Watchdog.org

Watchdog.org is a collection of independent journalists covering state-specific and local government activity. Our established investigative journalists and capitol news reporters across the country are doing what legacy journalism outlets prove unable to do: share information, dive deep into investigations, and provide the fourth estate that has begun to fade in recent decades.

Most Recent Articles by Watchdog.org:

Ford Motors Fires Back at the Media Blaming Trump Tariffs for Layoffs October 14, 2018
Federal officials won’t answer questions about immigrant children in Iowa July 24, 2014
WHERE ARE THE KIDS? The federal government has sent at least 139 minors who entered to country illegal to Iowa without telling state officials. Now they won’t say where the minors are or who is taking care of them
Liberal donors lead in super PAC contributions since ’13 July 24, 2014
GREEN MONEY: Billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer made his pile by investing in coal, oil and gas.
From Miami to Minnesota, protests call attention to immigration crisis July 22, 2014
ACROSS THE COUNTRY: Demonstrators for the National Day of Protesting Against Immigration Reform Amnesty and Border Surge, showcase American Flags and signs Saturday on the Main Street bridge at Interstate 15 in Hesperia, Calif.
Want to end border surge? Stop flow of money to Central America, experts say July 22, 2014
MAD AS HELL: Demonstrators in Indianapolis hold signs from an overpass during a protest Friday against people who immigrate illegally.
Budget blues: Moody’s downgrades Pennsylvania’s bond rating July 22, 2014
KNOCKED DOWN: Moody’s downgraded Pennsylvania’s bond rating Monday, citing pension liabilities and a budget filled with non-recurring revenues as reasons.
Alaska mine developers plan to fight EPA’s crippling restrictions July 21, 2014
SLIPPERY SLOPE: The Environmental Protection Agency may be stepping back from the brink of preemptively killing a proposed mine project in Alaska, but the agency’s latest plan still would set a dangerous precedent
Mississippi pension fund heads for final ‘Jeopardy’ July 21, 2014
Cronyism could be behind Memphis order against Uber, Lyft July 21, 2014
REGULATIONS: Is Memphis trying to drive out Uber and Lyft?
Protesters fight back against feds’ handling of border surge July 17, 2014
PROTESTING THE SURGE: Groups concerned about illegal immigration plan more than 300 protests across the United States
Reid and Heinrich: ‘The border is secure’ July 17, 2014
Schools turn to retired police officers to protect students, save millions July 17, 2014
CHILD PROTECTION: After the Sandy Hook tragedy, some schools turned to hire retired police officers to guard public school students. The measure is controversial for a police union, however it seems to be cost-effective for schools
House passes Internet access tax ban amid battle over states’ rights July 16, 2014
INTERNET TAX BAN: The House of Representatives passed a permanent ban on state and local governments taxing Internet access.
$204 million Obamacare grant reduces Hawaii’s uninsured population just 2.75 percent July 16, 2014
SIGN HERE: Hawaii Health Connector sign ups improved Hawaii’s uninsured rate by 2.75 percent at a cost of $204 million, study shows
Could constitutional amendment reverse Citizens United? July 15, 2014
Wisconsin’s Secret War: GAB now playing secrets in state John Doe lawsuit July 15, 2014
PAINT IT BLACK: The state Government Accountability Board has asked a judge to black out portions of the agency’s response to a state lawsuit involving the politically charged John Doe investigation. That request may not stand for long, a source tell
Gary Johnson: ‘Abolish the IRS’ July 14, 2014
BUH-BYE, IRS: Former Libertarian presidential candidate and former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson calls for replacing income and corporate taxes with a single consumption tax.
Study: Only executives get richer in crony capitalism July 14, 2014
Solyndra may be the most egregious example of political lobbying doing nothing for companies and investors but fattening the wallets of executives, according to a new study by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.
Virginia county takes on federal government that ‘refuses to do its job’ July 11, 2014
TACKLING THE FEDS: Corey Stewart, chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, is leading a charge to get info from the feds on the whereabouts of 7,000 illegal immigrants who have committed crimes in the county since 2008.
UAW coming to Chattanooga VW, despite getting thumbs down from workers July 11, 2014
Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga voted against union
Tax mistake leads to sale of half a church July 11, 2014
A CHURCH LITERALLY DIVIDED: Mistaken assumptions, bureaucratic screw-ups and language problems have led to the rear half of a Muscatine church being sold for unpaid property taxes.
Is John Doe probe a case of a mini NSA in Wisconsin? July 10, 2014
CONNECTED: Documents suggest John Doe prosecutors were engaged in a wide sweep of the ISPs of conservative targets. Is it a case of the little NSA in the Badger State?
U.S. Senate Democrats introduce bill to counter Hobby Lobby decision July 10, 2014
PUSHING BACK: U.S. Sen Brian Schatz is among several Senate Democrats trying to counter the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the Hobby Lobby case.
Voters’ rights face bipartisan backlash in Congress July 10, 2014
PUSH BACK: Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., is leading efforts to reassert Justice Department authority of state election laws.
EPA regs likely to kill 68-year-old Louisiana peach orchard July 10, 2014
PEACHY KEEN?: Mitcham told Watchdog the federal regulations have also forced him to downsize his business from 60 employees to 20
Challenger calls for new election in U.S. Senate race July 9, 2014
IT AIN’T OVER: Mississippi state Sen. Chris McDaniel isn’t giving up the fight, alleging thousands of votes were cast illegally during the June 24 GOP runoff contest with incumbent U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran.
Southern border immigration crisis comes to tiny Michigan town July 9, 2014
STOP: Protesters in Vassar, Mich., aren’t excited about plans to relocate some of the illegal immigrants crossing the nation’s southern border their tiny town.
Audit: Ex-sheriff’s hard drive destroyed with hammer July 9, 2014
Gas prices will climb, and you can blame corn July 9, 2014
A GOOD DEAL FOR WHO? Iowa politicians support the Renewable Fuel Standard, since it helps both the state’s ethanol industry and corn growers. But a new report from the CBO predicts prices at the pump will jump if no changes are made to the RFS.
Most everyone seems to agree on term limits but career politicians July 8, 2014
SIGN OF THE TIMES?: Most everyone approves of term limits (with the exception of incumbent politicians), but voters continue to elect the same people. What’s the disconnect?