"House Republicans, overriding their top leaders, voted on Monday to significantly curtail the power of an independent ethics office set up in 2008 in the aftermath of corruption scandals that sent three members of Congress to jail."
Drought, flooding, water pollution, road conditions, shipping, climate change, even recreational activities like skiing, skating and ice-fishing — these are all potential stories around the white stuff, some with big environmental consequences. This week's TipSheet offers resources for local coverage of ice and snow.
"Climate scientist Michael Mann can proceed with defamation claims against two writers who accused him of fraud and misconduct related to his iconic 'hockey stick' graph of global warming trends, a panel of three judges on the District of Columbia Court of Appeals ruled today."
"A prominent medical journal on Monday published a scathing attack on global health advice to eat less sugar. Warnings to cut sugar, the study argued, are based on weak evidence and cannot be trusted. But the review, published in The Annals of Internal Medicine, quickly elicited sharp criticism from public health experts because the authors have ties to the food and sugar industries."
A look at major challenges encountered by teachers of environmental journalism found many: Fluctuating support from administrations and students, advocacy concerns, balancing technology and storytelling, and addressing dim career prospects. Insights — and solutions — from the new EJ Academy column.
The SEJ has voiced concerns to the U.S. government over an incident in which a Canadian photojournalist en route to cover the Dakota Access Pipeline protests was searched at the U.S. border, then prevented entering. The latest WatchDog TipSheet outlines the free speech implications, including for U.S. reporters.
"A coalition of the world’s most powerful bankers, regulators and even executives at some heavy polluters have a message for oil and gas companies: Be more forthcoming about the risks posed by climate change."
"Christopher Horner, a relentless hunter of U.S. EPA documents, is now allowed inside the agency's walls."
"A union representing public servants has reached a tentative contract that it says gives federal scientists the right to share their research with the media without first being designated official spokespeople."
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