AaronKase.com

“Indescribably insane”: A public school system from hell. Pennsylvania's right-wing governor drains public schools of basic funds -- and the sickening details will shock you. Governor Corbett cut $1 billion in basic education aid first thing when he came into office in 2011. Since then the Philadelphia School District has had to jump from one band-aid fix to another. This year they barely have enough to even open the schools, but still the state turns its back. The pattern is clear: Defund the district, then use its fiscal crises to say it is failing and shouldn't get any more money. If the state can break the teachers union in the process, all the better. And if thousands of children are left uneducated, so be it.

August Lawyers.com

8/1: Man Refuses To Grant Ex-Wife Official Jewish Divorce

8/2: Lesbian Widow Can Recieve Survivor Benefits, Judge Rules

8/5: Mentally Ill May Own Assault Rifles in South Carolina

8/5: Michael Jackson Not an Addict, Bodyguard Testifies

8/7: Dating Service Pays Out $900,000 for Anti-Male Discrimination

8/7: Homeowners Try To Keep Snooki Away from Jersey Shore

8/7: Ex-Boy Scouts File Suit After Abuse by Prolific Molester

8/8: Consider Carefully Before Signing a Nursing Home Contract

8/9: Group Says Penn. Sunday Hunting Ban Violates Constitution

8/12: Jacko’s Family Was Concerned About Drug Use, Brother Says

8/12: Boston Gangster Whitey Bulger Found Guilty

8/14: Passengers Can Sue Cruise Lines for Crimes Aboard Ship

8/14: Demise of DOMA May Not Help Gay Couples Seeking Divorce

8/15: Marriage Equality Battle in Penn. Wages on Multiple Fronts

8/15: Beauty Queen Bomber Arrested in Utah

8/16: NBA Star Dwyane Wade Out $10 Million in Divorce Legal Bills

8/19: Topless ‘Activist’ Freed After Baring Breasts at Jersey Shore

8/19: Judge Says Baby Can’t Be Named Messiah Because He Isn’t Jesus

8/19: Michael Jackson May Have Been Drug-Seeker, Ex-Wife Testifies

8/21: Whistleblower Lawsuit Claims Medicare Fraud by Pharma Firm

8/21: New Jersey Bans Gay Conversion Therapy

8/22: Transit Authority Not Liable for Dead Man on Bus

8/22: Google Says Your Emails Aren’t Private

8/23: Oklahoma Lawsuit Could Derail Obamacare

8/23: Lawsuits Challenge NC Voter Suppression Laws

8/26: Penn State Settles First Sandusky Molestation Suits

8/26: Key Details on Doctor Emerge in Michael Jackson Trial

8/26: Appeals Court Tosses Montana’s Firearms Freedom Act

8/27: Justice Department Sues Texas for Voter Suppression

8/28: UPS Cites Obamacare in Ending Spouse Health Coverage

8/28: Judge Blocks Ariz. Attempt To Defund Planned Parenthood

8/29: NFL Agrees to Pay $765 Million for Player Concussions

8/30: New Plaintiff Joins Horrific Illinois School Hazing Suit

July Salon.com

Found guilty of the worst bowel movement ever.
The First Circuit Court of Appeals criminalizes pooping in your pants. This is not a joke. A poor man shit himself while walking into a federal courthouse in Maine and went to the bathroom to try to clean up. He did a terrible job, leaving 75 percent of the floor covered in feces and smearing it on the walls, toilet and towel dispenser. A judge threw him in jail for a week for his loose bowels. The opinion is hilariously graphic, with comparisons to chunky peanut butter and spaghetti with meat sauce.

