September 2014 Archive
Old Debts, Fresh Pain: Weak Laws Offer Debtors Little Protection
Critics say the 1968 federal law that allows collectors to take 25 percent of debtors' wages, or every penny in their bank accounts, is out of date and overly harsh.
Confession of Etan Patz's Accused Killer Finally Aired in Court
Pedro Hernandez confessed two years ago to killing the 6-year-old. Now a judge will decide whether it's admissible.
Unseen Toll: Wages of Millions Seized to Pay Past Debts
A new study provides the first-ever tally of how many employees lose up to a quarter of their paychecks over debts like unpaid credit card or medical bills and student loans.
Getting Sued Over Debt: Readers Tell Their Stories
Some describe their surprise when they were sued after falling behind on medical and credit card bills.
Border Patrol’s ‘Trigger-Happy’ Reputation and More in MuckReads Weekly
Some of the best #MuckReads we read this week. Want to receive these by email? <a href="http://www.propublica.org/article/border-patrols-trigger-happy-reputation-and-more-in-muckreads-weekly#signup">Sign up</a> to get this briefing delivered to your inbox every weekend.
Why Do Democrats Keep Trying to Ban Guns That Look Scary, Not the Guns That Kill the Most People?
On the twentieth anniversary of the assault weapons ban, a look at why politicians and the public support a policy that showed no evidence of saving lives.
In Patz Case, a Critical Moment in Court at Last
After more than 800 days behind bars, the man accused of killing Etan Patz will have his confession evaluated by a judge.
Investors Haul In Nearly Half the Tobacco Settlement Cash
An updated tally by ProPublica shows that tobacco bondholders are due $2.6 billion of the $6 billion in this year’s payouts to state and local governments from Big Tobacco.
Why Gun Control Groups Have Moved Away from an Assault Weapons Ban
A decade after the ban expired, gun control groups say that focusing on other policies will save more American lives.
U.S. Company Helps Russia Block Prominent Putin Critic
The U.S. blogging company LiveJournal is showing an error message to users inside Russia who try to read the blog of Alexei Navalny, a prominent politician and critic of the Russian government.
Missouri’s Misleading Execution Drug Claim and More in MuckReads Weekly
Some of the best #MuckReads we read this week. Want to receive these by email? <a href="http://www.propublica.org/article/missouris-misleading-execution-drug-claim-and-more-in-muckreads-weekly#signup">Sign up</a> to get this briefing delivered to your inbox every weekend.
The Hidden Cost of Gun Violence: Meet a Mother and Her 7-Year-Old With PTSD
Thousands of Americans in high-violence neighborhoods have developed post-traumatic stress. 24-year-old Aireana and her children are among the few who've been able to get treatment.
Woman Involved in Security Lapse at Arizona Terror Center Stripped of Citizenship
Immigration case leads to likely exile of Chinese immigrant who had role in embarrassing episode in Phoenix.
How New York and Illinois Curb a Key Labor Violation While Other States Fall Short
The states have passed hard-nosed laws and taken an aggressive tack toward employers who misclassify independent contractors.
A Judge’s Status, Robed in Silence
Barry Kamins, a senior New York judge under investigation for ethical misconduct, is back on the bench while his case is handled in secret.
