Latest news with #DavidDiaz
CBS News
2 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Journalist and educator David Diaz remembered as a "reporter's reporter" at celebration of life
The life and work of journalist and educator David Diaz was celebrated Thursday, on the eve of what would've been his 83rd birthday. Diaz died in March. Friends and colleagues turned out to remember David, who helped tell the story of New York from the 1970s into this century. His legacy was front and center at Riverside Church in Morningside Heights, where he was remembered as a true New Yorker who never lost touch with the soul of the city. "Not only was he a reporter's reporter, he was a human being's human being," former news executive Joe Coscia, Sr. said. Coscia recalled David's professionalism and humanity during the nightmare of 9/11. Cindy Hsu joined CBS News New York in 1993, just as David came over after many years at NBC. "In my 20s, and he was such a mentor. So professional, such a gentleman. No matter how rushed and stressed things were, he would always take the time," Hsu said. "I always admired David, a little intimidated by him - but he was smart, and after he left local news, he taught. He was teaching the next generation of New York City reporters," former reporter Mary Murphy said. David believed in the power of journalism to inspire hope and inform democracy. New Yorkers saw him as someone who shared their struggles and values. "He had lived such a life - roller coasters up and down - and that's what real people experience," Hsu said. "That smile. That love. David was one of a kind," Coscia said. Diaz is survived by his daughter Nina and Elena, who have both enjoyed distinguished broadcasting careers, and his beloved wife Andrea. He was a proud native of Puerto Rico, and a trailblazer in New York media for Latinos. "I was pretty well known in this town. Pretty good reputation that I built over time. I'm pretty proud of what I did," Diaz previously said.
CBS News
13-06-2025
- Health
- CBS News
New York state quadruples funding for Medical Indemnity Fund. Here's why there are still concerns.
N.Y. program for children injured at birth by medical malpractice gets more funding N.Y. program for children injured at birth by medical malpractice gets more funding N.Y. program for children injured at birth by medical malpractice gets more funding It's a win for children injured at birth by medical malpractice in New York. Earlier this year, the state set aside just $52 million for a critical program — far short of what it needs to stay afloat. But after CBS News New York investigator Mahsa Saeidi pressed state leaders, the funding quadrupled. Still, families who rely on the program remain on edge. Medical Indemnity Fund faces projected $3 billion shortfall David Diaz's daughter Jhudelisse suffered a neurological injury in the delivery room, but New York state didn't allow the family to collect full damages from the hospitals found to be negligent. Instead, the state promised to provide lifelong health care through a unique program called the Medical Indemnity fund (MIF). Right now, roughly 1,000 kids are enrolled in MIF, and lawmakers say approximately 100 new kids come into the fund each year. In July 2024, Diaz told Saeidi that MIF was increasingly denying his daughter's claims. "Every year it gets tougher and tougher to get the same services we're getting now," he said at the time. Then, without warning, MIF briefly shut its doors to new enrollees. The program is financially unstable, facing a projected $3 billion shortfall. Families say the state mismanaged MIF and is now cutting corners. Despite its abrupt closure in May 2024, neither Health Commissioner James McDonald, who oversees MIF, nor the governor proposed any reforms or additional funding in 2025. In February, the commissioner told lawmakers MIF would likely run out of cash again, triggering another shutdown, but two months later, when Saeidi had a chance to speak with him, McDonald had a different outlook. "The fund needs to be reformed, but I'm pleased with what I'm seeing so far in the process. In other words, the legislature's interested in making it sustainable. Same with the governor. I am as well," he said. "So I think we're going to end someplace well at the end of this year, but we'll see where we go. But I don't anticipate it shutting down this year." Additional funding should keep program open until July 2026 Soon after, the state quadrupled MIF's funding from $52 million to $211 million, preventing a shutdown. "The reality is, without the help of people like you, we would never have had this happen. And of course it's a win," Diaz told Saeidi. But he's still concerned. "We have an opportunity to cover our kid's health costs for another year or two. And we'll see from there," he said. The state says this money should allow the fund to keep its doors open until July 2026. State Assemblyman Matt Slater calls the additional funding a "very strong half step." He says he's repeatedly reached out to McDonald to collaborate and find a more long-term solution, but he's never heard back. "The process itself is still broken. And so, we still are throwing money at a bad process," Slater said. Slater said in order to fix MIF, the process has to be streamlined. "Making sure that there's an ombudsman or a panel for the families," he said. Father believes MIF is trying to cut reimbursement Diaz said an ombudsman would be useful. "It's a way to challenge when we get denied for reimbursements," he said. He added, "I have plenty of medical expenses that should be reimbursed, but it's not being covered." Before a medical visit, therapy or treatment, Diaz must obtain prior approval from MIF. Documents show MIF just added new language stating, "This approval does not guarantee rates of reimbursement." Diaz believes the wording was changed in order to cut reimbursement. "I mean, what other reason would there be?" he said. But a health department spokesperson said this language was just added "for awareness, not as a change in policy." The spokesperson also said by law, reimbursement rates are, and have always been, subject to adjustments.
