In the News

Here is some stuff in the news today!

FuckWinter moves south, into parts of the US that are wholly unprepared for this sort of weather. I hope that employers prioritize safety and warmth, and allow people to stay home.

"The minimum wage is going to rise for over 500,000 American workers whether Congress likes it or not. In Tuesday's State of the Union address, President Obama will announce a unilateral executive action to raise the minimum hourly pay that companies that receive federal contracts must offer, a victory for workers who have been walking off the job at federal facilities in Washington D.C. since last spring." I am genuinely happy to hear the minimum wage is being raised for federally subcontracted workers, although $10.10 is still hardly a livable wage, so.

SCOTUS strikes again: "A group of Indiana steelworkers is disappointed that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled against an attempt to win pay for the time it takes to put on and take off protective gear. The lawsuit was filed by workers from U.S. Steel's Gary Works, arguing their work day was extended by up to two hours because of the time it takes to get dressed with flame-retardant jackets and other items and then travel to their work stations. The Supreme Court was unanimous Monday in ruling in favor of the company."

In news that will surprise no one: "More than a quarter of U.S. families are burdened by having to pay for medical care, and almost one in six struggle to pay health care bills, federal researchers reported on Tuesday. The 2010 Affordable Care Act is designed to reduce the burden by getting health insurance to more Americans. But the report from the National Center for Health Statistics shows that even families with health insurance can struggle to pay bills."

"What if the battalions of lawyers, pundits, and politicians have missed the easiest—and possibly best—argument against 'corporate religious liberty rights' in the high-profile legal cases that challenge the contraception mandate in the Affordable Care Act?" This is a terrific article by Imani Gandy and you should definitely go read it!

"56 Democratic Lawmakers Back Hillary Clinton in 2016." Ha ha I am definitely tired of the 2016 election already, and it is only 2014!

Jonathan "Mike Ehrmantraut" Banks has joined the Breaking Bad "Better Call Saul" prequel series.

And finally: RIP Pete Seeger.