Podcasts about public interest research group

Teresa Murray, a consumer watchdog with the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, joins Lisa Dent to talk about the continued eye drops recall. Then, Murray talks about the listeria outbreak from ready-to-eat foods.

Teresa Murray, a consumer watchdog with the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, joins Lisa Dent to talk about how the USDA is withdrawing a rule that was approved in August to help prevent food poisoning from poultry contaminated with salmonella and what this means for poultry consumers going forward.

Jordan Heiden and Tom Hughes from Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG) discussing their goals and legislation at the Vermont Statehouse.Followed by Mark Redmond. The Executive Director of Spectrum Youth and Family Services discussing their annual Sleep out fundraiser and more importantly their work to help young kids get back on their feet with job training, life supports and housing when necessary.

Teresa Murray, a consumer watchdog with the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, joins Lisa Dent to talk about Igloo recalling over a million of their coolers because of a hazardous handle that caused some fingertip amputations. Teresa also shares other recalls that are happening that you should know about.

Teresa Murry from the Public Interest Research Group provides updates us on the rights consumers have when airlines bump passengers off flights or cancel flights.

Filling in for Lisa Dent, Wendy Snyder talks to Teresa Murray, consumer watchdog with the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, about the latest food recalls. Produce, deli meats, and raw foods are not typically cooked by consumers, causing them to be more likely to carry the bacteria responsible for foodborne illnesses. Murray later talks about […]

Mike Ferguson in the Morning 11-21-24 Teresa Murray from the Public Interest Research Group on your consumer rights when you're flying commercial. U.S. PIRG Education Fund unveiled its 2024 guide to air travel. The consumer guide includes information about many laws and rules that have changed for the better.  Here's the 2024 consumer guide: https://pirg.org/media-center/new-consumer-guide-2024-holiday-air-travel-tips/ More from Teresa here: https://pirg.org/people/teresa-murray/ (@teresamurray) (https://pirg.org/)     NewsTalkSTL website: https://newstalkstl.com/ Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/NewsTalkSTL Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/NewstalkSTL Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewsTalkSTL Livestream 24/7: bit.ly/NEWSTALKSTLSTREAMSSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike Ferguson in the Morning 11-21-24 (6:05am) Teresa Murray from the Public Interest Research Group on your consumer rights when you're flying commercial. U.S. PIRG Education Fund unveiled its 2024 guide to air travel. The consumer guide includes information about many laws and rules that have changed for the better.  Here's the 2024 consumer guide: https://pirg.org/media-center/new-consumer-guide-2024-holiday-air-travel-tips/ More from Teresa here: https://pirg.org/people/teresa-murray/ (@teresamurray) (https://pirg.org/)     (6:20am) Nancy Mace (R-NC) wins the bathroom war at the Capitol in Washington, DC. Story here: https://redstate.com/terichristoph/2024/11/20/nancy-mace-doubles-down-files-another-blockbuster-bill-to-keep-biological-men-out-of-womens-bathrooms-n2182235   (6:35am) We continue to discuss the gender-confusion issue as Missouri Sen. Nick Schroer joins us to talk about gender-confused men invading women's bathrooms, locker rooms, and other private spaces in our metro area. A situation similar to the one at the Capitol in Washington, DC, has now arisen in the Missouri House in Jefferson City.  (https://www.nickschroer.com/) (@NickBSchroer) (https://www.senate.mo.gov/Senators/Member/02)     (6:50am) MORNING NEWS DUMP     NewsTalkSTL website: https://newstalkstl.com/ Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/NewsTalkSTL Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/NewstalkSTL Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewsTalkSTL Livestream 24/7: bit.ly/NEWSTALKSTLSTREAMSSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode, David Dunmoyer and Public Interest Research Group's Nathan Proctor discuss the right to repair movement's progress nationwide and within Texas. Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0cFgZpw...Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Read TPPF's Right to Repair research paper HERE: https://www.texaspolicy.com/why-texas...

Tow-truck drivers: roadside rescuers or car confiscators? Zachary Crockett gets hooked. SOURCES:Bill Giorgis, president of Mike's Wrecker Service.Max Karimi, co-owner of H&M Roadside.Teresa Murray, director of the Consumer Watchdog Program at U.S. Public Interest Research Group. RESOURCES:"Getting Off the Hook of a Predatory Tow - Part II," by Jacob van Cleef and Teresa Murray (U.S. PIRG Education Fund, 2022)."Getting Off the Hook of a Predatory Tow," by Grace Brombach (U.S. PIRG Education Fund, 2021)."Beware of Car Towing Companies That Patrol Private Parking Lots," by Ann Carrns (The New York Times, 2021)."After a Wave of Injuries, Tow Truck Drivers Want Us All to Slow Down," by Kristian Foden-Vencil (Oregon Public Broadcasting, 2021)."AAA's Grip Forcing West Coast Tow Companies Out of Business, Owners Say," by Annie Sciacca (East Bay Times, 2016).r/Hookit.

Mike and Ritu are joined by Asbel Montes from Solutions Group, Patricia Kelmar from Public Interest Research Group and Shawn Baird, CEO from Metro West Ambulance. Big discussion on the Ground Ambulance Pateint Billing Report. These folks were all on the committee to tackle the question of surprise ambulance billing. See the report here.  https://www.cms.gov/medicare/regulations-guidance/advisory-committees/advisory-committee-ground-ambulance-and-patient-billing-gapb

Teresa Murray, a consumer watchdog with the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, joins Lisa Dent on the program to discuss the new story about Toyota recalling the Corolla Cross Hybrid for a braking problem. Listen below to the full conversation about the recall on over 150,000 vehicles.

Delicatessen supplier Boar's Head is shutting down its Virginia plant indefinitely after being linked to a listeria outbreak which killed nine people and hospitalized 57.Some 7 million pounds of meat has been recalled. Two years before the outbreak, the USDA submitted reports indicating the Virginia plant posed an imminent threat to food safety. That report cited mold, rust, and insects, among other concerns.The deadly listeria outbreak comes amid a rise in food recalls. According to Public Interest Research Group, 2023 saw their highest number since before the pandemic. Just last week, warnings were sent out for apple juice, eggs, cantaloupes, and cinnamon.We discuss the increase in food recalls and what consumers can do to protect themselves and their loved ones.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

On his show, Phil Donahue never shied away from questioning those in power, be they government officials or corporate CEOs. And there was no more frequent guest on his program than Ralph Nader. Along with guests Joan Claybrook, Michael Jacobson and Jeff Cohen, we pay tribute to a man Ralph calls “the greatest enabler and defender of the First Amendment right of free speech in American history.”Joan Claybrook is one of the public interest champions of the modern consumer movement, and she is president emeritus of Public Citizen. Prior to becoming president of Public Citizen, Ms. Claybrook was head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the Carter administration from 1977 to 1981. Before serving as NHTSA administrator, she founded and ran Public Citizen's Congress Watch division and worked for the Public Interest Research Group, the National Traffic Safety Bureau, the Social Security Administration, and the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.[Phil Donahue] had the deepest understanding of the First Amendment of anybody I've ever met. And the reason is that not only did he have these voiceless leaders and victims on a show that other media would avoid like the plague—it would upset their advertisers, who would upset their corporate bosses—he would have people on whose views he vehemently disagreed with.Ralph NaderPhil [Donahue] knew that it wasn't just important to reach people on his show—that he had to have them accessible to materials that elaborated it in greater detail. And he did that for lots of people. But it all started with his sense of the purpose of the media and a public philosophy of justice for all.Ralph NaderDonahue was a great source of help to get information out to the public that they really wanted. And no one else would publicize it.Joan ClaybrookMichael Jacobson holds a PhD. in microbiology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and he co-founded and then led the Center for Science in the Public Interest for four decades. Dr. Jacobson is the author of Salt Wars: The Battle Over the Biggest Killer in the American Diet. And he is the founder of the National Food Museum.Phil really was one of a kind— where he studied up on the topic, he knew it thoroughly, he was smart, he was generous, kind, thoughtful, asked good questions. So it was just a wonderful, positive experience for various reasons to be on his terrific daytime TV show.Dr. Michael JacobsonJeff Cohen is Co-Founder and Policy Director at RootsAction. He is a media critic, columnist, documentary filmmaker, and retired journalism professor who founded the media watch group FAIR—Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting— in 1986. For years, he was a regular pundit on CNN, Fox News and MSNBC discussing issues of media and politics, and he is the author of Cable News Confidential: My Misadventures in Corporate Media. He was senior producer of MSNBC's Phil Donahue Show until it was terminated on the eve of the Iraq war.Management wrecked the show, and then they terminated the show three weeks before the invasion of Iraq. And remember, they terminated us right after the biggest anti-war marches in global history up until that point. And obviously there was a huge audience— if they had allowed Phil Donahue to be Phil Donahue and put on the experts that we wanted to put on. And we would have gotten huge ratings—but they ruined the show, they hurt our ratings. [And] when we were terminated—in spite of all of management's interference—we were still the most-watched program on MSNBC. Management doesn't usually cancel their most-watched television show, but they did it at MSNBC.Jeff CohenIn Case You Haven't Heard with Francesco DeSantisNews 8/21/241. Last week, the Kamala Harris campaign announced their first major policy proposal: “a federal ban on corporate price gouging on groceries,” per the New York Times. In a statement to reporters, the campaign said this policy would “[set]…rules of the road to make clear that big corporations can't unfairly exploit consumers to run up excessive corporate profits on food and groceries,” according to the Washington Post. Reporter Jeff Stein further elaborates that this plan is expected to include “[money] for small firms to compete [and will] Challenge [industry] mergers.” This policy stems from the Federal Trade Commission report published by the New York Times in March, that found “Large Grocers Took Advantage of Pandemic Supply Chain Disruptions …[and] used rising costs as an opportunity to further hike prices.”2. This week of course Kamala Harris is in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention. Just before the convention, Mother Jones ran a profile of progressive Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, in which he said “What's happening right now [in Palestine] is not only egregious, it is genocidal.” Chicago is the largest local government in the United States to pass a resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Further illustrating the success of pro-Palestine activism, Prem Thakker of the Intercept reports the DNC “will host [its] first ever panel on Palestinian human rights,” featuring Layla Elabed, co-leader of the Uncommitted movement, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, former Congressman Andy Levin, and Jim Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, among others. Ms. Elabed and her compatriot Abbas Alawieh said in a statement “Our focus remains on policy change. Vice President Harris has an opportunity to unite the party against Trump…by turning the page toward a human rights policy that saves lives…We will keep pushing for our party's leadership to break away from its current financing of Israel's horrific assault on Gaza and military rule over Palestinians.”3. Yet another sign that pro-Palestine activism is shifting the center of gravity in the Democratic Party, last Friday dozens of congressional Democrats – including Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi – sent a letter to President Biden and Secretary of State Blinken “urging a halt to weapons transfers to Israel,” per AP. This letter referred to the Israeli strike on American aid workers with the World Central Kitchen relief group, saying “In light of the recent strike against aid workers and the ever-worsening humanitarian crisis, we believe it is unjustifiable to approve these weapons transfers.” Other signatories include Reps. Rashida Tlaib, Barbara Lee, and AOC. This letter comes on the heels of a series of state polls by IMEU and YouGov showing “A significant share of Democrats and independent voters in pivotal swing states…are more likely to vote for the Democratic presidential nominee…if said nominee pledges support for an arms embargo to Israel,” per Zeteo. In Pennsylvania, 34% said more likely and only 7% less likely; in Georgia 39% said more likely and only 5% less likely, with similar numbers in Arizona. Put simply, it is clear that an arms embargo is both good politics and good policy. Even Pelosi knows it.4. A scandal is unfolding at the University of Florida, centering on a massive misuse of funds by the University president, former Senator Ben Sasse. The Alligator, the university newspaper, reports “In his 17-month stint as UF president, Ben Sasse more than tripled his office's spending, directing millions in university funds into secretive consulting contracts and high-paying positions for his GOP allies.” This piece continues “A majority of the spending surge was driven by lucrative contracts with big-name consulting firms and high-salaried, remote positions for Sasse's former U.S. Senate staff and Republican officials…[these] contracts have been kept largely under wraps, leaving the public in the dark about what the contracted firms did to earn their fees.” So much for the party of fiscal responsibility.5. A new piece in St. Louis magazine recounts the ongoing miscarriage of justice against Yolanda Greene. Ms. Greene was “fired from her job after being arrested—even though the police report that provided the basis of the charges against her is clearly contradicted by bystander video.” This piece continues “The police report says that Greene struck one of the officers ‘several times in the back near his neck, head, and shoulders with what appeared to be a closed fist.' [and that she] ‘actively assaulte[d]' a second officer.” Yet the bystander video shows “Greene on the ground and an officer [striking] her several times…A different video, captured by an officer's body camera, records another officer exclaiming, ‘Don't throw a strike'—even as the officer atop Greene does just that.” Mark Pedroli, Greene's lawyer, is quoted saying “I sent the tape over to [Wesley] Bell's office and said, ‘You're prosecuting the wrong people. You should be prosecuting the police for lying in these reports,'” yet Bell – who is nearly guaranteed a spot in the next congress after his successful AIPAC-backed primary against Cori Bush – is pressing ahead with these charges.6. Continuing its series on civil asset forfeiture, libertarian magazine Reason reports “A new class action lawsuit accuses Indiana law enforcement of seizing millions of dollars a year in cash from FedEx packages without ever informing owners of what crime they're suspected of violating.” This piece cites Sam Gedge a senior attorney at the “libertarian public interest law firm,” Institute for Justice, which claims “the Marion County Prosecutor's Office has sued to forfeit $2.5 million in currency from at least 130 FedEx parcels in transit from one non-Indiana state to another over the past two years. This scheme is one of the most predatory we have seen…It's illegal and unconstitutional for Indiana to forfeit in-transit money whose only connection to Indiana is the happenstance of FedEx's shipping practices.”7. According ProPublica, Arizona's experiment with school vouchers has failed spectacularly. As the publication explains “In 2022, Arizona pioneered the largest school voucher program in the history of education…any parent in the state…could get a taxpayer-funded voucher worth up to tens of thousands of dollars to spend on private school tuition, extracurricular programs or homeschooling supplies…Yet in a lesson for…other states, Arizona's…experiment has since precipitated a budget meltdown. The state this year faced a $1.4 billion budget shortfall, much of which was a result of the new voucher spending…Last fiscal year alone, the price tag of universal vouchers in Arizona skyrocketed from an original official estimate of just under $65 million to roughly $332 million…[and] another $429 million in costs is expected this year.” We hope this catastrophic budget implosion gives pause to the prominent Republicans and Democrats boosting the canard of “school choice.”8. The Federal Trade Commission has announced a new rule that will “combat fake reviews and testimonials by prohibiting their sale or purchase and allow the [FTC] to seek civil penalties against knowing violators.” FTC Chair Lina Khan adds “Fake reviews not only waste people's time and money, but also pollute the marketplace and divert business away from honest competitors…By strengthening the FTC's toolkit to fight deceptive advertising, the final rule will protect Americans from getting cheated, put businesses that unlawfully game the system on notice, and promote markets that are fair, honest, and competitive.” These types of much-needed, commonsense consumer protection rules are exactly why billionaires and corporate America are terrified of Lina Khan and have been mounting a shadowy campaign for her ouster.9. More Perfect Union reports “Ride share drivers in Massachusetts are now guaranteed a minimum wage of $32.50/hr, plus benefits.” According to the Verge, “The two companies also agreed to pay a combined $175 million, the bulk of which will be paid out to ‘current and former drivers who were underpaid by the companies,' [Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea] Campbell's office announced.” Despite these victories, Uber and Lyft drivers will still be classified as independent contractors instead of employees.10. Finally, per Huffington Post labor reporter Dave Jamieson, “The Culinary Union has reached a tentative agreement on its first contract with longtime Vegas Strip holdouts the Venetian and Palazzo [closing] a long chapter in which previous owner Sheldon Adelson successfully resisted organizing efforts.” In addition to the Culinary Union, the deal with the Venetian and Palazzo's new owners – private equity firm Apollo Global Management – also includes Bartenders Local 165, Operating Engineers Local 501 and Teamsters Local 986. As the Nevada Independent notes, “Combined, the Venetian and Palazzo have some 8,000 gaming and nongaming workers covering 7,100 hotel rooms, 225,000 square feet of casino space and 2.3 million square feet of convention space. It's unclear how many members of the workforce could be covered by the union agreements.”This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Montana Public Interest Research Group v. Jacobsen

