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Illinois Judge Refuses to Block Law Limiting Credit Card Swipe Fees on Tips and Taxes, Banking Groups Vow to Fight On

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In a significant legal ruling, a federal judge on Thursday refrained from halting an Illinois law designed to limit certain charges by credit card companies, which is set to alter transaction fee structures statewide. These companies typically impose “swipe fees” on merchants for processing credit and debit card payments. Last spring, the Illinois Legislature enacted the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act, a pioneering law that prohibits these fees on the taxation and gratuity portions of credit and debit card transactions, effective from July 1. This legislative move, part of the state’s budget resolution, … Read more

State Attorneys General to Sue Elon Musk for Unlawful Access to Federal Payment Systems

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A coalition of 14 state attorneys general, representing major states like California and New York, announced plans Thursday to initiate legal actions against Elon Musk and certain members of his team. These authorities allege that Musk and associates are illegally tapping into highly sensitive government payment systems, jeopardizing vast amounts of personal and financial data of millions of Americans. Officials assert that this unauthorized access orchestrated by Musk’s informal group, named the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is part of their broader effort to implement significant cuts in federal spending as instructed by President Donald … Read more

Birmingham Citizens’ Jury Redefines Future of City Museums with Community-Centric Recommendations

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Birmingham, United Kingdom — The Birmingham Museums Trust has taken an innovative step towards engaging the local community with its cultural heritage by convening a citizens’ jury last year. This grassroots initiative aimed to gather insights and recommendations to enhance the city’s museums, reflecting a growing trend across the UK where institutions seek to deepen public involvement in the cultural sector. Over several months, the Birmingham Museums Trust collaborated with Shared Future, a community interest company, to gather 28 diverse participants from the Birmingham metro area. These individuals, representing a broad spectrum of society, devoted … Read more

Campus Conflict: Ohio University Grapples with New Anti-Trans Bathroom Law and Federal Cutbacks on Diversity Programs

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Athens, Ohio – A new Ohio law, SB 104, which was signed into law on November 25 and takes effect on February 25, has sparked controversy among students and faculty at Ohio University. The legislation bans transgender individuals from using bathrooms that align with their gender identity within educational institutions from kindergarten through universities in Ohio. This development comes in conjunction with an executive order signed by President Donald Trump aiming to terminate what he referred to as “radical and wasteful” government-funded Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. The university, known for its diverse community … Read more