Gumshoe Tools: Sunlight Foundation's Party Time Database

November 5, 2008–Those U.S. representatives and senators really know how to party. Especially the ones running for re-election or under indictment. Now journalists who want to follow the money have a new "Access Washington" snooper-tool to use in their investigative projects.

EPA, OSHA Flunk Science Openness Rating from UCS

October 22, 2008–EPA, FWS and OSHA are among the least open of 15 different federal agencies covered most frequently by environmental reporters, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Info on Clean Water Priced Like Gold in Alaska

October 22, 2008–"When an environmental group, Alaskans for Clean Water, asked for copies of state records about an unsuccessful ballot proposal to limit mining pollution, officials initially said they would turn over the documents — for $50,000," the Associated Press reported October 20, 2008.

Judge Rules Sandia Landfill Pollution Can't Be Secret

October 22, 2008–A new ruling by a New Mexico state district judge requires that a report on groundwater pollution from a mixed-waste landfill at Sandia National Laboratories be made public.

TOOLBOX: Foreign Agents Database and More

October 22, 2008–This database is useful for environmental and energy reporters looking for mischief perpetrated by government officials and the industries who influence them with money.

EPA Libraries Open Doors

October 8, 2008–EPA reopened five libraries September 30, 2008, after fighting its own scientists, enforcement lawyers, open-information groups, and eventually Congress for two years in an unsuccessful effort to keep them closed.

Follow the Money: Oil and Coal Edition

October 8, 2008–Deep Throat's advice was never more needed: "Follow the money." Those reporters who want to follow Deep Throat's advice now have tools undreamed of in Woodward and Bernstein's hey-day.

House Panel Probes Political Censorship of Science at EPA

October 8, 2008–More details of White House efforts to silence science at EPA emerged at a September 18, 2008, hearing of a House Energy investigations panel.

More Tools for Covering Capitol Hill — From Outside the Beltway

October 8, 2008–Reporters on "Main Street" need not feel hindered in covering action on Capitol Hill. Here are more tools for Outside-the-Beltway reporters who want to keep an eye on Congress.

Agency FOIA Logs Posted on Watchdog Site

September 24, 2008–The FOIA logs of agencies covered by environmental reporters offer fascinating insight into their workings — and some good story ideas.