$2B a Year In Food Stamp Trafficking Fraud in U.S.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Foundation for Government Accountability just released a report that says $2 billion a year is lost in food stamp trafficking fraud nationwide.

Trafficking is defined as exchanging cash for food stamp benefits at a discount.

In 2013, authorities in Michigan disrupted a ring of food stamp trafficking that total millions of dollars in transactions in a single year. It involved “runners” who got Bridge cards and sold the benefits at a discount to various Detroit businesses.

In Michigan, Bridge cards must not be used to purchase lottery tickets, alcohol, or tobacco, or for gambling, or illegal activities. There are designated fast food restaurants around Michigan that take Bridge cards. Click here to read more.

 

USDA to Halt Federal Funding to States Not Sharing SNAP Data

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced that the U.S Department of Agriculture would halt federal funding to states that refuse to share their data on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to root out fraud.

During a cabinet meeting of the Trump administration, Rollins highlighted the accomplishments of the USDA and spoke about the fraud the agency had discovered within SNAP. Rollins also shared that in February, states were asked to “turn over their data to the federal government to let the USDA partner with them to root out” fraud, and that only 29 states had shared their data. Click here to read more.

 

Conservative professor slams 0 grade for Oklahoma student’s biblical essay as punitive: ‘very inappropriate’

A conservative professor in the University of Wisconsin system weighed in on the recent controversy surrounding Samantha Fulnecky, a University of Oklahoma student who received a zero out of 25 on an essay assignment after invoking the Bible.

“To give a zero on an assignment like this, especially the way that the assignment was worded, I think really, unless there’s something I’m missing ... I feel like it has to be punitive,” said UW-River Falls professor Trevor Tomesh.

Tomesh, who made it clear that he speaks for himself, and not on behalf of his university or the University of Wisconsin system, said that in his classroom, to give a student a zero requires outright cheating on behalf of the student, or simply not turning in the assignment. Click here to read more.

 

Lawmaker Seeks to Prevent Colleges From Discriminating Against Homeschoolers

Rep. Mark Harris, R-N.C., has introduced a bill to ensure homeschoolers aren’t discriminated against in college admissions.

“No student should ever face discrimination or disadvantage during the college admissions process simply because they were homeschooled,” Harris said. “Yet, many universities still treat homeschoolers as second-class applicants by requiring excessive documentation and additional testing.”

The Higher Education Act currently defines an “institution of higher education” as one that admits students with a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent. However, the law refers to homeschoolers as “Students Who Are Not High School Graduates.” Click here to read more.

 

Private companies have raised millions to block the sun. What could go wrong?

For as little as $1, you can dim the sun — just a tiny bit — to save the world from climate change.

At least, that’s the promise sold by a California start-up called Make Sunsets. Your dollar will pay for founder Luke Iseman to drive a Winnebago RV into the hills half an hour outside Saratoga, California, to release a balloon loaded with sulfur dioxide, an air pollutant normally spewed by volcanic eruptions. He and his 1,000 paying customers hope the balloon will burst in the stratosphere, releasing particles that will block sunlight and cool the planet.

Iseman’s sun-blocking activities — which aren’t officially approved by any government on Earth, but aren’t illegal under California law — are an example of a controversial tactic called “solar geoengineering.” It has been the subject of many science fiction stories and conspirach theories and at least one U.S spy report warning that it could spark real-world wars. Click here to read more.

WEXFORD COUNTY, Mich. — The biological mother and stepfather of Rebecca Park were arraigned Tuesday on a series of felony charges tied to Park’s death, which investigators say occurred while she was near full-term pregnancy.

Cortney Bartholomew, 40, and her husband, Brad Bartholomew, 47 each face eight counts, including first-degree premeditated murder, felony murder, torture, assault of a pregnant individual, conspiracy, unlawful imprisonment and removing a body without the medical examiner’s permission. Both were ordered held without bond.

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Their initial court appearance was scheduled for Monday in 84th District Court but was postponed. Prosecutors cited the seriousness of the charges and concerns the couple may flee if released.

RELATED LINK: Fiancé of Missing Pregnant Wexford County Woman and Her Sister Are In Custody After Body Found in Manistee National Forest

Authorities launched a search for Park on Nov. 21 after she was reported missing. Four days later, investigators discovered her body in a remote section of the Manistee National Forest in Wexford County. An autopsy later confirmed the remains were Park’s. The baby she was reportedly carrying was not found with her.

The Michigan State Police and the Wexford County Sheriff’s Office continue to investigate the circumstances of Park’s death. The cause of death has not yet been released, and the search for the infant is ongoing.