Archive
Does Inquiry into Morgan Stanley Implicate Citi and UBS?
The Justice Department is looking into some CDOs designed -- and then bet against -- by Morgan Stanley, a report says. Those CDOs were marketed by Citibank and UBS, raising the question of whether they'll come under scrutiny as well.
Does Administration's Proposed Break-up of Offshore Oil Regulator Go Far Enough?
The Minerals Management Service, the agency regulating offshore drilling, would be split, separating its safety responsibilities from its leasing and royalties responsibilities.
General Electric’s Comments to our Omniscan Stories -- and Our Response
GE Healthcare criticizes our stories about Omniscan, its MRI drug linked to a crippling disease, and we respond to the criticism.
After Spill, More Gulf Drilling Plans Got Environmental Exemptions
Even as oil was spilling into the Gulf of Mexico, companies were granted 27 exemptions from in-depth environmental analysis for proposed drilling, McClatchy reported. The exemptions don't mean the wells will be drilled, and there is a temporary moratorium on new wells.
Only $242 Million Spent So Far on Gov't $75B Mortgage Mod Program
The progress of the program to stanch home foreclosures is still painfully slow, with only $242 million of the pledged $75 billion for loan modifications spent by the end of March.
Despite Previous Equipment Failure, BP Says Spill 'Seemed Inconceivable'
BP says the blowout preventer whose failure led to the Gulf oil spill has not had any problems in the past, but Minerals Management Service records suggest otherwise.
See Supreme Court Nominee Elena Kagan’s Financials for Yourself
Financial disclosure and ethics forms that Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan filed when she was nominated to be solicitor general are available for your perusal. They show a $10,000 "stipend" as a member of a Goldman Sachs advisory council.
Chicago Tribune, ProPublica Help Drive Illinois Nursing Home Overhaul
In part because of ProPublica's reporting, Illinois' governor has a bill to end many of the flaws in the state's broken system of nursing homes. Among its measures are informed consent for patients given psychotropic drugs.
EPA Approves BP's Use of Questionable Chemicals to Break Up Oil
BP has resumed spraying dispersants to break up the Gulf oil spill with EPA approval, even though the chemicals pose their own hazards to the environment and sealife.
Regulators Let Industry Drill Deeper, Despite Safety Concerns and Unproven Fixes
The Gulf oil disaster spotlights the dangers in deepwater drilling, which has been increasing with little regulatory oversight or testing of new technologies to deal with the incredible water pressures the equipment must operate under.
Offshore Drilling Regulators Had Concerns, but Let Industry Self-Police
Drilling regulators had concerns about the reliability of blowout protection devices on oil rigs, but accepted industry assurances that they weren't needed, two reports show.
Financial Reform Amendment Would Address Loan Mod Problems with 'Homeowner Advocate'
An amendment to the financial reform bill would create a federal "homeowner advocate" office to assist people having trouble with the loan modification program, effectively centralizing the complaint process.
Florida Regulators Stop Admissions to Troubled Youth Facility
Florida has halted admissions to a Manatee Palms, psychiatric hospital for children and adolescents operated by a subsidiary of Psychiatric Solutions Inc., which is under scrutiny for reports of neglect and sexual abuse at several of its centers.
