Federal Grand Jury Indicts Man for Endangering Airborne First Responders by Aiming Laser Pointer at Spokane County Aircraft

Spokane, Washington – A man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for pointing a laser pointer at a Spokane County Sheriff’s aircraft and Life Flight helicopter. The incident occurred on October 13, 2023, when the suspect, Johnny R. Blackstock, allegedly shone a laser pointer at the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Air One helicopter during a routine patrol. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington emphasized the gravity of pointing lasers at aircraft, stating that such actions could have life-threatening consequences. Law enforcement officials, as well as first responders involved in … Read more

Charleston Chemical Plant Faces Lawsuit for Endangering Over 150 Workers and Families with Mercury Exposure

Chattanooga, Tennessee – A chemical plant in Charleston, Tennessee is facing a ‘mass tort’ lawsuit, alleging that it knowingly exposed over a hundred workers and their families to hazardous levels of mercury, according to a lawsuit filed this week. The lawsuit, which already has more than 150 plaintiffs and is expected to grow, targets Olin Chlor-Alkali. The suit follows an investigation by the Tennessee Mercury Investigation (TMI), which is examining claims of potential mercury contamination resulting from the plant’s operations. Initially, the lawsuit highlights that the Olin Corporation’s Charleston facility used the mercury cell method, … Read more