A document from 1961 by then-Defense Secretary McNamara regarding development of strategic nuclear missiles was fully released for public viewing in 1996. But the version of the document at the National Archives has been “heavily excised” of key information … that, again, was made public 18 years ago. Similarly, another 1961 memo, this one from the Joint Chiefs chairman to McNamara was mostly declassified long ago. But the National Archives and Pentagon censored large portions of it.   read more

Police were suspected by a defense attorney of using the StingRay system, which can capture information about cell phone calls and users, to collect data about their client. So the lawyer pressed Detective Haley in court about how the department obtained certain evidence against the accused. The judge told the officer to answer the question, but the prosecution instead withdrew evidence, including a handgun and cellphone, from the case so they wouldn’t get in trouble with the FBI.   read more

The IG’s 2013 audit report revealed that the agency’s IT operations had 6,000 cybersecurity vulnerabilities that needed fixing and it listed 35 corrective actions to be taken. Stephen Warren, VA’s IT executive, said that the 6,000 vulnerabilities isn’t really that large of a number if viewed in the proper context: “When you talk about 6,000 vulnerabilities, we treat them all as important, but when you look at it on the scale you've got to put some balance in it.”   read more

The employees who died had responded to a faulty valve that was releasing deadly gas throughout the plant. Inspectors from OSHA hadn’t checked the plant in seven years. At that time two violations for management of hazardous chemicals were issued. DuPont had been hit with tougher penalties by the EPA after the agency found violations of hazardous waste management and air emissions standards. The plant had also has been cited by Texas regulators for repeatedly breaking state laws.   read more

The emails that could be put at risk are those relevant to the agency's “rendition, detention and torture programs,” stated the groups' letter to the NARA. “[The policy's] implications are potentially vast," said Steve Aftergood. "[The] CIA has an unfortunate history of destroying valuable records, and NARA has had a hard time imposing discipline on the agency.” As an example, Professor Cox cited the CIA’s “infamous destruction” of the Guantanamo interrogation videotapes.   read more

Data compiled by the NRC revealed aggravated assault increased about 8% because of right-to-carry laws. Researchers say that estimate may be low, pointing out that different models show a 33% increase in firearm-related assaults following passage of those laws. Further, “the totality of the evidence...suggests that right-to-carry laws are associated with substantially higher rates” of aggravated assault, rape, robbery and murder.   read more

In his lawsuit, plaintiff Kent Bernbeck objected to this provision claiming it resulted in giving more importance to rural voters at the expense of urban ones. U.S. District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon agreed with Bernbeck and found the requirement violated the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment and equal protection clause. This was Bernbeck's third lawsuit in 17 years aimed at easing restrictions on the ballot petition process.   read more

The document argues that the nation’s largest organic farming industry wouldn’t be economically harmed by having to use pesticides because they could simply sell their product in the conventional food market. They would keep their official state organic certification, but couldn’t call themselves organic in the marketplace.   read more

Some APA members were displeased when the organization altered its ethics rules in 2002 to provide cover to psychologists working for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and who participated in harsh interrogation sessions with detainees. Essentially, the change gave psychologists permission to ignore ethical concerns if ordered by the government to help extract information from al-Qaeda members.   read more

Seed companies Monsanto and Dow spent $8 million to try to defeat a proposal that would ban cultivation of genetically modified organisms in Maui County, Hawaii, in this month’s general election. The initiative passed anyway and now the seed companies are suing to prevent its enforcement. Monsanto and Dow unit Mycogen Seeds use acreage on the islands of Maui and Molokai, both part of Maui County, to research and develop new strains of genetically modified corn.   read more

The indictment says Donald Blankenship turned a blind eye to hundreds of safety violations “in order to produce more coal, avoid the costs of following safety laws, and make more money.” It charges he ordered miners “not to construct certain ventilation controls that would produce more reliable airflow because constructing them diverted time from coal production.” Federal investigators concluded that the explosion that killed the 29 men was preventable.   read more

State Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley accused Brownback of not telling the voting public the truth about his tax policies as he campaigned for a second term. “He knew all along that his policies were going to bankrupt the state,” Hensley told reporters. “There are some very, very difficult choices ahead for the Legislature. They’re going to have to cut school funding. They’re going to have to raid the highway fund. They very likely will have to cut social services.”   read more

Element Electronics has marketed itself as an American-owned company that sells the only American-assembled television in the country. That pitch has won it relationships with Walmart, Target, Sam’s Club and other businesses. But Element has reportedly outright lied about its TVs being made in this country. For starters, the sets are made in China. They’re then shipped to Element’s facility in South Carolina, then shipped off to stores.   read more

As President Barack Obama works to establish policies to limit climate-changing emissions through federal regulatory actions and an international accord with China, Republicans are determined to use their new congressional power to stymie those efforts. While the EPA moves to strengthen limits on smog-causing ozone and reduce coal ash waste by power plants, Republicans may throw a wrench in Obama’s environmental plans by trying to cut off EPA funding.   read more

During the first eight months of 2014, blacks and Hispanics made up 86% of the low-level marijuana possession busts. However, the two groups make up only 60% of the city’s population, while whites have higher rates of marijuana use. “To the extent the police department continues to disproportionately enforce the law in black and Latino communities, any administrative change on minor marijuana possession will constitute window-dressing in the name of reform,” said U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries.   read more

The FBI reported that the number of murders and non-negligent homicides last year fell 4.4% to 14,196, the lowest total since 1968. The murder rate has also been dropping and stands at 4.5 per 100,000 population. Firearms were used in 69% of the murders in 2013. Violent crimes, a category that includes murder, also dropped 4.4% to 1.16 million last year. Not since 1978, when there were 1.09 million violent crimes, was that figure so low.   read more