January 2012 Archive
False Joe Paterno Death Report Relied on Faulty Sourcing
The student publication that erroneously reported Joe Paterno's death Saturday night has an editorial process built for the web, and they proudly don't subscribe to traditional journalistic standards.
Actual Winner Unclear in Supreme Court’s Ruling on Texas Redistricting
Court rejects minority-friendly map, orders federal judges to give more weight to Texas' original plan drawn by GOP-controlled legislature.
Top MuckReads: Errant Alaskan Rescue, Nuclear Waste and Mitt’s Money
Our rundown of this week’s best investigative or accountability journalism.
Years After Evidence of Fracking Contamination, EPA to Supply Drinking Water to Homes in Pa. Town
The federal agency announced it would bring tanks of drinking water to four homes in Dimock, Pa.
In the Gusher of Super PACs, Even One Named ‘The Internet’
Super PACs with similar-sounding names, satirical motives or undeclared aims are setting the stage for voter confusion in the months ahead. A super PAC called “a SuperPAC”? No kidding.
Barbour Says Pardoned Murderers Deserved 'a Second Chance'
Former governor says pardons should be based on "Christian belief in repentance, forgiveness and redemption."
Deutsche Analyst Sounded Alarm When Asked to Alter Numbers
A junior analyst at Deutsche Bank protested when a mid-level executive asked him to adjust a spreadsheet to make a mortgage-backed security look less risky. The 2007 episode raises questions about whether the SEC has looked closely enough at the bank’s practices leading up to the financial crisis.
SOPA Opera Update: Opposition Surges
SOPA Blackout Day led to a surge in opposition among members of Congress.
From CEO to Candidate, Romney Flip-Flops on Debt
Under Romney, Bain Capital used debt liberally to generate high returns. Now, when the U.S. can borrow at low rates, his own leveraged buyout logic should dictate that the government borrow more -- not less.
UC Davis Responds to Our Story on One of its Doctors
The University of California, Davis has responded to our December 23 article about two physicians, one of whom, Dr. Scott Fishman, is a member of its staff.
Giffords May Get Better Brain-Injury Care Than Most of Her Constituents
Because of a lack of research and spotty insurance coverage, thousands of Americans with brain injuries don’t receive the comprehensive treatment they need.
EPA Sees Risks to Water, Workers In New York Fracking Rules
In 47 pages of comments, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency weighs in on New York’s potentially precedent-setting regulations for natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale.
Top MuckReads: Birth Control, Romney's Past and Cheating Doctors
Our rundown of this week's best investigative or accountability journalism.
In Mississippi, Identities of Pardon Applicants Must Be Public
A state judge has blocked the release of 21 people, including five convicted of murder, who were pardoned by the outgoing governor. One issue is whether they had given sufficient public notice of their intent to seek release, allowing time for victims to comment.
SOPA Opera
Well-funded interests on either side of SOPA and PIPA are lining up support among members of Congress. This database keeps track of where members of Congress stand.
New Bill Would Put Taxpayer-Funded Science Behind Pay Walls
Want to read the results of the biomedical research you helped pay for? You can find it for free. Now, two House members have introduced a bill — with the backing of big medical publishers — that would force taxpayers to pay for access.
SOPA Opera: Which Legislators Support SOPA and PIPA?
In the next few weeks, among the most talked-about legislation will be the Stop Online Piracy Act — commonly referred to as SOPA — which, if passed, would give the Attorney General the authority to block access to foreign websites deemed to be dedicated to copyright infringement.
