
Video: The people’s choice
An interesting power-to-the-people experiment is taking place in New York City, with some taxpayers getting a much bigger say about how their tax dollars are being spent. It’s called participatory budgeting.

An interesting power-to-the-people experiment is taking place in New York City, with some taxpayers getting a much bigger say about how their tax dollars are being spent. It’s called participatory budgeting.

With student loan debt now nearing $1 trillion, Need to Know looks at the dilemma facing young people: go to college and likely accumulate tens of thousands of dollars in debt, or skip it and risk never qualifying for a higher-paying job.

Mayors across the United States are under tight pressure to rein in spending and keep services running at the same time. Need to Know chronicles three days spent with Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett.

Drywall manufactured in China is emitting sulfur gasses which American homeowners allege is making them sick. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is investigating, and many homeowners are suing, while at least one major manufacturer denies that its drywall causes any ill effects.

According to a recently released report, Massey Energy could have prevented the West Virginia mine explosion that killed 29 workers last year.

Need to Know’s John Larson reports on just-released findings of an investigation into what caused last year’s deadly West Virginia coal mine explosion.

Need to Know examines the harmful effects of allegedly tainted drywall manufactured in China and the legal frustrations consumers encounter when trying to sue foreign manufacturers for damages.