Dean, a former Boeing employee, has passed away due to a sudden and aggressive infection. His death comes just two months after the reported suicide of another Boeing whistleblower, John Barnett. Dean, who was terminated by Spirit in April 2023, believed his firing was in retaliation for exposing critical flaws in the plane's design.
Linda Johnson, a former general manager at a Wendy’s in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, faces charges for allegedly embezzling over $20,000 by creating a fictitious employee named William Bright. Johnson reportedly set up the "ghost employee" to siphon off wages intended for non-existent staff.
Vince McMahon, the head of WWE, has been accused of sexual assault, trafficking, and physical and emotional abuse in a lawsuit filed by a former employee of the wrestling organization. Last year, WWE merged with the mixed martial arts company UFC, with both entities now owned by TKO Group Holdings.
As politicians in Washington and New York City grapple with the challenges posed by a surge in asylum seekers, companies like Tyson Foods Inc. are seizing the opportunity. With a U.S. unemployment rate of 3.9%, Tyson Foods is turning to this new influx of immigrants to fill difficult and less desirable positions.
When it comes to financial misconduct, there are numerous documented cases that confirm its existence. From the Enron scandal to instances of lobbyists and politicians engaging in illegal self-serving actions, or even municipal officials embezzling funds, history has shown that unethical financial practices do occur. So, if you ever suspect that significant financial transactions may be ethically questionable, you can rest assured that such transgressions have been known to happen.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) heightened the urgency of the recall on Friday after initially announcing it on August 15. The updated classification indicates that the affected apple juice may cause temporary adverse health effects, although it is unlikely to result in serious or long-term medical issues.
The recall involves 9,535 cases of Great Value brand apple juice sold in 25 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. The recall was voluntarily initiated by Refresco Beverages US Inc., a Florida-based manufacturer after the company identified elevated levels of the chemical contaminant that surpassed industry standards in the six-packs of 8-ounce (227-gram) juice bottles.
"The health and safety of our customers is always a top priority," said Walmart spokesperson Molly Blakeman. "We have removed this product from our affected stores and are collaborating with the supplier to conduct a thorough investigation."
According to the National Institutes of Health, inorganic and organic arsenic are traceable in many food products. Routine testing is conducted since even slightly elevated levels of these compounds can lead to symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, numbness, and muscle cramping.
The FDA notes that inorganic arsenic, which is more toxic than the naturally occurring organic form, poses a greater health risk. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified inorganic arsenic as a carcinogen, a substance that can cause cancer.
Despite the elevated levels found in the recalled apple juice bottles, the FDA does not anticipate severe health consequences from this exposure. So far, the FDA has not received any reports of illnesses related to the apple juice recall.
On the August 13 episode of The Ingraham Angle, Fox News host Laura Ingraham, along with Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo, presented misleading narratives regarding U.S. oil production and the fossil fuel industry's impact on the economy. They claimed that the Biden administration had "banned more drilling and exploration on federal lands," suggesting that this was negatively affecting job creation and the economy.
However, these claims are contradicted by the latest data. According to Politico, the United States is producing more oil than any country in history, with an abundance of natural gas driving down prices. Moreover, oil production on federal lands has seen a significant increase during the Biden administration, with an uptick of approximately 530,000 barrels per day since 2020, as reported by E&E News.
Politico also highlighted that U.S. oil production recently set a new record, averaging 13.4 million barrels per day. This represents a 5% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
Interestingly, despite this surge in production, employment in the oil and gas extraction sector has dropped by nearly 20% since 2019. This decline isn't due to a lack of drilling or government restrictions, but rather the industry's increasing reliance on efficiency and automation. As Greg Upton, executive director of Louisiana State University's Center for Energy Studies, explained, "You just need fewer workers to produce more oil."
These facts not only challenge but dismantle the narrative pushed by Fox News. The reality is that record-breaking oil production and declining job numbers coexist due to technological advancements, not government policy. Ingraham’s and Bartiromo’s assertions fail to account for the rapidly changing dynamics of the energy workforce.
Furthermore, their narrow focus on expanding fossil fuel production ignores the urgent necessity of transitioning to renewable energy sources, a shift that is crucial for addressing the escalating climate crisis and could pave the way for new, sustainable job opportunities.
Vice President Kamala Harris is set to introduce an ambitious economic plan aimed at easing the financial burden on American families by addressing key expenses such as housing, groceries, and child-rearing costs.
A central feature of the plan is a significant expansion of the child tax credit. Under Harris's proposal, low- and middle-income families could receive up to $6,000 for each new baby, alongside the restoration of the pandemic-era benefit that provided up to $3,600 per child. This move aligns with Republican proposals, including one from Vice Presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance, who has suggested a $5,000 child tax credit.
