Archive for February 2019

Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. spent nearly $10 million on California lobbying efforts in the year before the utility giant declared bankruptcy, spending more than any other entity seeking to influence California government in 2018. The majority of that money … Source: Claims Journal

Crews are hauling dirt to the hardened edge of a fertilizer waste mountain in Louisiana and pumping out part of an acidic lake on top, hoping to stop the gypsum’s outward creep and prevent a potential disaster. Mosaic Fertilizer LLC … Source: Claims Journal

As of 2018, 33 states and the District of Columbia have approved the medical use of cannabis, while 10 states have legalized marijuana for recreational use. Despite this fact, at the federal level, marijuana remains a Schedule 1 drug under … Source: Claims Journal

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul was awarded more than $580,000 in damages and medical expenses on Wednesday in his lawsuit against the neighbor who tackled him and broke several of his ribs in a dispute over lawn maintenance. A jury in … Source: Claims Journal

While not nearly as pervasive as vehicle thefts, snowmobile can impact public safety and basic transportation in areas of the country where snowfall renders other forms of transportation inoperable, according to the first report on the snowmobiles thefts in the … Source: Claims Journal

In the first week of 2019, an investigation by Oregon’s labor agency deemed the state Capitol to be a hostile workplace because of an unchecked pattern of sexual harassment among lawmakers. A few days later, two Washington state lawmakers accused … Source: Claims Journal

Teary-eyed parents and supporters of legislation to curb distracted driving filled a small room at the Capitol, some wearing neon yellow traffic vests in solidarity as they offered emotional testimony. Others held framed pictures of loved ones who died in … Source: Claims Journal

Officials say the private elevator that broke down inside a Manhattan townhouse and trapped a housekeeper for three days had a faulty motor. A woman stuck for three days and nights in the private elevator of a Manhattan townhouse owned … Source: Claims Journal

Much of the Midwest experienced a rapid thaw after last week’s polar vortex sent wind chill temperatures plummeting below minus-50 in some places. But the transition to warmer conditions threatens a new set of problems. Ruptured water mains, leaky pipes … Source: Claims Journal

In Illinois, temperatures rose by 80 degrees within days. In Michigan, melting snow and rain and a 17-mile ice jam led to flooding fears. Across the Midwest, the sudden warmth brought more broken roads and busted water mains. The polar … Source: Claims Journal