Our Academic Performance-Based Bracket Results: Totally Above Average

April 5, 2011, 8 a.m.

Our strategy of predicting March Madness results based on teams’ academic achievement faced its final exam last night, and we did pretty well.

Sports Desk Update: Academic Performance Uneven Predictor of March Madness Results

March 29, 2011, 8:05 a.m.

Our NCAA tournament predictions based on academic progress ratings show an inconsistent relationship with how the Final Four are actually panning out.

From ProPublica’s Sports Desk: Predicting NCAA Champs Using Academic Performance

March 17, 2011, 11:46 a.m.

What would happen in March Madness if the teams with the best academic performance won?

By the Numbers: A Revealing Look at the Mortgage Mod Meltdown

March 8, 2011, 12:37 p.m.

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.

Loan Mod Program Left Homeowners’ Fate in Hands of Dysfunctional Industry

Feb. 17, 2011, 5:03 p.m.

The Obama administration’s flagship foreclosure prevention program has gambled on the willingness and ability of a troubled industry to help homeowners.

Dems: Obama Broke Pledge to Force Banks to Help Homeowners

Feb. 4, 2011, 8:48 a.m.

Candidate Obama pledged to support real change in bankruptcy laws to help foundering homeowners. But when it came time to fight for the measure, he didn’t show up. Some Democrats now say his administration actually undermined it behind the scenes.

Govt’s Loan Mod Program Crippled by Lax Oversight and Deference to Banks

Jan. 27, 2011, 10:41 a.m.

The Obama administration’s $75 billion foreclosure prevention program has been weakened, perhaps fatally, by a posture of cooperation—rather than enforcement—with the nation’s biggest banks.

States Will Soon Have To Start Paying Interest on Their Massive Unemployment Borrowing

Jan. 14, 2011, 1:43 p.m.

Many states have had to borrow billions from the federal government to maintain unemployment insurance payments. But the interest-free grace period on those loans that came with the stimulus bill is about to run out.

Lawsuits Highlight Troubles With Government’s Loan-Modification Program

Oct. 18, 2010, 12:11 p.m.

A recent decision to consolidate several class-action suits accusing Bank of America of unfairly denying mortgage modifications could cover over 100,000 homeowners and raise more questions about the government’s loan mod program.

Homeowner Questionnaire Shows Banks Violating Gov’t Program Rules

Aug. 16, 2010, 8:02 a.m.

Mortgage servicers regularly make errors and break the government’s loan modification rules, including giving no reasons for a loan’s rejection, homeowners report to ProPublica.

As Congress Votes on Unemployment Insurance Extension, Deeper Problems Remain

July 20, 2010, 12:52 p.m.

Congress is expected to reinstate extended unemployment benefits, but state unemployment trust funds are still in a shambles.

See Supreme Court Nominee Elena Kagan’s Financials for Yourself

May 10, 2010, 6:05 p.m.

Gov’t Report Suggests Fixes for Broken Unemployment Insurance System

May 6, 2010, 2:57 p.m.

Have You Worked in Loss Mitigation?

May 4, 2010, 5:02 p.m.

‘Black Liquor,’ the Sequel

March 29, 2010, 3:13 p.m.

Business Owners and Insiders: Tell Us How the Unemployment Insurance System Really Works

March 25, 2010, 4:34 p.m.

What Information Can You Share About the Unemployment Insurance System?

March 25, 2010, 4:33 p.m.

How Do Unemployment Issues Affect Your Business?

March 25, 2010, 4:30 p.m.

How Has Unemployment Affected You?

March 25, 2010, 4:30 p.m.