Patricia Kelmer from the Public Interest Research Group discusses a proposal to change how your credit score is compiled. Under a plan from the Consumer Financia Protection Bureau, medical debt would generally not affect credit scores in the US. Kelmer explains why PIRG supports the idea and responds to pushback against it. For more information: https://pirg.org/edfund/media-center/statement-cfpb-proposes-to-erase-medical-debt-from-credit-reports/

We explore how young people have made meaningful careers and lasting change working in the public interest with Sam Simon, editor of “Choosing the Public Interest: Essays From the First Public Interest Research Group” and Lisa Frank, Vice President and D.C. Director at The Public Interest Network and also Executive Director in the Washington Legislative Office at Environment America. Plus, the indomitable Chris Hedges stops by to report on his interviews with college students protesting the genocide in Gaza, which he chronicled in a Substack piece titled “The Nation's Conscience.”Sam Simon is an author, playwright, and attorney who co-founded the Public Interest Research Group with Ralph and the other Nader's Raiders in 1970. He compiled and edited the new book Choosing the Public Interest: Essays From the First Public Interest Research Group.This is something that every one of these themes have and that this movement has had—that the consumer, the user, the student, the pensioner have equal voice in our systems to help create the systems that are intended to benefit them, and not leave that power in the hands of corporate entities and profit-making enterprises. And that idea needs to continue to exist. And I'm glad that the Public Interest Network and PIRGS still thrive on many campuses.Sam SimonWhat I want to come out of this book is that average kids from average backgrounds ended up doing amazing things with their entire lives, because of the opportunity and the vision that they could do that.Sam SimonLisa Frank is Vice President and D.C. Director at The Public Interest Network. She is also Executive Director in the Washington Legislative Office at Environment America, where she directs strategy and staff for federal campaigns. Ms. Frank has won millions of dollars in investments in walking, biking and transit, and has helped develop strategic campaigns to protect America's oceans, forests and public lands from drilling, logging and road-building.The particular types of problems we're focused on at [PIRG] are ones that really have been created in a sense by our success as a country in growing. We're the wealthiest country the world has ever seen. We figured out how to grow more than enough food than we can eat, we produce more than enough clothing than we can wear, certainly more than enough plastic…And all of this abundance is leading to new types of problems…The problems that have either come about because of the progress we've made as a society and now we've got the ability to tackle them, or problems where—clean energy is an example—where there are problems that we newly have the ability to solve.Lisa FrankYou have Congress that passed these five laws that are being violated, with the result of huge death and destruction overseas— and not just in Gaza, but places like Iraq and Libya in the past. And they're talking about students trespassing at their own university, and nonviolent protests? The problem starts in Congress. They're the funders, the enablers, the surrenderers of their constitutional rights of oversight and war-making powers.Ralph NaderChris Hedges is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, who spent nearly two decades as a foreign correspondent in Central America, the Middle East, Africa and the Balkans. He is the host of The Chris Hedges Report, and he is a prolific author— his latest book is The Greatest Evil Is War.[Students] understand the nature of settler colonial regimes. The expansion or inclusion of students from wider backgrounds than were traditionally there at places like Princeton…has really added a depth and expanded the understanding within the university. So they see what's happening in Gaza, and they draw—rightly— connections to what we did to Native Americans, what the British did in India, what the British did in Kenya, what the French did in Algeria, and of course, they are correct.Chris Hedges[Students] have defied, quite courageously, the administrations of their universities, who are—kind of like the political class—bought and paid for by the Israel lobby, and in particular wealthy donors and the Democratic Party. And that is why these universities have responded to these nonviolent protests the way they have, with such overwhelming and draconian use of force.Chris HedgesIn Case You Haven't Heard with Francesco DeSantisNews 5/15/241. The New Republic reports the Federal Trade Commission has filed suit against Scott Sheffield, former CEO of oil and gas giant Pioneer Resources alleging that “voluminous evidence” suggests Sheffield “collaborated with fellow U.S. producers and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries in order to keep crude oil prices ‘artificially' high.” As Matt Stoller explains in his newsletter, “after a bitter price war from 2014-2016, [American oil producers] got tired of competing on price with…the OPEC oil cartel, and at some point from 2017-2021, decided to join the cartel and cut supply to the market. This action had the [e]ffect of raising oil prices, costing oil consumers something on the order of $200 billion a year.” Stoller claims that this price-fixing scheme between the OPEC cartel and the American oil oligopoly caused 27% of all inflation-related price increases in 2021. Progressive lawmakers such as Senator Bernie Sanders who tried to raise the alarm about what he dubbed “greedflation” were dismissed at the time, but like so many times before, have been vindicated by the simple fact that American corporate greed always exceeds expectations.2. Tal Mitnick and Sofia Orr, the two Israeli teenagers conscientiously objecting to being drafted into Israel's campaign of terror in Gaza, have sent a letter to President Biden excoriating him for his unconditional support of the Netanyahu regime, per the Intercept. The two heroic peaceniks write “Your unconditional support for [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu's policy of destruction, since the war began, has brought our society to the normalization of carnage and to the trivialization of human lives…It is American diplomatic and material support that prolonged this war for so long. You are responsible for this, alongside our leaders. But while they're interested in prolonging the war for political reasons, you have the power to make it stop.” These kids wrote this letter before reporting for their latest round of prison sentences, which have reached unprecedented lengths. As the article notes, “The refuseniks are not alone in their opposition, nor in the treatment they face. Throughout the war, Israelis have taken to the streets of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem to protest the war and Netanyahu's government. This past week, Israeli police arrested and beat protesters and hostage family members calling for an end to the war, just the latest example of Israelis being punished for voicing dissent or sympathy with the people of Gaza.”3. Al Jazeera reports yet another Biden Administration official has made public his resignation over the genocide in Gaza. Army Major Harrison Mann, who resigned in November, posted a letter Monday wherein he expressed “incredible shame and guilt” over the United States' “unqualified support” for Israel's war. Explaining why he waited so long to come forward with the reasoning behind his resignation, Mann wrote “I was afraid. Afraid of violating our professional norms. Afraid of disappointing officers I respect. Afraid you would feel betrayed. I'm sure some of you will feel that way reading this,” yet he noted “At some point – whatever the justification – you're either advancing a policy that enables the mass starvation of children, or you're not.”4. At long last, Egypt has announced its intention to join South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, Al Arabiya reports. In a statement, the Egyptian foreign ministry said this decision comes on the heels of the “worsening severity and scope of Israeli attacks against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip,” likely referring to the terror bombing campaign in Rafah, which the United States had previously identified as a “Red Line” in terms of material support. Egypt has faced international embarrassment over its soft line towards its militaristic neighbor and alleged mistreatment of Palestinian refugees trying to flee into Egypt. The country has also “called on the UN Security Council and countries of influence to take actions to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and halt military operations in Rafah, according to the statement.”5. On Wednesday, May 8th, the State Department report on whether Israel has violated U.S. international law was due to Congress. Instead, it was delayed. As POLITICO reported “The State Department has been working for months on the report, which will issue a determination on whether Israel has violated international humanitarian law since the war in Gaza began. If so, the U.S. would be expected to stop sending Israel military assistance.” When the report was finally released, it stated “it is ‘reasonable to assess' that US weapons have been used by Israeli forces in Gaza in ways that are ‘inconsistent' with international humanitarian law,” but the report stopped short of officially saying Israel violated the law, per CNN. The report goes on to say that investigations into potential violations are ongoing but the US “‘does not have complete information to verify' whether the US weapons ‘were specifically used' in alleged violations of international humanitarian law.” This equivocation in the face of genocide – using American weapons — will leave an ineradicable black mark on the already spotty human rights record of the U.S. State Department.6. Students for Justice in Palestine at Columbia University reports “Columbia…is under federal investigation for anti-Palestinian discrimination and harassment.” According to the group, Palestine Legal is representing four Palestinian students and the group itself. Senior attorney for Palestine Legal Radikah Sainath said in a statement “The law is clear— if universities do not cease their racist crackdowns against Palestinians and their supporters, they will risk losing federal funding.”7. On May 8th, the D.C. Metro Police Department cleared the protest encampment at the George Washington University, using pepper spray and brute force. According to the Associated Press, the police arrested 33 protesters. The AP quoted Moataz Salim, a Palestinian student at GW with family in Gaza, who said the authorities merely “destroyed a beautiful community space that was all about love.” He went on to say “Less than 10 hours ago, I was pepper sprayed and assaulted by police…And why? Because we decided to pitch some tents, hold community activities and learn from each other. We built something incredible. We built something game-changing.” The police broke up the encampment in the wee hours of the morning, just before D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser was slated to appear before hostile Republican lawmakers in Congress, leading many to believe she acted when and how she did out of sheer cowardice and political expediency. After the encampment was cleared, the hearing was canceled. Undeterred, these courageous students have continued to protest their institution's support of Israel's criminal war and per the American University Eagle, have now set up a second encampment. We urge Mayor Bowser not to bow to pressure from bloodthirsty Congressional Republicans a second time.8. The Seattle Times reports “The FAA has opened an investigation into Boeing's 787 Dreamliner after the company disclosed that employees in South Carolina falsified inspection records.” As the paper notes, “This is the latest in a long litany of lapses at Boeing that have come to light under the intense scrutiny of the company's quality oversight since a passenger cabin panel blew out on an Alaska Airlines flight in January.” That is to say nothing of the safety lapses leading to the Lion Air and Ethiopia Airlines crashes in 2019, that resulted in the deaths of all aboard both flights. Incredibly, “This new 787 quality concern is unrelated to the 787 fuselage gaps described as unsafe in an April congressional hearing by Boeing whistleblower Sam Salehpour.” As these critical safety failures and lies continue to come to light, the only question remaining is when is enough enough?9. Bloomberg labor reporter Josh Eidelson reports “The US government [has] raised concerns with Germany about alleged union-busting in Alabama by Mercedes, an unusual move that escalates scrutiny on its handling of the high-stakes union vote.” Mercedes is facing a momentous union election at its Alabama plant, led by the United Autoworkers, fresh off of unionizing the first ever foreign-owned auto plant in the country. Eidelson goes on to say that members of the European Commission have raised the matter with Mercedes as well, raising the heat on the company as the election kicks off. Among other union busting tactics, Labor Notes reports Mercedes has tried enlisting a pastor to tell workers via text “Here in Alabama, community is important, and family is everything. We believe it's important to keep work separate. But there's no denying, a union would have an impact beyond the walls of our plant.”10. Finally, the Chicago Sun-Times is out with a story on the success of Illinois' experiment with ending cash bail for pre-trial detention. As the article puts it, “Despite all the anguish over the Pretrial Fairness Act, [Cook County Judge Charles] Beach says he has been struck by how proceedings have significantly changed for the better in his courtroom. ‘I think we've come a very long way in the right direction…Things are working well.'” This piece describes how “Under the old system of cash bail, Beach — a supervising judge in the pretrial division — was often tasked with setting a dollar figure a person would have to post before being released, a decision that could force a family to skip the rent to post a bond. It was a process that could seem arbitrary, depending on the judge, the time of day and where in the state the hearing was held.” Beach himself goes on to say “There's a sense in the courtroom that taking money out of the equation has leveled the playing field.” The success of this reform should be taken very seriously by other states, particularly New York where Democrats have sought to roll back the state's attempts at ending cash bail following pressure from conservatives. Turns out, it works.This has been Francesco DeSantis. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

