From the Shadows, Top GOP Donor Benefits From His Investments
You may have heard of the Koch brothers, the Mercers, or Sheldon Adelson. Now meet the billionaire GOP donor you don’t know — but should.
Koch Group Must Disclose Donors to State Officials, Court Rules
A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that the Americans for Prosperity Foundation must disclose its largest givers to authorities in the state of California.
Banking on the Public Option: Will LA Lead the Way for People-Owned Banks?
Private banks are driven to increase profits for their shareholders. But what if banks were publicly owned and made their business decisions with the good of the local community in mind? Los Angelenos may put this notion to the test come November.
The Rich Are Loving the Economy — It’s a Different Story for Regular Americans
According to President Donald Trump, the economy is doing stupendous — thanks to him. But the reality on the ground is that American workers have seen better days, back when unions were prevalent and had real leverage.
Battle Over Opioids: Surprising Push-Back, and Not From Dealers
If you thought tighter restrictions were helping to solve the opioid crisis, think again. Some patients, pain doctors, and groups are pushing back.
Afghanistan: 17 Years of Incompetence, Corruption, and Waste
A new government report concludes that the US’s ongoing effort — now in its 17th year — to stabilize and reconstruct Afghanistan has been marred by misspending, corruption, and incompetence.
No Sh-t: Grassroots Activists Take on Big Ag — And Win
Can the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act level the playing field between factory farms and community activists? One community showed how it can be done.
Evangelicals: Putting the ‘Ass’ in ‘Compassion’
Many evangelical leaders have gone all in for President Donald Trump. Down the road, that could backfire and hopefully cost them — and other religious organizations that get too involved in partisan politics — their tax-exempt status.
Russia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel: What the Hell Was Going On at Trump Tower?
Wait: Isn’t the main Trump scandal about Russian influence? All of a sudden they’re talking about a bunch of other countries. Don’t worry. We’ll explain.
Grifters Gonna Grift
Various companies handed Michael Cohen piles of cash in what looks like a pretty blatant attempt to buy access to President Donald Trump. Now that they have been caught, they call it a “mistake.” But isn’t it really just business as usual in the US?
How Central Bankers Rigged the World
Mexico’s economy was flourishing in 2008 when it came crashing down as a result of the financial crisis. A new book tells the story of how greed in the US made the country suffer.
Mulvaney Tries to Make Consumer Watchdog Disappear: Will His Magic Act Work?
Mick Mulvaney now heads the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an agency he once called a “sick, sad joke.” He’s made the bureau more industry-friendly, turning the consumer watchdog into more of a lapdog. Will his gambit work?
New Frontline in Battle for Campaign Finance Reform
Faced with a political climate unlikely to prioritize election reform, cities might lead the way in breaking the grip of rich donors and dark money in national campaigns.
Will Canadian Court Hand Powerful Tool to the Oppressed?
Can victims of corporate wrongdoing pursue justice in other countries? A Canadian court is dealing with that question this week and its ruling could have sweeping consequences across the globe.
To Facebook, You’re Not the Customer, You’re the Product
Facebook makes money by sucking as much data from your profile and your actions as possible. There is no reason to believe the company will stop doing that until it is compelled to.
Group With Ties to Trump Opioid Chief Scores Big
A small group with ties to President Donald Trump’s opioid czar has just been awarded $24 million in federal grants.
Trump, Kushner, Russia — and the Blackstone Mystery
President Donald Trump’s close friend, billionaire Stephen Schwarzman, and his company, Blackstone, have interesting Russia connections. Thus far, though, they’ve flown beneath the radar.
CEO Behind Murder of Environmental Activist Arrested
The murder of Honduran environmental activist Berta Cáceres shows that corruption reaches right to the top in the hydropower industry.
Here’s Who Takes Big Money from the Gun Lobby
Single-issue voters could make the difference in the 2018 midterms. Will that issue be guns?
House GOP Leads Russia Probe … Away from Deutsche Bank
House Republicans who are supposed to be investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election say there is no need to look at Deutsche Bank. Here is why they are wrong.