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In Pennsylvania, culture of secrecy, Right to Know Law remain work in progress
Pennsylvania’s records laws were for many years among the most restrictive in the country, and though the letter of the law has since improved drastically, freedom of information advocates say the spirit of the law has lagged. Pennsylvania overhaul of its Right to Know Law four years ago was a major victory for government transparency,…
Read MoreAmazon creates billion-dollar tax shield
An examination of accounts filed by 25 Amazon units in six countries show how the company has avoided paying more tax in the United States, where it’s based, according to a report from Reuters. Reuters writes that Amazon, in effect, used inter-company payments to form a tax shield behind which it has accumulated $2 billion. Last…
Read MoreArmored car industry leaves workers unprotected
A lack of industry regulation, jurisdictional confusion at the federal level and trucks in bad conditions leave armored car drivers unprotected, The Texas Observer reports. The Bureau of Labor statistics reports an average of four deaths in the armored car industry per year, but experts say they have yet to see a figure on fatalities…
Read MoreLittle being done to protect garment workers in poorer countries
In the first of two articles by The New York Times is has been revealed that there have been “failures to protect garment workers in poor countries“, such as Bangladesh, “who make much of the world’s clothing” including brands for Walmart.
Read MoreInvestigation leads to ship’s repair
“It’s rare for the U.S. Navy to acknowledge the veracity of negative reporting about one of its major programs — especially after denying the earlier investigative reports. But the Navy did just that as detailed in a recent report by Aviation Week — indeed the service brass gave the reporter unparalleled access to one of…
Read MoreSBA disaster loan data updated in NICAR Database Library
In the wake of a disaster, individuals and business owners are often left with severely damaged property. Many turn for help to the Small Business Administration, which approves low-interest loans to help rebuild. For declared disasters in 2011 alone, the Small Business Administration approved over $1 billion in loans. NICAR has updated the SBA database of these loans,…
Read MoreBehind the Story: The big business of ‘green’ buildings and LEED certification
Can a 50-story Las Vegas hotel be environmentally-friendly? This is the question USA Today reporter Tom Frank sought to answer when he began reporting on the increase in construction of so-called environmentally friendly buildings. Through his investigation, Frank found that green commercial construction has increased. Non-profits are behind the movement, but few have assessed the…
Read MoreDCS withholds files on child deaths
According to an investigation by the The Tennessean, “The Department of Children’s Services continues to withhold details about the children’s lives and deaths and what steps the state’s $650 million child protection agency took — or did not take — to protect them.”
Read MoreFor-profit education under fire
According to an investigation by The Orange County Register, “For-profit colleges have been on the hot seat lately for collecting billions in revenue from federal student loans while too often leaving students saddled with debt and ill-equipped to get jobs. Half the students enrolled at the largest for-profit schools leave without a diploma within four…
Read MoreNevin Shapiro’s two roles: Miami Hurricanes sugar daddy, pseudo agent
According to a Miami Herald investigation, “As judgment day nears for UM, Nevin Shapiro’s dual roles — illicit benefactor and pseudo sports agent — are coming into focus.”
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