Thirteen's METROFOCUS to Follow Hurricane Sandy Recovery Money & More, 1/9

As the country continues to struggle from the aftermaths of Hurricane Sandy and the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, many local Tri-State communities seek solutions to rebuild and cope with the effects of these recent catastrophic events. Hosted by Rafael Pi Roman, the latest edition of MetroFocus explores a myriad of recovery topics, including financial allocations of hurricane relief funds, community reconstruction, and security in schools. MetroFocus airs Wednesday, January 9 at 7:30 p.m. on WLIW21, Thursday, January 10 at 8:00 p.m. on NJTV and at 9:00p.m. on THIRTEEN. After broadcast, the program will be available to national audiences on metrofocus.org with integrated online stories and additional reporting.

Featuring an interview by Pi Roman with "City Limits" editor-in-chief Jarrett Murphy and "City & State" staff reporter Nick Powell, MetroFocus takes a closer look where federal money will be going and at what still needs to be done to recover from Superstorm Sandy. NJToday's managing editor Mike Schneider speaks with Jonathan Hornik, mayor of Marlboro Township, NJ, about his latest decision to post armed police officers in the town's schools. A special MetroFocus solutions segment features Covenant House president, Kevin Ryan, as he addresses the issues affecting homeless youth, how to help, and his book Almost Home: Helping Kids Move from Homelessness to Hope.

In a follow up to his interview that aired on December 20, 2012, former mayor Ed Koch continues his discussion with Pi Roman, tackling such subjects as political corruption, political leaders, his decision to seek a fourth term as mayor of New York, and why he loves New York.

The segments are as follows:

- NJToday's Lauren Wanko reports from the oceanfront community of Mantoloking, NJ where more hundreds of homes were destroyed or severely damaged
- Rafael Pi Roman speaks with Jarrett Murphy, editor-in-chief of the non-profit investigative news organization "City Limits" and staff reporter, Nick Powell, from New York newspaper "City & State" about where the billions of federal money are going to go, and which communities are still struggling in New York
- Investigating the latest on school coping after the Newtown, Connecticut shooting, NJToday managing editor Mike Schneider interviews Jonathan Hornik, the mayor of Marlboro Township, NJ, who decided to put armed police officers in every one of the town's school
- Rafael Pi Roman continues his interview with Former New York Mayor Ed Koch discussing Albany and New York City politics
- The president of Covenant House, Kevin Ryan, talks about homeless youth and how to help in a MetroFocus Solutions story

MetroFocusis a production of WLIW21 in association with WNET, parent company of
THIRTEEN 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, Cheryl and Philip Milstein Family, Jody and John Arnhold, The Nissan Foundation, and The Ford Foundation. Corporate funding is provided by Mutual of America.

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