Nov 15 Forest Service chief says there’s progress in combating sexual misconduct. Dozens of women say there’s not enough By Joshua Barajas Lawmakers at Thursday’s hourslong hearing were presented with a dichotomy: an agency that promises it has made progress in addressing harassment and reprisal, and a former employee who says the changes amount to a “band-aid” to deep-seated problems. Continue reading
Nov 15 WATCH: House committee holds hearing on misconduct and retaliation in the U.S. Forest Service By Joshua Barajas In interviews with the PBS NewsHour last year, 34 women who worked for the Forest Service across multiple regions described a workplace culture that was hostile to women, and an agency that often fell short in properly addressing complaints of… Continue reading
Mar 21 New female Forest Service head launches review of harassment, sexual misconduct in the agency By Elizabeth Flock The review comes weeks after a PBS NewsHour investigation into these issues, especially in the agency’s firefighting ranks, along with the departure of Forest Service Chief Tony Tooke amid allegations of his own sexual misconduct. Continue reading
Mar 09 Watch 3:56 Letter to Congress sheds light on misconduct allegations that led to U.S. Forest Service chief’s resignation By PBS News Hour The chief of the U.S. Forest Service, Tony Tooke, stepped down this week following a NewsHour investigation into allegations of a culture of sexual misconduct and retaliation within that agency, as well as questions about his own behavior. William Brangham… Continue watching
Mar 08 WATCH: 3 women recount years of harassment in the forest service By Lorna Baldwin Firefighters Darla Bush, Jonel Wagoner and Darlene Hall filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2014, claiming sexual harassment of and retaliation against women in the Forest Service in California. Continue reading
Mar 08 Forest Service must change how it investigates sexual misconduct, report says By Elizabeth Flock, Joshua Barajas Forest Service will test new process for investigating sexual misconduct after report finds distrust in the system… Continue reading
Mar 07 Tony Tooke, head of U.S. Forest Service, stepping down amid sexual misconduct allegations By Elizabeth Flock, Erica R. Hendry The news comes days after a PBS NewsHour investigation revealed a widespread culture of sexual harassment and assault within the agency, and retaliation against those who reported it. Continue reading
Mar 02 Watch 7:10 U.S. Forest Service chief under investigation after complaints of sexual misconduct By William Brangham, Elizabeth Flock, Joshua Barajas, Lorna Baldwin The U.S. Forest Service has confirmed that parent agency USDA has “engaged an independent investigator” to look into complaints against Chief Tony Tooke. News of this investigation comes as the Forest Service deals with allegations of a broader culture of… Continue watching
Mar 02 Forest Service acknowledges ‘we have more work to do’ to address sexual harassment By Erica R. Hendry In an email to employees responding to the NewsHour’s original report, a spokesman from the office of Chief Tony Tooke said: “The stories the Forest Service employees shared during the PBS NewsHour piece are important to hear, difficult and heart-wrenching… Continue reading
Mar 01 Watch 12:06 Rape, harassment and retaliation in the U.S. Forest Service: Women firefighters tell their stories By Lorna Baldwin, Emily Carpeaux Women in the U.S. Forest Service aren't just fighting fires; some are fighting sexual misconduct in the most remote parts of the country. In an exclusive PBS NewsHour investigation, 34 women in 13 states told their stories of rape, harassment,… Continue watching