The Living Legacy of Katrina

The disaster was born that week ten years ago, but it is very much alive, affecting people’s lives every day moving forward. CNN conducted a poll that showed, while the memories have faded a little, the lessons of Katrina remain on the forefront. 51 percent of respondents believe that the U.S. is no better prepared for a disaster like Katrina in the future. This is up from 48 percent who were asked that question in 2006. While that may seem a surprising number, yet not a very significant difference, it bears remembering JUST HOW BAD THE 2005 RESPONSE WAS.


NLRB Rules in Favor of Increased Bargaining power for Subcontractors, Temporary Workers

IFA president Steve Caldeira released a statement following the ruling, saying “The Board’s tortured analysis will undoubtedly be met with skepticism and will be rejected by local franchise owners, legislators and, ultimately, the courts. IFA and its allies are asking Congress to intervene to halt these out-of-control, unelected Washington bureaucrats to preserve the established joint employer standard.”


Marcy Borders, 9/11 ‘Dust Lady,’ Dies of Cancer at 42

Borders’s death is a stark reminder that many of those who endured the 9/11 tragedy are suffering from long-term health problems. Borders was asked if she thought that the debris from the terror attack, which contained glass and other carcinogenic dust, among other dangerous particles led to her cancer. She responded, “I’m saying to myself, ‘Did this thing ignite cancer cells in me?’ I definitely believe it because I haven’t had any illnesses. I don’t have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes.”


Appeals Court Strikes Down New Jersey’s Sports Betting Law…Again

Governor Chris Christie, along with state politicians and residents, has been hoping to revive the industry through sports wagering. Judge Rendell acknowledged the local sentiment, writing in the majority opinion, “While PASPA’s provisions and its reach are controversial and, some might say, unwise, we are not asked to judge the wisdom of PASPA and it is not our place to usurp Congress’ role simply because PASPA may have become an unpopular law.”



FTC Urges FDA to Re-evaluate Homeopathic Product Regulation

The $3 billion industry has increasingly drawn the attention of both regulators. Among the questions the FDA brought up in the request for comment involve consumer and health provider attitudes towards homeopathic products, requests for data sources regarding the safety of the products, and what kind of measures could be implemented to improve the clarity of the CPG’s standard, among others.


Department of Education Must Navigate Student Loan Forgiveness Carefully

Statistics released by the DOE on Thursday show that 3.9 million borrowers have enrolled in income-based repayment programs, with $200 billion of the total $1.2 trillion of outstanding student debt in some kind of payment modification program. The number of enrollees is 56 percent higher than in the year prior. The DOE also estimates that outstanding federal student debt will double to nearly $2.5 trillion by 2025.


Judge Orders Release of Detained Immigrant Children

Gee had already found DHS in violation of the agreement in July, with the most recent ruling being a stern rebuttal of the government’s request to reconsider the ruling. DHS has argued that complying with the agreement would lead to a large influx of illegal immigrants crossing the border; however Gee called the argument “repackaged and reheated,” saying it was “speculative,” and equating it to “fearmongering.”


If Mike Could be Like Me

Jordan told reporters, “This shows I will protect my name to the fullest. It’s my name and I worked hard for it, and I’m not just going to let someone take it.”

According to Jordan’s attorneys, the use of his likeness for advertising should have been valued at roughly $10 million, whereas Dominick’s attorney Steven Mandel argued that the Jordan’s legal team is overvaluing the amount, and that the jury should award Jordan $126,900 for his likeness in the ad.