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Education Department Recommends Killing Accreditor of For-profit Colleges
U.S. Education Department staff are moving to terminate the oversight authority of embattled for-profit college accreditor, ACICS, citing “egregious” mistakes.
Sen. Warren Slams For-profit College Accreditor for ‘Appalling Record of Failure’
Warren released a detailed report today on embattled for-profit accreditor, ACICS, urging federal government to take “aggressive” action.
Germany Waves ‘Auf Wiedersehen’ to Costly Wall Street Tax Scheme
The country’s lawmakers have enacted legislation to halt complex stock-lending deals detailed in a ProPublica investigation last month.
Nonprofit Hospital Stops Suing So Many Poor Patients: Will Others Follow?
A story by ProPublica and NPR and a Senate investigation prompt a Missouri nonprofit hospital to change its policies and forgive thousands of patients’ debts. But without similar scrutiny, it’s unclear if other hospitals that sue the poor will change.
Prosecutor Targets Commerzbank for Deals That Dodge German Taxes
Officials in Frankfurt, Germany’s financial capital, have launched an investigation into tax avoidance trades enabled by the country’s second-largest bank.
German Finance Minister Cries Foul Over Tax Avoidance Deals
The German government may not be able to recover billions of dollars in lost dividend taxes from complex stock-lending deals that benefited U.S. and other foreign investors.
Alabama Lawmakers Limit Drug Prosecutions in Pregnancy
Authorities could no longer charge a pregnant woman with child endangerment for taking a drug prescribed by her doctor.
FDA to Massachusetts Group Home: Stop Shocking Disabled Residents
The government questions whether The Judge Rotenberg Center has been straight with families about the risks of its electrical shock devices and alternative treatments.
Federal Government Finally Forgives Billions in Debt of Students Who’ve Become Disabled
The move comes after a ProPublica investigation that documented how the government was making it hard for disabled borrowers to get their loans forgiven.
NYPD Gets Sued After Kicking Wrong Family Out of Home
The suit challenges the NYPD’s use of controversial nuisance abatement actions. It cites ProPublica and The Daily News’ investigation into the issue.
Attorneys General Come Down on Accreditor of For-profit Colleges
Citing ProPublica’s reporting, twelve attorneys general called on the federal Department of Education to revoke the recognition of the quasi-regulator.
Council Member Pushes Habitat for Humanity to Restore Homes to Displaced Families
ProPublica showed last week how the charity had used federal funds to acquire vacant buildings, but some had been occupied just days before the charity moved to acquire them.
New York Top Court Revives Suit Against Hospital That Let Man’s Death Be Filmed
Mark Chanko’s family sued NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and one of its doctors for allowing a TV crew to film his death without permission. A lower court had thrown the case out, but the New York Court of Appeals revived it.
Another Senator Calls for Action on Social Media Abuse of Nursing Home Residents
The move follows a ProPublica report that identified some three dozen incidents since 2012 in which dehumanizing or degrading photos of residents were posted on social media sites.
Senator Asks Privacy Regulators to Stop Abuse of Nursing Home Residents on Social Media
ProPublica reported in December about three dozen inappropriate posts by employees of nursing homes and assisted living centers. A top Democrat wants details on efforts to combat the trend.
Verizon to Pay $1.35 Million to Settle Zombie Cookie Privacy Charges
The settlement is the latest sign that the FCC is stepping up privacy enforcement actions.
Corporate Campaign to Ditch Workers’ Comp Stalls
An Oklahoma commission ruled that a state law allowing companies to “opt out” of workers’ comp and write their own plans was unconstitutional while similar bills in other states lose steam.
NYPD to Change How Police Use Nuisance Abatement Law
Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said New York City is retreating from the practice of locking out tenants before they even see a judge.
