National (U.S.)

Reporters looking for help in penetrating the labyrinth of federal information have a new ally: librarians.

Two House Science subcommittees are investigating allegations that the Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR) suppressed information on harmful levels of formaldehyde in FEMA trailers given out after Hurricane Katrina.

The latest fad on SEJ's members-only listserve is "FOIA Friday."

The idea was to set up an independent ombudsman's office to mediate time-consuming disputes over what documents the feds would release in response to Freedom of Information Act requests.

Suppose there were a catastrophe and you needed information fast. Would you call FEMA?

Two House subcommittees are investigating charges that federal agencies censored scientific information about the health risks posed by FEMA trailers to people living in them.

Reporters starved for environmental information and desperate for local story ideas, rejoice. Well, at least don't look so glum. EPA has thrown you a bone or two with its newly redesigned web site.

The nonpartisan Congressional Research Service has completed two reports useful to journalists.

The fifth annual report card produced by OpenTheGovernment.org offers hard numbers from a range of indicators that Bush Administration secrecy continues.

The Environmental Protection Agency looks determined to keep the public from knowing whether a pesticide on which it has waived safety rules may be a factor in the worldwide bee die-off known as "colony collapse disorder."