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Half-life

Nuke Lab Workers Getting Sick

Thousands of nuclear workers became sick with cancer and other deadly diseases from undisclosed radiation and chemical exposures during the Manhattan Project and Cold War. The government promised to clean up its national laboratories and pay for the damage. Are they living up to those promises?

14 stories published since 2018

Ill Nuclear Workers’ Benefits Petitions Have to Be Reviewed Within 6 Months. Some Have Languished About a Decade.

The Los Alamos Lab Worker Who Started a Year Too Late for Benefits

In an 18-Year-Old Program to Help Ill Nuclear Workers, a Petition Has Lingered for 10 Years

Half-Life

Congress Passes Measure to Protect Board that Monitors Nuclear Safety

New Mexico Senators Speak Out Over Order They Say Would Hamper Nuclear Safety Board

Nuclear Safety Board Slams Energy Department Plan to Weaken Oversight

Trump Administration Neuters Nuclear Safety Board

The Government’s New Contractor to Run Los Alamos Includes the Same Manager It Effectively Fired for Safety Problems

Two Leading Bidders for Lucrative Los Alamos Lab Contract Have Checkered Safety Records

Talk to Us About Los Alamos National Laboratory — and Other National Labs Around the Country

Trump’s Labor Department Eviscerates Workplace Safety Panels

Injured Nuclear Workers Finally Had Support. The Trump Administration Has Mothballed It.

Federal Watchdog Identifies New Workplace Safety Problems at Los Alamos Lab

What We’re Watching

During Donald Trump’s second presidency, ProPublica will focus on the areas most in need of scrutiny. Here are some of the issues our reporters will be watching — and how to get in touch with them securely.

Learn more about our reporting team. We will continue to share our areas of interest as the news develops.

Photo of Sharon Lerner
Sharon Lerner

I cover health and the environment and the agencies that govern them, including the Environmental Protection Agency.

Photo of Andy Kroll
Andy Kroll

I cover justice and the rule of law, including the Justice Department, U.S. attorneys and the courts.

Photo of Melissa Sanchez
Melissa Sanchez

I report on immigration and labor, and I am based in Chicago.

Photo of Jesse Coburn
Jesse Coburn

I cover housing and transportation, including the companies working in those fields and the regulators overseeing them.

If you don’t have a specific tip or story in mind, we could still use your help. Sign up to be a member of our federal worker source network to stay in touch.

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