but complaints about some operators have been going on for almost the same amount of time. it's meant that there have been some questions about why the government is only taking action now. we are really talking about the most basic of checks — we are talking about, "does the company exist?" "does the price it says it's going to sell the test at, does that exist?" there are lots of other problems behind us, so good news that the government is taking action, but my goodness, it really has taken a long time. the government has said it will do regular spot checks to ensure that prices are accurate and providers are legitimate. but the summer season has nearly come to an end, and for some testing has already left a nasty aftertaste. caroline davies, bbc news. now on bbc news: the travel show. this is the mighty mississippi. the economic backbone of early america, running north to south for more than 2000 miles, carrying the people and cargo that helped to turn this country from a fledgling upstart into a powerhouse. for much of the 19th century, steamboats like this ruled the river.