The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is still having issues interpreting the First Step Act (FSA), which was enacted in December 2018 under Donald Trump. As Trump returns to the White House next January, he’ll see a BOP that is still struggling in implementing FSA, which was meant to save money on incarceration. However, the BOP has continued to interpret the FSA in a way that favors longer incarceration in institutions rather than sending men and women into lesser restrictive community options, such as halfway houses and home confinement. A judge in the Middle District of Alabama made a ruling…

We are in the middle of what I like to call “peak sports.” At the time this will be posted, Major League Baseball and the WNBA will have just crowned their champions all while we are in the thick of the popular college and professional football seasons. At the same time, the NBA and NHL are now starting to play games. Along with America’s love affair with sports, another related industry has reached a new high. The legal sports betting industry in the United States has experienced significant growth in the last 5 years. Gross gaming revenue from sports betting…

With recent policy shifts and the prospect of new tariffs on imported goods, consumers may start to see noticeable changes in grocery store prices. For everyday shoppers, this could mean a higher grocery bill, particularly for certain imported produce items. As the cost of bringing goods into the U.S. increases, grocers are faced with the challenge of managing these expenses, potentially passing them on to consumers. What Is A Tariff? A tariff is essentially a tax or duty imposed by a government on goods imported from other countries. The purpose of a tariff is often to protect domestic industries by…

The potential for Donald Trump to impose new tariffs on imported goods immediately got the retail industry’s attention after his sweeping win. However, the question of tariffs could be distracting retail leaders from examining more broadly what the election reveals about the mood of the nation’s consumers and the issues that concern them. Ultimately, more Americans bought what Trump and the Republican party were selling. So retailers, who are also in the business of selling goods and services to the American people, can learn from this election. And the lessons are more telling because Trump used old-fashioned retail politics –…

Garlic lovers may have to pay more for the potent allium if President-elect Donald Trump levies new tariffs on China, the world’s biggest garlic supplier. A significant focus has been on Trump’s proposed tariffs on imports, a topic that could have profound effects on food prices for both consumers and retailers across the nation. Tariffs are taxes imposed on imported goods, designed to protect domestic industries from foreign competition. Trump’s future administration has made it clear that they will likely impose substantial tariffs, particularly on goods from countries like China where he has suggested a tariff of 60% (other countries…

Robert Hillis Miller was found by a jury to have violated federal securities laws and a $160,000 judgment was entered against him in SEC v. Miller, D.Md. Case No. DLB-19-2810 (Oct. 21, 2014). The security violations are not the subject of this article and thus we can omit them from discussion, but there is something that is very interesting about this case. During the jury trial, Miller in his sworn testimony made it clear that he simply would not pay the judgment, stating that “[m]y assets are held by these offshore companies until I get out of this mess.” Based…

Donald Trump’s return to the White House, coupled with Republican control of the Senate and possibly of the House could result in a far more limited government role in the care of frail older adults and younger people with disabilities. Most immediately, Trump’s proposed mass deportations will make the current shortage of care workers much worse, increasing the burden on family caregivers. Trump himself has shown relatively little interest in health-related issues. But he’s surrounded by past and current advisers who are deeply committed to making major changes in health and long-term care. For example, Project 2025, written by a…

Investing can be both exciting and daunting, especially for newcomers who face a myriad of choices. To build a successful investment portfolio, it’s crucial to avoid common mistakes that can derail your financial goals. This article offers practical insights on the importance of diversification, understanding your risk tolerance, managing fees, and maintaining a long-term perspective. By following these tips, you can navigate the complexities of investing with confidence, ultimately setting yourself up for sustainable growth and financial success over time. 1. Know Your Risk Tolerance And Time Horizon Investing is not one-size-fits-all so your approach should be tailored to both…

As Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House, President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness initiatives are increasingly in jeopardy. But even borrowers who weren’t expecting loan forgiveness anytime soon could be facing a new threat: higher payments. With mass student debt cancellation initiatives effectively dead on arrival once Trump is sworn in again, the question for many borrowers will largely be what repayment plans will look like. The SAVE plan, a new income-driven repayment program that provided borrowers with lower monthly payments and an interest subsidy, appears destined for elimination — either by the 8th Circuit Court of…

“We have absolutely no control over what happens to us in life, but what we have paramount control over is how to respond to those events,” said Viktor Frankl, the renowned psychologist, while imprisoned in a German concentration camp. The context of that statement gives it so much more power, doesn’t it? Compare his context, for example, to ours right now—following what was likely the most contentious presidential election cycle of (at least) my lifetime. You did your part, right? You did your research, cast your ballot, and your preferred candidate either won or lost, and afterward, you felt a…