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U.S. – SRN News

Key informant defends role during Whitmer kidnap plot trial
on August 16, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Elvis death anniversary increases tourism at his birthplace
on August 16, 2022 at 4:20 pm
U.S. officials say Arizona, Nevada and Mexico will get less Colorado River water after reservoir levels hit critical low
on August 16, 2022 at 4:17 pm

World – SRN News

Three Syrian soldiers killed in Turkish air strike on military posts -state media
on August 16, 2022 at 6:55 pm
Tunisia constitution giving president wider powers comes into effect
on August 16, 2022 at 6:48 pm
Three Syrian soldiers killed, 6 wounded in Turkish air strike on military posts -state media
on August 16, 2022 at 6:29 pm

Politics – SRN News

Biden signs massive climate and health care legislation (AUDIO)
on August 16, 2022 at 8:52 pm
Biden’s emergency board delivers recommendations on railroad labor dispute
on August 16, 2022 at 7:32 pm
Biden signs $430 billion climate, healthcare and tax bill
on August 16, 2022 at 7:11 pm

Business – SRN News

Prime-time network, cable viewership for the week of Aug. 8
on August 16, 2022 at 7:34 pm
How major US stock indexes fared Tuesday 8/16/2022
on August 16, 2022 at 7:23 pm
Marketmind: Tencent’s Q2 results take center stage in Asia
on August 16, 2022 at 7:04 pm

Sports – SRN News

AP source: Jets’ Wilson has no additional damage to knee
on August 16, 2022 at 6:45 pm
Pirates’ Castro suspended 1 game for phone flap, he appeals
on August 16, 2022 at 6:29 pm
Tennis-More troubles for Osaka with first round loss at Cincinnati
on August 16, 2022 at 5:58 pm

