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Rick Outzen is publisher and editor of Independent News, the alternative newsweekly for Northwest Florida.

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The BP Oil Spill Killed My Father

BP oil rig engineer Blair Manuel was not even supposed to be working when he and 10 co-workers were killed in the Gulf of Mexico explosion a year ago. His daughter tells Rick Outzen the anniversary is about honoring her father, not lawsuits or pointing fingers.

Rick Outzen | Published Apr 19, 2011

The Gulf of Mexico's Seafood Rebirth a Year After the BP Oil Spill

One year after the BP oil disaster, marine life is thriving in the Gulf of Mexico and fishermen and state officials are optimistic about the summer season. But locals still battling health problems are angry at the oil giant's failure to meet its commitments, Rick Outzen reports.

Rick Outzen | Published Apr 17, 2011

New Outrage in the Gulf

Could Congress have prevented the BP mess? A report reveals that a law enacted after the Exxon Valdez to avoid future oil spills was deprived of cash by lawmakers.

Rick Outzen | Published Nov 29, 2010

Why the Gulf Misses BP

Locals thought it was hard getting money out of the oil giant—until they had to deal with the government. Rick Outzen on the Gulf’s cash flow crisis—and anger with the federal “claims czar.”

Rick Outzen | Published Sep 15, 2010

Exclusive: BP Oil Spill Coverup

While officials claim most of the oil from America's worst-ever spill has disappeared, fishermen hired by BP are still finding tar balls—and being instructed to hide their discoveries.

Rick Outzen | Published Aug 16, 2010

BP's Worthless CEO Shuffle

Across the weary Gulf Coast, BP’s dismissal of Tony Hayward failed to garner any goodwill. The Daily Beast’s Rick Outzen on how four months of spin, lies, and delays have jaded a region.

Rick Outzen | Published Jul 26, 2010

Cautious Optimism In the Gulf

The Florida seaport town of Pensacola has seen BP’s efforts to cap the well fail before. Will this one work? Rick Outzen talks to anxious residents about whether an end to the nightmare is near.

Rick Outzen | Published Jul 16, 2010

How It Played in the Gulf

Watching President Obama’s Oval Office speech on the Gulf Coast with oil spill claimants, Rick Outzen found support for the rhetoric—and cynicism over whether action will follow words.

Rick Outzen | Published Jun 15, 2010

BP's Windfall to the Rich

As Gulf fishermen suffer, a BP program to hire cleanup boats has resulted in windfalls for rich pleasure-craft owners, a Daily Beast investigation reveals. Rick Outzen on a growing outrage.

Rick Outzen | Published Jun 02, 2010

BP's Shocking Memo

A document obtained by The Daily Beast shows that BP, in a previous fatal disaster, increased worker risk to save money. Are there parallels with the Gulf explosion?

Rick Outzen | Published May 25, 2010

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