Nigel Jaquiss' Oct. 19, 2005 cover story described a number of irregularities at Physicians' Hospital in Northeast Portland. According to an Associated Press update, the story led to a federal investigation, at the conclusion of which the hospital was notified it will no longer qualify for Medicare reimbursements. Physicians' has until March 19 to meet federal guidelines or lose its provider contract, which, according to a Web-only WW update, could cost the hospital 30 to 50 percent of its revenue.

Continue ReadingHospital Loses Medicare Money Following Willamette Week Story

Bill Lueders (pictured) wrote the lyrics based on his own troubles with records requests, then convinced Wisconsin musician Peter Leidy to write music and record the song in time for Sunshine Week, a national observance of the public's right to information about its government. "It's a topic with contemporary resonance," says Lueders, who is also the president of the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council. Isthmus won two open records lawsuits against the Madison Police Department, in 1996 and 1998. "The Open Records Blues" can be downloaded here and is free for broadcast.

Continue ReadingIsthmus News Editor Pens ‘The Open Records Blues’

Josh Kun's Feb. 15 cover story on Jorge Hank Rhon, the controversial mayor of Tijuana, was translated and reprinted by Proceso, a prominent Mexican newsmagazine. In addition, Mexico's largest newspaper, Reforma, printed a news item on the story. Rhon has been accused of ordering the assassination of a journalist who was investigating him -- his bodyguard was convicted of the murder -- so coverage of Rhon may carry a significant risk.

Continue ReadingLA Weekly Story Draws Attention of Mexican Press