News Articles by Beth Fertig

8 States Reach Nation’s Largest Environmental Settlement

October 09, 2007

by Beth Fertig

The federal government's landmark environmental settlement with a power plant company based in Ohio is being praised by officials and environmental advocates as a major victory for New York. REPOTER....

City Releases Plan to Clean Up Jamaica Bay

October 02, 2007

by Beth Fertig

The city has released its long awaited plan to clean up its national park at the end of the A train. WNYC's Beth Fertig has more. Jamaica Bay is steadily losing its salt marsh islands because of pol....

Supreme Court Hearing Some Local Cases

October 01, 2007

by Beth Fertig

Special education advocates say a New York case being heard in the US Supreme Court today could affect the future of students across the country. REPORTER: The case involves a former Viacom executiv....

Special Ed Case Heads to Supreme Court

October 01, 2007

by Beth Fertig

The US Supreme Court hears arguments today over whether a New York City student receiving special education services at a private school is eligible for public dollars. WNYC's Beth Fertig has more. ....

MTA Says No Choice But to Raise Fares

September 26, 2007

by Beth Fertig

MTA Officials say problems with programming their metro card vending machines aren't the sole reason for proposing a 25 cent fare increase next year instead of a smaller increment, such as a dime. R....

Residents Sound Off on the Possible Fare Hike

September 25, 2007

by Beth Fertig

Straphangers aren't exactly warming up to the MTA's plan to raise the base bus and subway fare to $2.25 next year - even though the agency says a hike is necessary because of deficits starting in 200....

MTA Eyes Fare Hike Options

September 25, 2007

by Beth Fertig

The MTA has proposed the increase of the basic fare of a bus or subway ride from $2 to $2.25. But, the agency is also considering discounts for riders who travel off peak. WNYC's Beth Fertig has more....

Two Proposals for a Fare Hike

September 24, 2007

by Beth Fertig

Get ready to dig deeper for you metro card REPORTER: The MTA offered two different proposals today for a fare hike in 2008. Both would raise the 2 dollar base fare for bus and subway riders to 2.25.....

MTA Reveals Plan for Future Floods

September 21, 2007

by Beth Fertig

The MTA has vowed to do a better job next time there's a major flood. The agency just released a report on the storm that almost shut down the entire system last month. WNYC's Beth Fertig has more. ....

Top Prize Awarded to City Schools

by Beth Fertig

New York City has won the prestigious Broad Foundation prize praising student achievement. WNYC's Beth Fertig has more. REPORTER: The foundation's experts visited urban districts around the country.....

Council Looks at Mayor's Control of Schools

September 19, 2007

by Beth Fertig

The City Council is taking a hard look at whether the mayor should keep running the schools. The state law granting the Mayor of New York City full control over the city's public schools will expire ....

Giuliani and New York: Hometown Candidate Isn't the Favorite Son

September 10, 2007

by Beth Fertig

When Republican presidential hopeful Rudolph Giuliani travels around the country, he inevitably refers to the one, singular event that defines his bid for the White House. GIULIANI: The terrorists c....

Schools Prepare for Greater Scrutiny

September 04, 2007

by Beth Fertig

Today marks the first day of school for the city’s 1 point 1 million students. But school really began last week for the teachers and principals. As WNYC’s Beth Fertig reports, they’ll be under....

Pilot Program Fights Poverty With Cash Incentives

August 28, 2007

by Beth Fertig

New York City is about to embark on a new experiment in fighting poverty. Some 2500 low income families will be chosen for a pilot program that will pay them cash in exchange for completing certain a....

Congestion Pricing Commission Filled

August 22, 2007

by Beth Fertig

A commission to study Mayor Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan will be able to get to work, now that its 17 members have all been appointed. WNYC's Beth Fertig has more. By design, the commission i....

Federal Transit Aid to NYC Contingent on Action

August 15, 2007

by Beth Fertig

The federal government's decision to award New York City $354 million for congestion pricing is not a done deal. WNYC's Beth Fertig has more. REPORTER: To get money from Washington, the city first n....

Transit Workers Often Last to Know About Delays

August 10, 2007

by Beth Fertig

Transit riders weren't the only ones experiencing confusion during Wednesday's storm that shut down the subways. The station agents also had trouble at times finding out which trains were down. WNYC'....

Governor Asks MTA to Look At Flooding

August 09, 2007

by Beth Fertig

Governor Spitzer has appointed a task force to look at subway flooding in the wake of yesterday's storm which shut down the city's transit system. But as WNYC's Beth Fertig reports, the issue has al....

Mass Transportation Headache

August 08, 2007

by Beth Fertig

High wind and torrential rain at the dawn of a stiflingly humid Wednesday caused widespread chaos for morning commuters, delayed flights at New York's three major airports and was blamed for at least....

NYC Transit Takes New Safety Steps

August 02, 2007

by Beth Fertig

New York City Transit and the Transport Workers union say they've taken new safety steps, following a report which found basic safety steps were ignored prior to the deaths of 2 track workers. WNYC's....