Stories by Laura Gottesdiener

Newly-minted tobacco critic promises to "educate the public," giving Marlboro Reds an A grade.

In Florida, banks who slack on maintaining their properties are getting a taste of their own medicine.

Despite breaking the religious prohibition of alcohol, he’s often toed the Mormon political line during his three terms as a U.S. senator.

An unsettling trend: sporadic unemployment for millions of the nation’s workforce.

"The First Amendment affords a publisher - not a reporter - absolute authority to shape a newspaper's content," Judge writes.

The resolution demonstrates how far the U.S. still has to go in terms of enshrining legal protections for the LGBT community, even as the Supreme Court gears up to consider same-sex marriage rights.

Fox News' Bill O'Reilly turns his crusade against his own people.

Chomsky's observations about propaganda and corporate media are always useful to keep in mind.

It's going to be a long four years until the next election.

Mahoma Lopez's story offers insight into the power of worker-led organizing.

From bribing children with toys to convincing them to eat a “fourth meal,” the industry is glutted with perverse, profit-chasing schemes.

"I am absolutely delighted that nuclear weapons were invented..." he professed in his speech.

In Kentucky, a law requires the state’s Office of Homeland Security to post a plaque recognizing the power of the Almighty God--and violating this law could result in 12 months in prison.

Enough with the slut shaming. Let's take a look at who should really be held responsible.

In Act II of the story, a whole new cast of characters have joined the tangled affair.

This guy clearly needs to stop watching so much Fox News.

As the nation celebrates Obama's election, some far right wingers are lashing out.

The government's response to Hurricane Sandy reminds that civil engagement is necessary every day, not just once every four years.

Pay attention if you hope to follow the twisted, convoluted lies of the extreme right.