Author: David Donovan

A bill to shore up the rights to access contraceptives was unable to advance in a U.S. Senate vote yesterday. Congressional Democrats forced a vote ahead of the November elections in order to try and get eyes on the issue of reproductive rights. The Right to Contraception Act Unsplash user rhsupplies The Right to Contraception Act failed to meet the 60-vote minimum to continue to a full debate although it received 51 votes of support. The bill would protect access to birth control nationwide but received 39 votes against in this hotly contested topic. Post Roe v. Wade Fight Unsplash…

More than 100 Red Lobster locations are facing closure unless the company can negotiate for cheaper rents from landlords. The fast-food chain had already closed 93 of its restaurants on May 13 and the following week filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the hope of restructuring its debts. Over 100 Locations in Danger X user redlobster According to court documents, 135 locations in the franchise are under threat of closing due to high costs. If leases stay at their current rates the restaurants will continue to lose money with the options being either negotiate lower rents or close them. Iconic…

Former President Donald Trump came out on top in his fight with estranged niece Mary Trump just before being convicted as a felon in another case on Thursday. The former president sued his niece, The New York Times, and three columnists in 2021, following the publishing of Mary Trump’s tell-all memoir Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man.  Dismissal of Lawsuit X user MaryLTrump The lawsuit was later partially dismissed, with the ex-president’s cases against the paper and the journalists being dropped a year ago. Claims that Mary Trump had disregarded a 2001…

On Sunday, firefighters in California made significant progress in controlling a wind-driven wildfire 60 miles east of San Francisco. The fire has already destroyed a home, burned thousands of acres, and forced residents to flee the area near the central California city of Tracy. Origin of Fire Wikimedia Commons user Lseaveratnif One of the nation’s most important centers for nuclear weapons science and technology, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory manages the grassy hills where the fire broke out on Saturday afternoon. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said the center was not in immediate danger from the blast, named…

Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Felss Masino announced earlier this month that a number of significant changes to the company will be rolled out.  These changes include some updates to the menu and a $700 million renovation of the chain’s restaurants. Long History Losing Its Shine Getty Images Although Cracker Barrel is only a little more than fifty years old, there are many hundreds of years of history decorating the restaurants. Masino has implied however that may be a relic of times gone by as she feels the brand has “lost some of its shine.” Comprehensive Overhaul Flickr user Todd Van…

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and 22 other Democratic congresspersons are making demands of the Department of Justice. They compelled the department to “use every tool” available to crack down on price fixing in the oil industry. FTC Investigation Wikimedia Commons user Harrison Keely In a letter Thursday to Attorney Merrick Garland and different authorities, the Democrats said a new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) examination had pressing insights.  Primarily these were concerning a high-profile consolidation that revealed proof of cost fixing by oil chiefs which resulted in higher energy costs for American families and organizations. Colluding to Raise Oil Prices…

Guardians and parents of kids younger than four in the city of Pomona, California, can apply to receive an installment of $500 each month under a new guaranteed pay program. The program, the City of Pomona Household Universal Grants Program (HUG), will be financed with $2.4 million from the city through the American Rescue Plan Act. Pomona HUG Launch US Library of Congress The Pomona HUG will launch online on June 17 and will be controlled through the city of Pomona and FORWARD, an association that has overseen comparative activities in other Southern California urban communities. Pomona locals will be…

Following the ruling from the Alabama Supreme Court back in February which treats frozen embryos created through in vitro fertilization as “unborn children” under wrongful death statutes, it looks like the Texas Supreme Court may follow suit. After this ruling major fertility clinics were shuttered until a law relieving the clinics of legal liability for any embryo destruction or damage was passed by the Alabama Legislature. Impact on IVF Access Wikimedia Commons user WhisperToMe In a state where thousands of IVF babies are born annually, the Texas Supreme Court may hear a case that could have a similar impact on…

On Thursday the Supreme Court voted unanimously to back the National Rifle Association in a First Amendment ruling. This decision could make it more difficult for state regulators to impose pressure on advocacy groups impacting free speech. New York Official Lawsuit Unsplash user Heather Mount The ruling could have an impact on the NRA’s lawsuit against a New York official who, following the 2018 Parkland shooting, compelled banks and insurance companies to sever ties with the gun rights lobby. The shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School was the deadliest in the country killing 14 students and three faculty members.…

Almost 200 previously closed 99 Cents Only stores will be reopened as Dollar Tree locations from Texas to California after leases were secured from bankruptcy proceedings. The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware approved the transfer of designation rights for 170 locations in several states along with some furniture, equipment, and fixtures included. Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Filing Wikimedia Commons user Downtowngal Back in April 99 Cents Only Stores had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as it was selling off assets including inventory and store leases. It announced last month that all 371 of its stores would…