August 2016 Archive
Using Prisoner Phone Calls to Convict? NY’s Highest Court Puts Critical Question on Hold
In April, the state’s Court of Appeals expressed uncertainty about using recorded jail calls against the accused. Now the issue has arisen in the Etan Patz murder case.
California and EPA Poised to Expand Pollution of Potential Drinking Water Reserves
A little-known program under federal environment law is being used to permit oil and gas companies to inject waste into the state’s aquifers, even as the thirst for groundwater grows.
Illinois Sues Controversial Drug Maker Over Deceptive Marketing Practices
Insys, which has come under fire before for using doctors with troubled histories to promote or consult on its products, faces new claims from Illinois’ attorney general.
SRSLY: New Motto For the Rio Paralympics: Faster, Higher … Broker?
Your three-minute read on the best reporting you probably missed.
Median Income Is Down, But Public College Tuition Is Way Up
From 2000 to 2014, the average cost of in-state tuition and fees for public colleges in America rose 80 percent. During that same time period, the median American household income dropped by 7 percent.
A Spike in Rates of Pregnancy-related Deaths in Texas Spurs Soul-searching
Two new reports show maternal deaths and severe complications rose as the state slashed funding for family planning, but researchers and state officials say more information is needed to understand the trend.
Drug and Device Makers Pay Thousands of Docs with Disciplinary Records
Physicians whose state boards have sanctioned them for harming patients, unnecessarily prescribing addictive drugs, bilking federal insurance programs and even sexual misconduct nonetheless continue to receive payments for consulting, giving talks about products, and more.
Aging But Not Aged Olympians
You can listen to what Olympic commentators say about the rapid aging of athletes, just don’t believe it all.
Dozens of New York Officials Support Tenants’ Lawsuit Over Rent Stabilization
Tenants have sued a Lower Manhattan developer, saying their leases should have been rent-stabilized in exchange for the tax breaks their landlord received. State and local officials have now filed a brief supporting the tenants, whose case could affect thousands of rental units.
Why Are We Still Wasting Billions on Homeland Security Projects That Don’t Make Us Safer?
An article in The Atlantic on post-9/11 America makes a powerful case that the “never again” approach to homeland security is good politics but lousy policy.
New Jersey Legislators Move to Reform Aggressive Student Loan Program
The move is the latest action to rein in the agency, whose loans have left families financially ruined.
Videos Surface of a Death in Custody the LAPD Didn’t Want Released
Vachel Howard was arrested for driving under the influence. Hours later, he was dead. Here‘s what happened inside an LAPD jail.
Why We Are Publishing Videos the LAPD Wouldn’t Release
The publishing of the videos detailing Vachel Howard’s death inside a Los Angeles police jail involved months of reporting and a lot of thought.
A Good Cop
John Timoney, beat cop with a master’s degree, led police departments in New York, Philadelphia and Miami.
