Can you taste the tears in your McRib? The supplier of pork products to McDonald’s, Smithfield Farms, just got hit by a complaint filed with the SEC by animal rights group Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Citing their own shocking undercover investigative video, HSUS allege that Smithfield is making false and misleading claims to shareholders and consumers about how well they treat their pigs and that those claims are in violation of federal securities law. [More]
Government Policy
Renter Sues To Keep Name Off List Of Renters Who Have Been Sued
By 11.3.11
If you’re sued for eviction by your landlord in New York state, whether you win or lose the case, your name goes on a list that then gets sold to other landlords looking to screen out potential nuisance renters. Wanting to keep his name and record clean, one Manhattan man has preemptively sued to bar his name from being added to the list. [More]
What's Worse Than Missing A Cool Text? How About Involuntary Manslaughter?
By 11.2.11
Pull over if you’re driving and need to respond to or send a text message. Otherwise, that witty reply can wait. Because death won’t. [More]
Homeland Security Teams Up With Major Hotel Chains To Fight Terrorism One Room At A Time
By 11.2.11
Just like last year’s program that once again made Walmart safe from terrorism, the Dept. of Homeland Security has announced a partnership that will remind us all to fight terrorism while stealing towels and toiletries from the hotel bathroom. [More]
Consumers Union To Wireless Providers: Don't Wait To Implement "Bill Shock" Alerts
By 11.2.11
A couple weeks ago, details were announced about the Wireless Consumer Usage Notification Guidelines, which give wireless providers one year to roll out a system that lets customers know when they are nearing or over their allotted data, text, voice or international roaming limits. But our cohorts at Consumers Union are urging these companies to not wait until the last minute. [More]
For Robbers, Spider-Man Masks Are "In"
By 11.2.11
In the realm of armed robbery, it’s become a fashion “do” to don a Spider-Man mask while committing the deed. A rash of robberies in a few states have started to portray the comic book crime fighter in a poor light. [More]
FDA Study Concludes That ADHD Meds Don't Cause Heart Problems
By 11.2.11
A Food and Drug Administration study found that those who suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can take medications without increasing their risk of heart problems. The study focused on patients ages 2 through 24. [More]
Feds Investigate $600 Million Allegedly Missing At MF Global
By 11.2.11
Federal investigators are attempting to sort out how New York-based derivatives broker MF Global has apparently up and lost $600 million of customers’ money. The FBI, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission are all reportedly investigating, amid accusations that MF Global has broken federal rules for keeping customers’ money separate from the business’s own assets. [More]
FDA Trying To Protect Us From Salmonella By Testing Pet Food
By 11.1.11
Salmonella is a nasty little pathogen that can get into your home in any number of ways. That’s why the Food and Drug Administration has begun testing pet food, treats and supplements for Salmonella in an effort to keep the bacteria at bay. [More]
BofA Ending $5 Debit Card Fee
By 11.1.11
Bank of America is calling off its plan to charge debit-card users $5 a month, the WSJ reports. [More]
NTSB: Cheapo Buses 7 Times More Likely To Kill Passengers
By 11.1.11
The last decade has seen a huge increase in the number of people opting for discount long-distance buses that pick passengers up at curbside over more traditional bus services operating out of terminals. But a new study from the National Transportation Safety Board says you’re seven times more likely to be involved in a fatal incident when you go for that lower-cost option. [More]
How Many Slaves Work For You?
By 11.1.11
There’s a decent chance that slaves have handled something you own. The coltan in your smartphone. The beans in that coffee you’re sipping. The cotton in the underwear you’re sitting in. All around the world, forced labor is used to mine and harvest the raw materials that goes up the supply chain and into the products you own. So how many slaves do you have working for you? This interactive, beautifully designed, 11-question survey calculates it for you. [More]
Cops Tell Town They Will Ignore Some 911 Calls Unless They Get More Gas Money
By 11.1.11
Police have told a North Carolina town that they could stop responding to 911 calls and investigating misdemeanors unless it provides more money to cover gas costs. The reduction in services could be the next cuts in Smithfield, after the force halved the number of patrol cars on duty during certain times. [More]
U.N. Says The World Has 7 Billion People, But U.S. Census Disagrees
By 11.1.11
Among the issues that the United Nations and United States can’t quite agree upon is the amount of human beings living in the world. The U.N. estimates that we just surpassed the 7 billion world population mark, but if you go by U.S. Census Bureau projections we won’t get there until several months from now. [More]
Obama Calls On FDA To Reduce Drug Shortages
By 11.1.11
In an attempt to quell drug shortages that are affecting patients around the country, President Barack Obama ordered the Food and Drug Administration to adjust policies in order to streamline the process of getting drugs into patients’ hands. [More]
Phoenix-Based Flight Attendant Death In Mexico Investigated As Homicide
By 10.31.11
Authorities are investigating the possibility that a US Airways flight attendant who died during a layover in Mexico City was murdered. The 33-year-old employee, who was based out of Phoenix, was found dead in his hotel room, stripped naked and tied up. [More]
Author Crafts Modest Proposal For Police Officers To Consider
By 10.27.11
Law enforcement officers put themselves at great risk, perform a vital public service and give society the peace of mind to be able to function with confidence. Even so, it has been said that some cops have been known to do things that could be classified as annoying or abusive. [More]
