Clean Water Act Story and Timeline

On DCBureau are a story and timeline about the history of the Clean Water Act and the efforts to undermine it. Together they show an incremental, well-funded, organized campaign to weaken the law. On the 40th Anniversary of the Act, it is important to remember that environmental laws enjoyed bipartisan support for years. Weakening [...]

PCBs linked to inattention issues for children in New Bedford, Mass.

Scientists first documented that PCBs had neurological effects in children in the mid 80s. Now new research suggests they may also play a role in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In late February, researchers published findings from their investigation into the prevalence of inattentive and impulsive behaviors in boys and girls in New Bedford, Mass. [...]

Judge’s Ruling Complicates Hydrofracking Controvery in New York

Justice  Phillip R. Rumsey of the State Supreme Court ruled this week that New York municipalities can use their zoning laws to ban oil and natural gas drilling. This decision is one of the first in the nation to uphold a local drilling ban and a key victory for opponents of this extraction technique. [...]

The Death of The Merchant of War

In late summer 1995, a fax arrived at my office. The written invitation came by mail a week later. Sarkis Soghanalian, the international arms dealers, had been released from an American prison and had set up shop in Paris. He was hosting his coming out party. A larger than life character, he wanted the world to know he was back in business. He also wanted to thank his friends and family who had stood by him through that awful ordeal. I was included because I had kept in touch with him throughout his prison term, bringing journalists to interview him. I knew if the media was watching, the authorities would be less reticent to try something sinister. Continue reading The Death of The Merchant of War