Newscast for Friday, September 3, 2010

Consumer groups criticize use of spending data for credit scoring
Your credit score isn’t the only thing banks and credit card issuers look at when determining the terms of your account. Many of them build a whole profile based on your purchasing habits. If they think you’re having personal or financial problems, they’ll shrink your credit limit, jack up your interest rate – or even cut off your credit altogether. It’s called behavioral scoring. And as Tanya Snyder reports, some consumer advocates are fighting back.

Oil platform fire renews debate over drilling ban in Gulf of Mexico
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce has requested a response from Mariner Energy, the oil and gas company that operates the platform that caught fire yesterday in the Gulf of Mexico. Committee chairs gave a deadline of next Friday, September 10 for CEO Scott Josey to respond. Thursday's fire has renewed the focus on safety in oil and gas production in the Gulf - and increased debate over a moratorium on deepwater drilling in the region.

For more we're joined by Jacqueline Savitz. She's a senior scientist and director of climate and pollution campaigns at Oceana, an ocean conservation group.

New Orleans residents offer mixed feelings on oil drilling after latest accident
News of Thursday morning's fire on the oil and gas platform in the Gulf of Mexico spread quickly through the region.  With the experience of the BP oil disaster still fresh, New Orleans residents on Frenchmen Street shared their views on drilling with FSRN's Zoe Sullivan.

We heard from Leroy Cargrum, Joseph Martin, Alvin MacMillan, Chuck Laventure, and Jack Bishop.

EPA considers options for coal ash disposal
Coal ash is the byproduct of burning coal and it's made up of heavy metals that can contaminate water sources - but it's disposal has long been a source of intense debate.

This month the Environmental Protection Agency is hosting a series of public meetings to weigh two disposal options for coal ash. The hearing for the Western region took place Thursday in Denver, Colorado. Reporter Nikki Kayser was there.

Anti-Muslim incidents increase after protest over New York Islamic Center
The controversy around the proposed construction of an Islamic cultural center in lower Manhattan continues amidst a string of anti-Muslim incidents across the country. But will the latest wave of violence convince right wing pundits and bloggers to change their rhetoric? Community News Production Institute reporter Jaisal Noor brings us the story.