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Two U.S. senators express concerns about possible delays in a rail safety upgrade. California Democrats Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, in a letter  to the Federal Railroad Administration, called for a progress report on the installation of Positive Train Control, which is designed to prevent train wrecks by overcoming human error. Following a report by FairWarning, the senators said they were “deeply concerned” about possible delays in the system beyond the 2015 deadline....

Free-for-all in southern Pacific decimates fish stocks Asian, European and Latin American fleets have devastated fish stocks in the southern Pacific, once among the world’s richest waters, a new investigation by the Center’s International Consortium of Investigative Journalists has found. Governments with the power to stop the plunder have stalled for years, and no binding rules are in place. The result: Stocks of jack mackerel are down 90 percent to less than 3 million metric tons in just two...

If you're a little unclear on how auto-insurance scams work, CBS News now offers an entertaining and blessedly brief video that lays it out clearly, using graphics and undercover cameras. It's really worth watching. By the way, I apologize for using "PIP fraud" in headlines, since I know that many readers may not know what it is. It stands for Personal Injury Protection, which is required coverage for Florida drivers as part of the no-fault auto insurance system. When...

Celebration, 2012, lenticular, ink, acrylic, paper, glitter film on canvas" alt="Courtesy of the artist" />Insook Hwang’s bubbles of promise. There are artists who have studios in their homes, but not so many whose entire home is a studio. Insook Hwang is close to being one of these, with every room of the apartment she resides in containing either a work in progress or some plot for a painted wall or dangling constellations of small pillows with viewing screens. No matter what the...

This morning's Tribune is reporting on faith-based groups that show their community support for Mayor Rahm Emanuel's controversial plans to lengthen the school day and close failing schools while also receiving millions of dollars in grants from his administration. Several Chicago-area high schools have dialed back the term paper's length requirements and instead emphasize the research process and weighing of sources, a critical skill in the digital era, teachers say, the Tribune's Tara Malone...

Parents and foodies have been given some hope that a dramatically changed school food system can become a reality in the form of a reform feasibility study.  “Rethinking School Lunch in Oakland” to improve nutrition in public schools was unveiled at Thursday night’s school board meeting by Jennifer LeBarre, director of Oakland Unified’s Nutrition Services. Covering a number of areas - from The Dining Experience to Procurement to Waste Management - the feasibility study outlines ambitious...

The next two years are big ones for the waterways and bridges of the San Francisco Bay area. Oakland, San Francisco and surrounding cities will host boats and tourists from the America's Cup Races from the fall of 2012 through the spring of 2013. The Port of San Francisco celebrates it's 150th anniversary in 2013 and will open several renovated buildings on the Embarcadero, including the Exploratorium Museum. And the Golden Gate bridge turns 75 on May 27 of this year. For Oakland,...

At first, it sounds like a put-down when Dr. Angela Whitesell describes Lockwood, Mo., the place where she grew up. "It's a town in the middle of nowhere," she says, "and an hour away from everything." It soon becomes clear that her tone is reverential, another way of saying she was so "emotionally connected to the land" that she felt good about deciding to return home a few years ago to establish her medical practice. Photos provided by University of Missouri School of Medicine Dr. James...

Young humans, dogs spotted snuggling with books in Fair Haven. Daisy and her pal Rudy are two formally trained therapy dogs whose expertise is to hang out with kids who are learning to read. The canine reading specialists came with their owner/handlers on their regular rounds to Fair Haven’s library Thursday afternoon . Daisy is a sprightly combo of Golden Retriever and Standard Poodle. Rudy, a 13-year old German Shepherd mix, has the disposition of a Zen meditator. A dozen kids like...

The politicians in Tallahassee are again bantering insurance reform. More precisely, they are considering revamp of the state’s controversial personal injury protection insurance. For those of you new to the state or living under a rock, it’s the same insurance that has led to all the lawyer radio advertisements that practically beg you to save their phone number on your speed dial. It’s insurance that has led to the 1-800-PAIN jingle that you can probably sing in the shower...