RJ Cross is the director of the Don't Sell My Data Campaign, part of the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG). In this segment, she discusses a new study about digital privacy and consumer protection online. The State of Privacy: How State “Privacy” Laws Fail To Protect Privacy, And What They Can Do Better grades the 14 state-level consumer privacy laws that have passed so far, finding nearly half receive an ‘F' for how well they protect consumers' personal information. None get an ‘A'. In this conversation, Cross describes how personal data can be collected and used (for both legitimate marketing and criminal purposes) without your knowledge or permission. She also discusses what PIRG suggests as ideal policy for consumer protection and critiques some of the laws on the books around the country now. For more information: https://epic.org/documents/the-state-of-privacy-report/ https://pirg.org/

Episode Notes Major U.S. airlines have made improvements this year on cancellation rates. However, the industry has seen an enormous increase in passenger complaints, writes Airlines Reporter Meghna Maharishi.  Consumer complaints against airlines in the first five months of 2023 topped 2022 levels during the same timeframe, according to a report from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, with data from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Maharishi notes the DOT received so many complaints it had to delay the release of the data. U.S. travelers made more than 38,000 complaints, according to the report Roughly 35% of consumer complaints pertained to flight issues, whether they be cancellations, delays or missed connections.  Next, Middle East Reporter Josh Corder takes a look at Dubai, host of the Skift Global Forum East conference. The city has completed its journey from a “dot in the desert” to a global hub, believes one local tourism executive. Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Tourism, said at the Forum on Thursday the city's expat residents are truly global citizens. Kazim attributed Dubai's growth to the city's entrepreneurial spirit. He also expressed optimism that Dubai will see further tourism growth, noting it views 2023 as its tourism benchmark. The CEO acknowledged that staffing remains an issue after many hotels and airlines downsized during the pandemic.  Finally, destinations throughout Africa are ramping up their efforts to lure travelers from India, the world's largest outbound travel market, writes Reporter Harriet Akinyi.  Akinyi reports Kenya in particular is heavily targeting Indian travelers. Kenya attracted the most Indian visitors among all African countries in the first eight months of 2013. The Kenya Tourism Board recently welcomed more than 150 Indian tour operators for a conference that one Kenyan official said would help drum up interest in the country.   Akinyi also cited South Africa, Rwanda and Uganda — among others — as African nations increasing their efforts to welcome Indian visitors. South Africa's Tourism Minister has called for visa requirements for Indian — as well as Chinese — nationals to be eased or eliminated. 

With Christmas right around the corner, the U.S. Public Interest Research Group has published a report warning us about the dangers of certain products. One aspect of the group's report should be of concern to parents who are buying what are known as smart toys for their children and teens. Specifically, toys that are enabled by artificial intelligence and which have a camera and microphone might be able to assess a child's reactions using facial expressions or voice inflection, thereby allowing the toy to develop a relationship with the child. In addition, the toy might be able to gather and share information and data  which could be transmitted to a company's external servers. Of course, this data mining could be used for marketing purposes, and a data breach could allow hackers to collect and misuse that data. Parents, you have been given the responsibility by God to protect your children from harm and provide for their wellbeing. Use wisdom and discernment when putting toys and other devices in your home.

Chris MacKenzie, the Senior Director of Communications for Chamber of Progress, brings over a decade of dynamic experience in Democratic politics. With an impressive background in both Capitol Hill and the campaign trail, Chris has notably served as Communications Director for former Representative Kendra Horn, where his high-visibility approach helped her outperform President Joe Biden in a conservative district. A veteran of several New Democratic Coalition members, including Representative John Delaney and Representative Terri Sewell, Chris played a pivotal role in founding the A.I. Caucus and led communications for key campaigns, notably promoting the Voting Rights Advancement Act. His campaign expertise extends to directing the New Hampshire campaign for John Delaney's presidential run, overseeing 120 campaign stops. Prior to this, Chris led communications for the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, focusing on campaign finance reform and voting rights. Based in Washington, D.C., for over a decade, Chris holds a degree in Political Science from American University. Newsletter sign up (new and exciting developments)https://learningwithlowell.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=08ed8a56013d8b3a3c01e27fc&id=6ecaa9189b Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzri06unR-lMXbl6sqWP_-Q/join Over 321 books from 170 plus interviews over 5 yearshttps://www.learningwithlowell.com/over-321-books-from-170-interviews-over-5-years-for-autodidacts/ PODCAST INFO:The Learning With Lowell show is a series for the everyday mammal. In this show we'll learn about leadership, science, and people building their change into the world. The goal is to dig deeply into people who most of us wouldn't normally ever get to hear. The Host of the show – Lowell Thompson- is a lifelong autodidact, serial problem solver, and founder of startups. LINKSSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/66eFLHQclKe5p3bMXsCTRHRSS: https://www.learningwithlowell.com/feed/podcast/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzri06unR-lMXbl6sqWP_-QYoutube clips: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-B5x371AzTGgK-_q3U_KfAWebsite: https://www.learningwithlowell.com/ Chris Mckenzie linkshttps://progresschamber.org/team/chris-mackenzie/ Timestamps00:00 Introduction01:35 Designing three different board games02:15 Go to board games03:30 3d printing03:50 LARPing04:55 DOJ V Google07:45 When is google too big / DOJ case09:50 FAANG / collision / Evolving Tech marketplace13:50 Moat vs monopoly16:30 Timing of when FTC going after people / Khan19:55 DOJ Google court hearing / microsoft witnesses22:55 OpenAI / Distribution technology / competition / DOJ burden of proof25:10 FBI vs DOJ / FTC / Federal government failures28:45 Khan Policy backed by law vs actual law / down sides Congress32:20 Losing cases / pursuing cases not supported by law / Khan34:30 FTC antitrust Amazon case problems39:15 Amazon data mining for prime products/ focus of case40:55 Dark Patterns case / Amazon45:50 Where would Chris Mobilize the FTC to target47:30 Settling cases vs going for wins50:40 Benefits Wins unlikely52:15 Political cases and choosing Khan / intention to actually win54:44 Making a third part in america55:55 Central left democrat goals for america01:02:45 Taxes to handle climate change01:06:55 NIMBYs01:07:55 Freedom loving people / land01:10:40 how did he out perform biden / media relations01:16:45 Impact of policy01:19:10 Advice to get into politics01:20:45 Book recommendations

What caused last week's connection interruption? Router was rebooting intermittently, but why? David Redekop of AdamNetworks explained their enterprise network security solution aims to only allow known safe connections, blocking everything else. iMessage gets Contact Key Verification to confirm new devices added to an account belong to the contact. Public Interest Research Group asks Microsoft to extend Windows 10 support beyond 2025. HackerOne breach bounties surpass $300M total payout. CISA releases free Logging Made Easy toolkit to enhance Windows logging capabilities. SpinRite 6.1 pre-release 2 published, likely final pre-release with some testing remaining before full launch. Moving the Internet fully to IPv6 likely won't happen until IPv4 addresses are fully consumed. Open source projects struggle with costly code signing certificates. Deep dive into CitrixBleed vulnerability allowing authentication bypass. Show Notes - https://www.grc.com/sn/SN-946-Notes.pdf Hosts: Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/security-now. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit You can submit a question to Security Now at the GRC Feedback Page. For 16kbps versions, transcripts, and notes (including fixes), visit Steve's site: grc.com, also the home of the best disk maintenance and recovery utility ever written Spinrite 6. Sponsors: cs.co/twit bitwarden.com/twit vanta.com/SECURITYNOW

What caused last week's connection interruption? Router was rebooting intermittently, but why? David Redekop of AdamNetworks explained their enterprise network security solution aims to only allow known safe connections, blocking everything else. iMessage gets Contact Key Verification to confirm new devices added to an account belong to the contact. Public Interest Research Group asks Microsoft to extend Windows 10 support beyond 2025. HackerOne breach bounties surpass $300M total payout. CISA releases free Logging Made Easy toolkit to enhance Windows logging capabilities. SpinRite 6.1 pre-release 2 published, likely final pre-release with some testing remaining before full launch. Moving the Internet fully to IPv6 likely won't happen until IPv4 addresses are fully consumed. Open source projects struggle with costly code signing certificates. Deep dive into CitrixBleed vulnerability allowing authentication bypass. Show Notes - https://www.grc.com/sn/SN-946-Notes.pdf Hosts: Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/security-now. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit You can submit a question to Security Now at the GRC Feedback Page. For 16kbps versions, transcripts, and notes (including fixes), visit Steve's site: grc.com, also the home of the best disk maintenance and recovery utility ever written Spinrite 6. Sponsors: cs.co/twit bitwarden.com/twit vanta.com/SECURITYNOW

What caused last week's connection interruption? Router was rebooting intermittently, but why? David Redekop of AdamNetworks explained their enterprise network security solution aims to only allow known safe connections, blocking everything else. iMessage gets Contact Key Verification to confirm new devices added to an account belong to the contact. Public Interest Research Group asks Microsoft to extend Windows 10 support beyond 2025. HackerOne breach bounties surpass $300M total payout. CISA releases free Logging Made Easy toolkit to enhance Windows logging capabilities. SpinRite 6.1 pre-release 2 published, likely final pre-release with some testing remaining before full launch. Moving the Internet fully to IPv6 likely won't happen until IPv4 addresses are fully consumed. Open source projects struggle with costly code signing certificates. Deep dive into CitrixBleed vulnerability allowing authentication bypass. Show Notes - https://www.grc.com/sn/SN-946-Notes.pdf Hosts: Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/security-now. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit You can submit a question to Security Now at the GRC Feedback Page. For 16kbps versions, transcripts, and notes (including fixes), visit Steve's site: grc.com, also the home of the best disk maintenance and recovery utility ever written Spinrite 6. Sponsors: cs.co/twit bitwarden.com/twit vanta.com/SECURITYNOW

