Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Rhee wary of stressing on testing
As organized opposition to standardized testing grows, one of the nation's most outspoken and controversial education activists said Sunday that such assessments have a place in public schools but cautioned against an "overemphasis" on them. Published February 3, 2013
Greens bank on Kerry to quash Keystone pipeline
As the incoming secretary of state, John F. Kerry, a longtime vocal crusader against climate change in the Senate, is in a position to deliver one of the movement’s biggest victories in decades: drive a stake through the heart of the massive Canada-to-Texas Keystone XL pipeline project. Published January 30, 2013
Seattle’s boycotting teachers start crusade against standardized tests
By refusing to administer a district-mandated test to their students, teachers at a Seattle high school have sparked an "anti-testing movement" that is picking up steam by the day. Published January 28, 2013
Republicans get serious about immigration reform
Previous attempts to tackle immigration reform have failed, but this time Republicans have something new at stake: their own political survival. Published January 28, 2013
Obama, Clinton laud one another in interview
As she exits the political world, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton sat down for an interview with President Obama, the man who bested her in the 2008 Democratic primary election en route to the White House. Published January 27, 2013
McCain: ‘Time is right’ for immigration reform
Previous attempts to enact immigration reform may have failed, but Sen. John McCain believes this time will be different. Published January 27, 2013
Durbin: Benghazi hearings one of Clinton’s ‘finer moments’
A top Senate Democrat believes Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's duel appearances last week on Capitol Hill, in which she clashed with Republicans over the Obama administration's handling of the Sept. 11 Benghazi terrorist attacks, will go down in history as one of the secretary of state's "finer moments." Published January 27, 2013
White House requires school athletics for disabled
In a sweeping move that will affect all American schools, the Obama administration has told districts they must offer students with disabilities the same sports opportunities as other children. Published January 25, 2013
Fracking’s rise in U.S. inspires the world
The U.S. energy industry clearly still leads the way on fracking, which has upended global energy markets, but the rest of the world is beginning to catch up as nations seek to replicate American success in oil and natural gas development. Published January 24, 2013
Obama faces new pressure on Keystone pipeline
President Obama's Inauguration Day vow to fight climate change is facing an unexpectedly early test as a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline now rests solely with his administration. Published January 22, 2013
Environmentalists versus workers: Keystone pipeline decision will shape Obama’s legacy
Whether President Obama approves the Keystone XL pipeline or not hinges on one key question: Which is more important to him, creating jobs and promoting energy independence or fighting climate change? Published January 17, 2013
Interior’s Salazar helps empty Obama’s Cabinet
Interior Secretary Kenneth L. Salazar's resignation doesn't just leave another open spot in President Obama's Cabinet. The departure of the former senator from Colorado could have far-reaching effects on the administration's energy and environmental policies in a second term — particularly oil and gas drilling on federal lands. Published January 16, 2013
Frack attacks and filmmakers who fight back
The intense debate over fracking continues to play out on movie screens and television sets nationwide — and this time the industry's defenders are fighting back. Published January 15, 2013
Laws urged to curb snooping by drones
Big Brother and Big Business may soon be able to easily spy on American citizens using surveillance drones, security and civil liberties specialists warned Tuesday. Published January 15, 2013
Teachers don’t want to carry guns in the classroom, poll says
As Vice President Joseph Biden's gun violence task force readies its recommendations, a new poll Tuesday shows the nation's teachers aren't interested in carrying guns into the classroom to protect themselves and their students. Published January 15, 2013
Gov. Cuomo on the spot as N.Y. considers fracking
With nearby states cashing in but environmentalists and Hollywood stars urging him to back off, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is running out of time to decide whether his state will join the natural-gas fracking boom. Published January 14, 2013
Time running out for N.Y.’s Cuomo on fracking decision
After delaying a decision whether to allow fracking in parts of upstate New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo can't wait much longer. Published January 11, 2013
Fracking viewed as good; water worries remain
A majority of Americans support fracking, but even larger majorities remain concerned about the drilling process' potential impacts on drinking water quality and support more research into the practice, new polling data show. Published January 10, 2013
N.Y., Connecticut governors seek more gun laws
Two Northeastern governors aren't waiting for Washington to pass new gun-control laws. Published January 9, 2013
Oil industry to Obama: Energy production, not taxes, will cure economy
Oil and gas industry leaders are urging President Obama to forgo tax increases in his second term and instead embrace more domestic energy production as a way to jump-start the economy and create jobs. Published January 8, 2013