July Lawyers.com

7/1: Suppression Laws Flourish After Death of Voting Rights Act

7/1: Michael Jackson’s Son Takes Stand in Trial’s 9th Week

7/2: Landlords from Hell Sentenced in San Fran Rent Crisis

7/2: Gun Makers Bail on Connecticut, Citing Harsh Firearm Laws

7/3: Snowden Twists in the Wind as Government Attacks Whistleblowers

7/3: New Gun Laws In Effect in Colorado, Other States

7/3: Obamacare Employer Coverage Requirements Delayed

7/8: Expert Says ‘Red Flags’ Raised on Michael Jackson’s Doctor

7/9: 1,110 Federal Benefits for Same-Sex Couples with DOMA Gone

7/10: Sidewalk Chalk Protesters Get Thrown in Slammer

7/10: Boston Marathon Bomber Pleads Not Guilty

7/11: Wikipedia Fertile Ground for Libel

7/12: New App Blocks Government Spying on Your Calls and Texts

7/12: Judge Blocks Mississippi Open Carry Law Indefinitely

7/15: Director Wanted To Stop Michael Jackson’s Tour Production

7/16: Private Militia Patrols Public Land in Wisc. Northwoods

7/17: Texas at Forefront of Email Privacy Laws

7/18: Anti-Abortion Laws Continue to Proliferate

7/22: Miss. ‘Gentlemen’s Club’ Settles Dancers’ Discrimination Suit

7/22: Michael Jackson’s Mother Testifies in Wrongful Death Trial

7/23: Developers Liable for Flooding of Florida Homes

7/24: Detroit Bankruptcy Likely To Rob Retirees of Pension Benefits

7/24: Task Force Examines Racial Bias in ‘Stand Your Ground’ Laws

7/25: ‘Stand Your Ground’ Means More Homicides

7/25: Fugitive Busted After Posting Comments on His Own Wanted Notice

7/26: Target Facing Lawsuit for Racist Management Instructions

7/29: Michael Jackson Hid Drug Use, Promoters Allege

7/29: Man Faces Jail Time for Drinking $100,000 of Historic Hooch

7/30: Michael Jackson’s Doctor Given Get Out of Jail Free Card

7/31: Legal Online Poker Slowly Spreading State by State

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

June Salon.com

The End of Sockeye Salmon?
A massive mine proposal could wipe out half of the world's remaining wild population. Pebble Mine is set to become the largest open pit mine in North America. Unfortunately it would sit at the headwaters of the world's greatest remaining salmon fishery and threaten catastrophic consequences for the fish population. Fishermen, environmentalists and native people are fighting back, asking the EPA to intervene and stop the copper mine before it's too late.

June Lawyers.com

6/3: Police Can’t Peer in Windows Without a Warrant, Court Rules

6/3: CEO of Concert Promoter Admits He Paid Michael Jackson’s Doctor

6/3: Cops Don’t Need Warrant To Swab DNA, Supreme Court Rules

6/3: The Assault on Reproductive Rights Part 1: All-Out Attacks

6/5: Man Faces Murder Charges in Pit Bull Attack

6/6: The Assault on Reproductive Rights Part 4: Fighting Back

6/7: Cops Will Need a Warrant To Track Your Cell Phone in Maine

6/7: ABA Hears Stand Your Ground Testimony in Philadelphia

6/10: Non-Latino Coaches Sue MLS Team Chivas USA for Discrimination

6/10: Concert Promoter Calls Michael Jackson’s Family Extortionists

6/11: Who Can You Sue If Your House Is Full of Mold?

6/12: Oklahoma Tort Reform Law Struck Down by Court

6/12: Massive Government Spying Program Prompts Lawsuits

6/13: Kentucky Landlords Responsible Injuries from Leaky Roof

6/13: Texas Escort Killer Acquitted of Murder

6/13: Boston Gangster Whitey Bulger Trial Holds Opening Arguments

6/14: HuffPo Smearing of Senate Candidate Not Libel, Court Says

6/17: Papa John’s Settles Text Spamming Suit for $16.5 Million

6/17: AEG CEO Quotes Michael Jackson’s Ghost During Trial

6/17: Supreme Court Strikes Down Strict Ariz. Voting Requirements

6/17: FTC Can Sue Big Pharma for Pay to Delay, Supreme Court Rules

6/18: Indiana Intimidation Law Challenged on Free Speech Grounds

6/18: How Much Will Rupert Murdoch’s Wife Get in Their Divorce?