What caused last week's connection interruption? Router was rebooting intermittently, but why? David Redekop of AdamNetworks explained their enterprise network security solution aims to only allow known safe connections, blocking everything else. iMessage gets Contact Key Verification to confirm new devices added to an account belong to the contact. Public Interest Research Group asks Microsoft to extend Windows 10 support beyond 2025. HackerOne breach bounties surpass $300M total payout. CISA releases free Logging Made Easy toolkit to enhance Windows logging capabilities. SpinRite 6.1 pre-release 2 published, likely final pre-release with some testing remaining before full launch. Moving the Internet fully to IPv6 likely won't happen until IPv4 addresses are fully consumed. Open source projects struggle with costly code signing certificates. Deep dive into CitrixBleed vulnerability allowing authentication bypass. Show Notes - https://www.grc.com/sn/SN-946-Notes.pdf Hosts: Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/security-now. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit You can submit a question to Security Now at the GRC Feedback Page. For 16kbps versions, transcripts, and notes (including fixes), visit Steve's site: grc.com, also the home of the best disk maintenance and recovery utility ever written Spinrite 6. Sponsors: cs.co/twit bitwarden.com/twit vanta.com/SECURITYNOW

What caused last week's connection interruption? Router was rebooting intermittently, but why? David Redekop of AdamNetworks explained their enterprise network security solution aims to only allow known safe connections, blocking everything else. iMessage gets Contact Key Verification to confirm new devices added to an account belong to the contact. Public Interest Research Group asks Microsoft to extend Windows 10 support beyond 2025. HackerOne breach bounties surpass $300M total payout. CISA releases free Logging Made Easy toolkit to enhance Windows logging capabilities. SpinRite 6.1 pre-release 2 published, likely final pre-release with some testing remaining before full launch. Moving the Internet fully to IPv6 likely won't happen until IPv4 addresses are fully consumed. Open source projects struggle with costly code signing certificates. Deep dive into CitrixBleed vulnerability allowing authentication bypass. Show Notes - https://www.grc.com/sn/SN-946-Notes.pdf Hosts: Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/security-now. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit You can submit a question to Security Now at the GRC Feedback Page. For 16kbps versions, transcripts, and notes (including fixes), visit Steve's site: grc.com, also the home of the best disk maintenance and recovery utility ever written Spinrite 6. Sponsors: cs.co/twit bitwarden.com/twit vanta.com/SECURITYNOW

What caused last week's connection interruption? Router was rebooting intermittently, but why? David Redekop of AdamNetworks explained their enterprise network security solution aims to only allow known safe connections, blocking everything else. iMessage gets Contact Key Verification to confirm new devices added to an account belong to the contact. Public Interest Research Group asks Microsoft to extend Windows 10 support beyond 2025. HackerOne breach bounties surpass $300M total payout. CISA releases free Logging Made Easy toolkit to enhance Windows logging capabilities. SpinRite 6.1 pre-release 2 published, likely final pre-release with some testing remaining before full launch. Moving the Internet fully to IPv6 likely won't happen until IPv4 addresses are fully consumed. Open source projects struggle with costly code signing certificates. Deep dive into CitrixBleed vulnerability allowing authentication bypass. Show Notes - https://www.grc.com/sn/SN-946-Notes.pdf Hosts: Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/security-now. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit You can submit a question to Security Now at the GRC Feedback Page. For 16kbps versions, transcripts, and notes (including fixes), visit Steve's site: grc.com, also the home of the best disk maintenance and recovery utility ever written Spinrite 6. Sponsors: cs.co/twit bitwarden.com/twit vanta.com/SECURITYNOW

What caused last week's connection interruption? Router was rebooting intermittently, but why? David Redekop of AdamNetworks explained their enterprise network security solution aims to only allow known safe connections, blocking everything else. iMessage gets Contact Key Verification to confirm new devices added to an account belong to the contact. Public Interest Research Group asks Microsoft to extend Windows 10 support beyond 2025. HackerOne breach bounties surpass $300M total payout. CISA releases free Logging Made Easy toolkit to enhance Windows logging capabilities. SpinRite 6.1 pre-release 2 published, likely final pre-release with some testing remaining before full launch. Moving the Internet fully to IPv6 likely won't happen until IPv4 addresses are fully consumed. Open source projects struggle with costly code signing certificates. Deep dive into CitrixBleed vulnerability allowing authentication bypass. Show Notes - https://www.grc.com/sn/SN-946-Notes.pdf Hosts: Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/security-now. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit You can submit a question to Security Now at the GRC Feedback Page. For 16kbps versions, transcripts, and notes (including fixes), visit Steve's site: grc.com, also the home of the best disk maintenance and recovery utility ever written Spinrite 6. Sponsors: cs.co/twit bitwarden.com/twit vanta.com/SECURITYNOW

What caused last week's connection interruption? Router was rebooting intermittently, but why? David Redekop of AdamNetworks explained their enterprise network security solution aims to only allow known safe connections, blocking everything else. iMessage gets Contact Key Verification to confirm new devices added to an account belong to the contact. Public Interest Research Group asks Microsoft to extend Windows 10 support beyond 2025. HackerOne breach bounties surpass $300M total payout. CISA releases free Logging Made Easy toolkit to enhance Windows logging capabilities. SpinRite 6.1 pre-release 2 published, likely final pre-release with some testing remaining before full launch. Moving the Internet fully to IPv6 likely won't happen until IPv4 addresses are fully consumed. Open source projects struggle with costly code signing certificates. Deep dive into CitrixBleed vulnerability allowing authentication bypass. Show Notes - https://www.grc.com/sn/SN-946-Notes.pdf Hosts: Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/security-now. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit You can submit a question to Security Now at the GRC Feedback Page. For 16kbps versions, transcripts, and notes (including fixes), visit Steve's site: grc.com, also the home of the best disk maintenance and recovery utility ever written Spinrite 6. Sponsors: cs.co/twit bitwarden.com/twit vanta.com/SECURITYNOW

To talk to us about the life cycle of our technology, we welcome Lucas Gutterman to the show. As the director of the Design to Last campaign with PIRG, the Public Interest Research Group, Lucas provides us with some insight and strategies on how we can advocate to make our devices last longer, and in turn save money and previous raw materials. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2023/08/episode-277-chromebook-churn/ 

Welcome back Kyber Squadron! This week, Nathan Proctor from PIRG comes by to talk about fighting Vader and Associates to pass Right-To-Repair legislation throughout the country. We discuss everything from California's powerful warranty law, to the real plot of Empire Strikes Back, so get comfy and pull up your favorite repair guide for this chat! Follow us: Twitter: @SithtyMinutes @AAA_Photog @BimboKatan @Nproctor Instagram: @PaulaBear92 @RBW3000 @General_Leia_The_Pup   Show Notes: A New Hope PIRG iFixIt Louis Rossmann Danny Wood's $900 Repair Minnesota's Right-To-Repair Bill California's Bill California Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act UBreakIFix Luke's Landspeeder Breakdown Vote in the California Senate Mechanical Keyboards LEGO UCS A-Wing E-Bikes and Right-To-Repair Adafruit Edison Motors

Public Interest Research Group's Kevin O'Reilly provides an update on the debate over "right to repair" laws, that allow consumers to have their electronics (or electronic parts of machinery, including farm equipment and cars) repaired by whomever they want. That's as opposed to the current situation where manufacturers often restrict access to the softwareused in the devices.

