Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
States sharply divided on court’s health care ruling
Reactions in state capitals across the country to the Supreme Court's landmark health care ruling Thursday broke down, not surprisingly, along political lines. Published June 28, 2012
Teens opt for nip, tuck as quick fix for body-image issues
It's no surprise that many young people don't like what they see in the mirror, but a significant number now think about going under the knife in search of the perfect body. Published June 27, 2012
Student loan fight on Hill raises angst in academia
As lawmakers move toward a last-minute deal to keep student-loan interest rates from doubling on Saturday, the nation's universities can do little except sit, wait and hope for the best. Published June 26, 2012
Researchers point to risks if New York OKs fracking
With New York reportedly set to allow fracking in portions of the state near the Pennsylvania border, researchers at one of the Empire State's top universities are warning of catastrophic consequences associated with increased gas drilling. Published June 25, 2012
In academia today, financial savvy trumps curriculum vitae
The job description of today's university president increasingly resembles that of a CEO, with the molding of young minds and overseeing a community of scholars taking a distinct backseat to balancing the books and raising cash, academic analysts say. Published June 21, 2012
FCC’s policy on obscenity on TV ‘vague’
Network television has scored a major First Amendment victory over the federal government. Published June 21, 2012
Unemployed lawyers sue schools over promises of jobs
Once the surest path to a six-figure salary and a life of luxury, a law degree in the aftermath of the Great Recession comes with far fewer guarantees, leaving many graduates with mountains of debt while confronted by a rapidly changing legal landscape. Published June 17, 2012
Romney: The campaign is about the country, not me
The Republican Party's candidate for president said Sunday he isn't interested in politics. Instead, Mitt Romney said he's running to bring the nation back from the edge of a fiscal cliff, not to achieve the personal goal of occupying the Oval Office. Published June 17, 2012
Plouffe won’t say if Obama will take part in leaks probe
As U.S. Justice Department attorneys probe recent high-level national security leaks from the White House, a top adviser to President Obama on Sunday refused to say whether the commander in chief will answer investigators' questions. Published June 17, 2012
New York is set to join fracking-friendly states, within limits
New York is poised to become the latest state to cash in on the nation's natural gas boom. Published June 13, 2012
Fracking wars hit the silver screen with supporters’ film ‘Truthland’
The heated war over fracking is returning to the silver screen. Published June 13, 2012
Student-teacher sex: Where does it end?
The cases seem to be popping up everywhere — and with alarming frequency. Dozens of relationships between teachers and students have been reported just this year, but analysts say it's difficult, if not impossible, to know what is media hype and what is a genuine national problem. Published June 11, 2012
Obama to outline options for student loans
With Congress still deadlocked on how to keep student-loan interest rates from doubling next month, President Obama is set to unveil a series of small-bore measures designed to grant some relief to the millions of Americans shackled by college debt. Published June 6, 2012
EPA’s Armendariz of ‘crucify’ pledge a hearing no-show
House Republicans will have to wait for their chance to question former top Environmental Protection Agency official Al Armendariz, who became notorious for his pledge to "crucify" oil and gas companies in order to set a regulatory example. Published June 6, 2012
Demonstrators heckle Bilderberg attendees
International power brokers arriving in Chantilly for the 2012 Bilderberg conference were treated to a rude welcome by a raucous crowd of about 200 demonstrators Thursday afternoon. Published May 31, 2012
Just 2 U.S. colleges make grade in new ranking
The U.S. may have the most prestigious universities in the world, but the best of a new generation of schools are found elsewhere, a major new survey shows. Published May 30, 2012
Security tighter than ever at Bilderberg conference
Chantilly's Westfields Marriott hotel is the site of an "unprecedented" security crackdown as the world's richest and most powerful arrive for the annual Bilderberg conference. Published May 30, 2012
Shale study’s lead author faces ‘green’ backlash
Faced with mounting criticism, the State University of New York at Buffalo is distancing itself from a Marcellus Shale gas-drilling study released earlier this month by the school's own Shale Resources and Society Institute. Published May 28, 2012
Number of high-school students with jobs hits 20-year low
Did somebody say McJobless? The American job market is no place for students as the number of employed high schoolers has hit its lowest level in more than 20 years, according to new figures from the National Center for Education Statistics. Published May 24, 2012
School officials fear a federal policy takeover
By expanding its "Race to the Top" education grant contest to the district level, the Obama administration has left some state education chiefs feeling elbowed out, saying Washington is trying to establish itself as the national school board. Published May 23, 2012
