campaign contributions

April 8, 2014 - After a flood protection authority in Southeast Louisiana filed a lawsuit against almost 100 oil and gas companies seeking to recoup billions of dollars for damages they've caused to the coast, the industry's friends in state government have scrambled to make the lawsuit retroactively illegal.

April 4, 2014 - This week the U.S. Supreme Court struck down limits on the total amount an individual can contribute in an election cycle. The decision spurred nationwide protests against what critics blasted as a further move toward government by and for the super-rich.

April 3, 2014 - North Carolina regulators have found highly toxic thallium seeping from coal ash pits at two Duke Energy plants. Rep. Mike Hager -- the state lawmaker who co-chairs the committee that will handle coal ash cleanup legislation and former engineering manager for one of the thallium-leaking plants -- doesn't think the discovery is cause for alarm. Is his perspective shaped by his Duke connections?

March 14, 2014 - Environmental groups have issued notice that they plan to sue a large North Carolina hog operation over illegal pollution. The company's president is a major political donor and the son of an influential former state lawmaker.

February 20, 2014 - Duke Energy has long fought strict federal regulations on coal ash, which is in the spotlight again following a spill from one of the company's North Carolina plants. Duke got help from the American Legislative Exchange Council, the controversial corporate-interest advocacy group that has counted the utility among its members.

February 18, 2014 - Following Duke Energy's massive coal ash spill into the Dan River, Gov. Pat McCrory (R) has come under scrutiny for his close ties to the Charlotte, N.C.-based utility giant. Other key members of his administration have connections to the company, too.

February 13, 2014 - Following Duke Energy's massive coal ash spill into the Dan River, North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory (R) has come under scrutiny for his unusually close relationship with the utility giant. We take a by-the-numbers look at just how tight they are.

February 11, 2014 - Criticizing state regulators for creating an atmosphere of distrust, two clean water advocacy groups are offering money to anyone who can provide information on Duke Energy's massive spill of toxic coal waste into the Dan River that leads to civil or criminal charges.

February 6, 2014 - Bipartisan legislation was introduced in Congress this week that would help tip the balance of political power back toward the people and away from wealthy special interests -- and it's already finding considerable support among members and advocacy groups.

January 3, 2014 - A by-the-numbers look at the political battle underway in North Carolina, where a a right-wing legislature and administration backed by monied special interests is being challenged by a grassroots protest movement that's now spreading to other states.