The Right to Repair is a big topic in American agriculture. Kevin O'Reilly is the director of the Right to Repair Campaign for U.S. PIRG, or Public Interest Research Group. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Republicans sue to ban abortion pill in entire U.S. | Arizona legislators narrowly avoid school funding crisis | Adam Frisch, who nearly beat Rep. Lauren Boebert in 2022, is running for Congress again in 2024 | Colorado and 10 other states consider Right to Repair legislation, and the Farm Bureau is not going to be on boardSong playsIntro by hostWelcome to High Country - politics in the American West. My name is Sean Diller; regular listeners might know me from Heartland Pod's Talking Politics, every Monday.Support this show and all the work in the Heartland POD universe by going to heartlandpod.com and clicking the link for Patreon, or go to Patreon.com/HeartlandPod to sign up. Membership starts at $1/month, with even more extra shows and special access at the higher levels. No matter the level you choose, your membership helps us create these independent shows as we work together to change the conversation.Alright! Let's get into it: DENVER (AP) COLORADO NEWSLINE: REPUBLICAN AG'S WANT TO BAN THE ABORTION PILLWASHINGTON — Attorneys general representing nearly two dozen Republican states are backing a lawsuit that would remove the abortion pill from the United States after more than two decades, eliminating the option even in states where abortion access remains legal.  The lawsuit argues, on behalf of four anti-abortion medical organizations and four anti-abortion physicians, that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration exceeded its authority when it approved mifepristone to end pregnancies in the year 2000.The prescription medication is used as part of a two-drug regimen that includes misoprostol as the second pharmaceutical. It's approved to terminate pregnancies up to 10 weeks.The abortion pill is legal at the federal level, though several GOP-led states have laws in place that restrict abortion earlier than 10 weeks, setting up a dispute between state laws banning abortions and the federal government's jurisdiction to approve pharmaceuticals.The U.S. Justice Department argued the anti-abortion groups' “have pointed to no case, and the government has been unable to locate any example, where a court has second-guessed FDA's safety and efficacy determination, and ordered a widely available FDA-approved drug to be removed from the market. It certainly hasn't happened with a drug that's been approved for over 20 years.”Dr. Jamila Perritt, president & CEO for Physicians for Reproductive Health, said abortion medication is safe and effective, and that “when abortion is more difficult to access, we know this means abortion gets pushed later and later into pregnancy as folks try to navigate these barriers.”Dr. Iffath Abbasi Hoskins, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said “restricting access to mifepristone interferes with the ability of obstetrician–gynecologists and other clinicians to deliver the highest-quality evidence-based care for their patients.”The judge in the lawsuit, Trump appointee Matthew Joseph Kacsmaryk, could rule on whether to pull mifepristone from the market as soon as this month. Any ruling is likely to be appealed and could eventually come before the U.S. Supreme Court. AZMIRROR: az legislature averts massive school funding cutsAdvocates, teachers call on lawmakers to fix school spending limitBY: GLORIA REBECCA GOMEZ - FEBRUARY 14, 2023 3:31 PMLast week, the Republican majority reluctantly approved a one-year exemption from a spending cap, called the aggregate expenditure limit - or AEL - placed in the state constitution by voters in 1980. Without that waiver, schools would have been forced to cut $1.4 billion from their budgets immediately, resulting in mass layoffs and closures. Now that the crisis has been temporarily averted, public school advocates are turning their attention to a more lasting fix as the issue is likely to resurface next year. Stand for Children Arizona's executive director, Rebecca Gau, called on lawmakers to move bills that would give voters the option to repeal the cap entirely, or recalculate it to current spending levels. But none of them have been put up for a vote. Gau warned that refusing to act would only worsen the strain on public schools. They face enough difficulties, without adding a recurring annual threat onto the pile. She cited the results of a public opinion survey conducted by Stand for Children Arizona, which found that 62% of voters in the state might say yes to a ballot measure to permanently raise the AEL. High school teacher Jacquelyn Larios said the ongoing uncertainty presented by the spending limit has prompted her to reconsider teaching in Arizona. Her school district warned that faculty would be facing a 26% salary cut if lawmakers weren't able to lift the cap by March. “I explained to my daughters that, even though I love teaching so much, I just don't know if I can continue,” Larios said. “We can't afford this.”For Yazmin Castro, a senior at Apollo High School, that means her classes are overcrowded — despite being a part of advanced courses that are meant to include more one-on-one interactions. She said the continued unwillingness from Republican lawmakers to resolve the AEL sends a message to students like her, that they'd rather hold onto outdated policies than support reforms that could make things better.“It tells us we're not valued,” she said. “That our education is not a priority and that our future does not matter.” Republican lawmakers, who hold a one-vote majority in each legislative chamber, have repeatedly called for accountability and transparency measures in exchange for school funding. This year, that resulted in several GOP members voting against lifting the cap, citing concerns about what's being taught in schools. Gau said while that argument might appeal to an extreme and vocal minority of constituents, the majority of voters support and trust their public schools. “Voters are watching,” she warned. “And organizations like mine will be here to make sure that voters in 2024 know who had the backs of kids, and who didn't.”COLORADO SUN: Not his first rodeo.Democrat Adam Frisch, a former Aspen city councilman who narrowly lost his bid in November to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, will run again to represent the 3rd Congressional District in 2024.“November's election results show us that Boebert is weak and she will be defeated, which is why I have decided to launch my 2024 congressional campaign,” Frisch said.Frisch filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission to run against Boebert just days after her win was finalized. His formal campaign announcement kicks off what's likely to be one of the nation's most closely watched congressional contests. Frisch lost to Boebert by 546 votes, or 0.07 percentage points, in 2022. The margin was so narrow that it triggered a mandatory recount under Colorado law. Boebert's near-loss was shocking given the electorate in the 3rd District, which spans the Western Slope into Pueblo and southeast Colorado.The 3rd Congressional District leans 9 percentage points in the GOP's favor, according to an analysis by nonpartisan Colorado redistricting staff. Republicans have a voter registration advantage in the district, which has not sent a Democrat to the U.S. House since 2008. Frisch will hold his first 2024 campaign event in Pueblo on Wednesday. He ran in a crowded primary in 2022, and it's likely he will face Democratic primary opponents in 2022 as well.Boebert has started fundraising for her 2024 reelection bid. “I won my last race by a razor-thin margin,” she wrote in a fundraising email sent out last month. “As you can imagine, left-wingers are going to rally around (Frisch) big time after they came so close this past election.”Riiiight. The left-wingers in your R+9 District. So you perform 9 points worse than a generic Republican. That's not a left-winger problem, Congresswoman, that's a you problem. AMERICAN PROSPECT and ASSOCIATED PRESS:  Colorado and 10 other states consider right to repair legislation.On Colorado's northeastern plains, where the pencil-straight horizon divides golden fields and blue sky, a farmer named Danny Wood scrambles to raise millet, corn and winter wheat in short, seasonal windows. That is until his high-tech Steiger 370 tractor conks out.The tractor's manufacturer doesn't allow Wood to make certain fixes himself, and last spring his fertilizing operations were stalled for three days before the servicer arrived to add a few lines of missing computer code - at a cost of $950.“That's where they have us over the barrel, it's more like we are renting it than buying it,” said Wood, who spent $300,000 to buy the used tractor.Wood's plight, echoed by farmers across the country, has pushed lawmakers in Colorado and 10 other states to introduce Right to Repair bills that would force manufacturers to provide the tools, software, parts and manuals needed for farmers to do their own repairs — avoiding the steep labor costs and delays that erode their profits.Rep. Brianna Titone, a Denver metro Democrat and one of the bill's sponsors said “The manufacturers and the dealers have a monopoly on that repair market because it's lucrative for them, but farmers just want to get back to work.”In Colorado, the legislation is largely being pushed by Democrats while their Republican colleagues find themselves in a tough spot: torn between right-leaning farming constituents who want the change, and the multinational corporations who bankroll GOP campaigns.The manufacturers argue Right to Repair legislation would force companies to expose trade secrets. They also say it would make it easier for farmers to tinker with the software and illegally crank up the horsepower and bypass the emissions controller — risking operators' safety and the environment.In 2011, Congress passed a law ensuring that car owners and independent mechanics — not just authorized dealerships — had access to the necessary tools and information to fix problems.Ten years later, the Federal Trade Commission pledged to beef up its right to repair enforcement at the direction of President Joe Biden. And just last year, Rep. Titone sponsored and passed Colorado's first right to repair law, empowering people who use wheelchairs with the tools and information to fix them.For the right to repair farm equipment — from thin tractors used between grape vines to behemoth combines for harvesting grain that can cost over half a million dollars — Colorado is joined by 10 states including Florida, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Texas and Vermont.Many of the bills are finding bipartisan support, but in Colorado's House committee on agriculture, Democrats pushed the bill forward in a party line vote with every Republican opposed. “That was really surprising, and upset me,” said the farmer Danny Wood, who votes Republican.Wood's tractor, which flies an American flag reading “Farmers First,” isn't his only machine to break down. His combine was dropping into idle, and the servicer took five days to arrive on Wood's farm — a setback that could mean a hail storm decimates your wheat field, or the soil temperature moves out of the optimal zone for planting.Wood said “Our crop is ready to harvest and we can't wait five days, but there was nothing else to do. When it's broke down you just sit there and wait, and that's not acceptable. You can be losing $85,000 a day.”Rep. Richard Holtorf, the Republican who represents Wood's district and is a farmer himself, said he's being pulled between his constituents and the dealerships in his district. He voted against the measure, siding with the dealers.“I do sympathize with my farmers,” said Holtorf, but he added, “I don't think it's the role of government to be forcing the sale of their intellectual property.”This January, the Farm Bureau and the farm equipment manufacturer John Deere did sign a memorandum of understanding — a right to repair agreement made without government intervention. Though light on details, Deere's new memorandum would make it somewhat easier for farmers to get repair service independent from the company. It would ease restrictions on machine parts from manufacturers and open up other fix-it tools, such as the software or handbooks that Deere technicians rely on.This olive branch, however, is predicated on a major concession from the Farm Bureau - which is one of the nation's most powerful lobbying forces advocating on behalf of farmers. The Farm Bureau has agreed not to support any Right to Repair legislation, or any other provisions at all that would go beyond what's outlined in the agreement.But Nathan Proctor of the Public Interest Research Group, who is tracking 20 right to repair proposals in a number of industries across the country, said the memorandum of understanding has fallen far short.One major problem with agreements like this is that there's no enforcement mechanism. If John Deere doesn't live up to the memorandum, farmers have no path for recourse.“The slippery language gives the company enormous discretion to just set policy as it goes,” said Kevin O'Reilly, the director of the Right to Repair campaign at U.S. PIRG.Deere's track record on this issue isn't great. In 2018, John Deere issued a “statement of principles” that foreshadowed the provisions in the new memorandum. But farmers never received access to the machine parts and software they'd been promised.“Farmers are saying no,” said Nathan Proctor. “We want the real thing.”Jesse Bedayn is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.CONCERT PICK OF THE WEEK: The RZA with the Colorado Symphony - 36 Chambers of Shaolin and A Ballet Through Mud - From the mind of the RZA comes a symphonic double-feature that bridges the gap between classical and contemporary music. With spoken word, live ballet, and rich orchestration with the Colorado Symphony. Friday and Saturday Feb 17 and 18 at Boettcher Concert Hall. Tickets at ColoradoSymphony.orgWelp, that's it for me! From Denver I'm Sean Diller. Original reporting for the stories in today's show comes from Colorado Newsline, Associated Press, Colorado Sun, American Prospect, Arizona Mirror, and Denver's Westword.Thank you for listening! See you next time.

Republicans sue to ban abortion pill in entire U.S. | Arizona legislators narrowly avoid school funding crisis | Adam Frisch, who nearly beat Rep. Lauren Boebert in 2022, is running for Congress again in 2024 | Colorado and 10 other states consider Right to Repair legislation, and the Farm Bureau is not going to be on boardSong playsIntro by hostWelcome to High Country - politics in the American West. My name is Sean Diller; regular listeners might know me from Heartland Pod's Talking Politics, every Monday.Support this show and all the work in the Heartland POD universe by going to heartlandpod.com and clicking the link for Patreon, or go to Patreon.com/HeartlandPod to sign up. Membership starts at $1/month, with even more extra shows and special access at the higher levels. No matter the level you choose, your membership helps us create these independent shows as we work together to change the conversation.Alright! Let's get into it: DENVER (AP) COLORADO NEWSLINE: REPUBLICAN AG'S WANT TO BAN THE ABORTION PILLWASHINGTON — Attorneys general representing nearly two dozen Republican states are backing a lawsuit that would remove the abortion pill from the United States after more than two decades, eliminating the option even in states where abortion access remains legal.  The lawsuit argues, on behalf of four anti-abortion medical organizations and four anti-abortion physicians, that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration exceeded its authority when it approved mifepristone to end pregnancies in the year 2000.The prescription medication is used as part of a two-drug regimen that includes misoprostol as the second pharmaceutical. It's approved to terminate pregnancies up to 10 weeks.The abortion pill is legal at the federal level, though several GOP-led states have laws in place that restrict abortion earlier than 10 weeks, setting up a dispute between state laws banning abortions and the federal government's jurisdiction to approve pharmaceuticals.The U.S. Justice Department argued the anti-abortion groups' “have pointed to no case, and the government has been unable to locate any example, where a court has second-guessed FDA's safety and efficacy determination, and ordered a widely available FDA-approved drug to be removed from the market. It certainly hasn't happened with a drug that's been approved for over 20 years.”Dr. Jamila Perritt, president & CEO for Physicians for Reproductive Health, said abortion medication is safe and effective, and that “when abortion is more difficult to access, we know this means abortion gets pushed later and later into pregnancy as folks try to navigate these barriers.”Dr. Iffath Abbasi Hoskins, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said “restricting access to mifepristone interferes with the ability of obstetrician–gynecologists and other clinicians to deliver the highest-quality evidence-based care for their patients.”The judge in the lawsuit, Trump appointee Matthew Joseph Kacsmaryk, could rule on whether to pull mifepristone from the market as soon as this month. Any ruling is likely to be appealed and could eventually come before the U.S. Supreme Court. AZMIRROR: az legislature averts massive school funding cutsAdvocates, teachers call on lawmakers to fix school spending limitBY: GLORIA REBECCA GOMEZ - FEBRUARY 14, 2023 3:31 PMLast week, the Republican majority reluctantly approved a one-year exemption from a spending cap, called the aggregate expenditure limit - or AEL - placed in the state constitution by voters in 1980. Without that waiver, schools would have been forced to cut $1.4 billion from their budgets immediately, resulting in mass layoffs and closures. Now that the crisis has been temporarily averted, public school advocates are turning their attention to a more lasting fix as the issue is likely to resurface next year. Stand for Children Arizona's executive director, Rebecca Gau, called on lawmakers to move bills that would give voters the option to repeal the cap entirely, or recalculate it to current spending levels. But none of them have been put up for a vote. Gau warned that refusing to act would only worsen the strain on public schools. They face enough difficulties, without adding a recurring annual threat onto the pile. She cited the results of a public opinion survey conducted by Stand for Children Arizona, which found that 62% of voters in the state might say yes to a ballot measure to permanently raise the AEL. High school teacher Jacquelyn Larios said the ongoing uncertainty presented by the spending limit has prompted her to reconsider teaching in Arizona. Her school district warned that faculty would be facing a 26% salary cut if lawmakers weren't able to lift the cap by March. “I explained to my daughters that, even though I love teaching so much, I just don't know if I can continue,” Larios said. “We can't afford this.”For Yazmin Castro, a senior at Apollo High School, that means her classes are overcrowded — despite being a part of advanced courses that are meant to include more one-on-one interactions. She said the continued unwillingness from Republican lawmakers to resolve the AEL sends a message to students like her, that they'd rather hold onto outdated policies than support reforms that could make things better.“It tells us we're not valued,” she said. “That our education is not a priority and that our future does not matter.” Republican lawmakers, who hold a one-vote majority in each legislative chamber, have repeatedly called for accountability and transparency measures in exchange for school funding. This year, that resulted in several GOP members voting against lifting the cap, citing concerns about what's being taught in schools. Gau said while that argument might appeal to an extreme and vocal minority of constituents, the majority of voters support and trust their public schools. “Voters are watching,” she warned. “And organizations like mine will be here to make sure that voters in 2024 know who had the backs of kids, and who didn't.”COLORADO SUN: Not his first rodeo.Democrat Adam Frisch, a former Aspen city councilman who narrowly lost his bid in November to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, will run again to represent the 3rd Congressional District in 2024.“November's election results show us that Boebert is weak and she will be defeated, which is why I have decided to launch my 2024 congressional campaign,” Frisch said.Frisch filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission to run against Boebert just days after her win was finalized. His formal campaign announcement kicks off what's likely to be one of the nation's most closely watched congressional contests. Frisch lost to Boebert by 546 votes, or 0.07 percentage points, in 2022. The margin was so narrow that it triggered a mandatory recount under Colorado law. Boebert's near-loss was shocking given the electorate in the 3rd District, which spans the Western Slope into Pueblo and southeast Colorado.The 3rd Congressional District leans 9 percentage points in the GOP's favor, according to an analysis by nonpartisan Colorado redistricting staff. Republicans have a voter registration advantage in the district, which has not sent a Democrat to the U.S. House since 2008. Frisch will hold his first 2024 campaign event in Pueblo on Wednesday. He ran in a crowded primary in 2022, and it's likely he will face Democratic primary opponents in 2022 as well.Boebert has started fundraising for her 2024 reelection bid. “I won my last race by a razor-thin margin,” she wrote in a fundraising email sent out last month. “As you can imagine, left-wingers are going to rally around (Frisch) big time after they came so close this past election.”Riiiight. The left-wingers in your R+9 District. So you perform 9 points worse than a generic Republican. That's not a left-winger problem, Congresswoman, that's a you problem. AMERICAN PROSPECT and ASSOCIATED PRESS:  Colorado and 10 other states consider right to repair legislation.On Colorado's northeastern plains, where the pencil-straight horizon divides golden fields and blue sky, a farmer named Danny Wood scrambles to raise millet, corn and winter wheat in short, seasonal windows. That is until his high-tech Steiger 370 tractor conks out.The tractor's manufacturer doesn't allow Wood to make certain fixes himself, and last spring his fertilizing operations were stalled for three days before the servicer arrived to add a few lines of missing computer code - at a cost of $950.“That's where they have us over the barrel, it's more like we are renting it than buying it,” said Wood, who spent $300,000 to buy the used tractor.Wood's plight, echoed by farmers across the country, has pushed lawmakers in Colorado and 10 other states to introduce Right to Repair bills that would force manufacturers to provide the tools, software, parts and manuals needed for farmers to do their own repairs — avoiding the steep labor costs and delays that erode their profits.Rep. Brianna Titone, a Denver metro Democrat and one of the bill's sponsors said “The manufacturers and the dealers have a monopoly on that repair market because it's lucrative for them, but farmers just want to get back to work.”In Colorado, the legislation is largely being pushed by Democrats while their Republican colleagues find themselves in a tough spot: torn between right-leaning farming constituents who want the change, and the multinational corporations who bankroll GOP campaigns.The manufacturers argue Right to Repair legislation would force companies to expose trade secrets. They also say it would make it easier for farmers to tinker with the software and illegally crank up the horsepower and bypass the emissions controller — risking operators' safety and the environment.In 2011, Congress passed a law ensuring that car owners and independent mechanics — not just authorized dealerships — had access to the necessary tools and information to fix problems.Ten years later, the Federal Trade Commission pledged to beef up its right to repair enforcement at the direction of President Joe Biden. And just last year, Rep. Titone sponsored and passed Colorado's first right to repair law, empowering people who use wheelchairs with the tools and information to fix them.For the right to repair farm equipment — from thin tractors used between grape vines to behemoth combines for harvesting grain that can cost over half a million dollars — Colorado is joined by 10 states including Florida, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Texas and Vermont.Many of the bills are finding bipartisan support, but in Colorado's House committee on agriculture, Democrats pushed the bill forward in a party line vote with every Republican opposed. “That was really surprising, and upset me,” said the farmer Danny Wood, who votes Republican.Wood's tractor, which flies an American flag reading “Farmers First,” isn't his only machine to break down. His combine was dropping into idle, and the servicer took five days to arrive on Wood's farm — a setback that could mean a hail storm decimates your wheat field, or the soil temperature moves out of the optimal zone for planting.Wood said “Our crop is ready to harvest and we can't wait five days, but there was nothing else to do. When it's broke down you just sit there and wait, and that's not acceptable. You can be losing $85,000 a day.”Rep. Richard Holtorf, the Republican who represents Wood's district and is a farmer himself, said he's being pulled between his constituents and the dealerships in his district. He voted against the measure, siding with the dealers.“I do sympathize with my farmers,” said Holtorf, but he added, “I don't think it's the role of government to be forcing the sale of their intellectual property.”This January, the Farm Bureau and the farm equipment manufacturer John Deere did sign a memorandum of understanding — a right to repair agreement made without government intervention. Though light on details, Deere's new memorandum would make it somewhat easier for farmers to get repair service independent from the company. It would ease restrictions on machine parts from manufacturers and open up other fix-it tools, such as the software or handbooks that Deere technicians rely on.This olive branch, however, is predicated on a major concession from the Farm Bureau - which is one of the nation's most powerful lobbying forces advocating on behalf of farmers. The Farm Bureau has agreed not to support any Right to Repair legislation, or any other provisions at all that would go beyond what's outlined in the agreement.But Nathan Proctor of the Public Interest Research Group, who is tracking 20 right to repair proposals in a number of industries across the country, said the memorandum of understanding has fallen far short.One major problem with agreements like this is that there's no enforcement mechanism. If John Deere doesn't live up to the memorandum, farmers have no path for recourse.“The slippery language gives the company enormous discretion to just set policy as it goes,” said Kevin O'Reilly, the director of the Right to Repair campaign at U.S. PIRG.Deere's track record on this issue isn't great. In 2018, John Deere issued a “statement of principles” that foreshadowed the provisions in the new memorandum. But farmers never received access to the machine parts and software they'd been promised.“Farmers are saying no,” said Nathan Proctor. “We want the real thing.”Jesse Bedayn is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.CONCERT PICK OF THE WEEK: The RZA with the Colorado Symphony - 36 Chambers of Shaolin and A Ballet Through Mud - From the mind of the RZA comes a symphonic double-feature that bridges the gap between classical and contemporary music. With spoken word, live ballet, and rich orchestration with the Colorado Symphony. Friday and Saturday Feb 17 and 18 at Boettcher Concert Hall. Tickets at ColoradoSymphony.orgWelp, that's it for me! From Denver I'm Sean Diller. Original reporting for the stories in today's show comes from Colorado Newsline, Associated Press, Colorado Sun, American Prospect, Arizona Mirror, and Denver's Westword.Thank you for listening! See you next time.

