Court Rules National Day Of Prayer Constitutional

The 7th Circuit recently overturned a previous ruling declaring a National Day of Prayer unconstitutional. Congress passed 36 U.S.C. §119 in 1988, which reads, “The President shall issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a National Day of Prayer on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals.” Freedom From Religion and several other organizations joined together and initiated a suit against President Barack Obama and his Press Secretary....

April 7, 2022 · 3 min · 457 words · Justin Webster

Did The Fox Mole Commit Any Crimes

Is the Fox Mole a criminal? Gawker and Fox News fans alike are contemplating this question now that associate producer Joe Muto has positively identified himself as the Fox Mole. He has admitted to posting behind the scenes videos of Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney in hopes of exposing the “seedy underbelly” of the cable news station. Though undoubtedly enough to earn him a pink slip, can Muto’s actions also earn him a conviction?...

April 7, 2022 · 2 min · 349 words · David Glenn

Do You Have To Consent To A Vehicle Search

Imagine that you’re speeding down the highway when you’re pulled over. Come on, it’s bound to happen at least once. But then something different happens–the officer asks if he can look inside your car. Do you have to consent to the requested vehicle search? No. There are three ways in which police may conduct a roadside vehicle search. The first two involve reasonable suspicion and probable cause, both of which require evidence that you’re dangerous, carrying illegal contraband, or have been or will be involved in the commission of a crime....

April 7, 2022 · 2 min · 325 words · Lisa Swarr

Epa Tightens Air Quality Standards For Lead

Allowable levels of airborne lead emissions will be reduced tenfold from current standards, under new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules announced Thursday. The stricter regulations are intended to protect the public – especially children – from health problems associated with exposure to airborne lead. The new, stricter airborne lead standards “tighten the allowable lead level 10 times to 0.15 micrograms of lead per cubic meter of air,” according to an EPA Press Release, and mark the first time lead standards have been changed in 30 years....

April 7, 2022 · 2 min · 323 words · Helen Stephenson

Fbi Warns Of Botnets Computer Threat

With millions of Americans doing their holiday shopping online, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is warning consumers of a cybersecurity threat called “botnets,” which the FBI describes as “armies of personal computers taken over by cyber criminals and used on the sly to commit all kinds of mischief, from identity theft to denial of service attacks to massive spam campaigns.” An FBI Press Release provides consumers with tips on protecting themselves online, and updates ongoing “botnet” investigations and indictments....

April 7, 2022 · 1 min · 144 words · Alissa Ross

Findlaw Survey Most Americans Don T Have A Will

Nearly 60 percent of Americans don’t have a will, giving them little control or input into important issues like what will happen to their assets and their minor children after they die, according to a new survey by FindLaw.com. A will is a basic component of estate planning. Among other things, it specifies how your assets will be distributed after you pass away, and who will receive them. Without a will, the laws of the state and the decisions of a probate court may determine how your estate is distributed, who will care for your children if they are minors, and so forth....

April 7, 2022 · 2 min · 294 words · Suzi Gregston

Frida Kahlo S Family Tries To Block Frida Themed Barbie Doll

If you don’t know her work, you at least know her unibrow. Frida Kahlo’s popularity has grown over the years, thanks to both her art and her outspoken views on politics and the like. And while one company wants to honor her with a Frida-themed Barbie doll (and make a few bucks in the process), her family is not happy with those efforts and is trying to block the doll in court....

April 7, 2022 · 3 min · 430 words · Dennis Rodriguez

Google Sued Over Street View Data Decking

Google has been sued in a class action case by two Oregon citizens for collecting their Wi-Fi data. The named members of the class, Vicki Van Valin and Neil Mertz, allege that when Google’s Street View vehicles roamed their neighborhood, they captured data using a packet sniffer. Plaintiffs have requested that Google refrain from destroying any data that has been collected. The data decking lawsuit alleges that the vehicles were equipped with a packet sniffer, which captured users’ MAC addresses and various data including but not limited to emails, video, audio and documents....

April 7, 2022 · 3 min · 465 words · Carroll Martino

Louisiana Deputy Convicted Of Manslaughter In Shooting Of Autistic Child

A Louisiana jury convicted a “moonlighting” deputy marshal of manslaughter and attempted manslaughter after a shooting that left a 6-year-old autistic boy dead and his father hospitalized. Former Marksville police officer and part-time city marshal Derrick Stafford, along with another officer, opened fire on Christopher Few’s vehicle after he refused to pull over, striking Few in the head and chest, and killing his son, Jeremy Mardis, who was buckled in the passenger seat....

April 7, 2022 · 4 min · 684 words · Geraldine Lanterman

Merck Lawyers Plaintiffs Should Have Known Merck Was Lying About Vioxx

On Monday, Merck & Co., and the investors who filed securities suits against it, had their day in court. Investors in Merck are suing the company over the misrepresentation of the safety of Vioxx (or lack thereof) which allegedly caused them to pay an inflated market price for company stocks. (To begin with, the risks associated with Vioxx are not at issue in this Vioxx suit. Vioxx has already paid out billions to settle claims by the people physically harmed by the drug....

