What makes some state capitals so much more corrupt than others? New research provides a partial answer to that long-standing question: isolated capitals breed more corruption and lack of news coverage is a major reason why. State capitals have long been known for corrupt practices. While every state has its roster of legendary local miscreants, some have a much more consistent record of corruption than others. Researchers have studied that variation for years, looking for factors that might explain the patterns. The overall level of education in a state appears to play a role – less educated states tend toward more corrupt governments – but most other variables that researchers have examined have not turned out to have a consistent effect. Filipe R. Campante of ... Continue reading →

By Cory Doctorow at 8:00 am Monday, May 21 Buzzfeed's Michael Hastings reports on a revision to the Smith-Mundt Act of 1948 and Foreign Relations Authorization Act in 1987, which prohibit the use of government disinformation and propaganda campaigns within the USA. The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Mac Thornberry from Texas and Rep. Adam Smith from Washington State, would allow the US government to knowingly tell lies to its people in order to promote the government's own policies. The new law would give sweeping powers to the State Department and Pentagon to push television, radio, newspaper, and social media onto the U.S. public. “It removes the protection for Americans,” says a Pentagon official who is concerned about the law. “It removes oversight from the people ... Continue reading →

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- Joe Paterno earned a state pension of $13.4 million for his 61-year coaching career at Penn State. Paterno's family said Tuesday through a spokesman that Paterno's widow, Sue, would receive an initial payment of $10.1 million by the end of May, with the rest to be paid out over the next two years. The calculations were made through the standard formula for anyone in the State Employees' Retirement System, and Paterno received no special consideration, according to his family. Paterno never accessed his pension. Family spokesman Dan McGinn said the Paterno family also planned to donate $1.5 million to Penn State-related or State College-area charities. Paterno died in January at age 85, less than three months after being ousted by ... Continue reading →

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A push to make Illinois schools adopt more detailed policies to prevent bullying fell short Tuesday in the state Senate amid concerns that its real purpose was to lecture students on embracing homosexuality. The measure fell one vote short of passage, although it could get another chance in the remaining days of the legislative session. The bill would have required anti-bullying policies to include a definition of bullying and a statement saying it was against the law. The policies would have spelled out how allegations could be submitted anonymously and how they would be investigated. Policies also would have been required to describe what could happen to students who bully others, such as counseling or community service. Some conservatives feared the bill ... Continue reading →

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A push to make Illinois schools adopt more thorough policies to prevent bullying fell short in the state Senate. The legislation would have required schools to spell out how they would investigate allegations and what would happen to students caught bullying others. It got 29 votes Tuesday but needed 30 for approval. Twelve senators voted "no" and 12 voted "present." Some conservatives fear the legislation would be used as cover to lecture students on embracing homosexuality. They wanted the bill to include an "opt out" provision letting students and teachers skip any lessons that violated their religious beliefs. Sen. Heather Steans and other supporters say the bill isn't about indoctrinating anyone. Steans could call it for another vote later. ___ The bill ... Continue reading →

"Pinstripe patronage" is what the People's Law Office is calling it. The Chicago law firm that's known for bringing cases of police brutality, false arrest and wrongful convictions wanted to find out just how much the city was paying to outside firms to defend police officers accused of misconduct. After obtaining records with a Freedom of Information Act Request, they calculated a total: $63.38 million paid to just 11 firms since 2003. And these firms have been accused of misconduct themselves. The firm that's received the most money--Andrew Hale and Associates--has been cited numerous times for unethical behavior by district court judges, PLO says. Just who's raking in the dough? Here's a snapshot of the money going to outside law firms: "[T]his outlay of funds ... Continue reading →

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Some Illinois conservatives fear their children are about to face an assault on their morals and religious beliefs. They worry that state lawmakers will muzzle students who hold unpopular opinions and force them into indoctrination sessions. The cause of their worry? Legislation requiring Illinois schools to discourage bullying. The Illinois Family Institute claims the measure's real goal is "to use public education to promote unproven, non-factual beliefs about the nature and morality of homosexuality and 'transgenderism'." It sees the bills as a beachhead for "homosexual activist organizations" that want to indoctrinate students and teachers. Despite those broad concerns, the group's position is narrower in negotiations at the state Capitol. Lobbyist Ralph Rivera says the Family Institute will drop its opposition if the ... Continue reading →