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Iran confrontation sparks fears of a new military draft
Tory Barringer Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityAs the United States and Iran square off on the world stage, news sites and social media alike are lit up over the possibility of further escalation between the two countries. Perhaps no site experienced as much of a traffic surge as the online home of the Selective Service System (SSS), the executive agency in charge of providing manpower to the U.S. military in the event of a new draft. In the days following the American missile strike that killed Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, the Selective Service site actually crashed under the deluge of web traffic from young men curious — and maybe fearful — about the possibility of mandatory service.
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Top 3 ‘getting off the X’ myths about shooting on the move
Mike Ox Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityOne of the most important rules in a gunfight is to avoid being in the path of incoming rounds, and one of the popular sayings is that you need to "get off the X." But that's where bumper-sticker answers do us a disservice and cause us to buy into training myths about shooting on the move. As an example, some say that you should point your "finger gun" at a friend, have him walk around and see if you can keep pointing at him.
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Select sanctuary counties in Colorado refuse ‘red flag’ gun…
Michelle R. Matisons Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityAs we ring in the new decade, new state laws ring in as well. Colorado offers a case study, with a "red flag" law that was contested and upheld in the state Supreme Court. Not everyone was happy about the court’s decision, and a largely right-wing phenomenon with potential nonpartisan appeal — gun sanctuary counties — was the result. Leave it to Colorado to be immersed in controversial gun reform legislation.
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New drug testing rule targets applicants for unemployment benefits
Grace Ferguson Civil & GovernmentOn Oct. 4, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor published a final rule giving states more freedom to expand the number of people who must pass drug tests in order to qualify for unemployment benefits. Those who fail the test would be disqualified from receiving unemployment assistance. Note that unemployment benefits are paid for by employer — and, in some states, employee — payroll taxes and are generally granted to employees who lose their job through no fault of their own. Before we explore the new rule, let's take a trip down memory lane.
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A look at marijuana policing trends and why they matter
Bambi Majumdar Law Enforcement, Defense & SecuritySome say that there is a generational war over American cannabis laws going on right now. While many states have legalized marijuana and cannabis-based businesses are flourishing, there are instances of illegal pot causing havoc around the country. In recent news from California, the city of Rancho Cordova and Sacramento County underwent a massive crackdown on illegal marijuana operations that hurt legal cannabis businesses. The pot police, as these investigators are colloquially termed, have seized over 3,100 marijuana plants in Rancho Cordova alone.
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Medical professionals weigh in on minors’ right to consent to immunizations
Sheilamary Koch Medical & Allied HealthcareAs outbreaks of preventable diseases, namely measles, have become relatively commonplace in recent years, some physicians are supporting laws that would give adolescents the right to choose to be vaccinated over parental objections before the age of 18. The issue of conflicting viewpoints on vaccines between parents and teens hit the national media in March when Ohio high school senior Ethan Lindenberger shared his experience of trying to get vaccinated despite his mother’s objections in his testimony before a Senate committee.
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Think the California Consumer Privacy Act doesn’t apply to you? Think…
Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementThe California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) of 2018 goes into effect Jan. 1. One way to describe it is as California's answer to the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Though there are significant differences in the specifics, both the CCPA and GDPR will and have had significant impacts on business. Before you dismiss either as irrelevant to your organization, here are a few things to consider.
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USMCA covers international labor rights, leaves out climate change
Michelle R. Matisons ManufacturingAfter a recent deal between the White House and Democrats in the House of Representatives, an updated version of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) — the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) — will likely be approved by Congress, albeit not imminently. How are trade relations and prevailing concerns for labor, the environment, and human rights addressed in the USMCA?
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Bills requiring baby changing tables in men’s restrooms become more…
Scott E. Rupp Facilities & GroundsPieces of legislation mandating that men's public restrooms include a baby changing station continue to gain support. If all goes according to plan in Wisconsin, the state could soon join others in doing so, reports Milwaukee's WTMJ-TV. Two state representatives and a state senator — all men — have introduced the bill requiring the changing tables in any newly built or substantially renovated public building. Massachusetts is looking at a bill, too. Similar bills have passed in Arizona, Utah, California, Illinois, and New Mexico.
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What’s the best distance to practice at for self-defense? It’s…
Mike Ox Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityI see the debate of how far out to put the target almost every time I go to a range during public hours. Should I put it at 21 feet because of the "21-foot rule?" Should I put it at 11 feet since half of law enforcement fatalities happen within 11 feet? Should I put it at nine feet since an "average" self-defense encounter happens within three yards, lasts three seconds, and three rounds are fired? The answer is a little simpler and a little more flexible than you may think.
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