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Chicago Mayor Proposes Reforms That Would Make Life Easier for Thousands of Black and Low-Income Drivers
After more than a year of reporting from ProPublica Illinois and WBEZ, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced ticketing changes and said she would support legislation to change state law — beginning to make good on a campaign promise.
Legisladores de Illinois exigen que funcionarios de protección infantil mejoren servicios para familias hispanohablantes
Oficiales estatales dicen ahora que quieren contratar más empleados bilingües y reclutar más familias de acogida hispanohablantes.
Illinois Lawmakers Demand Child Welfare Officials Better Serve Spanish-Speaking Families
State officials now say they want to increase bilingual hiring and the recruitment of Spanish-speaking foster families.
Revelations About a Secret Facebook Group Spawn Investigation of 70 Current and Former Border Patrol Employees
Top officials with Customs and Border Protection said the investigation was prompted by revelations that agents had posted racist and misogynistic Facebook memes. But they declined to say whether any top officials have been suspended from duty.
Judge Orders Expanded Oversight for Mentally Ill New Yorkers In Supported Housing
A report released this week, commissioned after a ProPublica and Frontline investigation, found that not enough residents were covered by an incident reporting system, among other gaps.
Nonprofit Christian Hospital Suspends Debt Collection Lawsuits Amid Furor Over Suing Its Own Employees
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare is reevaluating its policy after an MLK50-ProPublica investigation found that it had filed 8,300 lawsuits in the past five years, including against many of its own employees.
Chicago Can’t Hold Impounded Vehicles After Drivers File for Bankruptcy, Court Says
A federal appeals court said the city’s aggressive legal strategy, aimed at discouraging motorists with unpaid ticket debt from filing under Chapter 13, violated the basic protections of bankruptcy, and the city was doing so mostly to generate revenue.
Millionaire CEO of Nonprofit Hospital That Sues the Poor Promises Review of Policies
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare promised a policy review after an investigation by MLK50 and ProPublica found it had sued 8,300 patients — including its own employees — over medical debt. Its CEO has not responded to our questions.
ACLU Sues Pennsylvania State Police, Alleging They’ve Overstepped in Acting as Immigration Authorities
A federal lawsuit filed on behalf of 10 Latino plaintiffs by the ACLU echoes findings in an investigation published last year by ProPublica and The Philadelphia Inquirer.
More Than Me Shuts Down
The American charity, which runs 19 schools in Liberia, announced this week that it will close in the wake of a ProPublica investigation into the rapes of girls in its care.
California Legislators Urge Caution, but Greenlight a Plan That Could Lead to the Widespread Use of Forestry Offsets
Influenced by a ProPublica investigation, they emphasized the need for “vigorous and proactive monitoring,” noting concerns long voiced by scientists about the integrity of carbon credits.
After Serious 911 Mishaps, Rhode Island Will Now Pay for Better Training
Lagging rates of cardiac arrest survival and bystander CPR in Rhode Island could soon improve if lawmakers approve a budget allocating $220,000 to strengthen 911 call taker training.
Task Force on Tickets and Debt Suggests Reforms but Needs Chicago’s Mayor and City Council to Finish the Work
A report from the Chicago Fines, Fees & Access Collaborative responded to many of the problems ProPublica Illinois and WBEZ Chicago revealed.
Congress Scraps Provision to Restrict IRS From Competing With TurboTax
The change comes after ProPublica highlighted the deceptive marketing practices of Intuit, the maker of TurboTax, and other major tax prep companies.
Citing “Safety Concerns,” FDA Cautions National Marketer of Unproven Stem Cell Treatments
This month, we reported R3 Stem Cell was promoting unapproved birth tissue products for a wide range of diseases. This week, the FDA put the company on notice.
Senators Call for Disclosure of Perks and Fees Paid to Health Benefits Brokers
A ProPublica story in February documented the hidden cash and gifts health insurers pay to influence independent brokers. In new proposed legislation, lawmakers say such fees should be revealed to employers.
Texas House Unanimously Votes to Create Governor’s Task Force on Sexual Assault
The bill’s lead sponsor, Rep. Donna Howard, credits an investigation by Newsy, Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting and ProPublica for spurring reforms.
Once Defiant, All Four White Supremacists Charged in Charlottesville Violence Plead Guilty
Guilty pleas last week by two prominent members of the Rise Above Movement came after pledges to fight federal charges and claims that those jailed were political prisoners punished for their controversial views.
Senior IRS Leaders Launch Review of Agency’s Partnership With TurboTax and H&R Block
Both the IRS and its inspector general are investigating the partnership with the tax software industry in response to ProPublica’s reporting.
Elizabeth Warren and Other Senators Call for Refunds and Investigations of TurboTax and H&R Block
In letters to the IRS and the FTC, the senators are seeking inquiries into whether the companies have deceived customers and violated restraint-of-trade laws.
