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Oversight | Cobell v. Norton, ‘A window on the balance of power in Washington’ ASK THIS D.C. attorney Lee Helfrich writes: “Cobell …has included several instances of overt deception, intentional and negligent destruction of records, and efforts to mute truthful testimony. Any District of Columbia litigator would know better than to try this stuff with Lamberth on the bench.” 
In 2005, only 4 states following guidelines | Not much tobacco settlement money goes to reducing smoking ASK THIS Anti-smoking activist Eric Lindblom says many states thwart intent of tobacco 'Master Settlement Agreement', using almost all the money for other purposes.
Up 43% in 5 years | Hunger, almost eliminated in the 70’s, is now widespread ASK THIS The United States is the only western industrial democracy that lets millions go hungry, including many above the poverty line, and the problem is getting worse. Dr. J. Larry Brown, who runs the Center on Hunger and Poverty at Brandeis, has questions reporters need to ask.
Elections 2006 | Following up on an important GAO report on electronic voting ASK THIS A recent GAO Report on electronic voting systems points to a number of security and reliability problems. Many of these problems can only be remedied by system vendors and state and local election officials. What steps are your state and local election officials taking in response to the report?
Reporting the prospects | Look for a move toward nuclear power plants in the U.S. ASK THIS Duke Power of North Carolina is in the process of applying for licenses to construct new nuclear power plants. Even before the accident at Three Mile Island in 1979, power companies had ceased applying for nuclear power plant licenses because of public opposition. What's different now, if anything?
A major transfer point | Guatemala, home of powerful drug runners ASK THIS In an article in the Texas Observer, Frank Smyth tells how the Guatemalan military and U.S.-trained anti-narcotics police have been running drugs and committing violence with impunity for more than a decade. Here he provides some background and links on this seldom-reported story.
Oversight lacking | Imperial presidency, invisible Congress ASK THIS The post-Watergate checks to presidential power have crumbled. Andrew Rudalevige, author of ‘The New Imperial Presidency,’ proposes that reporters ask members of Congress when and if they plan to reassert themselves.
After Katrina | A reporter’s checklist for emergency preparedness ASK THIS Hurricane Katrina demonstrated that responses to disaster may not be adequate even where the dangers are well known. Reporters should find out how prepared for disaster their cities are.
A 3-year project | Center for Public Integrity reports on the telecom industry, state by state ASK THIS Questions and data for covering a business that is vast in scope, not well understood and that affects all of us.
Behind the scenes | Start asking questions about how commission reports are compiled ASK THIS A dissenting member of the Carter-Baker Commission on Federal Election Reform suggests that reporters covering commissions take a look under the hood.
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