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.


Minnesota Supreme Court Revives School Segregation Lawsuit

The Minnesota Supreme Court remanded a high-stakes school segregation lawsuit on Wednesday, one year after an appeals court had thrown the case out. The 4-2 ruling settles a question that had plagued the litigation since its inception: whether the provision of adequate education is an issue best taken up courts or congress. Writing for the


Texas Heat Wave Sparks Concerns Over Prisoners Incarcerated Without Climate Control

A heat wave covering central Texas is reigniting concerns over the welfare of prisoners incarcerated without climate control. The Texas Tribune reports that some seventy-five percent of prisons within the state don’t have air conditioning in housing areas. While hard time isn’t meant to be easy, extreme weather can endanger the well-being of thousands. Thermometers


Trump Promises $12 Billion to Farmers Hurt By Trade Wars

The Trump administration has promised $12 billion aid to farmers hurt by the president’s trade wars. While agricultural subsidies have a decades-long history in the United States, the latest authorization is unique. Unlike the billions meted out each year to dairy farmers and commercial crop growers, Trump’s package was cobbled together by the White House


Mississippi Man Sues American Airlines Over Brown Recluse Spider Bite

A Mississippi man who was bitten by a brown recluse spider is suing American Airlines, saying flight attendants downplayed the risk posed by the arachnid. Marcus Fleming was a passenger on American Airlines Flight 3978 on September 6, 2016. Just before take-off, another, eight-legged passenger scurried from the man’s seat. Fleming didn’t see the creature



Chicago Approves Another $4.5 Million to Settle Police Wrongdoing Lawsuits

On Monday, Chicago approved another $4.5 million in settlements related to police wrongdoing. Over the course of the past fifteen years, the city’s paid close to a billion to settle allegations against its law enforcement agencies and officers. The latest round of approvals was announced Monday by the City Council’s Finance Committee. The Chicago Sun



Family of Australian Woman Shot Dead By Minneapolis Police Sues City

The family of an Australian woman shot dead by police officers in Minneapolis is suing the city, alleging its law enforcement violated the civil rights of Justine Rusczcyk. Ruszcyk—also known among her friends as Justine Damond—was killed after calling police to report a disturbance. The 40-year old life coach heard what she thought were the


Judge Dismisses New York City Climate Change Lawsuit

A federal judge dismissed a climate change lawsuit filed by New York City, saying the onus to end global warming is on Congress and the Oval Office rather than the courts. While Judge John F. Keenan of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York called climate change “a fact of life,”


House Republicans Pass Pro-I.C.E. Resolution with Little Resistance

House Republicans claimed a victory Wednesday after a vote to support the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency passed by an overwhelming majority. Taken 244-35, the nonbinding resolution was an exercise designed to embarrass. As NPR and POLITICO report, few expected Democrats to take up arms overtly. Even as liberals continue to berate ICE and