MetroFocus Tackles Small Business Aid And Power Outage Solutions November 14, 2012 On WLIW21, November 15 on THIRTEEN and NJTV

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Nov 13, 2012, 03:01 ET

Other topics on the multiplatform news magazine include the latest on Sandy recovery efforts and its impact on children

NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- It's going to be a long road to recovery for many in the tri-state area as the crisis continues to provide basic services more than two weeks after Hurricane Sandy. Help for small businesses, understanding the power grid, and the latest on New York City's hard hit waterfront neighborhoods are among the topics when MetroFocus airs Wednesday, November 14 at 7p.m. on WLIW21, Thursday, November 15 at 8:30p.m. on THIRTEEN and 10p.m. on NJTV.

After broadcast, the program will be available to national audiences on metrofocus.org with integrated online stories and additional reporting.

Hosted by Rafael Pi Roman, this edition of MetroFocus explores topics ranging from the continuing efforts to bring light and heat to thousands, to tips on how to put recent traumatizing events in perspective for children.

Featured interviews include Peter Kelly-Detwiler, independent energy consultant; Robert Walsh, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Small Business Services; Dr. Harold Koplewicz, the Child Mind Institute; and Martin Robins, Founding Director of the Alan Voorhees Transportation Center at Rutgers.

The segments are as follows:

Rick Karr reports on efforts to help residents at Knickerbocker Village on Manhattan's Lower East Side and is joined by NY State Senator Daniel Squadron who represents the area.

Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism students Jon Gerberg and Kristen Reed report on how Coney Island residents in its western section, still struggling without power, heat or running water, are getting a helping hand from volunteers and staff at the Coney Island Gospel Assembly Church.

Peter Kelly-Detwiler, a contributor to Forbes magazine and a former executive at one of the Northeast's biggest power companies, Constellation Energy, explains the failure of the electrical grid and what needs to happen to be ready next time.

NJ Today's David Cruz reports from Jersey City where residents are lining up for federal aid and NJ Today managing editor Mike Schneider interviews former Executive Director of NJ Transit Martin Robins, the Founding Director of the Alan Voorhees Transportation Center at Rutgers University, about rebuilding the state's transit system.

Robert Walsh, New York City's Commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services, tells host Rafael Pi Roman that his agency is devising innovative solutions to deal with the thousands of small businesses that are suffering huge losses.

Dr. Harold Koplewicz of the Child Mind Institute, a leading expert on child psychology and trauma, has advice on helping children cope with the aftermath of the storm.

MetroFocus is 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, and The Nissan Foundation. Corporate funding is provided by Mutual of America.

About MetroFocus
MetroFocus is a 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.org amplifies 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/

About WNET
In 2012, WNET is celebrating the 50^th Anniversary of THIRTEEN, New York's flagship public media provider. As the parent company of THIRTEEN and WLIW21 and the operator of NJTV, WNET brings quality arts, education and public affairs programming to over 5 million viewers each week. WNET produces and presents such acclaimed PBS series as Nature, Great Performances, American Masters, Need to Know, Charlie Rose and a range of documentaries, children's programs, and local news and cultural offerings available on air and online. Pioneers in educational programming, WNET has created such groundbreaking series as Get the Math, Oh Noah! and Cyberchase and provides tools for educators that bring compelling content to life in the classroom and at home. WNET highlights the tri-state's unique culture and diverse communities through NYC-ARTS, Reel 13, NJ Today and, MetroFocus, the multi-platform news magazine focusing on the New York region.