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Posts published in “US”

Former Social Worker Sentenced to Nearly Six Years in Prison for Fraudulently Posing as a Decorated Marine Corps Veteran with Cancer

Sarah Jane Cavanaugh, a former social worker at a Rhode Island veterans' hospital, has been sentenced to nearly six years in federal prison for fraudulently posing as a decorated Marine Corps veteran with cancer and collecting nearly $300,000 in benefits, charitable contributions, and donations. She was exposed when a charity she applied to for funds became suspicious and started checking her background. Her sentence serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying the credentials of those claiming to be veterans, and of the consequences of fraudulently posing as a veteran.

Governors Call on Pharmacy Retail Companies to Clarify Plans to Dispense Mifepristone for Medication Abortion

Fourteen Democratic governors have called on major pharmacy retail companies to clarify their plans to dispense mifepristone, a drug used for medication abortion, in response to recent media reports. This call has been met with opposition from a coalition of anti-abortion groups, who have requested a preliminary injunction to take mifepristone off the market nationwide. If access to mifepristone is halted, it could affect millions of individuals in states where medication abortion is lawfully dispensed. The issue of access to abortion medication has become increasingly politicized, and it remains to be seen how the pharmacy retail companies will respond.

Winter Storm Causes Disruption Across Northeast and California, Power Outages Reported

A major winter storm has caused disruption across the Northeast and California, with more than a foot of snow reported in parts of Worcester County, Massachusetts and an atmospheric river inundating cities in California. Power outages have been reported in both regions, and residents are advised to take precautions to stay safe during the storm.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost Files Lawsuit Against Norfolk Southern for Train Derailment and Release of Toxic Chemicals

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has filed a lawsuit against railroad Norfolk Southern in federal court, seeking to make sure the company pays for the cleanup and environmental damage caused by a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. The complaint alleges that the company violated hazardous waste and water quality laws and was negligent for causing the incident, and seeks to force the company to pay for groundwater and soil monitoring and economic losses in the village and surrounding areas. The lawsuit is the latest legal action taken against Norfolk Southern in the wake of the incident and could be a legal route to address long-lasting impacts from spilled and burned chemicals.

U.S. Inflation Slows to 6% in February, Relief for Investors as Federal Reserve Remains Patient with Interest Rate Hikes

U.S. inflation slowed to an annual rate of 6% in February, according to the Consumer Price Index released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Food prices rose 0.4% since January, while energy costs were 5.2% higher year-over-year. Investors reacted positively to the news, with the S&P 500 rising 0.6% after the report was released, indicating relief that inflation is still high but heading lower. The Fed has said it will be patient with interest rate hikes until inflation is closer to its 2% target rate.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost Files Federal Lawsuit Against Norfolk Southern Railway Over Fiery Train Derailment in East Palestine

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has filed a 58-count lawsuit against Norfolk Southern Railway for a train derailment that released over 1 million gallons of hazardous chemicals and endangered the lives of 5,000 residents of East Palestine. The lawsuit seeks to make the company pay for the cleanup, environmental damage, groundwater and soil monitoring, and economic losses in the village and surrounding areas. Yost is committed to ensuring the company pays for the damages and that the residents are protected.

EPA Proposes New Regulation to Limit Presence of Harmful PFAS Chemicals in Drinking Water

The EPA has proposed a new regulation to limit the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water, setting legally enforceable levels for six manufactured chemicals that are known to contaminate drinking water and pose significant health risks. The proposed regulation would require public water systems to monitor the chemicals and alert the public if the chemicals exceed the maximum contaminant levels. The proposed regulation is part of the Biden administration's efforts to reduce harmful chemicals in drinking water and provide much-needed clarity and protection for drinking water supplies across the country.