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The blame game surrounding Boeing’s 737 Max debacle
Michelle R. Matisons Transportation Technology & AutomotiveOct. 29 marked one year since the Lion Air crash of a Boeing 737 Max 8 that killed 189 people in Indonesia. We can directly blame a company’s financial priorities, company employees who decided to leave information out of training manuals, an agency that watched its inspection autonomy wither over decades, or investors pressuring Boeing to compete with France’s Airbus. Or, we can blame all of the above. The international public and crash victims’ families have initiated investigations, released a report, and are pursuing legal action. But will safety concerns trickle down to real-world changes?
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Be mindful of these common violations as deer season begins
John McAdams Recreation & LeisureThe turning of the calendar from October to November means that the start of the general deer season has arrived in most of Texas. However, especially when taken in combination with all the recent changes to hunting regulations, the start of deer hunting season on Nov. 2 also means that game wardens will probably be very busy for the next few weeks. Here are a few hunting violations hunters commonly get in trouble for. Keep these things in mind to ensure that you don’t inadvertently run afoul of the law while you’re out hunting.
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Law enforcement officers increasingly receive advanced cybersecurity training
Bambi Majumdar Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityWe are more vulnerable than ever to online fraud, scams, theft, and abuse. Stringent cybersecurity measures go hand in hand with increased law enforcement capabilities that are essential to safeguarding individuals and businesses. Departments across the country are signing up for advanced training sessions that teach officers how to investigate crimes involving advanced technologies, dismantle darknet marketplaces, and thwart cybercriminals.
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VA’s Adaptive Sports Grant Program awards millions
Roy Phillips Civil & GovernmentThe Department of Veterans Affairs recently announced that it has awarded $14.8 million in grants for adaptive sports in 2019. The funds were distributed to organizations that support adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans and current service members who are disabled. 126 organizations and 11,000 veterans are expected to benefit from the grants. The grants were made, primarily to veterans service organizations, municipalities, and community-based groups.
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Infographic: Understanding marijuana laws, state-by-state
Brian Wallace Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityMarijuana laws are changing across the country. On an almost daily basis, more states are discussing the legalization of marijuana, especially related to drug testing in the workplace. Some states have fully legalized marijuana while other states have only legalized it medicinally. Do you know if your state allows employers to drug test for marijuana? This infographic includes more information on the most lenient and strictest marijuana laws, state by state.
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California’s PG&E risks outages amidst bankruptcy
Michelle R. Matisons Waste Management & EnvironmentalRecently, the legally embattled Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) agreed to pay billions to compensate for faulty equipment-induced wildfire damages throughout the state of California. Last week, the company instituted power outages as a proactive way to prevent wildfires. Conveniently, any front-end money saved in the outages can go towards back-end damage expenses, which keep accruing as the company collaborates with meteorologists and the National Weather Service to suspend services in the name of wildfire prevention.
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E-scooters: A blessing or a curse?
Dave G. Houser Transportation Technology & AutomotiveOnce serving only as children’s toys, scooters have taken on a new life these days in cities across America. Powered by compact lithium-ion batteries, these stubby little two-wheelers have become the latest adult solution to urban congestion. The popularity of e-scooters is understandable. Foremost, they are easy and fun to ride. Eco-sensitive riders laud the fact that they produce no emissions and constitute a minimal carbon footprint. Nonetheless, the massive influx of e-scooters has created a groundswell of controversy. Critics cite safety issues, decrying scooters as risky to both riders and pedestrians.
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Why law enforcement needs to be wary of using legal CBD products
Bambi Majumdar Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityThe rise of CBD products has been a huge trend in 2019. People are using CBD to alleviate pain, sleeplessness and relaxation, among other ailments. However, it seems not everyone is free to use them. Federal employees, state employees, law enforcement officers, and those with security clearances have all been warned against CBD use. Even though CBD has been made legal, CBD products could have THC in them. If officers test positive, their jobs could be at risk.
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Federal court ruling could produce fresh air in more ways than one
Michelle R. Matisons Waste Management & EnvironmentalFrom fossil fuel extraction to wilderness and pollution protections, legal environmental battles continue to be a most memorable Trump-era hallmark. While it’s a mixed bag of tricks overall, a recent federal ruling upholding EPA standards provides a breath of fresh air in ongoing environmental struggles that require staying power in the epic battle against climate catastrophe. Recently, pollution reduction requirements for states producing smog that "travels" across state lines were upheld among a three-judge panel in a federal appeals court.
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Travel2020: Saudi Arabia tourism visa represents a final frontier for travelers
Lark Gould Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementMuch as a woman in a niqab may show her face for a flash before veiling under the dark of her robes, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been exposing slivers of tourism possibilities to the west and then masking them again in a play of calculated flirtation — until now. Travelers have long held the Kingdom as a bucket list destination. But, until now, Saudi Arabia remained off-limits for all but the most hardened travelers. All that changed in September.
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