FBI reportedly seized child pornography web site, improved it, and boosted visitors from 11,000 to 50,000 a week before conducting a sting to arrest users by hacking their computers to reveal their identities. Could this also be done to rights activists or opposition political parties? http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/fbis-massive-porn-sting-puts-internet-privacy-in-crossfire/
President Obama commutes the sentences of 111 more federal prisoners, bringing the total to 673, most of whom were convicted for possessing, making or trafficking drugs. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/08/30/obama-commutes-sentences-of-111-inmates-setting-record-for-a-single-month/
But still no commutation for Leonard Peltier, the American Indian Movement activist who is now 71 and has served 40 years in prison in a case riddled with questionable evidence and legal proceedings. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/native-american-activist-jailed-40-years-shaky-prosecution-article-1.2654197
Establishment Democrats win Florida primary races, defeating Sanders supporters Tim Canova and Congressman Alan Grayson. http://www.wsj.com/articles/sen-marco-rubio-rep-patrick-murphy-win-florida-primary-races-to-face-off-in-november-1472602681
A fifth elite, east-coast prep school reports sexual misconduct by employees with students. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/31/us/investigation-finds-phillips-faculty-engaged-in-sexual-misconduct-with-students.html?_r=0
New Jersey Governor Christie vetoes $15 minimum wage bill. http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/08/christie_vetoes_democrats_15_an_hour_minimum_wage.html
East Chicago’s mayor upset with EPA over agency’s response to massive lead contamination in Calumet neighborhood. Hundreds of children reportedly found to have elevated lead levels, families evacuated. http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/e-c-officials-accused-epa-of-breaking-trust-in-lead/article_f5980b21-069c-5fd4-8890-f209363bb296.html
Department of Defense employees allegedly charged $100,000 spent at “adult entertainment” clubs and almost $1 million spent at casinos to their government charge cards, were not disciplined. http://time.com/4472824/pentagon-spending-strip-club-casino/
Florida voters approve tax breaks for solar panels. http://miami.cbslocal.com/2016/08/30/amendment-4-would-make-solar-cheaper-for-property-owners-2/
French Prime Minister says exposed breasts are a French symbol of freedom, and so burkinis should be banned. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3765305/French-PM-Valls-sparks-anger-saying-naked-breasts-Marianne-monument-symbol-French-republic-justification-burkini-ban.html
Ohio law regulating non-surgical abortions resulted in a 292% increase in complications says study. http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-abortion-complications-ohio-20160830-snap-story.html
Documentary about westerners fighting with Kurdish leftists in Syria to premier at Venice Film Festival in Italy. http://www.newsweek.com/2016/09/09/who-are-western-fighters-against-isis-kurds-syria-494449.html
DARPA reportedly funding research on hacking “enemy” networks, tracking “targets”. http://www.computerworld.com/article/3114139/internet-of-things/darpa-sees-iot-and-ai-as-weapons-to-dominate-wars.html
Some of the most conservative states are receiving the most money from the federal government. http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/08/30/austerity-mad-red-states-received-more-federal-aid
67 rights groups demand that Department of Justice penalized police departments that fail to report deaths in custody. http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/08/30/police-still-not-reporting-deaths-custody-and-new-doj-rule-wont-help-groups
Investor-State Dispute Settlement system included in trade treaties is allegedly biased in favor of corporations and is being gamed by some companies. http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/08/30/how-isds-playground-ultra-wealthy-corrupt-and-criminal
Large insurance companies call on governments to stop subsidizing fossil fuel production, call climate change “the mother of all risks”. http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/08/29/mother-all-risks-insurance-giants-call-g20-stop-bankrolling-fossil-fuels
Arkansas woman allegedly jailed 7 times over unpaid court fines and fees that accrued from one $29 overdraft, claims she has paid more than $600, still owes $1,300 more. http://www.rawstory.com/2016/08/arkansas-woman-jailed-in-debtors-prison-for-the-7th-time-over-a-single-29-bounced-check/
Three former employees of Trump Model Management say they worked illegally for the company while in the U.S. on non-work visas. Two say they were coached to lie when entering the country. One claims she was charged $1,600 a month for a bunk bed in a room she shared with five other women. http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/08/donald-trump-model-management-illegal-immigration
Florida voters fire “cruelest prosecutor in America”, Angela Corey. http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/08/30/a-lock-em-up-prosecutor-goes-down-in-fl.html
Progressive News Service 