Social issues
Putting a face on human trafficking
As officials try to raise awareness about the existence of people who have been trafficked, a Seattle woman tells her unusual story. Her mother’s family was victimized by her father, a Ph.D. and concert violinist who worked with the U.N.
Read MoreHealthcare facility forced into federal oversight
“In its “Chronic Condition” series spanning the last three weeks, The Dallas Morning News is delving into how Parkland Memorial Hospital has become the nation’s largest healthcare facility ever forced into federal oversight to remedy patient-safety dangers.“ “This week, the installment by Miles Moffeit discloses how Parkland’s medical-school partner acts as a shadow government over…
Read MoreCO’s 5th largest school district hid millions while cutting student services
“Over the last three years, Denver’s fifth largest school district has cut its budget by more than $56 million, eliminated bus routes and cut more than 200 jobs and middle school sports.” “But a three-month investigation by FOX31 Denver raises serious questions regarding the district’s finances, its budget process and whether all those cuts were…
Read MoreOKC bombing survivors’ requests for funds being denied
“The Tulsa World reports that nearly 18 years after the Oklahoma City bombing, more than $12 million in donated funds remains but survivors say the foundation in charge of most of it has denied requests for surgery, tuition and other needs donors intended to be funded.”
Read MoreWhen children accidentally shoot siblings, parents rarely prosecuted
After a couple of recent cases invovling children accidentally shooting their siblings after finding loaded weapons in the house, Minnesota Public Radio analyzed state court data and found that prosecuting parents for leaving guns around kids is rare, but not unprecedented in Minnesota. MPR found that since 2001, 85 such cases have been prosecuted.
Read MoreExtra Extra Monday: Several enterprise stories tackle gun control issues
The Washington PostReview of FBI forensics does not extend to federally trained state, local examinersThe Washington Post reports that thousands of criminal cases at the state and local level may have relied on exaggerated testimony or false forensic evidence to convict defendants of murder, rape and other felonies, according to former FBI agents. The Journal…
Read MoreIn Southern Towns, ‘Segregation Academies’ Are Still Going Strong
“In the 1960s and ’70s, towns across the South created inexpensive private schools to keep white students from having to mix with black. Many remain open, the communities around them as divided as ever.”
Read MoreA look at income inequality in the US
“Reuters, in a multi-part series, explore how the government is either exacerbating inequality or doing less than it could to alleviate it.” “As the nation’s leaders debate whose taxes to raise and what social programs to cut before a Jan. 1 deadline, today’s story, “Redistributing Up,” shows that the government’s hand in income inequality is…
Read MoreCalifornia police ignored, mishandled sex assaults reported by disabled
In three dozen cases of developmentally disabled patients accusing caretakers of rape and molestation during the past four years, police failed to complete even the simplest tasks associated with investigating the alleged crimes, according to a California Watch investigation.
Read MoreReuters finds vicious circle of self-interest sank a California city
When San Bernardino filed for bankruptcy in August, the mayor blamed the city council and the police and fire unions. The unions blamed the mayor. Yet on close examination, the city’s decades-long journey from prosperous, middle-class community to bankrupt, crime-ridden, foreclosure-blighted basket case is straightforward—and alarmingly similar to the path travelled by municipalities around America’s…
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