The Sciences
Federal Flood Maps Left New York Unprepared for Sandy, and FEMA Knew It
FEMA missed chances to make changes that could have protected city dwellers from some of the worst of Sandy’s destruction
Stories by Theodoric Meyer
Environment
High Levels of Arsenic Found in Groundwater Near Fracking Sites
A new report finds poisonous arsenic contamination in Texas occurring in close proximity to natural gas extraction
Policy
5 Basic Unknowns about the NSA "Black Hole"
It's still unclear if the National Security Agency has been collecting all Americans' phone and other records, and for how long
Environment
New FEMA Flood Maps Needed, but Funding Is Slashed
Updated flood insurance maps, made with LiDAR, laser radar or new computer programs, are increasingly important with global warming
Environment
Why Didn't Regulators Prevent the Texas Fertilizer Explosion?
Seven different agencies regulate fertilizer plants in Texas, but none has authority over how close they are to homes and schools
