According to federal documents, “This year, spending on contractors, who protect diplomats, civilian facilities and supply convoys, is projected to exceed $1.2 billion,” reports Peter Eisler of USA TODAY.
Archive for August, 2008
Posted in 
Law and Disorder series
August 28th, 2008 
Beth A five-part series by The Post and Courier (Charleston, S.C.) explores how the probation and parole system in South Carolina — and many other states — is broken.
Lobbyist money flowing freely at convention in Denver
August 27th, 2008 Beth Brian Ross, Rhonda Schwartz and Avni Patel of ABCNews.com report that lobbyist money is flowing freely at the Democratic National Convention despite Barack Obama’s position to ban lobbyist and special interest contributions to his campaign.
Texas schools often used bus firm linked to fatal crash
August 26th, 2008 Beth According to a report by Matt Stiles and Chase Davis of the Houston Chronicle, “Angel Tours, the charter bus company tied to a deadly North Texas crash this month, also shuttled children and students on dozens of trips since 2006, mostly for extracurricular events paid by local schools and universities.” Records show the Houston Independent [...]
Insurance companies influencing patient treatment
August 25th, 2008 Beth A Toledo Blade investigation by Steve Eder and Julie M. McKinnon shows doctors nationwide fear that increasingly stringent insurance rules and frequent second-guessing of doctors’ orders are eroding the doctor-patient relationship — and harming patients.
EPA chemical regulations lax
August 25th, 2008 Beth Meg Kissinger and Susanne Rust of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel detailed how the Environmental Protection Agency fails to regulate chemicals that are made in excess of one million pounds a year.
Weak rules hinder appraiser oversight
August 20th, 2008 Beth Mitch Weiss of the Associated Press found that the system set up to protect consumers from rogue appraisers following the savings and loan crisis nearly 20 years ago has failed, playing a major role in America’s housing collapse.
Handling of death investigation riddled with questions
August 20th, 2008 Beth The coroner and police reports from the 2004 death of Kathy Savio raise many questions about how the original investigation was handled, report Erika Slife and Matthew Walberg of the Chicago Tribune.
San Diego redevelopment chief resigns, projects in peril
August 20th, 2008 Beth A voiceofsandiego.org investigation has led to the resignation of San Diego’s downtown redevelopment chief and put the future of a $409 million hotel and condo project in question.
Demoted to Private
August 20th, 2008 Beth Seattle Post-Intelligencer investigative reporter Eric Nalder showed that political patronage, the zeal to privatize, and a failure at background checks led to disaster for taxpayers and military families.