We have some follow-ups, ok?? Let's revisit induction stoves, slipping rib syndrome, living with longing, being in touch with your younger self, and, of course, jibbitz—specifically ones featuring a grandpa's face.    Oooh, has that induction cooktop convo heated up! Read this from the Public Interest Research Group on the Inflation Reduction Act (and $$$), this Bloomberg article “US Safety Agency to Consider Ban on Gas Stoves Amid Health Fears,” an installment of Michael Thomas's Distilled newsletter “I Measured the Pollution From My Gas Stove. It Was Bad,” Alison Roman's Twitter AMA, and Remodelista's guide to compact induction cooktops/ranges.    To learn more about zankha, Lina Mounzer's Twitter thread (and the related Reddit post).    Speaking of dishware, Heller Vignelli's is back at MaMA Design Store! Read more about it here.   Kate's Butter, a Thingies award winner, changed its packaging :( :( :( More on the flattening of design from a Business of Fashion op-ed by John Whelan "The Revolution Will Not Be Serifised: Why Every Luxury Brand's Logo Looks the Same."    This Death, Sex & Money Podcast episode with The Daniels!! And Daniel Kwan's related IG post!!    Finally, how could we not to turn a corner on jibbitz after watching this TikTok of Liam Ryan presenting his grandchildren with Crocs and *jibbitz with his face on them*. Which reminded us of this WSJ story “When Grandma Is a TikTok Star and the Grandkids Are the Managers.”    Are there any topics from previous episodes you want us to revisit? Let us know at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq—or join our Geneva! For a whole lot more recommendations, try out a Secret Menu membership.   Download the free Zocdoc app and book that doctor's appointment. Let's do it. Get that good sleep with Boll & Branch—get 15% off your first set of sheets when you use the promo code ATHINGORTWO. YAY. Produced by Dear Media

The right to vote is a basic American freedom, but  for people with felony convictions, figuring out if they can vote is a huge task. This episode looks at the history of felony disenfranchisement laws and explains how denying the freedom to vote to an entire class of citizens hurts voters, communities and our democracy. Also, Tennessee voters share their experiences regaining the freedom to vote after a felony conviction.Host and Guests:Simone Leeper litigates a wide range of redistricting-related cases at CLC, challenging gerrymanders and advocating for election systems that guarantee all voters an equal opportunity to influence our democracy. Prior to arriving at CLC, Simone was a law clerk in the office of Senator Ed Markey and at the Library of Congress, Office of General Counsel. She received her J.D. cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center in 2019 and a bachelor's degree in political science from Columbia University in 2016.Dawn Harrington is the founder and Executive Director of Free Hearts, an organization which was created to reunite families and keep families together by providing support, education, and advocacy, organizing families impacted by incarceration. During her time in prison, Dawn was disturbed by the impact of incarceration on families, especially moms and kids, and was inspired to make a difference upon her release. Today, Dawn is also Director of Special Projects of National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls, Just Leadership USA fellow, and advisory board member for Nashville Defenders and Unheard Voices Outreach. She has a Bachelor's degree in Recording Industry Management and Public Relations from Middle Tennessee State University and a Master of Business Administration degree in Information Technology from Bethel University.Blair Bowie manages CLC's Restore Your Vote project, which focuses on ending felony disenfranchisement by democratizing access to rights restoration services and working with directly impacted communities to dismantle systemic barriers to the ballot box through advocacy, litigation and policy change. Prior to joining CLC, Blair worked for five years as an advocate and organizer with the aim of increasing political equality and accountability. As the democracy advocate with the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, she co-authored several reports on the post-Citizens United impact of money in politics, coordinated campaigns and messaging across the organization's chapters, and served as its federal lobbyist on campaign finance reform.Gicola Lane works directly with CLC's Restore Your Vote team to restore voting rights to people with past felony convictions through direct services, community empowerment and public education. Prior to joining CLC, Gicola served as a community organizer for more than five years for nonprofits, campaigns and grassroots groups. From 2018 to 2021, as a statewide organizer for Free Hearts, a Tennessee-based nonprofit led by formerly incarcerated women that organizes and provides support to families impacted by incarceration, Gicola trained hundreds of people across the state of Tennessee on the rights restoration process, and helped numerous people restore their right to vote.  Milton Thomas was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee and now works as a maintenance worker at the Martha O'Bryan Center. The Martha O'Bryan Center is a faith-based organization which provides assistance to residents in Nashville experiencing poverty, and Milton enjoys being able to help his community through his job there. He is passionate about voting and has voted in every election since having his voting rights restored in 2020. He would like to thank Gicola Lane, Keeda Haynes, and Howard Gentry for being very instrumental in him getting his voting rights back. Milton is also the father of five children.Links:Success! Study Shows That CLC's Restore Your Vote Outreach Increases Voter Participation (Campaign Legal Center)CLC's Restore Your Vote Toolkit Cited As Key Resource in DOJ Guide (Campaign Legal Center)CLC Urges Federal Agencies To Offer Greater Assistance with Voting Rights Restoration (Campaign Legal Center)About CLC:Democracy Decoded is a production of Campaign Legal Center, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization which advances democracy through law at the federal, state and local levels, fighting for every American's right to responsive government and a fair opportunity to participate in and affect the democratic process. You can visit us on the web at campaignlegalcenter.org.

What's at stake in the General Election? A Conversation with former presidential Candidate RALPH NADER Ralph Nader is a consumer advocate, lawyer and author. Ralph Nader made four bids to become President of the United States, running with the Green Party in 1996 and 2000, the Reform Party in 2004 and as an independent in 2008. Nader is one of America's most effective social critics. His analyses and advocacy have enhanced public awareness and increased government and corporate accountability. His example has inspired a whole generation of consumer advocates, citizen activists and public interest lawyers who, in turn, have established their own organizations. Ralph founded many organizations including the Center for Study of Responsive Law, the Public Interest Research Group, the Center for Auto Safety, Public Citizen, Clean Water Action Project, the Disability Rights Center, the Pension Rights Center, the Project for Corporate Responsibility and The Multinational Monitor, a monthly magazine. He is the author of 14 books and hosts the Ralph Nader Radio Hour. MESSAGE FROM UNITED STATES SENATOR MICHAEL D. BROWN Marília and I will discuss the upcoming General Election with Ralph Nader. We look forward to hearing his insights on politics in America, the divide in public opinion and what he sees going forward with our economy.

Ed Mierzwinski, the Senior Director of the Public Interest Research Group's Federal Consumer Program, argues that regulators and lawmakers should address financial processes that they say is a bad deal for college students. Beyond just on campus incentives to convince young people to sign up for credit cards, Mierzwinski says the problems includes the colleges/universities and financial institutions are not serving the students' best interests. Read PIRG's statement here: https://pirg.org/media-center/statement-new-cfpb-report-raises-concerns-about-banking-cards-on-u-s-campuses/

This week, Apple rolled out its Self-Service Repair Store. Consumers and independent shops can now order spare parts and rent company-authorized tools to fix certain iPhones. This comes after President Joe Biden issued an executive order in July promoting consumers’ “right to repair” their own electronics. Congress is considering new laws to make it easier for people to fix their stuff. That’s the topic today for our recurring segment, “Quality Assurance,” where we take a second look at a big tech story. Marketplace’s Kimberly Adams speaks with Nathan Proctor, who directs the Right to Repair Campaign for the U.S. Public Interest Research Group.

