lobbying

April 7, 2015 - In a letter to Duke CEO Lynn Good, an African-American minister and an environmental advocate criticize the utility's campaign to block the shift to solar power by trying to convince black community leaders that it hurts the poor -- while at the same time fighting legislation to make solar power more affordable.

March 2, 2015 - With a fight underway in Congress over protecting more U.S. waterways from industrial pollution, Environment America has issued a report looking at the millions of dollars spent on politics each year by polluters. Besides the Kansas-based oil and chemical giant, other big-spending polluters include Southern meat processors and an energy company.

February 27, 2015 - The N.C. Home Builders Association has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars supporting legislators' campaigns and employs a team of powerful lobbyists in Raleigh. What does it want in return?

February 26, 2015 - The Atlanta-based utility giant is in the news for funding a controversial researcher whose work has been used to cast doubt on the overwhelming scientific consensus that human activity is driving global warming. It isn't the first time the company has been involved in promoting questionable climate science.

February 19, 2015 - Though its immigrant deportation relief efforts have been put on hold, the Obama administration continues to carry out its policy of detaining Central American immigrant children and families apprehended at the border. Attorneys for the detainees recently took legal action to address harsh conditions at the government's privately-managed family detention centers.

February 11, 2015 - A Facing South/Institute for Southern Studies report reveals the top power players in North Carolina politics, based on their lobbying clout and spending on state elections. It's a snapshot of the special interests that are best able to make their voices heard -- and push their agenda -- with state lawmakers.

February 10, 2015 - In a new report, "Tar Heel Power Brokers," Facing South/Institute for Southern Studies ranks the top 101 most influential special interests in North Carolina politics through a combination of lobbying power and political spending in N.C. state-level elections. Use this interactive graphic to look up any special interest and learn about its spending and lobbying.