6/19: Amanda Knox Sex Game Theory Back in Play, Court Rules

6/19: San Francisco Suing Over Ammo Magazine Repair Kits

6/20: Ghost Rider Copyright Lawsuit Revived in Federal Court

6/21: Don’t Be Fooled by Abusive Debt Relief Companies

6/21: Home Burglar Gets Stuck in Mud, Calls Tow Truck for Help

6/24: Bite Mark Forensic Evidence Leads to False Convictions

6/24: Supreme Court Rules Against Affirmative Action

6/24: Michael Jackson Didn’t Sleep for Two Months Before his Death

6/24: No Lawsuits For Defective Generic Drugs, Supreme Court Rules

6/25: Supreme Court Adds Obstacles to Discrimination Lawsuits

6/25: Supreme Court Guts Voting Rights Act

6/26: Defense of Marriage Act Thrown Out by Supreme Court

6/26: Supreme Court Allows Gay Marriage To Resume in California

6/27: No Right to Privacy When it Comes to Stolen Property

6/28: Supreme Court Adds Obstacles to Employee Retaliation Claims

6/28: How To Avoid Government Spying

Monday, July 1, 2013

May Lawyers.com

5/1: Foreclosure Scams Rampant in Florida

5/2: You Can Still Get Fired for Smoking Pot in Colorado

5/2: Maryland Medical Marijuana Law Signed by Governor

5/3: Sheriff Joe Costs Maricopa County Another $1.4M in Lawsuits

5/3: Michael Jackson Wrongful Death Trial Wraps Up First Week

5/6: NBA Star Steve Nash Tries To Duck Child Support Payments

5/7: Woman Sues Doctor for Surprise Tube-Tying Procedure

5/8: Can Kids Be Sentenced to Life in Prison?

5/8: James Holmes To Plead Insanity for Aurora Theater Massacre

5/9: Could Casey Anthony Be Tried Again for Murder?

5/9: States Abolishing Death Penalty at Record Pace

5/10: NJ Gov. Vetoes Employer Facebook Password Request Ban

5/13: Small Companies in Colorado Can No Longer Discriminate

5/13: State Dept. Orders 3D-Printed Gun Plans Taken Offline

5/13: Goliath Beats David as Court Rules for Monsanto Over Farmer

5/14: O.J. Simpson Seeks New Trial for Memorabilia Robbery

5/14: Minnesota Gov. Signs Marriage Equality into Law

5/15: Who Owns the Rights to “To Kill a Mockingbird”?

5/16: Kobe Bryant in Legal Battle With Mom over Memorabilia

5/17: Blood Alcohol Content Limit for DUI Could Drop to .05%

5/20: Jaden Smith Walks Back Request for Emancipation from Family

5/20: Lost and Found Emails Could Be Smoking Gun in MJ Trial

5/20: Vermont Gov. Signs Death with Dignity Bill

5/21: Family Sues Hospital for Violating Do Not Resuscitate Order

5/22: Supreme Court to Decide on Prayer in Public Meetings

5/23: Questionable Methods Used in Preparing Mentally Ill for Trial

5/23: Boy Scouts Lift Ban on Openly Gay Members

5/28: Wal-Mart Tries to Quash Gender Bias Suit in Wisconsin

5/28: Tears, Emails and $24 Million Blown at Michael Jackson Trial

5/29: Judge Orders Sheriff Joe to Stop Racial Profiling

5/30: Red Light Cameras Cause More Accidents, Study Shows

5/31: Lawsuit Alleges Anti-White Discrimination in Philly DA’s Office

Monday, May 27, 2013

April Lawyers.com

4/1: Nitwit Posts Drinking and Driving Video to Internet

4/1: Congress Sneaks Pro-Monsanto, Anti-Consumer Bill into Law

4/1: James Holmes To Face Death Penalty for Aurora Massacre

4/1: Easter Bunny Pulled Over for Defying Calif. Helmet Laws

4/3: Calif. Workers May Be Charged for Selling Sewer Jewelry

4/3: Junior Seau Lawsuit Joins NFL Concussion Class Actions

4/5: It’s Illegal to Resell iTunes Songs Online, Court Rules

4/5: Man Sues His Maybe-Wife for Vicious Housecat Attack

4/8: Straw-Purchaser of Gun Charged in Death of Colo. Prison Chief

4/9: Wrongful Termination Suit Filed in Rutgers Basketball Scandal

4/9: Porn Star Jenna Jameson Gets Rough, Then Spanked by Friend

4/11: Do Police Need a Warrant to Track Your Cell Phone?

