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November 2007 - Posts

Friday, November 30, 2007 8:30 AM

Quacks Who Kill

In an extraordinary series, "Miracle Machines: The 21st-Century Snake Oil," Christine Willmsen and Michael J. Berens of the Seattle Times uncovered a global network of manufacturers that rake in millions of dollars selling unproven medical devices, unaccredited
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Thursday, November 29, 2007 8:30 AM

Darfur Delays

PBS Frontline's "On Our Watch" does a brilliant job exploring why the world was so slow to react to the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan. This documentary by producer, director and writer Neil Docherty reports that while 200,000
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Wednesday, November 28, 2007 9:00 AM

New Horizons

Here are two nice stories on second chances. In "The Last Resort," Michael Leahy of the Washington Post tells how Clayton Beaver, a 40-year-old Hawaiian struggling to support his family, decided to join the Army. Beaver isn't sure he can survive boot
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Tuesday, November 27, 2007 9:00 AM

On Post-Traumatic Stress

Two News Gems readers recently recommended compelling stories on post-traumatic stress disorder. Dan Kane suggested "The Promise," by Barbara Barrett of the Raleigh News & Observer. The story centers on Army Sgt. 1st Class Chad Stephens, who is haunted
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Monday, November 26, 2007 9:15 AM

The Wounds of War

Gregg Zoroya of USA Today deserves applause for using the Freedom of Information Act to uncover an important story about U.S. troops who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. His "20,000 Vets' Brain Injuries Not Listed in Pentagon Tally" reveals that
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Friday, November 23, 2007 9:27 AM

Dubious Day Care

The Tulsa World has produced a strong Web package that examines the flaws as well as the success stories of the Oklahoma child-care system. For "A Question of Care," project editor Ziva Branstetter and reporters Ginnie
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Wednesday, November 21, 2007 1:38 AM

Looking the Other Way

"Lawless Lands," by Michael Riley of The Denver Post, is an outstanding series that shows how the criminal justice system is failing Native Americans. On most Indian reservations, the sole authority to prosecute felonies lies with the federal government.
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Tuesday, November 20, 2007 12:21 AM

Overthrowing Governments

The November issues of two Midwestern magazines are featuring fascinating stories about Americans caught in plots to overthrow foreign governments. Jessica McBride's "Cloak & Dagger" in Milwaukee Magazine traces how Lo Cha Thao, a Hmong-American
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Monday, November 19, 2007 12:12 AM

We're Letting Them Win

"Ghosts in the Browser," by Ryan Blitstein of the Mercury News, provides a disturbing look at America's inept attempts to counter the growth of cybercrime. While sophisticated criminal organizations such as Rock Phish in Russia steal over $100 million
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Thursday, November 15, 2007 9:13 PM

They Kept Digging

It started as an Associated Press story on what seemed to be an isolated incident: "Pet Massacre in Puerto Rico: Pet Owners in Puerto Rican Housing Projects Mourn Dogs, Cats Thrown Off Bridge to Their Deaths." The story, written by Michael Melia and posted
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Wednesday, November 14, 2007 9:47 PM

Sinco's Choice

Sometimes a journalist chooses to become part of a story. In Fallouja in 2004, Los Angeles Times photographer Luis Sinco took an iconic photo of Marine Lance Cpl. James Blake Miller smoking a Marlboro. Miller returned to battle, but the photo made him
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Wednesday, November 14, 2007 8:30 AM

Gas Pains and Gains

Rising gas prices aren't just leaving our wallets emptier. Steven Mufson's "Oil Price Rise Causes Global Shift in Wealth" in Saturday's Washington Post traces how climbing fuel costs are affecting governments and economies around the world.
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Tuesday, November 13, 2007 7:45 AM

Hazardous Cuisine

Reporter Dave Savini and producer Michele Youngerman of CBS 2 in Chicago have revealed gaping holes in the inspection system for food as it's transported to restaurants and grocery stores. Their "Filthy Food" investigation shows how trucks carrying meat
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Monday, November 12, 2007 8:30 AM

Honoring Our Veterans

Some fine writers remind us of the sacrifices of those who served in our Armed Forces. In "His Courage Knows No Darkness," Steve Lopez of the Los Angeles Times introduces us to Army Sgt. Maj. Jesse Acosta, 50, who is determined to rebuild his life after
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Friday, November 09, 2007 9:00 AM

Vancouver's Sordid Side

Vancouver, Canada, is a wonderful city. But like everywhere else, it has places you'd rather avoid. There, David Carrigg and Kate Webb of the Vancouver Province show us, lie several gritty tales. In "Undercover with The Province," Carrigg stays in a blood-
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Thursday, November 08, 2007 8:00 AM

Through Others' Eyes

While the debate over immigration rages, Christine Evans of the Palm Beach Post takes us away from the anchor desks, away from the op-ed pages, and transports us to a kindergarten in Lake Worth, Fla., to meet some delightful young immigrants from several
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Wednesday, November 07, 2007 8:30 AM

The 49th Parallel

Small newspapers with big ambitions deserve admiration, and the Helena Independent Record is worthy of special praise for its "Big Sky, Big Border" project. While the immigration debate has focused attention on the U.S. border with Mexico, the
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Tuesday, November 06, 2007 8:30 AM

Troop Tributes

As Veterans Day draws near, we'd like to belatedly highlight an excellent project from The Denver Post. "Colorado's Fallen" by photographer Lyn Alweis shares the stories of the 12 servicemen from Colorado who had died as of Memorial Day
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Monday, November 05, 2007 8:30 AM

Behind Church Doors

If you think governments and businesses can be secretive, try covering the inner workings of a major church. G. Wayne Miller of The Providence Journal successfully explores this oft-hidden world of church leaders in "An American Bishop." Miller spent
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Friday, November 02, 2007 8:30 AM

A Special Theater Troupe

For nearly 30 years, the Jesters — a group of actors with mild to moderate mental and physical disabilities — have entertained and enriched audiences in Fort Wayne, Ind. In "The Jesters 'Can Do It,'" Emma Downs of The Journal Gazette displays a fine eye
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Thursday, November 01, 2007 8:30 AM

Ring of Fire

Last week we lauded the amazing coverage of the fires that roared through Southern California. Today we'd like to pay particular attention to the powerful photos taken by the staff of the Los Angeles Times. Their "Facing the Flames" photo gallery
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