Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Regulations to boost auto MPG, price tag
The Obama administration on Tuesday released final regulations forcing automakers to more than double the fuel economy of cars and light trucks by 2025 — and adding at least $1,800 to their price tags. Published August 28, 2012
Drone U. rides flight boom
For all of the skeptics and detractors it has produced, the drone industry also has its vocal supporters. Published August 26, 2012
Romney again repudiates Akin’s rape comments
Even as they gear up their party convention in Tampa, top Republicans still were forced to spend much of Sunday repudiating the "legitimate rape" comments made by Rep. W. Todd Akin of Missouri and reiterating their calls for the U.S. Senate hopeful to quit the race. Published August 26, 2012
Nebraska Senate candidates spar at debate, promise compromise if elected
In a bid to attract crucial independent votes, both candidates for Nebraska's open Senate seat are highlighting their willingness to buck their own party when necessary. Published August 25, 2012
Poll: Americans want fiscal problems solved before school funding goes up
As President Obama continues to assail the Republican presidential ticket for pushing a budget blueprint that could cut education spending, polling data that emerged Wednesday shows that the vast majority of Americans think getting the U.S. back on solid fiscal footing trumps increasing school funding. Published August 22, 2012
Court slaps down EPA on coal plant rule
In a major blow to environmentalists and the Obama administration's crackdown on coal-fired power plants, a federal appeals court on Tuesday struck down a key Environmental Protection Agency rule to limit emissions. Published August 21, 2012
In the color of money, red staters more charitable than blues
Am I my brother's keeper? Conservatives and churchgoers are far more likely to say "yes," research shows. Published August 20, 2012
Armed with U.S. education, many leaders take on world
When U.S. officials were trying to broker a deal to end the bloody 20-year civil war between Sudan and South Sudan in 2005, they had an in with the elusive guerrilla fighter leading the south's shadowy rebel forces. Published August 19, 2012
New nuclear chief pledges push for new waste site
Brushing off recent biting criticism of her colleagues, the new chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission told reporters on Tuesday morning that she'll ignore outside distractions and focus on key challenges facing the agency, chief among them pressing lawmakers to find an acceptable spot to store nuclear waste for the long term. Published August 14, 2012
States skirmish for drone test sites
As drone technology begins its boom, states across the nation are jockeying for their piece of the pie. Published August 9, 2012
Man, machine and unlimited dreams pave way to the future
Drones that can fold up and fit in a shoebox, machines that can leap 30 feet into the air through a window to gauge hostile situations for police, driverless surface vehicles that lug soldiers' equipment through the deserts of the Middle East — groundbreaking unmanned technology is opening a world of possibilities for the military, law enforcement and many other sectors. Published August 8, 2012
FAA chief says drones will force change at agency
For the Federal Aviation Administration, regulating the skies is about to get much more complicated. Published August 7, 2012
Some makers cringe to hear word ‘drone’
Unmanned aerial vehicles may be exploding in popularity, but among industry leaders, their common moniker -- "drone" -- is rapidly going out of style. Published August 7, 2012
Drone industry eager to road-test science fiction
Man may not rule the road for much longer. Already set to fill the heavens within a few years, the drone industry is looking beyond the sky to opportunities on land and under water. Published August 6, 2012
Las Vegas convention puts drones on big stage
Las Vegas this week will be transformed into the drone capital of the world, as hundreds of unmanned vehicle companies descend on Sin City for the industry's largest trade show. Published August 5, 2012
Calls rain in to lighten ethanol rule
As a historic drought worsens across much of the nation, pressure is building on the Obama administration to alter federal mandates that could claim as much as 40 percent of this year's plummeting corn crop for ethanol production. Published August 1, 2012
Online poker site to pay $731M to repay players
The embattled online gambling hub PokerStars and the Department of Justice showed their hands Tuesday, reaching a $731 million settlement nearly 16 months after the company was charged with fraud and other offenses. Published July 31, 2012
For-profit colleges’ oversight criticized; performance also gets a bad grade
While admitting that Congress is unlikely to do much about it in the near future, Sen. Tom Harkin on Monday released a lengthy, scathing report on the perceived evils and excesses of the for-profit college industry. Published July 31, 2012
Online poker fans ready to deal
The Obama administration may have called off the game more than a year ago, but the nation's poker partisans are still looking for a deal. Published July 26, 2012
EPA declares water in Pa. town safe to drink despite fracking
The Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday declared that drinking water in Dimock, Pa., is safe to drink, despite concerns from some residents and environmentalists that nearby natural gas fracking had contaminated supplies. Published July 25, 2012
