Controversies
Obama Escalates Attack on Legal Marijuana
The Obama administration’s top prosecutors in California are implementing a joint campaign to go after the state’s biggest medical marijuana operations, claiming businesses are flouting the law and making an illegal profit.
For the first two a... read more
Scientists Present Evidence that 2001 Anthrax Case Should Not be Closed
Federal investigators should consider reopening the 2001 anthrax case, according to a new assessment of the attack by three scientists. Anthrax spores, which were sent through the mail to media and political offices, killed five people and sicke... read more
NRA Pouring Millions into Failed Attempts to Attack Anti-Gun Laws
The National Rifle Association (NRA) has not enjoyed the legal success it anticipated after the U.S. Supreme Court three years ago affirmed the right to own handguns while striking down the District of Columbia’s tough gun-control law.
The N... read more
Major Banks and Mortgage Companies Sued for Defrauding Veterans
Thirteen banks and mortgage companies are being sued for allegedly perpetrating a “massive fraud” on veterans by charging them hidden fees forbidden under federal law.
Two mortgage brokers brought the lawsuit after they were told by banks no... read more
Georgia Farmers Blame Immigration Law for Labor Shortages Costing State $390 Million
The political decision to crack down on illegal immigration in Georgia may end up costing the state’s agricultural sector nearly $400 million, due to a lack of farmworkers.
Farmers complained after the Republican-controlled legislature passe... read more
Black Students More Likely to be Punished for Same Infractions as White Students
North Carolina’s school system has had a habit of punishing black students more often than white students who commit the same offenses.
A study released by the National Education Policy Center, a non-partisan source of peer-reviewed research... read more
U.S. and New York Sue Mellon for Cheating Pension Funds out of Billions of Dollars
The Bank of New York Mellon (BNYM) is facing two lawsuits, one state and one federal, for allegedly cheating pensioners out of foreign exchange fees over a 10-year period.
The state attorney general of New York, Eric Schneiderman, is accusin... read more
Obama Administration Blocks FDA-Approved Study of Marijuana for Veterans
The Obama administration is having a difficult time making up its mind over whether to green-light the first-ever study of marijuana and its medicinal impact on veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
In April, the Foo... read more
Alabama Immigration Law Drives Away Students and Farm and Construction Workers
Over the past decade Hispanics flocked to Alabama and helped fulfill the labor needs of the agricultural and construction sectors. But the magnetism of opportunity that drew many legal and illegal immigrants to the state has suddenly reversed, res... read more
Federal Judge Slams National Fisheries Service for Using “Bad Science” in Approving Construction Projects
A federal judge criticized the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for using “bad science” in assessing the potential impact that construction on California’s most important water supply projects would have on multiple endangered fish speci... read more
The Fight for a New National Park in Maine
With the help of millionaire Roxanne Quimby, conservationists want to establish a new national park in Maine to commemorate the upcoming 100th anniversary of the National Park Service.
Quimby made a fortune developing the Burt’s Bees line of... read more
FBI to Broaden Definition of Rape
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is considering expanding its definition of rape, which hasn’t changed in more than 80 years.
FBI officials met recently with members of the Police Executive Research Forum, which includes police repr... read more
Obama Transparency? Not So Impressive when it Comes to Science
President Barack Obama has earned higher marks than his predecessor, George W. Bush, from journalists for making his administration more open and transparent. But this fact belies the feeling among many who cover science, health and the environm... read more
Crimes by Federal Prison Guards on the Rise
Federal penitentiaries are experiencing a disturbing problem with criminal behavior that has nothing to do with inmates.
Last decade, crimes among federal prison guards increased dramatically, with the number of correctional officers arreste... read more
Pentagon Refuses to Stop Using Seroquel on Troops Despite Expert Warnings
The U.S military is refusing to stop prescribing Seroquel, a powerful antipsychotic, to treat insomnia in troops fighting overseas, even though a panel of experts has recommended it do so.
Medical officials in the Department of Defense have ap... read more
Obama Administration in Massive Crackdown on Criminal Illegal Immigrants
The Obama administration is continuing its pursuit of illegal immigrants with criminal backgrounds, arresting nearly 3,000 individuals recently as part of a nationwide hunt involving federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
Led by Im... read more