August 2013 Archive
How Unpaid Interns Aren’t Protected Against Sexual Harassment
It’s not just about a paycheck. Federal laws protecting workers against discrimination and sexual harassment often don’t apply to unpaid interns.
New Study Finds High Levels of Arsenic in Groundwater Near Fracking Sites
A Q&A with Brian Fontenot, whose research gives the latest indication that fracking may be tied to arsenic contamination.
The Surveillance Reforms Obama Supported Before He Was President
The White House has opposed efforts to rein in NSA snooping, but only five years ago, Sen. Obama supported substantial reforms.
How One State Succeeded in Restricting Payday Loans
Washington State passed a payday loan reform bill that merely limits the number of loans a person can take in a year. Here’s what happened.
Whack-a-Mole: How Payday Lenders Bounce Back When States Crack Down
In state after state that has tried to ban payday and similar loans, the industry has found ways to continue to peddle them.
Why You Should Be our 2014 OpenNews Fellow (and Join the Epic Team of Awesome)
For the second year, the ProPublica News Applications desk has a unique opening for a ten-month-long fellowship as part of the Knight-Mozilla OpenNews program.
FAQ: What You Need to Know About the NSA's Surveillance Programs
A detailed snapshot of what's known about the NSA surveillance programs.
Law to Clean Up 'Nuisances' Costs Innocent People Their Homes
Law enforcement authorities are moving to seize homes, cash and other property of people tangentially related to crimes under “civil forfeiture” laws that require minimal proof.
Nation Institute to Pay Interns Minimum Wage
Starting this fall, Nation Institute interns will now be paid minimum wage, instead of the current $150 a week stipend.
Get the Latest Issue of ProPublica: The Magazine
The third issue of ProPublica: The Magazine is out. Titled "Dream Denied," this issue includes stories about debt, temp work and other barriers to the American Dream.
The Payday Playbook: How High Cost Lenders Fight to Stay Legal
Last year, activists in Missouri tried to limit what high-cost lenders can charge. The ensuing fight exposed something that rarely comes into view so vividly: the high-cost lending industry’s ferocious efforts to stay legal and stay in business.
Where Do “Good” Software Practices Fit Into News Applications
When building news apps, good software practices don't go out the window; but something else becomes more important — the content and the story.
“Close the Back Door”
Inside Room 101 at Emerald Hills, a covert campaign was under way in the fall of 2008. Potentially lethal bed sores were spreading across Joan’s body, and workers were trying to improvise help.
