After West disaster, News study finds U.S. chemical safety data about 90 percent wrong

"Even the best national data on chemical accidents is wrong nine times out of 10. A Dallas Morning News analysis of more than 750,000 federal records found pervasive inaccuracies and holes in data on chemical accidents, such as the one in West that killed 15 people and injured more than 300."

"As children's birthday parties ballooned into themed events and pricey productions in recent years, bounce houses became must-have entertainment for some parents. But as the bounce house rental business has grown locally, so have the number of unlicensed operators. At least 170 of these businesses advertise their services in the Houston region, but only 30 are actually licensed with safety inspections, based on a Houston Chronicle analysis of state records."

The Los Angeles Times reports: "It's no secret Los Angeles Department of Water and Power employees are paid well. But a little-known clause in their union contract ensures they can work extra hours and collect even higher wages when private contractors are hired to help them get the job done."

"A diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder is not a barrier to being redeployed. Not when the Army needs its most experienced soldiers to wrap up the war. Instead, the Army is trying to answer a new question: Who is resilient enough to return to Afghanistan, in spite of the demons they are still fighting?"

Pennsylvania has more amusement park rides than any other state, and its governer has stated its rides are unmatched in safety because of the state's rigorous inspection program. But an investigation by PublicSource shows that the state agency that oversees amusement parks does not track the safety inspection reports that parks are required to file each month. According to PublicSource, "state records show that more than half of Pennsylvania’s permanent parks and water parks did not turn in all of their 2012 reports -- affidavits in which certified inspectors attest that they’ve performed the inspections required by law. The agency had no reports at all for 12 of the state’s 117 permanent parks and water parks PublicSource analyzed."

A Center for Investigative Reporting article states that in the past several years, six of 17 academic deans at the Westwood campus routinely have submitted doctors’ notes stating they have a medical need to fly in a class other than economy, costing the university $234,000 more than it would have for coach-class flights, expense records show.

Amid the recent fanfare surrounding big arrests in Mexico's drug war, those journalists still daring to shed light on the cartels and corrupt state officials keep on dying, and the killers, they just keep on getting away with it, according to an Al Jazeera report.

“A 27-year-old U.S. program intended to warn the public of the presence of hazardous chemicals is flawed in many states due to scant oversight and lax reporting by plant owners, a Reuters examination finds.”

The Koch Club | Investigative Reporting Workshop
Koch foundations gave more than $41 million to 89 nonprofits from 2007-2011, part of a wide effort at funding organizations with public policy, education and political interests that align with those of Koch Industries, run by Charles and David Koch. The Investigative Reporting Workshop examined Internal Revenue Service documents for a closer look at Koch giving, which also includes millions to the arts, medicine and colleges across the country, as well as continued support of a "No Climate Tax Pledge." 

Control tower errors rise at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport | The Star Tribune
Air traffic controllers made more mistakes recently at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport than at five of the 10 American airports that had more plane traffic. And MSP had almost as many errors as the Atlanta airport, which is the nation’s busiest with nearly three times the passengers.

13 excessive force complaints in officer involved in controversial shooting | The Star Tribune
His supervisors and fellow officers praise Officer Lucas Peterson as a courageous and exemplary cop. Court records offer a different view — an officer whose aggressive methods frequently cross the line. Since he joined the force in 2000, he has been named in at least 13 excessive force complaints that so far have cost the city and other agencies more than $700,000 in settlements, court and city records show.  The actions of Peterson and other officers have come under scrutiny as the Hennepin County attorney’s office reviews whether police were justified in shooting Terrence Franklin in the basement of an Uptown houseMay 10.

Paid via Card, Workers Feel Sting of Fees | The New York Times
A growing number of American workers are confronting a frustrating predicament on payday: to get their wages, they must first pay a fee.

ATF uses fake drugs, big bucks to snare suspects | USA Today
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has locked up more than 1,000 people using controversial sting operations that entice suspects to rob nonexistent drug stash houses. See how the stings work and who they target.

Oregon Employment Department shake-up casts spotlight on accusations of nepotism | The Oregonian
An ongoing investigation by The Oregonian into the Employment Department shake-up shows that familial relationships figured prominently as the agency's top tier unraveled. The director is retiring after a state probe, the deputy abruptly departed for a lower paying state job, and the No. 3 was fired as Gov. John Kitzhaber's administration cleaned house.

Inpatient hospital bills can vary widely | San Antonio Express-News
Consumers rarely know in advance what hospitals will charge when they are admitted for inpatient procedures, particularly in emergencies. However, a San Antonio Express-News analysis of data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services suggests it's worth taking into consideration — because fees can vary widely from one hospital to the next.

Fireworks lobby ensures nightly barrage in Indiana neighborhoods despite noise, danger | The Indianapolis Star
In a state with some of the nation’s loosest laws, fireworks stands pop up this time of year like weeds in your garden — in strip malls, abandoned big-box stores and under tents by the side of the road. Millions of dollars are spent, an estimated $50 million annually in this state alone, on fireworks that are labeled “consumer grade” but often rival what you might see at a professional show.

To Cope with Sequester, Justice Department Staffs Unpaid Attorneys | ProPublica
There are currently 96 unpaid special assistant U.S. attorneys working for the department, according to a spokesperson, who said paid assistant U.S attorneys have starting salaries ranging from $44,581 to $117,994.

Secret no-fly list blamed for American's Bangkok nightmare | Los Angeles Times
A Pomona medical student spent 10 nights in an airport detention area after, he believes, his name turned up on the list. His ordeal underscores the mystery surrounding the government roster.

Nearly One in Five Members of Congress Gets Paid Twice | National Journal
They draw government pensions from previous work in addition to their congressional salary. The practice is called “double-dipping.”

NSA in Utah: Mining a mountain of data | Salt Lake Tribune
In many ways, the new Utah Data Center is the quintessential black box … but a sharper picture of what is likely to go on within its walls has come into focus with recently leaked documents on NSA surveillance, combined with prior revelations, building specifics, information from defense contractors and hints dropped by top NSA brass.

An ongoing investigation by The Oregonian into the Employment Department shake-up shows that familial relationships figured prominently as the agency's top tier unraveled. The director is retiring after a state probe, the deputy abruptly departed for a lower-paying state job, and the No. 3 was fired as Gov. John Kitzhaber's administration cleaned house.