National (U.S.)

"The House passed legislation Tuesday that would modify the Endangered Species Act."

"How the international caviar underground ended up in the Ozarks"

"Going into their annual meeting in Dallas, Texas on Wednesday, ALEC — the secretive organization that brings together conservative politicians and major corporate interests — is looking to recalibrate their approach to repealing or obstructing a range of clean energy initiatives after a year of state-level defeats."

"Several food writers, including a New York Times reporter, have been subpoenaed by a meat producer as part of its $1.2 billion defamation lawsuit against ABC in regards to the network's coverage of a beef product dubbed 'pink slime' by critics."

"One of Washington’s most influential lobbying firms made thousands of dollars in political contributions to U.S. lawmakers as it worked on behalf of the Alberta government to promote Keystone, documents reveal."

"Failing to adequately reduce the carbon pollution that contributes to climate change could cost the United States economy $150 billion a year, according to an analysis by the White House Council of Economic Advisers released on Tuesday."

"The nation gets its chance this week to blast or praise the Environmental Protection Agency’s sweeping plan to cut climate-warming emissions by 2030."

"Flooding is increasing in frequency along much of the U.S. coast, and the rate of increase is accelerating along the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coasts, a team of federal government scientists found in a study released Monday."

"WAYNESBORO, Ga. — The U.S. nuclear industry has started building its first new plants in decades using prefabricated Lego-like blocks meant to save time and money and revive the once promising energy source."

Do public officials need "minders" from the public affairs office when they talk to reporters? Journalists should push back by asserting the public's right to information about what government is doing.