While President Joe Biden has faced challenges in gaining recognition for his economic policies, particularly in reducing prices, polls indicate that Harris fares better in voter confidence on economic issues. During a campaign stop in Las Vegas on August 10, Harris acknowledged the ongoing issue of high grocery prices, stating, "While our economy is doing well by many measures, prices for everyday things like groceries are still too high. You know it and I know it."
Harris's plan also targets housing affordability. In Raleigh, North Carolina, she will deliver her campaign's first major policy address, where she plans to propose tax incentives that could lead to the construction of 3 million new housing units within four years. This exceeds the Biden administration's current proposal of 2 million new and renovated homes. Harris's proposal includes unspecified tax breaks for homebuilders focusing on first-time buyers and affordable rentals, along with a $40 billion fund to support local governments in financing housing developments, doubling the Biden administration's $20 billion proposal.
Additionally, Harris will advocate for a $25,000 down payment assistance program for first-time homeowners, which could benefit over 4 million buyers. This plan is more generous than Biden's State of the Union proposal, which offered a $10,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers.
On the corporate front, Harris will emphasize her commitment to challenging corporations that profit excessively from consumers. Drawing from her experience as California's attorney general, she will pledge to fight corporate price gouging, particularly by landlords and pharmaceutical companies. Harris plans to propose an extension of the $35 insulin price cap to all Americans, not just seniors, and a $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs.
Harris's campaign also indicates she will support legislation restricting tax breaks for corporate investors purchasing homes and banning the use of algorithmic data by rental property owners to increase rent prices. Regarding grocery prices, Harris will advocate for a federal ban on price gouging in the food sector, with a particular focus on meat prices. She will argue that the concentrated meat processing industry is a significant factor driving up grocery costs and commit to more aggressive investigations and prosecutions of price-fixing in the meat supply chain.
The plan also proposes empowering the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general with the authority to investigate and penalize corporations that keep grocery prices high instead of passing savings to consumers. Additionally, Harris's administration would scrutinize mergers in the food sector to ensure they do not lead to higher grocery prices.
A recent study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) suggests that Cheerios and Quaker Oats may contain chlormequat, a pesticide associated with infertility in animals.
Despite not being approved for use in food grown within the United States, researchers discovered chlormequat in 77 out of 96 urine samples collected between 2017 and 2023, with a notable increase in concentration observed in 2023. Additionally, EWG's findings from last year indicated the presence of chlormequat in 92% of oat-based foods tested, including popular brands like Cheerios and Quaker Oats.
While chlormequat is not directly applied to crops in the U.S., its presence in wheat products and egg powder can result from high temperatures during food processing. Since 2018, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has permitted the importation of oats, wheat, barley, and certain animal products treated with chlormequat, even raising the allowable limit of the pesticide in oats in 2020.
General Mills, the manufacturer of Cheerios, asserts that its products comply with all regulatory requirements, according to a spokesperson's statement to Verywell. Alexis Temkin, PhD, a senior toxicologist at EWG and lead author of the study, stresses the need for continued monitoring of chlormequat in food and its potential impact on human health, citing concerns raised by animal studies.
While studies on humans are lacking, research on animals has shown adverse effects of chlormequat on reproductive health and hormone levels. Although the EPA considers current levels of chlormequat safe based on animal studies, concerns persist regarding its potential impact on human health.
To minimize exposure to chlormequat, consumers can opt for USDA Certified Organic products, as organic oats are cultivated without the use of most synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. However, the EWG study indicates that even some organic oat-based foods may contain traces of chlormequat, underlining the need for continued vigilance in food choices.
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A novel ATM scam has emerged, targeting Chase Bank customers in San Francisco. In this deceptive ploy, criminals applied glue to the card reader, compelling victims to use the tap feature and subsequently draining their accounts. Despite falling prey to this scheme, customers faced denial from the bank when filing claims.
Joey Mularky, a victim of this scam, decided to take matters into his own hands after the bank rejected his claim. Recounting the incident, Mularky described how he encountered a glued card slot at a Chase Bank ATM. A helpful stranger advised him to tap his card, purportedly due to a malfunction. Unbeknownst to Mularky, this set the stage for the scammers.
Upon returning to the same ATM, Mularky withdrew $60, only to notice the same individual present again. Sensing something amiss, he proceeded with another withdrawal, and the suspicious man approached closely. The aftermath revealed multiple unauthorized withdrawals totaling $1,640 from Mularky's account.
Several other victims shared similar experiences, recounting encounters with the glued card reader and subsequent unauthorized transactions. Despite the victims' pleas, Chase Bank dismissed their claims, asserting that there was no evidence of a scam. The bank contended that customers had authorized the withdrawals.
