEN has been making the most of the rich resources and passionate people of New York and the world, reaching millions of people with on-air and online programming that celebrates arts and culture, offers insightful commentary on the news of the day, explores the worlds of science and nature, and invites students of all ages to have fun while learning.
MetroFocus is made possible by James and Merryl Tisch, the Ford Foundation, Cheryl and Philip Milstein Family, Charlotte and David Ackert, Jody and John Arnhold, Betty and John Levin and the Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation. Corporate funding is provided by Mutual of America.
Website: thirteen.org/MetroFocus
Facebook: facebook.com/MetroFocus
Twitter:@MetroFocus
