TOOLBOX: A Compilation of State Lawyer Licensing Databases

May 19, 2010–One tool to help tell shady lawyers from shiny is the recently updated, free, searchable online compilation at llrx.com.

Massey Mine Disaster Raises Openness Issues

April 21, 2010–Several journalists have raised questions about why more was not known publicly about the safety defects that led to the deaths of 29 miners at Massey's Upper Big Branch Mine in April 2010.

Inside Story: Small Texas Daily Tackles Complex Issue By Focusing on a Basic Human Need: Safety

April 15, 2010–Denton Record-Chronicle city hall reporters Lowell Brown and Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe tackle environmental issues as part of their everyday coverage. SEJournal has the inside story on their award-winning shale-gas-drilling series, which revealed through one neighborhood's ordeal how land deals really work in Texas and the impacts of the controversial technology.

April 22 Earth Day Sparks Local Stories

April 14, 2010–Here are several resources for localizing this 40th anniversary event.

Private Water Wells Commonly Contaminated in Canada

March 31, 2010–A University of Alberta researcher publishes his findings online March 15, 2010, in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Comments on Fed Agencies' Open Government Plans Due March 19

February 24, 2010–Various trackers are sorting through and compiling ideas, comments, and agencies' progress towards meeting the deadline.

Supreme Court Property Rights Case Has Environmental Implications

October 14, 2009–The Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments on Dec. 2, 2009. The case, which started with legal action in 2004, involves a dispute over restoration of a stretch of Florida panhandle beaches damaged by storms.

EPA Expands Energy Conservation Push with Churches

September 16, 2009–The estimated 370,000 houses of worship in the US could reduce energy consumption as much as 30%, so EPA is offering incentives, resources, and tools as encouragement.

Could Smart Meters Allow Privacy Invasion?

September 9, 2009–The Philadelphia Inquirer explores the implications of an electric meter that knows when you are sleeping, when you are awake, and a lot more besides.

EPA: Most US Residents Exposed to Excessive Air Pollution Risk

July 8, 2009–While it does have limitations, the updated National-Scale Air Toxics Assessment offers risk estimates for each of 180 substances, and three separate combined assessments.