April 7, 2022 · 3 min · 564 words · Patricia Barlow

Michael Jackson Estate Legal Team Seeks Executor Fees

It’s a been a tough job managing Michael Jackson’s millions. Now, the legal team and other administrators handling the King of Pop’s affairs after death are seeking estate executor fees. The legal team and administrators say they want to be paid for their work overseeing the Michael Jackson estate. It is estimated that since then, the Michael Jackson estate has earned $100 million or more with the sale of rights to the concert film “This Is It,” new music releases and merchandising agreements....

April 7, 2022 · 2 min · 377 words · David Laflamme

Natalee Holloway Search Jaw Bone Found

Is there finally a break in locating missing student Natalee Holloway? Reports say that a jawbone has been found on a beach in Aruba, close to Phoenix hotel, a location mentioned by murder suspect Joran Van der Sloot. Long the main suspect in the Holloway disappearances, Van der Sloot has been arrested twice in connection with the student’s disappearance, but has never been charged. There has been no comment by Dutch authorities on the exact condition of the bone found and turned over by tourists, reports CNN....

April 7, 2022 · 2 min · 421 words · Diane Coll

Need To Know Closing Arguments In Boston Marathon Bombing Trial

Closing arguments in Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s murder trial for 2013 Boston Marathon bombing began this morning. Prosecutors reviewed the evidence and told jurors Tsarnaev and his brother targeted “civilians, men, woman and children, because he wanted to make a point. He wanted to terrorize this country. He wanted to punish America for what it was doing to his people.” Tsarnaev has been charged with 30 counts in the bombing that killed 3 and injured over 260 others, and could face the death penalty if he is convicted as expected....

April 7, 2022 · 2 min · 367 words · Steve Wieczorek

Pot Store Owner Kidnapped Tortured 4 Arrested

A California medical marijuana dispensary owner was brutally tortured by kidnappers who allegedly burned the man and cut off his penis for his money. The Los Angeles Times reports that four people are under arrest in the case. The suspects allegedly plotted to kidnap and torture a “wealthy” pot store owner for “bags of cash” the culprits erroneously believed were hidden in the desert. What charges have been filed in this bizarre case?...

April 7, 2022 · 3 min · 471 words · Deborah Parente

Recalls For Strangulation And Suffocation Hazards C T International Sorelle Cribs

C&T International/Sorelle cribs have been recalled, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. On May 6, 2010, the CPSC announced a voluntary recall of the C&T International/Sorelle drop side cribs due to strangulation and suffocation hazards. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. The cribs’ drop-side hardware can disengage from the tracks, causing the drop side to detach from the crib. When the drop-side partially detaches, it creates space between the drop side and the crib mattress where infants and toddlers can become entrapped....

April 7, 2022 · 4 min · 660 words · Cynthia Sotto

Small Town Murders Up Overall Us Violence Down

Moving to the suburbs because you think that may be safer for your family? Well, you better think again. According to a national study, the US murder rate and murder statistics between city and town may surprise you. For the past decade there has been a downward trend in the US murder rate that continued through the past year, reports The Associated Press. And this trend continued last year as a new FBI murder statistics show....

April 7, 2022 · 2 min · 362 words · Carin Hummingbird

Taking Over An Ex Employee S Linkedin Account Is Not Actionable

Employees whose LinkedIn accounts are hacked by previous employers have no recourse under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), according to a ruling last week. Linda Eagle shared her password with a coworker at Edcomm so she could get help managing her LinkedIn account. When Eagle was fired the coworker changed the account’s password and the company put a new name and photo on the account. The judge’s opinion isn’t that taking over someone else’s LinkedIn account isn’t ever hacking....

April 7, 2022 · 2 min · 393 words · Willie Carmody

Taylor Swift Sued For Swift Life Gaming App Moniker

Taylor Swift has created some Bad Blood with Patrick Benot, and he’s not about to Shake It Off. Benot created a computer consulting business that he trademarked “SwiftLife” back in 2007, creating goods and services that help make life’s errands more efficient. But nine years later in 2016, Taylor Swift and Glu Games launched an App entitled “The Swift Life,” which is a one-stop shop for Swiftie fans. Apps are a huge business....

April 7, 2022 · 3 min · 442 words · Janice Davis

Telemarketers Junk Mailers Right And Wrong Ways To Respond

An Ohio man recently reached his tipping point when it came to extended auto warranty scams. Unfortunately, the airing of his grievance ended with him looking at a possible 4 years in prison for making terrorist threats. In our continuing coverage of the menace posed by robocalling auto warranty scams and the misleading policies they sell, it seems necessary to point out one wrong way to go about combatting them. That way was illustrated by Charles W....

April 7, 2022 · 2 min · 336 words · Zoe Perkins

Tom Cruise Sued Over Illegal Wiretapping Claims

Tom Cruise sued over illegal wiretapping claims? E Online reports that the Hollywood megastar Tom Cruise has been sued for $5 million for illegal wiretapping of Michael Davis Sapir. Mr. Sapir claimed that he had a Tom Cruise gay video back in 2001. After he made that claim, Mr. Sapir alleges that Mr. Cruise spied on him by illegal wiretapping with the help of Mr. Cruise’s attorney Bert Fields and Hollywood private investigator Anthony Pellicano....

April 7, 2022 · 2 min · 326 words · Emma Hanks