Katie Rucke

Katie Rucke is a MintPress staff writer and investigative report specializing in the war on drugs, criminal justice, marijuana legislation, education and watchdog investigations as well as whistle-blowers. Her investigations related to the coverage of the 2010 Toyota recall scandal, and coverage of the trials of Anonymous hacker and proclaimed activist Jeremy Hammond as well as Bradley Manning have received international acclaim. Rucke has been recommended by the Wikileaks organization as a trusted journalist in 2013. Rucke has also written pieces for Yahoo! and various community magazines. Follow Katie on Twitter: @katierucke

Customs Watchdog Head Ousted For Failing To Discipline Abusive Agents

Of the 809 abuse complaints filed against Customs and Border Patrol Agents from 2009 to 2012, only 13 resulted in disciplinary action.

Katie Rucke
Par Katie Rucke

James F. Tomscheck was removed from his post as head of internal affairs for U.S. Customs and Border Protection last Monday, after it was reported that the 30-year federal law enforcement veteran had long failed to investigate claims of both physical and verbal abuse as well as excessive use of force by armed border patrol agents. The Los

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Report: Oil Companies Knowingly Dump Toxins In Southern California

A report makes startling revelations about how often oil companies knowingly use toxic chemicals — and how often they use them near homes and schools.

Katie Rucke
Par Katie Rucke

Oil and gas companies used more than 45 million pounds, or 22,500 tons, of dangerous chemicals throughout the last year in 477 hydraulic fracturing, acidizing and gravel packing operations in Los Angeles and Orange counties, according to a recently released report from the Center for Biological Diversity and three other environmental and health

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Are Suicidal Americans Taking Advantage Of Officers’ “Just Shoot” Mentality?

Although some try to kill themselves with pills or weapons, others turn to other people, like law enforcement officials, to end their lives.

Katie Rucke
Par Katie Rucke
LAPD

In August 2013, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Police Officer Spencer Mortensen issued eight warnings to Eric Byron Johnston, telling him to drop the two knives he was holding in the apartment of his friend, Wendy Woods. When Johnston failed to drop the knives, Mortensen fatally shot him. Woods had called police to the apartment, saying she was

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Deadly Clash Involving Tracy Morgan Calls Attention To Trucking Industry

Day and night, truckers usher our goods across the country, but are they getting enough rest to ensure safety on the nation’s highways?

Katie Rucke
Par Katie Rucke
Walmart

Wal-Mart truck driver Kevin Roper, 35, was charged with vehicular homicide and four counts of assault by auto on Monday for his involvement in Saturday’s crash on the New Jersey Turnpike that killed 62-year-old comedian James McNair, known as Jimmy Mack, while severely injuring four others, including actor and comedian Tracy Morgan, 45, who remains

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Senate’s Latest NDAA Draft Further Tramples Americans’ Rights

Senior legislative counsel for the ACLU estimates that if the Senate has its way, 100 U.S. citizens could immediately find themselves in Guantánamo-like indefinite detention.

Katie Rucke
Par Katie Rucke
Guantanamo

The Senate’s draft of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2015 was written behind closed doors and kept secret for around 11 days, but the text of the bill was publicly released last week. In response, Chris Anders, senior legislative counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union’s Washington Legislative Office, wrote a blog post for the

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New Hampshire Legislature Votes To Ban Warrantless Surveillance, Data Sharing

A bill to stop all government agencies — even federal ones — from getting information from a “portable electronic device” without a warrant heads to the governor’s desk.

Katie Rucke
Par Katie Rucke

The New Hampshire Legislature passed a bill on Wednesday that would prohibit all government officials -- including federal officials -- from obtaining “information contained in a portable electronic device” without a warrant “signed by a judge and based on probable cause” in the state. The bill, HB1533, creates a direct legal conflict with

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Federal Push To Turn Off The “School-To-Prison” Pipeline

Untucked shirts, chronic truancy, underage smoking — these can all lead to prison time for students at schools with zero-tolerance discipline policies in place.

Katie Rucke
Par Katie Rucke

Fifteen-year-old A.G. screamed in disbelief when Knox County Juvenile Court Judge Tim Irwin ruled in April 2008 that she would be incarcerated for her chronic truancy, even though she explained that her frequent absences were due to her struggles with “crippling anxiety” and “relentless bullying at school.” With her legs shackled, A.G. was led

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