This week, Apple rolled out its Self-Service Repair Store. Consumers and independent shops can now order spare parts and rent company-authorized tools to fix certain iPhones. This comes after President Joe Biden issued an executive order in July promoting consumers’ “right to repair” their own electronics. Congress is considering new laws to make it easier for people to fix their stuff. That’s the topic today for our recurring segment, “Quality Assurance,” where we take a second look at a big tech story. Marketplace’s Kimberly Adams speaks with Nathan Proctor, who directs the Right to Repair Campaign for the U.S. Public Interest Research Group.

Galen co-founded Jibu in 2012 and under his leadership Jibu has quickly become one of the world's largest social franchise networks, providing affordable access to drinking water and other essential products to hundreds of thousands, and creating hundreds of new businesses across East and Southern Africa. Jibu combines financing with a franchise model for the provision of essential services. Galen's achievements at Jibu have been recognized by BBC World, Stanford Social Innovation Review, the Guardian, Fast Company, the Franchise Times, and by Forbes (30 under 30). In addition to Jibu, Galen is part of the ExCo of the Africa Great Lakes YPO chapter, is an Aspen Institute Ideas Festival scholar, a mentor (and prior fellow) at Shona, and serves on several start-up company Boards. Previously, Galen worked as a field manager for Colorado's Public Interest Research Group, for HEAL Africa in Goma, DR Congo, and for the Peace Corps as a Health Educator in Morocco.

Replacing your smartphone every two and a half years is not uncommon. In fact, it's by design. The consumer electronics industry is fraught with unethical business practices, from planned obsolescence to the dark side of cobalt mining, to the 40 million tons of electronic waste that's generated each year. In this episode, we learn about Fairphone, a social enterprise that creates smartphones that are both repairable and built to last. We also share how the circular economy and “Right to Repair” movement is a win for consumers, companies, and the planet. Featuring: Nathan Proctor, Senior Director of Right to Repair campaigns at the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, Joe Iles, Circular Design Programme Lead at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Eva Gouwens, CEO of Fairphone, and Juan Pablo Larenas, Executive Director of B Lab Global. -- Finding Humanity is a production of Humanity Lab Foundation and Hueman Group Media. Subscribe, rate and leave us a review. For more information, visit findinghumanitypodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @find_humanity and Facebook.

The three top credit bureaus that have a strangle-hold on your credit score are getting a very poor performance report. A new analysis by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says that Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion are “routinely” failing to respond to consumer complaints about errors. Their performance is allegedly so bad that the CFPB says only “two percent” of complaints were addressed last year. (1)Hi, I'm Kathy Fettke and this is Real Estate News for Investors. If you like our podcast, please subscribe and leave us a review. As you know, a good credit score is extremely important for things like getting a credit card or buying a home. In the case of a home purchase, a higher credit score means you'll get a lower interest rate, and save tons of money over the life of the loan.Credit scores can also play an important role in other kinds of decisions, such as the hiring of a new employee, the approval of a rental applicant, or the issuing of a new insurance policy. Whatever the game plan, the higher the credit score, the better the outcome for the consumer. And that means you don't want any errors that will bring that score lower.The Right to Dispute ErrorsWhen those errors occur, consumers have the right to dispute that information, and to have it fixed. According to the CFPB, most of the complaints sent to the bureaus qualify for a mandatory response, but they apparently “changed” the process for responding to complaints in 2020. According to the CFPB's report, that has resulted in a faster process for closing complaints and a much lower rate of resolution, from 25% in 2019 to just 2% last year.The CFPB director Rohit Chopra told realtor.com: “America's credit reporting oligopoly has little incentive to treat consumers fairly when their credit reports have errors.” He says the CFPB report is “further evidence of the serious harms stemming from their faulty financial surveillance business model.” (2)The CFPB typically includes information on consumer complaints in its Consumer Response Annual Report. This report is a stand-alone analysis because of the huge number of complaints it received from consumers who aren't getting their credit reports fixed.The report says that between January of 2020 and September of 2021, the CFPB received more than 800,000 complaints. More than 700,000 of them were directed at Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. Consumers are obviously frustrated about the situation. Among the issues, they say:1 - They were caught in an automated response system that did not result in a solution to their problems.2 - They were left without options when the source of the incorrect data argued against them… and…3 - They wasted a lot of time, energy, and money trying to get errors fixed, but were unsuccessful.Consumers At a DisadvantageIf you haven't dealt with this issue yet, the Washington Post published an article that paints a very clear picture. In one example, it says a creditor incorrectly reports that you were horribly late on a payment. As a result, your credit score drops substantially. The consumer then files a complaint with the credit bureaus and provides proof that the late payment never happened. (3)The credit bureaus contact the creditor who gave the wrong information. They are called ‘data furnishers” by industry insiders. The creditor allegedly checks the data and sends the same bogus data back to the credit bureaus, which then tell the consumer that the creditor has “verified” that the information is correct. As the Post article says: “This back and forth goes on for months, or for the truly unfortunate, years.”As if that's not bad enough, the Post article says that even for consumers who get the errors fixed, those same errors could suddenly find their way back to your credit report during computer updates that might pull old information from a large database.Obligated to Address ComplaintsEd Mierzwinsky of the U.S. Public Interest Research Group says the credit bureaus “have never considered consumers as their customers. They've always considered consumers as a nuisance.” They are obligated by law, however, to correct any errors, and they are supposed to do this within 30 days.In the CFPB report, it says: “The (credit bureau) responses to these complaints raise serious questions about whether they are unable–or unwilling–to comply with the law.” This stand-alone report was submitted to Congress and could be used for debate on how to address the problems that consumers are having with the credit bureaus.As the report states: “More than 200 million Americans have credit files and nearly 15,000 providers furnish information about consumers to the (credit bureaus). Thus, the actions, and inactions, (by the credit bureaus) have large implications for consumers' financial well-being and the economy more broadly.”You can read more the CFPB report by following the a link in the show notes at newsforinvestors.com.You're listening to the News For Investors podcast, which is produced by the real estate investing network, RealWealth. It's free to join, and free to access hundreds of webinars and articles on real estate investing. As a member, you also have access to the Investor Portal where you can view sample property pro-formas and connect with our network of resources. That includes experienced investment counselors, property teams, lenders, 1031 exchange facilitators, attorneys, CPAs and more. Click here to join now!Please remember to hit the subscribe button, and leave a review! Thanks for listening. I'm Kathy Fettke. Links:1 -https://www.consumerfinance.gov/data-research/research-reports/annual-report-consumer-credit-reporting-complaints-analysis-of-complaint-responses-equifax-experian-transunion/2 -https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2022/01/07/cfpb-credit-bureaus-fail-to-fix-errors-in-consumer-profiles3 -https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/01/07/fixing-credit-report-errors/

The Senate-passed infrastructure bill aims to revive nineties-era taxes on chemical companies and importers to pay for cleaning up some of the nation's most contaminated sites. While the bill still needs to clear the House, the chemicals industry claims the Superfund tax provisions are unfair because they impact a small subset of the industrial sectors that contributed to pollution. But advocates say the return of the “polluters pay” doctrine is a step in the right direction to clean up toxic sites. On this week's episode of Parts Per Billion, corporate tax reporter David Hood talks to Steve Jawetz, a principal at the environmental law firm Beveridge and Diamond PC, who argues the tax is unfairly targeted. David also talks to Danielle Melgar, an advocate with the U.S. Public Interest Research Group's “Zero Out Toxics” program, about how this tax is a victory for environmental groups. Have feedback on this episode of Parts Per Billion? Give us a call and leave a voicemail at 703-341-3690. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

The Senate-passed infrastructure bill aims to revive nineties-era taxes on chemical companies and importers to pay for cleaning up some of the nation's most contaminated sites. While the bill still needs to clear the House, the chemicals industry claims the Superfund tax provisions are unfair because they impact a small subset of the industrial sectors that contributed to pollution. But advocates say the return of the "polluters pay" doctrine is a step in the right direction to clean up toxic sites. On this week's episode of our podcast, Talking Tax, corporate tax reporter David Hood talks to Steve Jawetz, a principal at the environmental law firm Beveridge and Diamond PC who argues the tax is unfairly targeted. David also talks to Danielle Melgar, an advocate with the U.S. Public Interest Research Group's "Zero Out Toxics” program, about how this tax is a victory for environmental groups. Have feedback on this episode of Talking Tax? Give us a call and leave a voicemail at 703-341-3690.

Wyatt Reed, producer and correspondent at Radio Sputnik, talks to us about the ongoing protests in Colombia, where more than two dozen people have been killed and 800 injured, according to government figures, and the U.S. has yet to issue any kind of statement, how the situation is looking on the ground, how the protests are evolving, and whether there is a sense that these will be sustained for the long term. We also talk about whether there are new demands from protesters and whether they see this as a domestic, regional or international issue.Gay Gordon Byrne, Executive Director of The Repair Association, and Nathan Proctor, Director of the Campaign for the Right to Repair at the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, join us in a conversation about the burgeoning “right to repair” movement in the U.S., where it stands now after a surprisingly positive report by the Federal Trade Commission, the pushback from industries that place onerous trademark,intellectual property, and supplier restrictions on people who want to repair their technological goods, and how the right of repair movement can lead in the fight against environmental waste, economic monopolies and, despite opponents’ claims, truly lead the way in innovation. Jonathan Kuttab, co-founder of the Palestinian human rights group Al-Haq and co-founder of Nonviolence International, talks to us about ongoing violent attacks by Israeli forces at the Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem over the final days of Ramadan, how the situation is unfolding, how the eviction of Palestinian residents from Jerusalem under dubious court decisions have also sparked these protests and is laying bare the reality that Palestinians are living under an apartheid state. We also talk about whether we will see a change in the coverage of mainstream media, and whether the U.S. will change tack in the conflict or continue to shield Israel from criticism.In our Miss the Press segment, hosts Michelle Witte and Bob Schlehuber talk about how every single Sunday show talked about Donald Trump’s “Big Election” lie, and the absurd notion that it was Trump and Trump alone who corrupted the Republican Party.

Copyright 2020 - The Energy Show, Barry Cinnamon You just invested in a brand new EV charged by your rooftop solar and battery. Then, a year later, your utility adds a $50/month fixed charge to your bill just because you have rooftop solar. How would you feel? This scenario is not just hypothetical. Utilities all over the country are lobbying to change rates for solar and battery customers by adding large fixed fees, eliminating net metering, delaying interconnections, and deliberately mismanaging incentive programs. This anti-competitive behavior should be no surprise. Businesses don't like competition; it hurts their profits. Homes and businesses can generate electricity for much less than their utility charges. So rather than find ways to be more efficient, competitive and environmentally friendly, utilities spend hundreds of millions of dollars suppressing competition from rooftop solar and battery storage and diminishing your solar and battery storage rights. To add insult to injury, the money they are spending was collected from ratepayers. You! Unfortunately, the solar and storage industry doesn't have the bankroll to counteract these utility lobbying efforts. But what we do have is public support: polling shows that 95% of people support solar and battery storage. The Solar Rights Alliance was founded to convert the support of millions of solar and storage enthusiasts into action that will change these anti-competitive, environmentally-hostile policies. The Solar Rights Alliance operates under the premise that everyone should have the right to generate his or her own power directly from the sun, and that no monopoly company or special interest should try to block or “own” the sun. My guest on this week's show is Dave Rosenfeld, the Executive Director of the Solar Rights Alliance. He's spent his career building movements and institutions that expand freedom, liberty and justice -- including National Public Radio, the Public Interest Research Group and the Public Interest Network. Please listen up to this week's Energy Show as Dave and I discuss the issues that the Solar Rights Alliance fights for every day to protect your solar and battery storage rights.

Fraudsters are attempting to intercept stimulus checks, set up bogus charities and defraud applicants for unemployment benefits. Mike Litt, consumer campaign director of U.S. Public Interest Research Group, discusses what can be done to stop them.

