Ryan Farrick is a freelance writer and small business advertising consultant based out of mid-Michigan. Passionate about international politics and world affairs, he’s an avid traveler with a keen interest in the connections between South Asia and the United States. Ryan studied neuroscience and has spent the last several years working as an operations manager in transportation logistics.


Michigan State Ex-President Lou Anna Simon Charged in Nassar Scandal

Michigan State University’s former and long-time president, Lou Anna Simon, has been charged with two felony and misdemeanor counts of allegedly lying to law enforcement officials investigating Larry Nassar. Nassar, a USA Gymnastics physician convicted of molesting scores of patients, has already been sentenced to serve up to 125 years in prison. Simon, reports NPR,


Military Backpedals on Withdrawing Troops from U.S.-Mexico Border

On Tuesday, the military doubled back on its declaration that troops stationed along the U.S.-Mexico border would begin heading home in the coming days. POLITICO reports that Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan, who’s overseeing the deployment—itself intended to block migrants from entering the United States—told reporters Monday that a contingent of soldiers would be sent home


Judge Blocks Trump Rules Against Asylum-Seekers

A federal judge issued a late-night ruling Monday, blocking the Trump administration from saying ‘no’ to certain asylum-seekers. The case, filed as a lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union, addresses whether immigrants who cross the United States border illegally can still apply for asylum. News of a U.S.-bound migrant caravan prompted President Trump to


Michigan Towns Turn Down Recreational Marijuana Businesses

In early November, Michigan became the tenth state in the union to legalize the recreational use of marijuana by most adults. Proposal 1, passed during the state’s midterm election, is set to see businesses licensed for the commercial sale of marijuana within the next one to two years. But despite passing by double digits, some


Saks Fifth Avenue Sued for Race and Age Discrimination

Eight men are suing retailer Saks Fifth Avenue, alleging that its New York City outlets discriminated against them on grounds of race and age. NBC News reports that the group of ex-employees are mostly African-American; many are also older. They say their ethnicity and age were such impediments to progress at Saks that they felt


ACLU Challenges Trump’s Asylum Application Limitations

President Trump’s attempts to limit asylum applications were challenged in court Monday. The outcome of the hearings, writes USA Today, could determine how many members of a U.S.-bound migrant caravan will be allowed into the country. Hundreds of caravan members have already converged along the U.S.-Mexico border in Tijuana. On Monday, Customs and Border Protection


U.S. Closes California’s San Ysidro Border Crossing Over Migrant Fears

U.S. Customs and Border Protection briefly closed California’s San Ysidro border crossing Monday. San Ysidro, writes USA Today, is the busiest land port along the U.S.-Mexico border. Customs and Border Protection temporarily halted northbound traffic for more than three hours, apparently in fear that members of a migrant caravan might try to force their way



FDA Announces New Regulations on E-Cigarettes and Possible Menthol Ban

On Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration announced a series of regulations meant to combat youth abuse of flavored e-cigarettes and tobacco products. The New York Times reports that the FDA made another big announcement, too: it intends to ‘outlaw two traditional tobacco products that disproportionately harm African-Americans,’ menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. The proposed


Black Farmers Group Sues Stine Seeds Over Alleged Rip-Off

A group of black farmers in Memphis are “encouraged’ by a judge’s decision to move forward with a class action lawsuit against Stine Seed Co. Commercial Appeal reports that the Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association had a status hearing on the issue Wednesday. The case stems from complaints by members of the group in April—several