4/12: You May Have to Pass a Drug Test to Get Unemployment

4/15: Drivers Can’t Use Map Apps on Road, California Court Rules

4/15: Don’t Get Screwed by Your Spouse on Tax Day

4/16: Philly Security Guards Protest Wage Theft by Employer

4/16: Are Organizers Liable for Injuries in Boston Marathon Explosions?

4/16: Mistrial in Case of New York Cleaver Killer

4/17: No Warrantless Blood Tests in DUI Stops, Says Supreme Court

4/17: Senate Rejects Bill To Close Gun Background Check Loophole

4/18: One Slur Enough to Bring Racial Harassment Case, Court Rules

4/18: Aurora Theater Lawsuits Can Proceed, Judge Rules

4/22: Lawyers Claim Carnival Nightmare Cruise Employees Overworked

4/22: It’s ‘Guilty Until Proven Innocent’ for the Falsely Accused

4/24: Owner Says It’s ‘Finders, Keepers’ in Case of Stolen Renoir

4/25: Amazon Workers Want Pay for Time Spent at Security Checkpoint

4/25: New Kansas Abortion Law Among Most Restrictive in the Nation

4/26: Death with Dignity Laws May Spread in 2013

4/29: How To Fight False Criminal Charges

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

March Lawyers.com

3/1: Dunkin’ Donuts Seeks to Limit Employees’ Obamacare Coverage

3/1: Violence Against Women Act Awaits Obama’s Signature

3/4: Carnival Nightmare Cruise Triggers Class Action Lawsuit

3/5: Class Actions Filed Over Watered-Down Budweiser

3/6: Pink Driver’s Licenses for NC Immigrants

3/7: Don’t Get Ripped Off by Short Sale Scammers

3/7: Should Public School Money Pay for Religious Education?

3/8: Schoolyard Bullies Facing Criminal Charges

3/11: Nightmare Cruise Not the First Carnival Debacle

3/11: Laughing Too Loudly Could Get You Arrested

3/12: University Sued for Gruesome Attack by Deranged Student

3/12: Not Guilty Plea for Accused Aurora Gunman James Holmes

3/13: Violence Against Women Act Signed into Law

3/14: Saying Sorry Might Help Your Bankruptcy Case

3/14: Deion Sanders Gains Full Custody of Kids in Bitter Divorce

3/15: More Gun Laws Means Fewer Gun Deaths, Study Says

3/18: Did New York Appeals Court Kill the Prenup?

3/18: Supreme Court Weighs Ariz. Restrictions on Voter Registrations

3/19: Zip Codes Are Private Info, Says Massachusetts Supreme Court

3/19: Supreme Court to Decide if Generic Drug Makers Can Be Sued

3/20: N.M. Court to Decide if Gays Can Be Refused Service

3/20: Michigan Granny Guilty of Murdering Grandson

3/21: Texas May Soon Allow Subpoenas Served Via Facebook
3/21: Maryland Concealed Carry Law OK, 4th Circuit Rules

3/22: Historic Gay Marriage Cases Before Supreme Court Next Week

3/25: Fraternity Facing Lawsuit for Alcohol Hazing Death

3/25: Can Big Pharma Pay To Keep Generics Off the Market?

3/26: Dogs Can’t Sniff Your Door Without a Warrant, Court Says

3/26: Will Supreme Court Punt on Gay Marriage Case?

3/27: Supreme Court Could Strike Down Defense of Marriage Act

3/28: Cops Sued for Searching Cell Phones Without a Warrant

3/29: Supreme Court Doubles Up On Affirmative Action Cases

Monday, March 11, 2013

Kate Puzey's Story

Kate Puzey was a popular, outgoing 24-year-old who loved being a Peace Corps volunteer in West Africa. She taught English at a village school in Benin and fought tirelessly for girls' empowerment and opportunity. But when she discovered a dark secret in her village, she knew she needed to take a stand-- a decision that would ultimately cost her life.

For a limited time, read the whole story here. If you would like to support the reporting, please consider purchasing a copy for your eReader at Smashwords.com. If you would like to support girl's education and empowerment in Benin, consider donating to the Kate's Voice Action Network.