Here are this week’s must-read stories from #MuckReads, ProPublica’s ongoing collection of the best watchdog journalism. Anyone can contribute by tweeting a link to a story and just including the hashtag #MuckReads. The best submissions are selected by ProPublica’s editors and reporters and then featured on our site and @ProPublica.
Is riveting Alaska icebreaker voyage a humanitarian
or economic mission? Alaska Dispatch
Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell urged the
federal government to green-light an exceptional sea
voyage to a remote community that he said was in danger of running out of fuel.
But people were not in immediate, if any, danger, and critics say the
much-celebrated mission mainly benefited a nearby goldmine.
Contributed
by @alaskadispatch
Romney Parks Millions in Cayman Islands, ABC
News
Mitt Romney has millions in investment
funds set up in the Cayman Islands, but it is not apparent on his financial
disclosure firm. A Romney spokesperson said Romney would pay the same in taxes
regardless of where the funds are based.
Contributed
by @ABC
Science Funding Slashed Under Corbett
Administration, StateImpact Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett’s
administration has diminished funding for scientific research at a time it says
it’s basing its Marcellus Shale drilling policies on sound science. Projects
examining the impact of drilling and climate change were removed from a
recommended funding list.
Contributed
by @StateImpactPA
In D.C. loan program, mortgage defaults abound, The
Washington Post
D.C. is giving low-income buyers
subsidies for homes they can’t afford. Nearly one in five of the homeowners is behind on mortgage payments — three-times the
overall rate in the region.
Contributed
by @j_nb
Problems plague cleanup at Hanford nuclear waste
site, USA Today
A 10-year effort to clean up 56
million gallons of radioactive nuclear waste “faces enormous problems just as
it reaches what was supposed to be its final stage.” Design problems could halt
operations before much of the waste is treated.
Contributed
by Brad Heath
In the super PAC era, do handshakes even matter? Associated
Press
Political ad spending correlates more
closely with election results than any other known factors, including a town’s
political party makeup and frequency of candidate visits.
Contributed
by @iWatch
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