ROTTEN DEAL

Documents reveal that the state Department of Environmental Conservation let a rule-breaking waste transfer facility in Queens go unchecked for years.

PUSHY POLS

Harlem city council candidate claims he was strong-armed by a public official during his campaign.

RETAIL SUCKS

Full-time retail workers in New York City are making less than they were a decade ago and are largely dependent upon public assistance.

NOT SO CHARITABLE

Donations from the private sector to the country’s 400 largest nonprofits fell in 2002 for the first time in five years.

PERCEPTIONS AND ACCESS

One-fifth of immigrant families surveyed said they were concerned that signing up for public health insurance would cause them problems with immigration.

WHO KNEW?

Many of those most affected by the historic revamp of Medicare have no idea it happened.

TIME FOR GIVING

About 63.8 million people did volunteer work between September 2002 and 2003, a six percent increase from the previous year.

GOOD COMPANY

Fast Company magazine is adding to the year-in-review mania with one that’s actually interesting: the top 20 social entrepreneurs of 2003.