April 2012 Archive
Excerpt: At Goldman Sachs Servicer, 'Total Disaster'
An employee at a mortgage servicer that was owned by Goldman describes the internal chaos that harmed thousands of homeowners and undermined the government's flagship foreclosure prevention program.
Law Shrouds Details of Congressional Trips Abroad
Members of Congress normally have to disclose where they travel overseas, whom they visit and how much the trip cost — but not under a little-known State Department program that keeps those details and others a secret.
Ask Paul Kiel Your Questions on the Foreclosure Crisis
Six million American homeowners are facing foreclosure. Tomorrow, reporter Paul Kiel will field your questions about this mess.
The Great American Foreclosure Story: The Struggle for Justice and a Place to Call Home
The story of how one woman went from a three-bedroom home to a tent is the story of how America ended up in a foreclosure crisis that still drags down the economy.
Video: The Great American Foreclosure Song
Looking to get a handle on the foreclosure crisis, the loan modification fiasco, and the robo-signing scandal? We put it all in a music video.
California Governor Commutes Sentence in Shaken Baby Case
California Gov. Jerry Brown today commuted the sentence of Shirley Ree Smith, a 51-year-old woman whose 1997 conviction for shaking her infant grandson to death has drawn national attention.
Campaign Ads: How To Free the Files at Your TV Station
Whether you work for a news organization or not, we’re asking for help posting public data detailing what super PACs are spending on political ads. Here’s how to do it.
The Best Watchdog Journalism On Fracking
A special edition of Top #Muckreads in advance of a ProPublica Tenement Talk on “The Perils and Promise of Fracking.”
Lack of Competition Stifles Refinance Program for Underwater Homeowners
A new report says borrowers who want to refinance mortgages under the government’s expanded Home Affordable Refinancing Program, or HARP, may not be getting the lowest rates because there’s little incentive for big banks to compete for business.
Ask Charles Ornstein and Tracy Weber Your Questions on Our Healthcare System
Pulitzer Prize-winning healthcare reporters will be answering reader questions in a Facebook chat on Wednesday, April 4 at 2 p.m.
$10 Million Bounty for Alleged Mumbai Plotter Ups Pressure on Pakistan
Hafeez Saeed, cofounder of the militant group Lashkar-i-Taiba, remains at liberty in Pakistan, where prosecution has stalled of other alleged planners in the attacks that killed 166 people, including six U.S. citizens.
The Facts Behind the Government's New 'Hospitality' Guidelines for Immigrant Detainees
The government's new standards for more humane detention of undocumented immigrants have been criticized as too cushy. So what are they?
Meet Bahrain's Best Friend in Congress
How a Democrat from American Samoa became the beleaguered regime's most reliable booster.
Ron Paul Is Really Serious About Transparency
Unlike other candidates, Paul’s campaign reports the smallest expenses, even the 12 cents at Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
