| TTLA STATEWIDE PAC DRIVES: All IN TO WIN |
In order to WIN in 2018, we need EVERY TTLA member to support the TTLA PAC. So, we are holding a series of “ALL IN TO WIN” PAC Fundraising Drives. We‘ll be calling every TTLA member to ask them to contribute at least $7 a month to the PAC. Please join us on one (or more!) of these days to get every TTLA member engaged in our political efforts. Volunteers are the key to our success, and all you have to do is choose a day, RSVP and then SHOW UP. We will give you all the tools you need to be successful. Click on the headline to RSVP!
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| Risky Antipsychotic Drugs Still Overprescribed In Nursing Homes |
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A study published Monday by Human Rights Watch finds that about 179,000 nursing home residents are being given antipsychotic drugs, even though they don't have schizophrenia or other serious mental illnesses that those drugs are designed to treat. Most of these residents have Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia. The study concluded that antipsychotic drugs were often administered without informed consent and for the purpose of making dementia patients easier to handle in understaffed facilities. Researchers focused on six states, including California and Texas, which have the most skilled nursing facilities.
Ina Jaffe (Morning Edition), National Public Radio02/06/2018    |
| Read Article: National Public Radio |
Editorials/Columns/Letters
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| Editorial: Nassar Case Shows Predatory Power of Secret Settlements |
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Confidential settlements in sex offense cases are a major reason why predators ’=80=94 whether Catholic priests, Harvey Weinstein or Bill Cosby ’=80=94 were able to hide sexual harassment or assault for so many years. Public knowledge is a powerful key to setting off an avalanche of reports to authorities and, ultimately, action against serial abusers.
Editors, USA Today02/06/2018 |
| Read Article: USA Today |
| NTSB Looks At Disabled Signals, Locked Switch In Latest Deadly Amtrak Crash |
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Railroads are facing a deadline at the end of this year to fully install the technology. A decade ago, Congress mandated the systems be used on passenger and freight railroads nationwide after a commuter train In Los Angeles slammed into a freight train in 2008, killing 25 people. The railroads initially were given until 2015 to develop and implement the safety system, but many of them balked at the cost and complexity of creating it. When it became clear that few, if any, could meet that date, Congress pushed the deadline back to end of 2018 for installing equipment trackside and on locomotives, and until 2020 for implementation for some railroads.
DAVID SCHAPER, National Public Radio02/06/2018 |
| Read Article: National Public Radio |
| For Nassar Accusers From Michigan State Teams, Feelings of a Trust Betrayed |
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Among the hundreds of sexual-abuse victims of the former U.S.A. Gymnastics doctor Lawrence G. Nassar, the ones who have received the most attention have been brand-name Olympians. But a subset of the more than 256 reported victims whom the Michigan attorney general‘s office counted last week were Michigan State athletes at the time they say they were abused. Their stories provide a stark window into how Dr. Nassar was able to capitalize on his status and reputation, the credibility of his university and even the inherent pressure of college sports to exploit adult women even after questions about his conduct had been raised.
MARC TRACY, The New York Times02/06/2018 |
| Read Article: The New York Times |
| Judiciary Closes Kozinski Misconduct Probe, Saying It Can't 'Do Anything More' |
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The Second Circuit Judicial Council on Monday said it will take no action on a sexual misconduct complaint against former federal appellate judge Alex Kozinski because his retirement deprived the panel of any authority to “do anything more.” “Because Alex Kozinski has resigned the office of circuit judge, and can no longer perform any judicial duties, he does not fall within the scope of persons who can be investigated under the [Judicial Conduct and Disability] Act,” the council stated in an order published Monday. Kozinski, a former chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, was accused of sexual misconduct in December by six former clerks or staffers, including former clerk Heidi Bond.
Marcia Coyle , Law.com02/06/2018 |
| Read Article: Law.com |
| Injured Dakota Access Pipeline Protester Files Suit |
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An injured Dakota Access Pipeline protester has filed a lawsuit seeking the return of her clothing and shrapnel from her injury. According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff was injured in a blast as pipeline protesters and law enforcement clashed at the Backwater Bridge in November 2016. The plaintiff suffered injury to her arm and was eventually flown to a trauma center in Minneapolis for treatment. The lawsuit alleges unlawful deprivation of property, lack of due process and unreasonable seizure.
Jack Dura, Bismarck Tribune02/06/2018 |
| Read Article: Bismarck Tribune |
| Union Accuses SWA of Trying to 'Steal' $25K Donated to Wrongly Fired Mechanic |
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When Ken Hackett was fired from his mechanic job with Southwest Airlines in February 2017, his fellow employees passed the hat to help him get by, eventually raising $25,000 through the crowdfunding website GoFundMe. Nearly a year later, Hackett was reinstated to his job after an arbitrator ruled he” been unjustly fired. Southwest was ordered to cover Hackett‘s back pay, minus any income he” earned from other sources during the time he was fired. In the eyes of Southwest, that income includes the $25,000 raised for Hackett by his coworkers, according to a letter sent by Hackett‘s union on Friday that accuses the Dallas-based airline of trying to deduct that amount from his back pay.
Conor Shine, The Dallas Morning News02/06/2018 |
| Read Article: The Dallas Morning News |
| Swallowed Button Batteries a Concern with 'Fidget Spinners' |
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Swallowed button batteries from flashing “fidget spinners” can lead to severe injuries in young children, doctors warn. Some types of fidget spinners include light emitting diodes (LED) that run on button batteries. A new report details two cases in which young children suffered burns to the esophagus after ingesting batteries from the toys.
Shereen Lehman, Reuters02/06/2018 |
| Read Article: Reuters |
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