Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
New England battles for gaming dollars
Led by Massachusetts, legislators and state officials across New England are lining up behind casinos as the heart of American puritanism eyes a transition into the Las Vegas of the Northeast. Published September 27, 2011
Some in GOP back Obama on NCLB
Over objections from Republicans on Capitol Hill, President Obama is making it clear he will proceed with his blueprint education reform and an overhaul of the Bush-era No Child Left Behind law. Published September 26, 2011
Over GOP objections, Obama pushes education overhaul
President Obama said states will be granted waivers to bypass No Child Left Behind mandates. Published September 23, 2011
Using natural gas the only ‘good news story’
The path to a national energy policy based largely on natural gas is becoming clearer as economic turmoil and rising oil prices cause lawmakers to take a second look at the clean-burning fuel trapped in underground rock, American Gas Association President and CEO Dave McCurdy said Tuesday. Published September 20, 2011
‘Fracking’ term is the pits for public relations pros
What's in a name? Published September 20, 2011
Massachusetts House passes three-casinos bill
Massachusetts is one step closer to giving gamblers the ultimate jackpot: casinos within the Bay State's borders. Published September 14, 2011
Promises of green jobs withering on vine
Despite billions of dollars in federal investment and cheerleading from President Obama, even the most ardent supporters of an energy sector based largely on wind, solar and other renewable sources acknowledge that their dreams have not translated into reality. Published September 11, 2011
McCain: U.S. anti-terrorism efforts now more targeted
A decade after Sept. 11, 2001, one of Congress' most respected voices on defense predicted that the United States will not engage in another full-scale war in the Middle East any time soon. Published September 11, 2011
Feds aim for clear line between fact, fiction
Nobody panic! Published September 8, 2011
Oil, gas exploration seen creating 1M jobs in seven years
Taking the handcuffs off the oil and gas industry would put more than a million Americans to work in the next seven years and make an $800 billion dent in the national debt by 2030, according to a new study released Wednesday. Published September 7, 2011
Maryland company builds library empire
Cash-strapped cities and local governments across the country, having privatized services such as trash collection and prison operations in efforts to make up budget shortfalls, are increasingly eyeing another service as a prime candidate for outsourcing: the neighborhood library. Published September 5, 2011
Boys in one class, girls in another at more schools
More American elementary and secondary schools are embracing the idea that a student will perform better in the classroom when a key distraction is removed: the opposite sex. Published September 1, 2011
Pediatricians take a swing at youth boxing as unsafe
In a new joint policy statement released Monday, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Canadian Paediatric Society discourage boxing among children and teenagers, citing the possibility of concussions, facial damage and other injuries. Published August 29, 2011
Schools offering rewards to keep students in class
Students who go to class every day may get more than just an education. To combat truancy, many school districts are offering iPods, laptops and even cars in exchange for perfect attendance. Published August 28, 2011
Officials credit FEMA progress, teamwork for minimizing disaster
President Obama, federal officials and East Coast governors and mayors began assessing damage Sunday from Hurricane Irene, which came ashore over the weekend with less-than-anticipated destruction but left behind widespread power outages and at least 21 people dead. Published August 28, 2011
Christie irks both sides on ‘fracking’ in N.J.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Thursday rejected the first permanent ban on hydraulic fracturing - or "fracking" - at the state level, instead opting for a one-year moratorium that's angering the natural-gas industry and environmental groups alike. Published August 25, 2011
Start of school means it’s lice-hysteria time
Forget curriculum reform, teachers unions and cheating scandals. For many of the nation's parents, the biggest worry at the start of a new school year comes from a much tinier source: head lice. Published August 24, 2011
Duncan: No link between cheating, NCLB
Education Secretary Arne Duncan on Wednesday denied that there is a direct "causal" effect between the high-stakes testing under the No Child Left Behind law and the cheating scandals that have erupted in school systems across the country, including the District. Published August 24, 2011
Feds’ role in schools re-emerges as 2012 issue
Republican presidential candidates are increasingly using the federal Department of Education as a punching bag, citing it as yet another example of big government's heavy hand in local affairs. Published August 22, 2011
Poll: Nation’s schools stink, but own OK
The public may have serious doubts about the quality of the nation's education system, but faith in American teachers remains high, according to a major new survey from Gallup and the professional education association Phi Delta Kappa International. Published August 18, 2011