Frustrated by the lack of assistance, Mularky undertook his investigation. He observed the same suspect lingering near the ATM and covertly recorded a video of the individual engaging in the scam with someone else. However, even armed with this evidence, Chase Bank initially refused to acknowledge it as proof of Mularky's victimization.
Upon media intervention, Chase Bank reviewed Mularky's case and issued a refund. The bank extended similar restitution to other scam victims but remained silent on its investigative processes. Chase Bank vaguely mentioned implementing changes to its ATMs for customer protection without specifying the nature of these modifications.
Victims speculated that scammers might have observed their PIN entries by exploiting the close proximity during transactions or employing hidden cameras. While relieved to have his money returned, Mularky stressed the importance of thorough investigations and adherence to legal requirements.
Consumer advocates emphasized the significance of banks incorporating surveillance video evidence in their investigations, as mandated by law. The incident sheds light on the vulnerabilities of current ATM systems and underscores the need for robust security measures to protect customers from evolving scams.
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Payless ShoeSource executed a clever marketing stunt by creating a fake luxury brand called Palessi, enticing fashion influencers to pay exorbitant markups of up to 1,800 percent for the retailer's shoes. The bargain store set up a temporary, high-end store in Los Angeles, featuring gold mannequins and a statue, and invited 60 influencers to its launch party. These fashion insiders, recruited from the street and social media, unknowingly paid prices ranging from $200 to $645 for shoes typically sold by Payless for $19.99 to $39.99.
The influencers praised the supposed luxury brand's design and quality, unaware that the shoes were from Payless. The elaborate prank aimed to challenge perceptions and remind consumers of Payless's combination of stylish relevance and affordability. The participants were later informed of the stunt, and while they received refunds, they were allowed to keep the shoes.
DCX Growth Accelerator, the advertising agency behind the campaign, strategically chose the name Palessi, playing on the cachet of Italian design. The campaign's goal was to bring Payless back to its roots of appealing to pragmatic American consumers, highlighting the contrast with elite fashion brand prices. The stunt underscores the power of branding in shaping perceived value and resonating with cultural codes, according to Doug Cameron, DCX Chief Creative Officer. The campaign, featuring stunned influencers, is set to air on cable networks throughout the holiday season.
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Despite Amazon's assurances that its Echo devices only record conversations when triggered by the wake word "Alexa," a Portland resident, Danielle, discovered otherwise. She requested an investigation after an Alexa device recorded a private conversation between her and her husband, sending it to a random contact in their address book without permission. Danielle received a call from her husband's colleague, warning them that they were being hacked and to unplug their Alexa devices immediately.
Initially skeptical, Danielle realized the severity of the situation when the colleague mentioned details from their conversation about hardwood floors. Feeling invaded and questioning her trust in the device, Danielle decided never to use it again. Amazon confirmed the incident, apologized and termed it an "extremely rare occurrence."
In an updated statement, Amazon explained that the Echo device mistakenly woke up due to a word resembling "Alexa" in the background conversation. The subsequent conversation was misconstrued as a "send message" request, leading Alexa to ask aloud, "To whom?" The background conversation was then interpreted as a name in the user's contact list, and Alexa asked, "[contact name], right?" Amazon acknowledged the improbability of this sequence of events and stated they were exploring options to minimize such incidents.
Despite Amazon's insistence that this was a malfunction rather than evidence of constant listening, the company has filed patent applications for features involving continuous listening, such as an algorithm to analyze when users say they "love" or "bought" something. The patent included a scenario where individuals having a phone conversation received separate targeted advertisements afterward.
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Over the weekend, tens of thousands of deceased fish washed ashore along the Texas Gulf Coast, creating a shoreline littered with decaying carcasses and prompting local authorities to advise against visitation.
On Friday, waves from the Gulf of Mexico carried in vast numbers of dead fish, creating a grim spectacle in Brazoria County, located over 40 miles south of Houston, according to officials at Quintana Beach County Park.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department attributed the mass fish mortality to low levels of dissolved oxygen in the water, a condition making it challenging for the fish to breathe. Termed a "fish kill," such incidents are common during the summer when temperatures rise, the state department noted.
Although no direct link to climate change has been established in this particular occurrence, researchers caution that fish kills may become more frequent with rising temperatures and decreasing oxygen levels in lakes across the United States and Europe.
Dissolved oxygen levels in water typically rise through photosynthesis, a process where plants convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into oxygen. When there is less sunlight, as occurs at night, photosynthesis slows or halts, while the consumption of oxygen by aquatic plants and animals continues unabated, leading to a reduction in oxygen concentration, as explained by Texas Park and Wildlife officials.
The Gulf menhaden, commonly used as bait by fishermen, was the species most severely impacted by this fish kill, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife.
By Sunday evening, efforts had largely cleared Quintana Beach of the deceased fish, with only some remaining that machinery couldn't remove, according to county officials.
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