Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Administration pushes proposal to cap college tuition
Shrugging off widespread criticism of its college tuition cap proposal, the Obama administration mounted a public-relations blitz Monday to sell the plan to students and university leaders. Published February 6, 2012
Obama, Romney divided on for-profit colleges
It hasn't gotten much attention on the campaign trail, but President Obama and Republican front-runner Mitt Romney are sharply divided over one of the most controversial issues in higher education today — the growth of for-profit colleges. Published February 2, 2012
HBO crew briefly shuts down Hill hearing
An unaccredited film crew with cable giant HBO briefly shut down a House subcommittee hearing on Wednesday morning as Republicans and Democrats argued over whether to allow recording of the event. Published February 1, 2012
Colleges assured tuition cap will fail
President Obama's plan to withhold some financial aid from universities that "jack up" tuition rates each year is being panned across the higher education spectrum, and House Republicans appear poised to kill it before it ever gets off the ground. Published January 31, 2012
Natural gas sector set up by Obama to be sabotaged?
President Obama spoke of the role natural gas must play in America's energy future during his State of the Union address last week, but industry insiders fear it's merely lip service designed to distract from what they consider the administration's behind-the-scenes plan to sabotage the sector. Published January 29, 2012
Mandating school until 18 has pitfalls
Long before President Obama's call on Tuesday night for all students to remain in school until they turn 18, almost half of the nation's jurisdictions already had instituted such policies, and several more are taking up the issue this year. Published January 25, 2012
Volt safety sparks talk of federal conspiracy
The apparent safety woes of the much-touted, all-electric Chevrolet Volt touched off a firestorm on Capitol Hill on Wednesday morning, as House Republicans charged that the Obama administration conspired with General Motors Co. to conceal those risks from consumers while pushing the vehicle as part of the "green" future. Published January 25, 2012
Texas will disclose chemicals used in fracking
On Feb. 1, Texas will become the latest state to require the public disclosure of all chemicals used in the controversial natural gas extraction process known as "fracking." Published January 24, 2012
Michigan plan offers tuition-free education
In a bid to broaden college access and boost the state's lagging economy, Democrats in Michigan have proposed a first-of-its-kind entitlement program aimed at giving many young people a free ride through college at taxpayers' expense. Published January 19, 2012
Tax-credit debate imperils wind power
U.S. wind power faces an uncertain future as lawmakers grapple over whether to extend a key tax credit that has for years helped the business compete financially with fossil fuels. Published January 18, 2012
Scientists want climate change in young minds
Climate change subscribers say the fight against global warming will require younger soldiers. Published January 16, 2012
Santorum: Make it me against Romney
Fresh off an endorsement from key evangelical leaders, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum on Sunday urged the Republican Party's conservative base to push other GOP presidential candidates out of the race and set up a one-on-one showdown between him and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, the front-runner. Published January 15, 2012
Supreme Court mulls profanity, nudity on network TV
F-bombs and bare breasts could be coming to network TV. Published January 10, 2012
GOP bills press the case for school reform
Despite signs that federal school reform legislation is all but dead until at least next year, House Republicans have released the final two pieces of their proposed replacement for the decade-old No Child Left Behind law. Published January 9, 2012
It’s year for ‘fracking’ to break up or break through
The natural gas industry and its opponents are readying their final arguments for what many think will be a critical year in the debate over "fracking" safety. Published January 8, 2012
Wisconsin Gov. Walker: Unions ‘want me dead’
With a June recall election all but certain, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker believes the debate is no longer just about collective bargaining rights for state workers. Union leaders and others, he said, have made it personal. Published January 5, 2012
‘Fracking’ waste disposal tied to Ohio earthquakes
The disposal of wastewater used in the booming practice known as "fracking" is responsible for a rash of recent earthquakes in Ohio, and critics have latched on to the seismic events as evidence that the popular natural gas extraction method is dangerous and should be banned. Published January 3, 2012
On teaching evolution: New year, old fight
It's a new year, but familiar debates continue to rage over God, evolution and exactly what the nation's students should learn about each. Published January 1, 2012
Colleges buying up .xxx websites to prevent porn
A growing number of universities are shelling out hundreds or even thousands of dollars to keep their names, logos and students off of the dark side of the Internet. Published December 28, 2011
Gary Johnson announces Libertarian bid for president
Presidential hopeful Gary E. Johnson announced Wednesday that he's bolting the Republican Party in favor of a long-shot Libertarian bid. Published December 28, 2011
