Topic: ProPublica

Banks are not your friends

Financial institutions do  not give you money because they want your dreams to come true. They give you money for their own gain. Here are the best ways to reduce your reliance on these businesses.

Haley Barbour pardons: Why were the forgiven so disproportionately white?

The fact that white convicts had a far better chance than black ones of getting a gubernatorial pardon from former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour may say more about racial misunderstanding than prejudice.

Occupy Wall Street: Who are targets of 'millionaires march'?

Occupy Wall Street protesters Tuesday marched on the residences of some of the power brokers who they say are responsible, at least in part, for the nation's economic ills.

Rupert Murdoch phone-hacking scandal: US connections grow

In London Saturday, Rupert Murdoch issued full-page apologies for the phone-hacking scandal that has hit his media empire. Critics say his free-wheeling and politically conservative approach may have affected US journalism as well.

U.S. citizenship test: Why Americans can't name the original 17 colonies

U.S. citizenship test: Some 450 years after America's founding, is civic ignorance at an all-time high? A Newsweek poll of US citizens from all 57 states reveals how misinformed we really are.

Hedge fund fees finally coming down

Hedge fund fees are finally starting to act rational.

Cops guilty in post-Katrina shooting. Can verdict help New Orleans heal?

Three of five New Orleans police officers on trial in the death of Harry Glover were found guilty Thursday. A central defense was police stress during extreme emergencies, such as hurricane Katrina.

Where unemployment is falling: a tale of six 'most improved' states

In July, the unemployment rate declined in more states than it rose. The changes were not dramatic, but this news from the US Labor Department on Friday highlighted the uneven pace of economic recovery in the 50 states.

Here's a look at six states that have made the most headway against unemployment this year. The beginning of the year arrived when the total number of US jobs had reached a recession-related low point.

This tale of six states reveals trends that are taking root elsewhere in the economy.

Mainstream news media: not dead yet

To survive in the Digital Age, journalism needs to be simultaneously fast-paced and substantive, snarky and thought-provoking. Or, at the very least, it must find some middle ground where illuminating investigative pieces and Mel Gibson telephone call mash-ups can coexist.

Fannie Mae wants $8.4 billion more in federal aid

Fannie Mae announced a $11.5 billion quarterly loss Monday. The mortgage giant's continued poor performance has added urgency to the question of how – or whether – it should be saved.

The bailout's costs are big – but falling

Washington's bailout of Wall Street will likely cost far less than originally expected.

How Washington lobbyists peddle power

The equivalent of six health-care lobbyists for every member of Congress are registered for this year's biggest political battle.

Can Google Fast Flip bring print readers online?

Iran nuclear proposal rejected as Russia dismisses sanctions

President Obama had hoped to pressure Iran by building international consensus on tougher sanctions.

Post-Katrina 'vigilante' violence: rumor or fact?

The US Attorney's Office and the FBI are looking into allegations of roaming 'people hunters' targeting blacks in the floods and chaos of four years ago.

Newspapers' troubles escalate in recession

Quest intensifies for new revenue streams, but solutions aren't in time to save some.

Newspaper failures are old news. It’s time to focus on solutions.

Column: Media outlets need bold, new ideas. Here are a few.

Obama halts some of Bush's 'midnight rules'

Only hours into his presidency, Barack Obama has ordered a freeze on all the new and pending federal regulations that the Bush administration pushed through in its final days.

White House removes protections for endangered species

With just over a month remaining in office, the Bush administration loosened federal protection of plant and animal species threatened with extinction.

Nonprofit journalism on the rise

At a time of layoffs and budget cuts at traditional newspapers, foundations and donors are funding new journalism ventures.