Investigations You Need to Read: Wednesday, May 19 — ProPublica

Investigations You Need to Read: Wednesday, May 19

by Ryan Knutson

May 19, 2010, 10:52 a.m. EDT

Today’s accountability news:

Lobbyists are gearing up to protect federal earmarks, according to The Hill. The publication obtained documents that paint a picture of how one of the biggest earmark lobbying firms is going to create the "Earmark Reform and Education Coalition."
The Chicago Tribune tested hundreds of skin-lightening creams and found that several contain harmful amounts of mercury, a toxic metal that was banned in certain types of facial treatments in 1990.
In Florida, a school official ordered his employees to hire an architect who is married to a county commissioner, reports The Sun-Sentinel.
As more oil companies are drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, the amount they are paying for leases has dropped drastically, reports SolveClimate.
Soldiers in Massachusetts suspect their current health problems were caused by exposure to Agent Orange at a Canadian training base, according to MyFoxBoston.com.

These stories are part of our ongoing roundup of investigations from other news outlets. For more, visit our Investigations Elsewhere page.

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