The Bailout Yearbook: The Stars and the Slackers

With the bailout set to expire this weekend, here are the recipients that have shined -- and here are the ones that have flopped.

‘Lack of Leadership’ by Regulators Put Miners at Risk, Gov’t Report Says

A government investigation following a deadly mine explosion that killed 29 workers has found serious problems with the program used by mine safety regulators to take enforcement action against mines with a history of repeated violations.

Read: Not-so-Secret ‘Secrets’ the Pentagon Paid Thousands to Destroy

The Defense Department paid thousands to destroy copies of a war memoir before it was redacted. But unredacted copies still exist--read a few pages to see the "secrets" that lie within.

GMAC's 'Robo-Signers' Draw Concerns About Faulty Process, Mistaken Foreclosures

“Robo-signers,” employees at mortgage servicers that sign thousands of foreclosure documents without review, have brought attention to long-running problems with the foreclosure process.

PA State Police: Intelligence Bulletins Were ‘Unsubstantiated,’ Work of 'Amateurs’

For months, leaders in the Pennsylvania State Police raised concerns about state intelligence bulletins, which flagged an array of activist groups — and opponents of gas drilling — as potential threats to state infrastructure.

Gulf Spill Paymaster Says He Has Eliminated Claims Backlog – While Claimants Disagree

Gulf spill claims czar Kenneth Feinberg says his operation has eliminated backlog of older claims, but claimants still report problems.

Despite Safety Concerns at Texas Refinery, U.S. Won't Revoke BP Probation

Despite the Justice Department's earlier warning that BP could get its probation revoked, documents show the department giving the company additional time to come into full compliance with a settlement agreement following its fatal 2005 refinery accident.

ProPublica Named Finalist for Four Online Journalism Awards

The finalists for the Online Journalism Awards were announced today, and once again, ProPublica made the cut.

Watch: U.S. Soldier Describes Shooting Afghan Civilians on Tapes That his Lawyer Contests

The first of five soldiers accused of shooting three Afghan civilians as part of a "kill team" is facing a military judge today.

Obama Administration Criticizes Slow Payments by Gulf Spill Claims Czar

The pace of BP claims payments is called unacceptably slow, and the official in charge promises new procedures to speed up the program.

More Questions About BP's Limited Investigation Into Gulf Disaster

Millions Were Misspent by Arizona Sheriff’s Office Facing Federal Lawsuit, Officials Say

Officials in Maricopa County, Ariz., say its controversial sheriff, Joe Arpaio, misspent between $60 million and $80 million in funds. Money meant for jails, for example, was spent on salaries for deputies, the officials say.

Troubles Plague Top Job at Pentagon Office Overseeing Brain Injuries

Col. Robert Saum, the director of the Pentagon's program to oversee the treatment of troops with brain injuries, has been transferred pending investigation into an an employee's accusations that he made unwanted sexual advances and created a hostile work environment.

This Year, Contractor Deaths Exceed Military Ones in Iraq and Afghanistan

More than 250 civilian contractors have died in Iraq and Afghanistan in the first half of 2010, while 235 soldiers died in the same period, the first time contractor deaths have exceeded military ones.

Mod Program Falling Short of Govt’s Vague Goals

The government's mortgage modification is on pace to fall short of even the administration's vague goals, while details on why homeowners are being disqualified from the program raise questions.

Frustrated Oil Spill Claimants Consider Alternative Compensation Fund

Some claimants, frustrated by the wait in their applications for funds in the Gulf Coast to be adjudicated by claims czar Kenneth Feinberg, are turning to a little-known alternative fund administered by the Coast Guard.

NOPD Officer Gets Three Years For Cover-Up of Danziger Bridge Shootings

New Health Care Provisions Go Into Effect This Week, But Read the Fine Print

The health care bill, now six months old, has several provisions going into effect this week, but the law's complexity, actions by insurers, and the political back-and-forth have consumers unsure.