Hydroxychloroquine Success, Cuomo’s Deadly Decision, John Stossel, FBI Thugs Run Amok. Doctor: Treat Early With HydroxychloroquineTexas Nursing Home | Hydroxychloroquine Cuomo's Deadly Decision.John Stossel- Coronavirus Cans the Bag BanNotes Reveal FBI Acting as Political Wing of US Government: Agents Tried to Get Michael Flynn FIRED? Doctor: Treat Early With Hydroxychloroquinehttps://youtu.be/xfQg7XrvMJ8 PragerUIs hydroxychloroquine a safe and effective treatment for COVID-19 or not? Will Witt gets Dr. Vladimir Zelenko's take on the controversial drug.  Texas Nursing Home | Hydroxychloroquinehttps://youtu.be/woudsfF-tls Sean GiordanoThis is a short clip regarding the proven combination of Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin ud in a nursing home in Texas (HOTAIR: https://tinyurl.com/y9rsmhg6). Dr. Robin Armstrong notes this: ➤ Dr. Armstrong reminded the reporter that hydroxychloroquine is not a cure for COVID-19. He said in his experience, though, it does reduce the severity of the symptoms. A good article to read is this: "Hydroxychloroquine Has about 90 Percent Chance of Helping COVID-19 Patients, States Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS)" (https://tinyurl.com/yakwrf6z). _________________________________ Listen To Larry on The Answer (870AM) from 6-9pm || For more clear thinking like this from Larry Elder... I invite you to visit: http://www.larryelder.com/ || Also visit his Twitter page (https://twitter.com/larryelder) as well as his blog: http://www.elderstatement.com/ Donate to these two wonderful causes: https://www.prageru.com/donate | and | https://www.adflegal.org/donate I use AVS4YOU.com for audio editing, and VEGAS Pro 17 for pairing audio and media (https://tinyurl.com/ybgou46g).  Gov. Cuomo's Deadly Decision.https://youtu.be/SHtGa52ZMJ0 Sean GiordanoEric Metaxas interviews John Zmirak about his article, “Why is Andrew Cuomo Killing Patients in Nursing Homes? Imagine if we'd responded to AIDS by closing everything BUT the gay bath houses” (https://tinyurl.com/ycs2zha9), that puts Governor Cuomo’s "fatal decision" regarding Covid-19 and nursing homes squarely in the bullseye. Here are SOME of the other stories (earliest to latest): ✦ Andrew Cuomo’s coronavirus nursing home policy proves tragic: Goodwin (NEW YORK POST: https://tinyurl.com/y8gmmw3p); ✦ Gov. Cuomo Says ‘It’s Not Our Job’ To Provide PPE To Nursing Homes (NEW YORK POST: https://tinyurl.com/yd9ulwjy); ✦ Forcing Nursing Homes To Take Coronavirus Patients Is Just Insane — And Evil (NEW YORK POST: https://tinyurl.com/ybw94ntk); ✦ State Lacked Common Sense In Nursing Homes Coronavirus Approach (NEW YORK POST: https://tinyurl.com/yccrlno6); ✦ Cuomo Doubles Down On Ordering Nursing Homes To Admit Coronavirus Patients (NEW YORK POST: https://tinyurl.com/y7p7ayjo); ✦ Andrew Cuomo Under Fire for Directive Requiring Nursing Homes to Accept Coronavirus Patients (BREITBART: https://tinyurl.com/y9fqv87w); ✦ New York Required Nursing Homes To Admit ‘Medically Stable’ Coronavirus Patients. The Results Were Deadly (DAILY WIRE: https://tinyurl.com/yb3nwb3a);  Coronavirus Cans the Bag BanWatch this video at- https://youtu.be/EkgAtrAC290 John StosselPoliticians and environmentalists ban things that make our life more convenient, like single-use plastic bags. But now, because of coronavirus, lots of places have suspended those bans. Some have even banned reusable bags. Why? Because, as we knew even before they banned them, single-use plastic bags are more hygienic. 97% of people never wash their reusable bags. But, environmentalist groups call virus fears from reusable bags “misinformation". Alex Truelove of the Public Interest Research Group says, “there are no studies … that reusable bags are transmitting viruses.” He’s right about the lack of human COVID-19 studies. But, in 2013, when millions of piglets died of a novel swine coronavirus, the Agriculture Department concluded that reusable feed bags were the likely cause. After the virus fears diminish, politicians will put their plastic bag bans back in place. Why? “8 million metric tons of plastic enters the ocean every year,” explains Truelove. Again, that’s true, and plastic pollution is a serious problem. But economics professor Ross McKitrck of the University of Guelph pushes back, saying, “Get some facts on the table about where that plastic comes from.” Almost all of it comes from Asia and Africa. The North American fraction is less than 1%. Banning cheap and convenient grocery bags may make politicians feel good, but when it comes to pollution, it won’t make a difference.---- Don't miss a single video from Stossel TV, sign up here: https://johnstossel.activehosted.com/f/1 ----  Notes Reveal FBI Acting as Political Wing of US Government: Agents Tried to Get Michael Flynn FIRED?https://youtu.be/VzXBOmFcaUEGlenn BeckNew handwritten notes from FBI agents detail their efforts to catch former national security advisor Michael Flynn in a lie to "get him fired" from the Trump administration. The notes "express concern that the bureau may be playing games" to "get him to lie" so we can "prosecute him or get him fired." But...since WHEN is the FBI a fourth political branch of the U.S. government? ► Click HERE to subscribe to Glenn Beck https://bit.ly/2UVLqhL ►Click HERE to subscribe to BlazeTV: https://www.blazetv.com/glenn Connect with Glenn on Social Media: http://twitter.com/glennbeck http://instagram.com/glennbeck http://facebook.com/glennbeck --------------------------------------------------------------------  HELP ACU SPREAD THE WORD! Ways to subscribe to the American Conservative University PodcastClick here to subscribe via iTunesClick here to subscribe via RSSYou can also subscribe via StitcherIf you like this episode head on over to iTunes and kindly leave us a rating, a review and subscribe! People find us through our good reviews. FEEDBACK + PROMOTIONYou can ask your questions, make comments, submit ideas for shows and lots more. 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In this episode of Open Gov Stories, colleagues Gary and Allie share about their inspirations for their work on pushing government and corporate accountability in the US, stemming from effects of poverty on the Great Depression generation to the personal effects of the bankruptcy of Enron. Gary Kalman was a founding member of the FACT Coalition in 2011, which promotes financial transparency and corporate accountability, and joined as its Executive Director in 2016. Alexandria is an Assistant Policy Advisor, Anti-Money Laundering at Global Witness. She previously worked as a Tax and Budget Program associate at U.S, Public Interest Research Group.

On the show today is Mike Landis, the litigation director of U.S. PIRG the Public Interest Research Group. What makes Mike particularly special is the diversity of his experience and depth of his resume at such a young age. Considering the fact that Mike is in his mid 30’s the list is impressive and includes two years volunteering in Honduras with the Peace Corps, a dual JD and Masters degree in international political economy and development, a state appellate court clerkship, a federal district court clerkship, two and a half years as a litigation associate at a large New Jersey law firm, and then of course, his current role as litigation director of PIRG. At PIRG, Mike’s job involves taking a macro view of issues facing the general public, most often from a consumer perspective. While most consumer rights attorneys are focusing individual client cases and relationships, Mike is looking for broad patterns where impact litigation can be achieved. PIRG pursues its own cases, but also provides a lot of support to a network of non-profit organizations across the country that are pursuing consumer protection cases. The story shows that anyone can move between the non-profit and private law sectors and that doing so can make you a more impactful and valuable asset to the consumer rights world.

Copyright 2018 - The Energy Show, Barry Cinnamon We take it for granted that you can install solar on your home or business anytime, just as you can make any other energy saving improvement. Unfortunately, the reality is there are a host of restrictions on solar and battery storage. Many of these restrictions are due to arbitrary regulations (solar panels cannot be visible from the street), as well as rules promulgated by utilities to maximize their profits. Riddle me this, Solarman: why does your local utility encourage you to install an 8 kw EV charger, but makes it extremely complicated (sometimes impossible) to install a 2 kw rooftop solar system? Incumbent industries have economic power behind them. Utilities spend hundreds of millions of dollars to suppress competition from rooftop solar, compared to the million or so dollars spent by most state solar industries. But polls show that 95% of the population favors solar. Although the solar industry is at a financial disadvantage, there are tens of millions of people in the U.S. that benefit - either directly or indirectly - from the solar industry. The challenge is organizing this grass roots army to advocate for cleaner and and more affordable energy sources. The Solar Rights Alliance was founded to empower these millions of solar citizens. Its mantra is everyone should have the right to generate his or her own power directly from the sun -- and that no monopoly or special interest should try to block or own the sun. Our special guest on this week's Energy Show is Dave Rosenfeld, Executive Director of the Solar Rights Alliance. He's spent his career building movements and institutions that expand freedom, liberty and justice including work with the National Public Radio, The Public Interest Research Group, and the Public Interest Network. Grass roots advocacy has been effective in making many big changes in our democracy, and Dave is working hard to deploy this growing army of solar enthusiasts to make solar cost effective and available to everyone.

While Congress struggles to find ways to pay for new roads and bridges, the U.S. Public Interest Research Group says that new roads are not the answer to fixing our infrastructure. Mary McKenna has the story.

Anne is the program manager for SACE’s clean fuels and bioenergy programs. Her work focuses on diesel emissions reduction, advanced transportation and the utilization of biomass for electricity and fuel production, with an emphasis on state and federal energy, fuel, transportation, and climate policy and education. Anne joined the SACE staff in 2003. Anne serves on the Green-e Governance Board, the Southeast Diesel Collaborative Leadership Council, the Steering Committee for the Pine 2 Energy Coalition, facilitates the Tennessee Diesel Working Group and is a graduate of the Environmental Leadership Institute. Anne is the lead author of “A Safer Ride to School: How to Clean Up School Buses and Protect Our Children’s Health” and “A Case for the Healthy School Bus: Lessons from the Field.” Anne previously worked for River Network in Washington, DC, The Fund for Public Interest Research Group, and was an AmeriCorps volunteer with the National Park Service. She is a graduate of Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, VA.

This morning on the award-winning 'For the People' John Voket opens a busy show pens with ConnPIRG, the state's Public Interest Research Group talking about how millions of taxpayer dollars are being funneled into Special districts around the state. Then we'll visit with the Connecticut River Conservancy and hear about upcoming events tied to this important environmental and recreational waterway. Then, we'll reveal how Black Rock Galleries is partnering with the CT Humane Society for an Abandoned Lots Charity Auction. And if you are a natural gas consumer in CT, we'll close telling you how millions of dollars from your gas bill are disappearing into thin air!

Emily Rich is Director of National Development for Operation Gratitude, a non-profit organization that annually sends 150,000+ care packages to new recruits, veterans, first responders, wounded warriors, care givers and to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed overseas.   Since its inception in 2003, Operation Gratitude has shipped more than 1.2 million care packages.  Emily is responsible for Operation Gratitude’s nationwide campaigns, including corporate partnerships, cause marketing, large scale employee volunteerism, sports marketing and annual support.Emily has devoted her professional life to non-profit organizations.  In addition to Operation Gratitude, she has served in leadership positions with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Foundation Fighting Blindness and Fund for the Public Interest Research Group. In the first six years of her career in nonprofit development, Emily has raised over $6 million for nonprofit organizations.Emily graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication.  She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) and the National Association of Professional Women.Music:Wartime by Javier & The Innocent SonsWebsite:  http://www.javiermatosmusic.com/Purchase CD:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/javiertheinnocentsonsShow Notes:  http://VeteranPodcast.com/013

This episode will focus on biodiesel, who can use it, why it's better than diesel and where you can get it in Atlanta. Anne Blair - Clean Fuels and Bioenergy Program Manager Anne is the program manager for SACE’s clean fuels and bioenergy programs. Her work focuses on diesel emissions reduction, advanced transportation and the utilization of biomass for electricity and fuel production, with an emphasis on state and federal energy, fuel, transportation, and climate policy and education. Anne joined the SACE staff in 2003. Anne serves on the Green-e Governance Board, the Southeast Diesel Collaborative Leadership Council, the Steering Committee for the Pine 2 Energy Coalition, facilitates the Tennessee Diesel Working Group and is a graduate of the Environmental Leadership Institute. Anne is the lead author of "A Safer Ride to School: How to Clean Up School Buses and Protect Our Children's Health" and "A Case for the Healthy School Bus: Lessons from the Field." Anne previously worked for River Network in Washington, DC, The Fund for Public Interest Research Group, and was an AmeriCorps volunteer with the National Park Service. She is a graduate of Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, VA.

Robert Weissman, president, Public Citizen; Scott Nelson, Public Citizen attorney and member of the legal team that represented four current and former lawmakers in Citizens United; Lisa Gilbert, democracy advocate, U.S. Public Interest Research Group; John Bonifaz, legal director, Voter Action all participated in a telephone press conference today about the Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United vs. FEC, explaining the ramifications and steps the coalition will take to fight back.