SEJ Backs Free Publication of Tax-Funded Research

March 11, 2009–SEJ and science journalism groups expressed opposition to a bill that would reverse current policy of free publication of scientific results coming from federal agencies.

Ten Good Things on the EPA Web Site

March 11, 2009–There is a lot of useful government information that is freely available to journalists and the public online. Here are some examples from EPA that can be the building blocks of great stories.

Many Tools Available For Following the Stimulus Money

March 4, 2009–The massive $787 billion economic stimulus package signed into law by President Obama Feb. 17, 2009, contains extensive funding for projects with direct and indirect environmental ties — all of which can be covered from numerous angles of interest to your audience.

National Map: Where Is the News? (And Everything Else)

March 4, 2009–A new federal interagency effort, intended to improve and deliver topographic information from across the US, may end up yielding significant benefits to journalists and the communities they serve.

"Show Us The Data"

February 25, 2009–A new online project by two longstanding open-government groups allows people and groups to vote for the government information they would most like disclosed.

Environment Canada Gags Scientists At Conference

February 25, 2009–SEJ member Janet Pelley writes about her experience with EC scientists, policy and a press 'minder' at the recent Central Canadian Symposium on Water Quality Research.

FOIA Requests in 120-Day Limbo — Or Are They?

February 25, 2009–In January 2009, President Obama reversed Bush administration policy and ordered most federal agencies to err on the side of disclosure when responding to FOIA requests. Why, then, are a number of agencies still operating under the old policies?

Obscure Farm Bill Provision Blacks Out Agricultural Data

February 25, 2009–The USDA is interpreting a provision in the 2008 Farm Bill so broadly that it may amount to a FOIA exemption for most information about individual agricultural operations.

Cement Kiln Rule Proposal Possible in March

February 18, 2009–EPA proposes a new rule addressing emissions of toxic chemicals from kilns that are fueled by coal or other typical fuels, or allegedly nonhazardous waste. You'll find this, as well as other environmental story ideas, in the latest issue of TipSheet.

Toolbox: NOAA Upgrades Weather and Climate Data

February 18, 2009–Get detailed flood data that is almost real-time, provided by 4,260 monitors on waterways throughout the US, and the latest information on temperature, precipitation, wind, El Nino and La Nina, Pacific sea level, events in the stratosphere, and more.