Obama Scraps Federal College Ranking System for “Scorecard”

Unlike most college rating platforms, the scorecard contains a plethora of useful data that is usually unavailable from the private sector. Although prefacing by saying the data is based on students who have received federal grants and loans, the site contains income information, not just for recent grads, but also containing 10-year median income for graduates and loan default rates. The search-engine styled site also contains net costs for students from high-income and low-income families, as well as the ethnic diversity of particular colleges.


California Legislators Agree on Medical Marijuana Regulatory Framework

The bill also comes as residents will likely vote on legalizing marijuana for recreational use next year. As the current medical marijuana industry is regulated through a patchwork of city and local ordinances, Brown and other legislators have been trying to mitigate the concerns of industry lobbyists, law enforcement, local administrators, and opposition lawmakers in advance of the likely 2016 ballot measure.


‘Sort of’ Forgetting 9/11

As more cancer diagnoses related to 9/11 are discovered, the costs for the health program, as well as the over 6,500 people enrolled in the victim fund, will likely increase. This means Congress will either have to allow for the funding increase, or services may get cut dramatically. The decision could have life or death consequences for some like 52 year-old retired NYPD detective Barbara Burnette, who has a debilitating lung condition. Doctors have told Burnette that she will eventually require a double lung transplant. Burnette notes the potential lack of funding, saying “Without this program, people are gonna die, and I’m going to be one of them.”


Federal Regulators Abandon Cancer Study of Nuclear Plants

NAS began the study in 2010, and completed the first phase in 2012. The next phase had been underway for about three years when it was halted. The study was to have been an update to a 1990 review conducted by the National Cancer Institute, which analyzed cancer death rates in areas near 52 nuclear plants. That study concluded that there was no increased risk of cancer for people living close to the nuclear facilities.



Erin Brockovich Fights against Pollution for Navajo Nation

Brockovich and Begaye toured the riverfront and some of the hardest hit agricultural areas, culminating with a speech to students at a Shiprock, New Mexico highs school. Insisting that the government clean up its mess, Brockovich said “They did not tell the truth about the amount. There were millions and millions of gallons.” Brockovich accused federal regulators of lax oversight, both in the Navajo Nation, and throughout the U.S.


Baltimore Settles with Family of Freddie Gray

Gray’s family will receive $2.8 million during the 2015 fiscal year, which began in July, and $3.6 million next year. The settlement must still be approved by mayoral-controlled spending panel, which is expected on Wednesday. Gray died on April 19th while in police custody, a week after being arrested by Baltimore police. Six officers have been indicted and face a pre-trial hearing on Thursday.


Legal Facts: The Economic Loss Doctrine in Hawaii

Many are familiar with lawsuits when a car accident damages someone’s car while also causing medical expenses. But what happens if a product only causes economic loss by damaging itself instead of damaging other property? For instance, the generator in a $300,000 luxury motor home produces arcing which ignites engine oil and the resulting fire


The Anti-Trump: Mississippi’s Shy Truck-Driving Black Candidate for Governor

Gray has a remarkably simple and catchy theme. As he stated in a post-nomination interview, “People complain about our governor. I’m basically going to do the opposite of what he’s doing.” One resident of Terry, Gary Downing, who did not know Gray, said about his campaign strategy, “Can’t do no worse than what we’ve got.” Gray admits that his shyness keeps him from acting like most politicians, saying that he is hesitant to approach strangers because he is afraid to interrupt them. As proof that the man is the Democratic reincarnation of Calvin Coolidge, his CB radio handle is Silent Knight, because he listens more than he talks.