Analysis Reveals Racial and Economic Discrimination By Santander Bank

- February 18, 2017

Already in hot water for lending practices, outlets of Santander Bank have recently come under fire for racial and economic discrimination, with government data and an analysis by an industry reform group revealing the bank has “denied mortgages to women, minorities and low-income borrowers in the U.S. Northeast more frequently than nearby banks.” The discrimination was discovered when the Committee for Better Banks, “a coalition of bank workers, consumer advocacy groups and unions” researched government data “on home loans in the U.S. Northeast, including nearly 10,000 Santander home-purchase applications.” What they found was “a disturbing pattern of racial and economic discrimination.”

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Settlement Reached Over Deadly Harlem Blast

- February 17, 2017

For those who don’t know, back in 2014, a deadly blast occurred that took the lives of eight people “and destroyed two buildings.” As a result, a $153 million settlement has finally been reached between Con Edison and the Public Service Commission of New York that will ensure that the utility company will foot “the bill for repairs to its gas distribution system.” According to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Con Edison customers will not be responsible for paying for the repairs caused by a deadly blast.

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New GOP Bills Attack the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

- February 17, 2017

The Republicans are at it again in their plans to overhaul many aspects American life. Their target this time? Title X of the Dodd-Frank Act, “which established the CFPB.” On Tuesday, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Texas) introduced companion bills that would effectively “eliminate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB),” a “controversial watchdog” organization that many Republicans have been targeting for some time now. Now since their party is in the White House and in control of the House and Senate, many are seeking to take advantage of the position of power to push their agendas through, including passing the two companion bills.

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Alaskan Pets Get Legal Protection in Divorce, Domestic Violence Cases

- February 17, 2017

Due to a recent, and frankly overdue, change to a law covering divorce and domestic violence cases, Alaskan pets get legal protection that elevates them from being considered as mere property in such instances. Alaska is the first state to pass a law requiring judges to take “into consideration the well-being of the animal.” Hopefully, this is the beginning of a trend.

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Restoration Hardware Recalls Tables Over Lead Exposure Concerns

- February 16, 2017

Restoration Hardware has issued a recall for thousands of their Railroad Tie and Parsons Railroad Tie metal top dining tables. The recalled tables were sold at “Restoration Hardware outlets and online from March 2012 to Dec. 2016,” and the decision for the recall came after the company received “reports of elevated blood lead levels in

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Consider Both Sides of the Balance Sheet

- February 16, 2017

One of the problems with news and newslike coverage in the media these days is one-sidedness. Slant has been with us for a long time, but in an era of Fake News and Alternative Facts, it’s taken on a more important role in the way people perceive and interact with the world. People easily fall into echo chambers, populated entirely by peers and media outlets who share their worldview. A lack of dissent, coupled with reinforcement of existing beliefs, surely comforts, but comes at a cost. Not challenging yourself to consider new or opposing ideas means possibly missing out on important truths. Truths which, in a changing world, become ever more crucial for good decision-making and creation of policy. To step out of the echo chamber and think more critically, we should adopt the accounting concept of the balance sheet.

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Settlement Reached Between Harassed Female Workers and the Federal Bureau of Prisons

- February 16, 2017

A settlement has been reached between the Federal Bureau of Prisons and female workers who claim they were “sexually harassed by prisoners” at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex near Orlando, Florida. Last Friday, an administrative judge signed off on the settlement that could amount to $20 million to compensate the female workers for “emotional distress and physical harm as well as reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses resulting from harassment from male inmates.” So what exactly happened?

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