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Stories in Focus

We cast a critical eye on a big issue of the day in our weekly Focus section.

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Aired: April 27, 2012 | Comment
‘Buttlegging’ Untaxed Cigarettes in New York City

Reporter: Allison Gaito
Producer: Olivia Smith
 
While most know the health risks associated with smoking cigarettes, what may surprise many New York smokers is that they’re also at risk of being scammed. And tax-payers are affected as well. Allison Gaito has this week’s Focus report.

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Aired: April 20, 2012 | Comment
Children Go Hungry in New York City

Reporter: Dalal Mawad
Producer: Erin Cauchi
 
Who would say that kids are hungry in a city of plenty? One in four children in New York City suffer from food insecurity. Dalal Mawad reports in our Focus story.

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Aired: April 13, 2012 | Comment
Disabled Veterans Feel the Squeeze in Vending Spots

Reporter: Brandon Gates
Producer: Jackie Kostek
 
A 19th century law allows disabled veterans to vend in areas of the city others cannot. Yet, many veterans feel the city isn’t always happy about it. Brandon Gates reports.

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Aired: April 6, 2012 | Comment
Gun Violence Increases in New York City

Reporter: Xian Bu
Producer: Céleste Owen-Jones
 
New York City has fought gun violence for decades. While the city itself has strict gun control laws, most guns used in shootings are brought here illegally. Xian Bu reports.

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Aired: March 30, 2012 | Comment
Proposal Would Seal Some Female Offenders’ Records

Reporter: Morgan Radford
Producer: Jaslee Carayol
 
In our Focus report … how hundreds of New Yorkers with criminal convictions could receive a fresh start. Morgan Radford tells us how a new plan could be of special help to women.

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Aired: March 23, 2012 | Comment
Class-Based Affirmative Action: The Better Option?

Reporter: Morgan Radford
Producer: Anam Siddiq
 
The Supreme Court has decided to hear an affirmative action case that could make it illegal to consider race in college admissions. This would leave colleges scrambling for options to keep campuses diverse. Morgan Radford tells us one alternative colleges may soon consider when deciding which students to admit.

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Aired: March 9, 2012 | Comment
Legal Case May Change Diversity in Higher Education

Reporter: Linda Ong
Producer: Kristen Holmes
 
Recently the Supreme Court agreed to hear an affirmative action case out of Texas. Reporter Linda Ong tells us what this could mean for diversity on college campuses and how students are reacting.

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Aired: March 2, 2012 | Comment
High School Teams Ready Their Robots for Competition

Reporter: Sasha Schwendenwein
Producer: Erinn Cawthon
 
High school teams worldwide will face off in an annual robotics competition hosted by FIRST. The letters in the organization’s name mean “for inspiration and recognition of science and technology.” New York City teens are gearing up for a regional competition just weeks away. Sasha Schwendenwein reports.

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Aired: February 24, 2012 | Comment
Cameras Divide Opinion on How to Enforce City Traffic Laws

Reporter: Daniel Medina
Producer: Annie Claire Bergeron-Oliver
 
Red-light cameras: The flash you don’t notice until the ticket comes in the mail. Mayor Bloomberg says if he had his way, they’d be on every street corner. But the cameras have many drivers upset. Daniel Medina reports.

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Aired: February 17, 2012 | Comment
Subway Elevators, Escalators Not as Reliable as MTA Says

Reporter: Nathan Vickers
Producer: Erin Cauchi
 
Every New Yorker knows you can’t depend on elevators and escalators in the subway. But why is that?  A December report revealed the MTA has inadequately maintained them. It accused the MTA of falsifying inspection reports and other offenses. Nathan Vickers finds out in our Focus Report if anything’s changed.

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