Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Privacy, profits collide over drone policy; states jockey to host test sites
In a battle between privacy and profits, many states find themselves playing both sides of the street in the intense national debate over drones. Published February 24, 2013
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Climate activists turn up heat on Obama with call for ‘summit’
Climate change activists Thursday ramped up pressure on President Obama to hold true to the bold promises he's made to confront the issue in a second term. Published February 21, 2013
Broad coalition lobbies Obama for ‘climate summit’
The White House is coming under increasing pressure from climate change activists who want to see President Obama hold true to his pledge to confront the issue during a second term. Published February 21, 2013
Satisfaction tumbles for teachers, principals; job interference, cuts add pressure
The job satisfaction of teachers has plummeted to its lowest level in a quarter-century as shrinking school-district budgets take a toll on the psyche of American educators, a major study shows. Published February 21, 2013
Gina McCarthy emerging as likely pick for EPA chief
While no official announcement has been made, speculation is swirling around Gina McCarthy as the White House's pick to head the Environmental Protection Agency. Published February 20, 2013
Investigating fracking becomes business of its own
Millions of dollars already have been spent, and much more soon will be dumped into a litany of studies looking at fracking's impact on water and air quality and at possible links to cancer and other diseases. Published February 19, 2013
Drone privacy scare: Feds don’t know who is responsible for oversight, GAO reveals
As lawmakers and the public grow more concerned about drones and their implications for personal privacy, no one seems to know who in the federal government is responsible for tackling the issue. Published February 15, 2013
FAA seeks proposals for six drone test sites
In a major step forward for domestic drones, the federal government began Thursday to solicit proposals for six sites where the craft will be put through a battery of tests in preparation for their eventual integration into U.S. airspace. Published February 14, 2013
FAA officially seeking drone test sites
In a major step forward for domestic drones, the Federal Aviation Administration on Thursday began to solicit proposals for six sites where the craft will be put through a battery of tests in preparation for their integration into U.S. airspace. Published February 14, 2013
Obama calls for nationwide expansion of preschool education
Taking his push for expanded early childhood education to a Republican-dominated state, President Obama on Thursday called on Congress to enact a sweeping program to extend preschool classes to every child in the United States. Published February 14, 2013
Paul wants answer from Brennan on drone uses on U.S. soil
Troubled by the Obama administration's controversial policy on drone use, Sen. Rand Paul on Wednesday said he will hold up the confirmation of John O. Brennan as CIA director. Published February 13, 2013
Rand Paul puts hold on Brennan nomination
Sen. Rand Paul will hold up the confirmation of John Brennan until the would-be CIA director sheds light on the extent of the administration's controversial policies on drone use. Published February 13, 2013
FAA official: No armed drones in U.S.
An official with the Federal Aviation Administration reassured the public Wednesday that no armed drones will be permitted in U.S. airspace, but he acknowledged the agency can do little about privacy fears associated with the unmanned craft. Published February 13, 2013
N.Y. town sued for cutting off fracking debate
The First Amendment has been dragged into New York's intense debate over fracking. Published February 12, 2013
N.Y. town sued for banning any talk of ‘fracking’
A small town in upstate New York has been sued by one of the nation's most powerful environmental groups following a decision by its city officials last year to ban talk of fracking at local meetings. Published February 12, 2013
Lots of buzz about domestic drones; concerns rise with possibilities
The drone industry isn't flying under the radar anymore. As industry leaders, government and military officials gather this week in Northern Virginia, the "unmanned vehicle systems" sector faces mounting questions on all sides, including privacy concerns, hostile state and local laws, and constitutional battles over the roles of drones in the modern U.S. military arsenal. Published February 11, 2013
Graham’s hold presses White House on Benghazi
Still searching for the full truth behind the Sept. 11 Benghazi, Libya, terrorism attacks, Sen. Lindsey Graham said Sunday he will block two key Obama administration appointments until he gets answers. Published February 10, 2013
Drone use raises a lot of doubts on the Hill
The Obama administration's use of drones, an increasingly important part of the arsenal to track and kill terror suspects, is being put under the microscope by members of Congress who fear the policy may soon cross a constitutional line -- or perhaps already has. Published February 10, 2013
Cantor offers support for administration’s drone program
While promising that Republicans won't abandon their oversight role, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor on Sunday expressed support for the Obama administration's use of drones. Published February 10, 2013
Graham: I’ll block Hagel, Brennan nominations
Still searching for the truth behind the Sept. 11 Benghazi terror attacks, Sen. Lindsey Graham on Sunday said he'll block two key Obama administration appointments until he gets answers. Published February 10, 2013
