U.S. News

U.S. Charges California Tech Executive With Sending Networking Gear to Iran’s Nuclear, Military Entities

Jamshid Ghomi arrested in California, accused of a yearslong scheme sending U.S.-origin networking, security and encryption equipment to Iran’s nuclear and military entities.

#iran, #sanctions, #exportcontrols, #justicedepartment

Supreme Court Rules Mississippi Courts Misapplied Batson in Death-Row Case

In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court says Mississippi courts improperly shut down Terry Pitchford’s Batson challenge over excluded Black jurors.

#law, #supremecourt, #batson, #deathpenalty

California Sues 23andMe Over 2023 Genetic-Data Breach, Accuses Firm of Misleading Consumers

AG Rob Bonta sued the company formerly 23andMe, saying it failed to protect nearly 7M users' genetic data in a 2023 breach and misled consumers.

#23andme, #databreach, #privacy, #genetics

Penn State Faculty Vote to Unionize Across University System; State Certification Pending

Penn State faculty voted in a state mail ballot to unionize across University Park, libraries and Commonwealth campuses; state board certification is pending.

#pennstate, #union, #faculty, #labor

Magnitude 6.0 Earthquake Strikes Near Honaunau‑Napoopoo, Hawaii; No Tsunami Warning Reported

A magnitude 6.0 quake hit near Honaunau‑Napoopoo on the Island of Hawaii, producing very strong shaking and thousands of felt reports; no tsunami warning was apparent.

#earthquake, #hawaii, #tsunami

Five unions begin strike at Long Island Rail Road, threatening service for nearly 300,000 riders

Five-union strike at the Long Island Rail Road began May 16, risking a shutdown of the commuter system that carries nearly 300,000 daily riders.

#lirr, #teamsters, #strike, #mta, #labor

Penn State faculty alliance reports win in vote to unionize more than 5,000 instructors

Penn State faculty organizers say more than 5,000 faculty voted to unionize with SEIU Local 668 in a mail-ballot election; certification is pending.

#highereducation, #unions, #pennstate, #labor

Justice Department Finds Yale School of Medicine Used Race in Admissions for 2023–25 Classes

DOJ says Yale School of Medicine violated federal civil-rights law by using race in admissions for 2023–2025 classes and seeks a compliance agreement.

#education, #civilrights, #yale, #doj

HealthSplash founder convicted in Medicare-fraud scheme tied to more than $450 million in federal payments

Federal jury convicts HealthSplash founder Brett Blackman in telemedicine-linked Medicare-fraud scheme tied to over $1 billion in billings and $450M in payments.

#medicare, #healthcarefraud, #telemedicine, #durablemedicalequipment

GAO: VA hasn’t fully implemented federal facility-security standards; covert tests missed prohibited weapon

A GAO report says the VA hasn’t fully adopted federal facility-security standards; in covert tests a prohibited weapon and alcohol often went undetected.

#veterans, #va, #security, #gaoreport

BLM Finalizes Rollback of 2024 Public Lands Rule

The BLM rescinded the 2024 Public Lands Rule, stripping conservation and landscape-health requirements from management of about 245 million acres of federal land.

#publiclands, #blm, #conservation, #environment

Justice Department Finds UCLA Medical School Discriminated in 2023–25 Admissions

DOJ says UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine discriminated by race in 2023–25 admissions and seeks a voluntary agreement to end the practice.

#ucla, #admissions, #discrimination, #doj

Ted Turner, Media Innovator Who Built CNN and Turned Braves Into ‘America’s Team,’ Dies at 87

Ted Turner, founder of CNN and the media leader who made the Atlanta Braves a national TV brand via TBS, died at 87; noted philanthropist and conservationist.

#tedturner, #cnn, #atlantabraves, #media, #obituary

Possible Gunfire Near White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington Forces Evacuation; Suspect in Custody

President Trump and the first lady were evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton after possible gunfire near screening; suspect detained.

#whitehouse, #security, #washingtondc, #trump

GAO: FEMA Delivered $3.2 Billion but Helpline, Housing Shortfalls Hindered Aid

A GAO report finds FEMA sent $3.2B to disaster survivors but struggling helpline, confusing letters and housing shortages impeded access for vulnerable people.

#fema, #gao, #disasterassistance, #housing