Archive - Illinois
Former Bush EPA Official Says Fracking Exemption Went Too Far; Congress Should Revisit
Benjamin Grumbles, assistant administrator for water at the Environmental Protection Agency in the George W. Bush administration, ponders criticism leveled at a 2004 study on hydraulic fracturing and suggests that it's now time for Congress and the EPA to take another look at the practice.
Fort Bragg Infant Death Toll May Climb to Twelve
Another baby has died in military housing at Fort Bragg. Now investigators are examining the house for tainted drywall and other possible contaminants.
PA Environment Gets the Axe – Environmental Permitting To Be Streamlined
Governor’s proposed budget would cut environmental protections and streamline regulatory processes to encourage job creation.
Obama Makes Indefinite Detention and Military Commissions His Own
Prisoners held in indefinite detention at the Guantanamo Bay camp will periodically be reviewed by a board and have a “personal representative” to advocate for them. But the system, similar to what was in effect under the Bush administration, does not bring President Obama closer to shutting Gitmo.
Habitat for Humanity Buys Back House Built with Chinese Drywall
Habitat for Humanity has become the first builder to buy back a house built with Chinese drywall.
U.S. Considers Arming Libyan Rebels Months After Approving Major Arms Deal Sought by Qaddafi
Until congressional objections stopped it, the U.S. State Department had approved a $77 million deal to provide armored troop carriers that were highly sought after by Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi’s regime.
By the Numbers: A Revealing Look at the Mortgage Mod Meltdown
We compiled the most compelling data we could find to show how the mortgage industry and the government's main effort, the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), have failed homeowners.
Backgrounder: A Closer Look at MERS, the Industry’s Controversial Mortgage Clearinghouse
We review what the mortgage clearinghouse was created to do, how it works and why the controversy surrounding it has continued to grow.
FAA Moves to Limit Blockout System Hiding Private Jet Flights
Citing a court ruling involving a ProPublica public records request, the Federal Aviation Administration says private jet owners may not block their whereabouts from real-time flight tracking without a valid security concern. The National Business Aviation Association objects to the proposed FAA rule change.
A.C. Thompson at the 2011 Media Learning Seminar
ProPublica’s A.C. Thompson spoke at the 2011 Media Learning Seminar in Miami about his groundbreaking series, Law and Disorder.
Readers React to Our Story on the U.S.’s (Mistake-Filled) Citizenship Test
Readers react to the piece I wrote last week about the U.S. citizenship test.
Ohio Moves to Make Drug Companies Report Payments to Doctors
Health care professionals in Ohio have received more than $13 million in payments from eight drug companies since 2009, according to our database. Now, a bill could require all companies to report these payments directly to the state.
A Test Where the Banks Had the Questions and the Answers
Later this month, the Federal Reserve is going to let banks know how they did on its most <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/18/business/18bank.html?_r=2">recent round</a> of “stress tests.”
