Mainstream News

Man Found Innocent After 20 Years in Prison, But Sent Back Anyway

"A man who spent more than 20 years in a Nevada prison for a crime he didn't commit could be on the hook for three more crimes if the state of Florida has its way. After spending more than two decades behind bars for a murder he said he didn't commit, a Nevada court recently found Fred Steese is actually innocent of the crime. Instead of freedom, though, Steese remains in lock-up awaiting extradition to Florida. It seems the Sunshine State doesn't credit the time he has already served. He remains imprisoned on a hold from Florida for failing to report to his parole officer more than a quarter century ago." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMan Found Innocent After 20 Years in Prison, But Sent Back Anyway

Charlotte Citizens Review Board Has Ruled For The Police In Every Instance In 15 Years

"Charlotte’s City Council on Monday may take steps to strengthen the Citizens Review Board after an Observer investigation found that the board, set up nearly 16 years ago to look into allegations of police misconduct, has always sided with police. Proponents of reforming the review board hope to pressure the City Council to give it more power. They’re trying to gather dozens of residents to speak at the council meeting or wear black in silent protest." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCharlotte Citizens Review Board Has Ruled For The Police In Every Instance In 15 Years

Homeowner, 80, charged in shooting of burglar: ‘Unjust that I can’t protect me’

"Awakened by his 75-year-old wife, Wright confronted a 19-year-old burglar who had broken through some plywood over a bathroom window in hopes of stealing liquor, according to police. Wright grabbed his 38.caliber pistol, loaded with four rounds, and shot the intruder in the leg. The suspect was arrested -- but so was Wright. Because of prior weapons convictions, Wright was charged with unlawful use of a weapon, sparking calls by his family and neighbors for prosecutors to back down." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHomeowner, 80, charged in shooting of burglar: ‘Unjust that I can’t protect me’

Officer fired after trying to give phony insurance ticket to politician

"A state trooper who said he was 'cutting a break' to a speeding legislator has been fired because he decided instead to falsely cite the lawmaker for not having proof of car insurance. Trooper Charles Swindle, a six-year veteran of the Florida Highway Patrol, is appealing his March 15 firing and says the state highway patrol has an unwritten policy of not issuing tickets to lawmakers who set the patrol’s budget, a charge the agency hotly denies but which raises new questions about whether politicians get favored treatment on Florida’s highways." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOfficer fired after trying to give phony insurance ticket to politician

Jim Bovard: Farmers fight for the right to grow raisins

"Marvin Horne, a 67-year-old raisin farmer in Fresno, Calif., was fined almost $700,000 for refusing to surrender control of much of his harvest to the federal committee in 2002. Horne, who has been growing raisins for more than 40 years, has battled the raisin committee for more than a decade and describes its regime as 'involuntary servitude.' His challenge -- which is supported by many California raisin growers -- landed in front of the Supreme Court last month. According to the Obama Administration and USDA, the Raisin Administrative Committee needs vast power to protect farmers from selling too many raisins." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJim Bovard: Farmers fight for the right to grow raisins

NYT: Bubble or No, Virtual Bitcoins Show Real Worth

"So why the sudden run-up in value? Some point to the recent crisis over Cypriot banks, which made a currency beyond the control of governments more tempting. And as with a run-up in anything tradable there is also the hypnotic logic that says the price went up today, so that means it will go up tomorrow. Some observers and investors also make the case that bitcoins are in fact undervalued: The total value of the world’s economic activity is enormous. There are certain transactions that are ideal for bitcoins because the currency is relatively anonymous and does not need to be processed by a financial organization or a government." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNYT: Bubble or No, Virtual Bitcoins Show Real Worth

Kindergartener Suspended Over Mohawk Hairstyle

"A kindergartner with a new, spiked Mohawk haircut was sent home from a local elementary school this week for violating the district's dress code. Keshia Castle said she was told on Wednesday that her 5-year-old son, Ethan Clos, cannot not to come back to Reid Elementary School until he gets rid of his Mohawk, a haircut in which the head is shaved on the sides and only a strip of hair is left on top and down the middle of the scalp. Superintendent Gregg Morris said the hairstyle was a distraction for students and violates district rules." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingKindergartener Suspended Over Mohawk Hairstyle

Europeans slammed by austerity measures now enraged by political corruption

"A wave of corrosive political scandals at a time of economic woe is exacerbating the outrage of European citizens, who are channelling resentment into street protests or at the polls. Italy, Spain and Greece have all been hit by fraud or graft cases allegedly involving the top brass. France joined the ranks of scandal-hit nations this week after its former budget minister was charged with tax fraud. In France, outrage over the budget minister scandal has yet to erupt into popular protests. But in some countries of southern Europe, which for several years have been hit by austerity measures more severe than in France, fury has coiled into potent blowback." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEuropeans slammed by austerity measures now enraged by political corruption

Canadian Senator’s husband’s offshore trusts exposed

"A prominent Canadian lawyer, husband to a Liberal senator, moved nearly $2 million to secretive financial havens while he was locked in battle with the Canada Revenue Agency over his taxes, according to documents in a massive leak of offshore financial data that were shared exclusively in Canada with CBC News. Tony Merchant of Regina transferred money to a tax haven in the South Pacific and then onward to an account in the Caribbean, according to the files. His wife, Senator Pana Merchant, as well as their three sons are named in the documents as beneficiaries of the funds." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCanadian Senator’s husband’s offshore trusts exposed