Ryan Farrick is a writer and small business advertising consultant based out of mid-Michigan. Passionate about international politics and world affairs, he’s an avid traveler with a keen interest in the connections between South Asia and the United States. Ryan studied neuroscience and has spent the last several years working as an operations manager in transportation logistics.


California Lawmaker Raul Bocanegra Resigns After Sexual Misconduct Allegations

California lawmaker Raul Bocanegra resigned from his post Monday, following a wave of sexual misconduct allegations. A Democrat and member of the State Assembly, Bocanegra earlier said he’d opt not to run for re-election. But, as reported by The Washington Post, the politician decided to leave office after last weekend. Apparently prompted to resign by


Oklahoma Nurse Takes Plastic Surgery Clinic to Court Over Botched Butt Lift

An Oklahoma nurse is taking a plastic surgery clinic to court after awakening from a procedure paralyzed. When 44-year old Rolanda Hutton scheduled an appointment with Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute in January, she’d expected a simple outpatient procedure. The woman wanted a “Brazilian butt lift.” But after going under the knife, Hutton awake unable to



Prince George’s County Parents File Lawsuit, Demand Answers Over Predator Volunteer

Parents at a Prince George’s County school in Maryland are seeking answers after a district volunteer was charged with sexually abusing elementary-age children. A recently filed complaint characterized the conditions at the school as “an unchecked breeding ground for sexual abuse.” For more than a year, Judge Sylvania W. Woods Elementary School volunteer Deonte Carraway


Larry Nassar Case Exposes Wider Problems in U.S. Olympic Sports Culture

In the months after former Olympic gymnastics physician Larry Nassar was accused of serial sexual abuse, well over 100 women have identified themselves as former victims of the doctor. Some of Nassar’s victims were taken advantage of at his home, others at his offices and clinic. Five were former members of Team USA. All, along


Ohio Attorneys Could Launch Class Action Suit Over Weyerhaeuser Floor Joists

Ohio attorneys are eyeing “toxic homes” for a potential class action lawsuit. Last year, ABC 6 and other media outlets reported problems with Weyerhaeuser floor joists. Thousands of units across the United States were marked as in need of remediation. A press release issued in July 2016 explained a change Weyerhaeuser had made to its


ProPublica: Jacksonville Deputies Disproportionately Cite Blacks for Pedestrian Code Violations

A ProPublica investigation uncovered evidence of what could be bias in Jacksonville law enforcement’s handling of pedestrian code violations. Examining ticket records from the Mississippi city, reporters uncovered an odd dichotomy in the issuance of citations. Nobody on the force seemed to exemplify the difference better than Officer C.J. Brown of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.


Government Could Shutdown If Dreamers Aren’t Saved From Deportation

Almost four months after President Donald Trump cast Dreamers into an uncertain future, Congress fears their plight may trigger a government shutdown. In September, the commander-in-chief terminated the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, placing the onus to find a fix on lawmakers. Despite making numerus promises to DACA recipients that they could “rest



Trump Administration Ends Humanitarian Visa Program for Haitian Refugees

The Trump administration will terminate humanitarian immigration visas offered to Haitian refugees. Reports from Politico indicate that Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke was forced to make a decision on the migrants by Thanksgiving Day. After mulling over whether to extend “temporary protected status” permits to Haitians, Duke declined to renew an authorization.