FCC Issues Largest ever “Robocall” Fine

Florida-based Travel Club Marketing was hit with the largest automated-calling fine in Federal Communications Commission (FCC) history on Tuesday for making at least 185 unsolicited calls without customer consent, including 142 households on the National Do-Not-Call Registry. The fine of $2.96 million, reported by the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau, is the largest fine the agency has


New York’s “Responsible Banking” Law Ruled Unconstitutional

In U.S. District Court in Manhattan on Monday, Judge Katherine Polk Failla issued New York’s mayor Bill De Blasio a notable defeat of a law intended to regulate the community-mindedness of the many financial institutions that inhabit the city. New York’s city council passed the Responsible Banking Act (RBA) in 2012, requiring banks in the


FDA Approves Nestle’s Maggi Noodles, Banned in India

Foodmaker Nestle scored a major victory late Monday night when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted marketing approval for the company’s Maggi noodles within the U.S. The U.S. joins six other countries in allowing the sale of the two-minute instant snack noodles, which had been tested by the regulator for unsafe levels of


Congress Considers Lifting Oil-Export Ban

According to U.S. Representative Joe Barton (R-TX), Congress is expected to vote on legislation that would lift a 40 year-old crude-oil export ban for U.S. producers. In an August 6th phone interview with Bloomberg, Barton said “We’ve got green lights in the House all the way,” saying that “The whip, the majority leader, the speaker


Florida Governor Settles Public-Records Transparency Lawsuit…Again

Recently re-elected Republican Florida Governor Rick Scott agreed to terms with Tallahassee attorney Steven Andrews regarding a dispute over public records disclosure involving a property close to the governor’s mansion. Andrews sued Scott in 2012 after the governor stated his intent to use state funds to buy a building near a property known as “The


How has Ferguson Changed a Year after Michael Brown’s Death?

On Saturday, Michael Brown Sr. led a group of about 100 marchers during a peaceful five-mile journey through the streets of Ferguson, Missouri, accompanied by a state-police escort. The peaceful march was intended to not only commemorate the anniversary of the controversial killing of his son by police officer Darren Wilson a year ago Sunday,


Railroads will not Meet Congressional Deadline for Safety Technology Implementation

According to a Federal Railroad Administration report released to the House and Senate Appropriations Committee on Friday, only three freight and commuter railroad companies have submitted safety plans for the implementation of new technology, required to be finished by a December 31st deadline. The technology, Positive Train Control (PTC), depends on GPS technology to automatically


DOJ Subpoenas Allergan as Generics Antitrust Probe Widens

In the wake of a buying and selling frenzy, Irish drugmaker Allergan has been subpoenaed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) over antitrust concerns regarding the pricing of its generic drugs. Last week, the company announced a $40.5 billion selloff of its generics unit to the global generic market leader, Israeli-based Teva Pharmaceuticals. That deal


NRA, Texas Republican Cornyn Fight for Increased Gun Control (Sort of)

As shocking as it may seem, a leading Senate Republican, with the support of the National Rifle Association (NRA), are teaming together to promote legislation that would make it tougher for mentally ill persons to acquire firearms. On Wednesday, Senate Minority Whip John Cornyn (R-TX), the second-most powerful person in the Senate, introduced a bill