Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
To raze or not to raze sites of horrific crimes; communities find own path to recovery
For some communities stung by tragedy, a wrecking ball is key to the healing process. For others, the decision to keep the site of past trauma standing is a vital step on the road to recovery. Published June 4, 2013
Arne Duncan still believes in pre-K expansion
With much of Washington still focused on the White House's ongoing scandals, a top Obama administration official Wednesday tried to shift attention back to a top policy priority: an ambitious expansion of prekindergarten programs. Published May 29, 2013
Illinois edges closer to endorsing gas fracking
Lawmakers in Illinois could sign off on legalizing fracking as early as this week, but approval of the highly controversial drilling method won't come without a fight. Published May 28, 2013
In Oklahoma tornado’s aftermath, talk of ‘safe rooms’
As Moore, Okla., begins to dig out of the wreckage wrought by Monday's killer storm, attention is shifting to the steps state officials may take to limit the loss of life the next time a tornado strikes — a question of "when," not "if." Published May 22, 2013
Supporting fellow vets is a year-round effort for Rolling Thunder
For Tom Bender, fighting for his fellow veterans means more than showing up once a year in Washington for an awe-inspiring motorcycle rally. Published May 22, 2013
Coach barely escapes deadly tornadoes — twice
Until Monday, the closest brush Marcus Moeller had had with a killer tornado came when he moved out of Joplin, Mo., on May 22, 2011 — just hours before a twister ripped through the city, claiming 161 lives. Published May 22, 2013
Oklahoma destruction hard to fathom even for Tornado Alley
As search and rescue teams combed Moore, Okla., for survivors of Monday's deadly twister, officials struggled to describe devastation that, even for a town in the heart of "Tornado Alley," is almost unimaginable. Published May 21, 2013
Sen. John Cornyn: ‘Past time’ for Eric Holder to go
Americans have lost faith in U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr., and he must be replaced, a top GOP senator said Sunday. Published May 19, 2013
White House aide: ‘Nothing that suggests’ IRS official at center of scandal ‘did anything wrong’
A besieged White House dug in its heels Sunday and defended figures at the center of the unfolding Internal Revenue Service scandal while reiterating that President Obama knew nothing of the misdeeds inside the agency. Published May 19, 2013
Obama administration approves natural gas export site
In a key development that will help the U.S. export its vast energy resources, the Department of Energy on Friday approved an application for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility in Texas. Published May 17, 2013
Congress seeks to regulate drone use, looks for bipartisan ground
States already have begun to tackle the sticky issue of drones and their effect on personal privacy. Published May 17, 2013
Official at center of IRS scandal got promotion, now runs ‘Obamacare’ division
The woman who ran the Internal Revenue Service's tax-exempt organizations division has been promoted, and now heads the agency's health care office, ABC news reported. Published May 17, 2013
John Edwards re-emerges, begins public comeback
Mark Sanford is now a member of Congress two years after he stepped down as governor of South Carolina following a highly publicized extramarital affair. Perhaps, then, it should be no surprise to learn that disgraced former presidential candidate and North Carolina senator John Edwards is plotting his own comeback. Published May 17, 2013
Gina McCarthy, Obama’s EPA pick, advances on party-line vote
On a party-line vote, a key Senate committee on Thursday approved the nomination of Gina McCarthy to head the Environmental Protection Agency, a significant step forward for the controversial nominee and one that ends, at least temporarily, a bitter fight between Republicans and Democrats. Published May 16, 2013
Perez, McCarthy pass hurdle to confirmation
Two of President Obama's second-term personnel picks that have attracted conservative and business opposition moved a step closer to confirmation Thursday. Published May 16, 2013
Boardwalk diplomacy: Potential presidential candidate Christie doubles as Prince Harry’s tour guide
Chris Christie's first foray into diplomacy has come at an unlikely place: the Jersey Shore boardwalk. The New Jersey governor and rumored 2016 presidential candidate doubled as a tour guide this week as he showed Britain's Prince Harry the damage done by Hurricane Sandy. Published May 16, 2013
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s note says U.S. ‘attack’ on Muslims drove Boston bombing
As police closed in on the boat he was hiding in, suspected Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev scribbled a chilling note to police. Published May 16, 2013
Support grows for journalist shield law after Justice Dept. snoops on The Associated Press
With journalists now justifiably fearful that the federal government could examine their telephone logs and dig up other information, support is growing in Congress for a measure to help reporters keep their sources confidential. Published May 16, 2013
Howard Dean: Republicans blowing ‘hot air’ over IRS scandal
A top Democrat on Thursday said that as long as the unfolding Internal Revenue Service scandal doesn't implicate President Obama, there's no reason for the administration to panic. Published May 16, 2013
GOP leaders hit Obama for lack of accountability amid scandals
While congressional Republicans gear up to investigate numerous White House scandals, party leaders are making the rounds on cable news and pushing their new narrative: President Obama won't take responsibility for anything. Published May 15, 2013