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U.S. – SRN News

Prime-time network, cable viewership for the week of Aug. 8
on August 16, 2022 at 7:34 pm
NEW YORK (AP) — For the week of Aug. 8-14, the top 20 prime-time shows, their networks and viewerships: 1. “America’s Got Talent” (Tuesday), NBC, 6.45 million. 2. “60 Minutes,” CBS, 5.95 million. 3. “America’s Got Talent” (Wednesday), NBC, 5.5 million. 4. “Password” (Wednesday), NBC, 4.58 million. 5. “Celebrity Family Feud,” ABC, 4.51 million. 6. “Tucker Carlson Tonight” (Monday), Fox News, 4.26 million. 7. “Hannity” (Monday), Fox News, 4.24 million. 8. “Password” (Tuesday), NBC, 4.21 million. 9. “The $100,000 Pyramid,” ABC, 4.01 million. 10. “Big Brother” (Sunday), CBS, 3.95 million. 11. “Big Brother” (Wednesday), CBS, 3.86 million. 12. “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” ABC, 3.81 million. 13. “The Ingraham Angle” (Monday), Fox News, 3.7 million. 14. “Big Brother” (Thursday), CBS, 3.63 million. 15. “FBI,” CBS, 3.57 million. 16. “The Rachel Maddow Show” (Monday), MSNBC, 3.523 million. 17. “Tucker Carlson Tonight” (Tuesday), Fox News, 3.518 million. 18. “Press Your Luck,” ABC, 3.5 million. 19. “Hannity” (Tuesday), Fox News, 3.4 million. 20. “Tucker Carlson Tonight” (Wednesday), 3.36 million. Brought to you by www.srnnews.com
North Dakota board to reconsider nixing Pledge of Allegiance
on August 16, 2022 at 7:34 pm
FARGO, N.D. (AP) — The school board in North Dakota’s largest city will reconsider its decision to stop reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at each of its meetings, after the move drew widespread criticism and threats of retaliation from some conservative state lawmakers. Fargo Board of Education President Dr. Tracie Newman told board members in a memo that she believes the pledge should be reinstated because the onslaught of “negative local and national feedback” could cost time and resources ahead of the new school year. She called a special meeting for Thursday. The Fargo board voted 7-2 last week to nix a previous board edict from April to recite the pledge before each meeting. The board includes four newcomers from the June election. In deciding against reciting the pledge, the board said the move didn’t align with the district’s diversity and inclusion code, largely because it says “under God” in one phrase. Robin Nelson, one of two board members to vote against dropping the pledge, said no one complained after the panel started reciting the patriotic vow. But since last week’s vote the board has received “hundreds and hundreds of local and national emails and phone calls,” she said. She has heard personally from state lawmakers who have threatened to get even. “I knew it would be controversial. I knew the repercussions were quite predictable,” Nelson said. Republican Gov. Doug Burgum on Monday proposed a bill meant to “guarantee that the opportunity exists to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, as other states have done.” State Rep. Pat Heinert, one of three Republicans working with Burgum, wants to require all local boards and commission to recite the pledge. “It provides a good optic for civics in North Dakota,” said Heinert, a retired county sheriff. “We require people who come into our country to pass a civics test and that’s part of it. Elected government boards should be demonstrating that we believe in our own country. We believe in our Pledge of Allegiance.” The foray into local politics by state Republicans has drawn criticism from Democrats. Rep. Josh Boschee, of Fargo, the House minority leader, called warnings to cut programs or funding “the worst form of politics” and said Burgum’s proposal is inappropriate and not needed. “I have no reason to believe those threats are not real because I’ve heard threats like that in the halls of the legislature and in one-on-one conversations with my legislative colleagues,” Boschee said. He said boards that oversee schools, cities and counties constantly fear retaliation from the GOP-controlled Legislative Assembly “through the forms of public policy and funding threats.” Another Fargo lawmaker, Republican Rep. Jim Kasper, said he’s happy the board is taking a second look. “The makeup of the school board in the last election brought in five liberal-thinking members from what I recall,” Kasper said. “And so therefore, liberals have a different agenda than moderate or conservative people, whether they’re Democrat or Republican.” School board and City Council members in Fargo run on a nonpartisan ballot, which does not reveal party affiliation. Brought to you by www.srnnews.com
AGs: Lender heaped insurance plans onto unwitting borrowers
on August 16, 2022 at 7:13 pm
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A Maryland-based lender deceived its loan customers by selling them insurance policies they didn’t ask for or know about in many cases, the attorneys general of a handful of states claimed in a lawsuit filed Tuesday in federal court in Pennsylvania. The lawsuit filed by the attorneys general of the District of Columbia, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah and Washington alleges that Mariner Finance pressured its sales force to “add on” additional insurance coverage for customers seeking personal and other loans. “Mariner portrays itself as a community-oriented lender operating small, local branches with strong ties to its local geography. In reality, Mariner deploys aggressive, highpressure sales tactics, dictated by a profit-driven model that operates according to the famous maxim articulated in Glengarry Glen Ross: Always Be Closing,” the roughly 100-page lawsuit said. The suit seeks restitution for consumers as well as civil penalties and the repayment of profits among other consequences. A voicemail and email left with Mariner Finance have not been returned. The suit paints a picture of relentless internal sales goals and prodding messages from managers pushing workers to sell various kinds of insurance, including accident and credit insurance. It’s not something many consumers would expect, according to the suit, since Mariner bills itself primarily as a lender, not an insurance sales company. In 2019, Mariner sold nearly $122 million in premiums and fees for the so-called add-ons, not including interest, according to the suit. The average loan size was $3,650, with an average rate of 28%, the suit said. Added on insurance counted for $360 per loan, not including interest. “Since the premiums and fees are financed, these add-ons increase interest payments by an average of about $180 in interest to the loan, for a total added cost to the consumer of approximately $540,” the lawsuit said. The suit added that 80% of consumers, as of 2020, were were charged for added on insurance coverage. Most of the consumers interviewed by state officials as part of the lawsuit said they didn’t know the additional coverage was optional, that it cost more money or that they had an add-on at all. The loans, in many cases, were for consumers in difficult financial straits who had pressing financial needs, according to New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs Director Cari Fais. “Mariner’s practice of attaching costly add-ons to the loans of unwitting consumers doubtless plunged many already debt-ridden families into more difficult circumstances,” Fais said in a statement. Mariner operates 480 branches in 27 states and manages $2 billion in loans. Brought to you by www.srnnews.com