News and Issues
If You're Looking For A Link To the Mueller Report, Look No Further
Editor's Note:
We're not downloading the entire Mueller report, but here is the Justice Department URL to read the report at:
Report On the Investigation Into Russian Interference In The 2016 Election, Vol I and II; Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller, III
https://www.justice.gov/storage/report.pdf?_ga=2.80421777.744576135.1555603755-461170982.1555603755
Mueller received the following military awards and decorations:
The Gene Patent Decision Explained by the Supreme Court Blog: In Plain English
The exclusion of natural substances from eligibility for patents was the theory on which the Court relied Thursday in its unanimous ruling that a company cannot get a patent monopoly on the use and study of human genes that it isolates in the bloodstream, and them takes them out — without changing their natural character — for research. The Court said the company actually did not create anything at all, but simply extracted the genetic material from its location in human blood, and setting it apart for study. more »
New Report: Overdraft Practices On Checking Accounts Raise Serious Concerns for Consumers
"Consumers need to be able to anticipate and avoid unnecessary fees on their checking accounts. But we are concerned that some overdraft practices may increase consumer costs beyond reasonable expectations," said Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Richard Cordray. "What is marketed as overdraft protection can, in some instances, create greater risk of consumer harm." more »
Front-Line Heroes Subject to Budget Cuts: Wages for EMTs and Paramedics Vary Widely by State
A survey of Emergency Medical Services leaders in the 200 largest cities found 44 percent had cut services last year, according to the Journal of Emergency Medical Services. It found 28 percent of big-city EMS agencies had a hiring freeze or were not filling vacancies, some for the third consecutive year. more »
Five Ways Congress is Trying to Curb Rape in the Military
Under the military's criminal procedures, commanders have clemency powers, which means they can dismiss military court convictions "for any reason or no reason." The policy came under fire when Air Force Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin overturned a jury's ruling that Lt. Col. James Wilkerson, was guilty of aggravated sexual assault ... Under [Secy of Defense Chuck] Hagel's proposal, commanders could still reduce someone's sentence but would have to submit a reason in writing. [Democratic] Sens. Claire McCaskill and Barbara Boxer have called for similar changes. Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., introduced a House bill that goes further, removing a commander's authority to overturn or reduce a judge's sentence. more »