Photo of the Week
Thanks to three Maryland Transportation Authority officers (pictured in the center), traffic was swiftly shut down on the Francis Scott Key Bridge when news of a mayday call came from the cargo ship.
From ABC News:
The officers -- Sgt. Paul Pastorek, Cpl. Jeremy Herbert and officer Garry Kirts -- said in a joint statement, "You train for years to respond to tragedy as an officer, but no amount of training could have prepared anyone for the events that took place on the Francis Scott Key Bridge."
"We were proud to carry out our duties as officers of this state to save the lives that we could, and we are grateful for the incredible amount of support from this community that we love so much," they said. "While your messages and outreaches are so appreciated, we respectfully ask for privacy at this time as we mourn the lives of those lost and spend time with those we hold dear."
SCOTUS to Review ‘Abortion Pill’ Distribution
The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) reported that today the Supreme Court will review the legal distribution of mifepristone. This follows the 2020 Dobbs decision, which eliminated federal abortion protections, and led to greater availability and use of mifepristone. Despite state bans on abortions, mifepristone remains accessible, especially via mail, with abortions still prevalent. Republican politicians and pro-life groups hoped to reduce abortions post-Dobbs, but medication abortions now constitute most terminations and come with their own risks, such as infection and hemorrhaging.
The case questions FDA rules facilitating mifepristone access since 2016. Legal battles intensified after a Texas judge suspended pill use, later partially upheld by an appeals court.
Earlier this month, The Washington Times reported on the case’s litigants:
Erin Hawley, senior counsel with the Alliance Defending Freedom, said the FDA eased restrictions on the abortion pill’s distribution in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act.
The FDA had moved to limit the number of in-person doctor visits needed to obtain the drug and also allow it to be used longer into pregnancy. The changes have led to more women ending up in emergency rooms, according to Ms. Hawley’s client, Dr. Christina Francis, CEO of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
“This particular case is not about access, but just making sure that if women are going to take these drugs, that there is some minimum requirement of safety,” said Ms. Hawley.
Dr. Francis said, “Women, regardless of the fact of whether they are seeking an abortion or not, deserve excellent health care and that’s not what they are seeing right now because of the FDA’s actions.”
DEI Mandate’s Negative Impact on Apprenticeship Work
At Fox News, former Small Business Administration Administrator Linda McMahon wrote that the Biden administration’s DEI mandates threatens successful apprenticeship programs with increased red tape and costs. Released quietly, the 800-page proposal has raised concerns among businesses, state agencies, and trade groups.
She wrote:
Unfortunately, the Biden administration’s new proposal risks relegating apprenticeships to a last-resort option for businesses. Many pieces of the proposed rule are concerning, but three in particular represent some of the most problematic changes.
First, the proposed rule removes flexibility for businesses that run apprenticeship programs and imposes a one-size-fits-all structure. Today, businesses have three options when evaluating apprentices’ successful completion of their programs: a time-based approach, which requires the apprentice to complete a certain number of hours of training; a competency-based approach, which requires the apprentice to achieve certain skills; or a combination of the two.
This new rule removes the competency-based approach entirely and instead requires all apprentices to complete a minimum of 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and 144 hours of classroom instruction. This not only increases costs for businesses that can train apprentices in less time but also demoralizes talented workers who can achieve competency quickly.
Despite recent growth in apprenticeship programs, the proposal could stall progress and discouraging businesses and potential workers from participating in much-needed trades.
Birkin or Bust! Finally, Some Justice for the Little People!
The Economic Times reported that Tina Cavalleri and Mark Glinoga filed a class-action lawsuit against Hermes in San Francisco, alleging the luxury brand reserves highly sought-after bags like the Birkin only for top-spending customers, breaching antitrust laws. The plaintiffs claim Hermes unfairly restricts access to these bags, implying discriminatory practices.
From the Economic Times:
The lawsuit says that Cavalleri "has spent tens of thousands of dollars at Hermes, and had been coerced into purchasing" other Hermes items, described as "ancillary products," before she was given a chance to buy a Birkin bag.
Glinoga, who is also identified as a California resident, had no luck when he tried to buy a Birkin bag, the suit says. An Hermes sales associate instructed him "to purchase other items and accessories" at the store before he would be considered as a potential customer for the much sought-after item, according to the suit.
A new one retails for upward of $10,000; vintage examples have fetched as much as $450,000 at auction.
Good luck finding a sympathetic jury!
Dinner and a Show
We’ve really been enjoying the series The Gentlemen on Netflix! We’re about halfway through the series and I hope there’s a second season.
For dinner, I had to pick something with bavette (aka flank steak) since we learned of our favorite cut’s fancier name from a Guy Ritchie pub menu. Of his recent steak-heavy diet, Ritchie said, “I spend most of my life expanding. But I'm on contracting mode at the moment.” He added that for a treat, “They do these healthy bars, like dates, cashew nuts, they've got just enough naughtiness in them to keep you entertained but not enough to get you in trouble.”
Like this show! I can confirm that RXBars can get you through tough times 😆
This Bavette with Chimichurri recipe looks promising because it also gives a nod to Ritchie and David Beckham’s favorite chef. As the author says, “And if it’s good enough for David Beckham and Guy Ritchie, it’s good enough for me.”
Definitely will check out The Gentlemen.
Steak Yes! Support our ranchers.