Business Wire
21-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Walker Reid Strategies and Blue Energy Group Merge to Form Walker Blue, LLC
BOCA RATON, Fla. & LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Walker Reid Strategies and Blue Energy Group, two nationally recognized leaders in energy tax incentives, announce their merger and the formation of a new company: Walker Blue, LLC. Walker Blue, LLC brings together the strengths of both firms to form a unified organization focused on delivering 179D and 45L tax certifications, ITC, domestic content and prevailing wage compliance along with energy engineering services. The combined firm will serve a wide range of clients, including CPA firms, specialty tax consultants, Energy Service Companies (ESCOs), real estate developers, building owners, architects, and engineers. The merger comes at a time of growing demand for energy tax incentive services. The new firm will be led by a combined executive team from both organizations. Josh Howes, formerly CEO of Blue Energy Group, will serve as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and David Diaz, formerly Managing Partner at Walker Reid Strategies, will serve as Chief Strategy Officer (CSO). The leadership team brings deep expertise in both technical delivery and energy tax policy and will guide the firm through its next phase of growth. "The merger of Walker Reid Strategies and Blue Energy Group to form Walker Blue is a strategic alignment that simply makes sense. By combining the strengths of both firms, we're now uniquely positioned to deliver unparalleled service and expertise across 179D, 45L, ITC, prevailing wage compliance, and engineering services. This merger not only enhances the value we bring to our clients, particularly in the CPA and ESCO sectors, but it also cements Walker Blue as the leading energy tax incentive firm in the industry," said David Diaz, Chief Strategy Officer, Walker Blue, LLC. Integration efforts are underway, with a focus on aligning operations, expanding service delivery, and preserving the client-focused culture that has defined both organizations. Walker Blue, LLC will be fully operational mid-July. In the meantime, Walker Reid Strategies and Blue Energy Group will continue to operate under their existing brands but will function collaboratively as one team. Clients may work with either firm and benefit from the combined expertise and services of the newly merged organization during this transition period.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Veteran New York news reporter David Diaz dead at 82
Beloved New York news man David Diaz, who spent his decades-long career delivering the latest to residents across the tri-state area, has died. He was 82. Few details were provided about the veteran reporter's death. According to CBS, he died last week, but a specific timeframe was not available, nor was the cause of death. A journalist for more than 30 years, Diaz started off as a community activist and newspaper reporter before launching his on-air career with the NBC-owned WNBC. After some 15 years with the station, he pivoted to CBS New York, where he worked for another 12 years. During his time in the industry, he covered breaking news events across the five boroughs, including the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001. CBS Evening News anchor Maurice Dubois remembered his former colleague as a 'reporter's reporter' and a 'New York City guy,' who was 'hard scrabble' while still striving to 'bring others up as well.' CBS News New York's Jennifer Jones echoed the sentiment, declaring Diaz a 'legend.' 'He understood New York City like very few journalist know and that was David Diaz,' CBS News New York anchor Mary Calvi added. 'He was a consummate professional, a charming, charming man.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
David Diaz, longtime NYC reporter who worked at NBC 4 and CBS 2, dead at 82: ‘Charming, charming man'
Retired New York City journalist David Diaz who delivered the news to Big Apple residents for decades and was affectionately known as a 'reporter's reporter' died last week, CBS News announced Monday. He was 82. The trailblazing on-air talent covered 9/11, presidential elections and other major breaking news events throughout the five boroughs and nation on NBC 4 and then CBS 2 for about 30 years. Former colleagues remembered him Monday as a mentor always willing to help others. 'A reporter's reporter. New York City guy,' CBS Evening News anchor Maurice Dubois called Diaz in a tribute by the station. 'Hardscrabble, you know, bringing himself up and wanted to bring others up as well.' CBS News anchor Mary Calvi added that the longtime broadcast reporter 'understood New York like very few journalists know.' 'He was a consummate professional, a charming, charming man,' she said. While the cause of death was not revealed, Diaz's family told his former station that he suffered from a form of dementia that made it harder for him to communicate as he got older. The newsman was born in Puerto Rico in 1942 before he moved to Washington Heights in upper Manhattan as a toddler. He graduated from Fordham Prep, then City College and then earned a master's degree at Columbia University, according to CBS. He worked as an activist and print reporter before NBC 4 brought him aboard for 15 years. CBS 2 then hired him where he spent more than 12 years before leaving in 2015. Following his news career, Diaz taught future journalists as a way to give back. He was a lecturer at CUNY where he taught mass media and politics and journalism, according to his LinkedIn profile. Diaz notched five Emmy Awards and was the first Hispanic anchor at a major New York television station, according to a blurb in 2017 by CUNY, which was presenting him with an honorary degree at the time. 'I first met David Diaz when I was a print reporter and we went on a complicated trip to South America and Central America,' CBS political reporter Marcia Kramer said in the station's tribute. 'He was able to take this complex story with multiple, multiple locations and cut in the field and feed a piece back and be on the evening news every single night. He was able to do it and make it look so incredibly effortless.' In 2008, he told the Daily News that he suffered from health issues, including a sinus problem and headaches, stemming from his on-the-ground coverage at Ground Zero following the terror attacks at the World Trade Center. He leaves behind his wife, Andrea, two daughters and a son-in-law.
