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New Jersey Will No Longer Collect Loans From Families of Dead Students
After a ProPublica and New York Times investigation into New Jersey’s student loan program, Gov. Chris Christie stayed silent. On Monday, he signed a reform bill ending its most onerous practice.
Jury Awards $93 Million in Federal Fraud Case Against Allied Home Mortgage
Federal prosecutors win case against Allied six years after ProPublica detailed an extensive list of misconduct and government sanctions against the Houston firm.
Prosecutors in Portland Change Policy on Drug Convictions
No guilty plea for drug possession will stand in Multnomah County unless the preliminary police field tests used to make arrests are confirmed in a lab.
NYC To Put 3,000 Landlords On Notice: Comply With Law or Lose Tax Benefits
Reversing years of lax scrutiny, officials are seeking to enforce rent protections tied to the city’s single biggest housing subsidy.
NYC Lawmakers Push For Audits of Landlords Who Pocket $1.4 Billion Tax Break
Legislation introduced in City Council on Wednesday would require the city’s housing arm to audit 20 percent of buildings receiving the benefit. Violators would have to return the money.
Facebook Says it Will Stop Allowing Some Advertisers to Exclude Users by Race
Facebook says it will build a system to prevent advertisers from buying credit, housing or employment ads that exclude viewers by race.
Defense Lawyers in Las Vegas Consider Formal Challenge to Use of Field Tests in Drug Prosecutions
Local defense bar explores options after ProPublica investigation showed that police and prosecutors continue to use flawed drug tests in sending thousands to jail.
New York City Police Receptive to Some Reforms of Nuisance Enforcement
At a City Council hearing, police brass show flexibility on controversial tool for quality of life actions.
New Jersey Lawmakers Vote to Forgive Dead Students’ Loans
A bill ending the state loan agency’s practice of seeking repayment from the families of deceased students now heads to Gov. Chris Christie.
U.S. Labor Department: States Are Failing Injured Workers
A new Department of Labor report says cuts to state workers’ comp systems have left injured workers with inadequate benefits and raises the specter of federal oversight. The findings echo those of a ProPublica and NPR investigation last year.
In Major Settlement, States Gang Up to Strike Deal with Soldier-Suing Company
The Virginia-based company was the focus of a 2014 ProPublica investigation of its lending and collection practices.
Oklahoma’s Top Court: Companies Can’t Set Own Rules for Injured Workers
A national campaign led by Walmart, Lowe’s and other big companies to let employers opt out of workers’ comp insurance was dealt a blow after the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled such plans unconstitutional.
Dozens of New York Officials Support Tenants’ Lawsuit Over Rent Stabilization
Tenants have sued a Lower Manhattan developer, saying their leases should have been rent-stabilized in exchange for the tax breaks their landlord received. State and local officials have now filed a brief supporting the tenants, whose case could affect thousands of rental units.
New Jersey Legislators Move to Reform Aggressive Student Loan Program
The move is the latest action to rein in the agency, whose loans have left families financially ruined.
Company That Sued Soldiers Settles Colorado Lawsuit
The Virginia-based company was the focus of a 2014 ProPublica investigation of its lending and collection practices.
New Jersey Senate Examines Controversial Student Loan Agency
Executives from student loan agency are no-shows at oversight hearing.
Federal Health Officials Seek to Stop Social Media Abuse of Nursing Home Residents
After ProPublica identified dozens of cases of dehumanizing photos posted on social media sites, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced a plan to increase its oversight to prevent and punish such abuse.
Lawmakers to Question Executive of New Jersey’s Controversial Student Loan Agency
A ProPublica and New York Times investigation has prompted a state Senate hearing on aggressive collection practices by the state loan program.