WatchDog TipSheet

The FOIA logs of agencies covered by environmental reporters offer fascinating insight into their workings — and some good story ideas.

Neither EPA nor the American public know very much about the possible health effects of tens of thousands of chemicals used in commerce and consumer products every day.

Reporters trying to cover fisheries issues may soon find decisions happening faster than they can cover them.

Top Bush Administration officials are signaling they will recommend veto of a bill to shield reporters from being compelled to disclose their confidential sources.

For the past decade, federal and state officials have put an immense amount of environmental information behind a veil of secrecy, justifying it on the grounds that the information could help terrorists. A look at the most comprehensive open-source terrorism database offers strong evidence that such fears are ill-founded.

The PACER system puts many — but not all — federal court records on line. It's an easy-to-use information access tool for journalists.

Federal employee unions want lists of political appointees whose status has been transferred to career civil service positions at the end of the Bush administration.

The Society of Professional Journalists has called on President-elect Obama and the incoming Congress to complete action on a federal shield law for journalists.

Whistleblowers can be a reporter's best friend — although friends that must often be handled with care. If you know a federal agency employee who tells you "Call me on January 21" — be sure to do it.