Columbia News Tonight » Focus

‘Buttlegging’ Untaxed Cigarettes in New York City

Olivia Smith — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 23:41:20 +0000

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.

Children Go Hungry in New York City

Erin Cauchi — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 23:47:17 +0000

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.

Disabled Veterans Feel the Squeeze in Vending Spots

Brandon Gates — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:06:42 +0000

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.

Gun Violence Increases in New York City

Celeste Owen-Jones — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 22:30:17 +0000

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.

Proposal Would Seal Some Female Offenders’ Records

jlc2222 — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 21:46:05 +0000

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.

Class-Based Affirmative Action: The Better Option?

Anam Siddiq — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 00:42:42 +0000

Reporter: Morgan Radford
Producer: Anam Siddiq

The Supreme Court has decided to hear a case about affirmative action — a case that could overturn a 2003 decision, making it illegal to consider race in college admissions. This would leave colleges scrambling for other options to keep their campuses diverse. Morgan Radford tells us one alternative colleges may now be considering when deciding which students to admit.

Legal Case May Change Diversity in Higher Education

Kristen Holmes — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 02:17:38 +0000

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.

High School Teams Ready Their Robots for Competition

Sasha Schwendenwein — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 22:31:48 +0000

Reporter: Sasha Schwendenwein
Producer: Erinn Cawthon

High school teams worldwide are about to 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.

Cameras Divide Opinion on How to Enforce City Traffic Laws

Annie Claire Bergeron-Oliver — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 01:13:39 +0000

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.

Subway Elevators, Escalators Not as Reliable as MTA Says

Nathan Vickers — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 04:37:44 +0000

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.