Moderna Suing Pfizer for COVID-19 Vaccine Patent Infringement

Moderna is filing patent infringement lawsuits against Pfizer and BioNTech in U.S. district court and German regional court Friday in connection with the two companies’ COVID-19 vaccine, Moderna announced.

Moderna alleges Pfizer and BioNTech’s Comirnaty vaccine breaches its mRNA technology patents submitted between 2010 and 2016. It claims they developed their vaccine by copying the technology Moderna used to make its mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, Spikevax.

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Some ‘Underrepresented’ Students Exempt from Prestigious Medical School’s Entrance Exam

Minority students are exempt from taking the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) when applying for Penn’s medical school if they participate in a summer research program, according to a press release.

The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (PSOM) partnered with five historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to offer a summer research program for “underrepresented” groups, according to the May 24 press release. Students who are selected for Penn Access Summer Scholars (PASS) are exempted from taking the MCAT if they apply to the Ivy League school’s medical program.

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‘Many Latinos Are Not Celebrating Student Loan Forgiveness’, Says Libre Initiative

President Joe Biden announced plans on Wednesday to forgive $10,000 of student debt or up to $20,000 for those with Pell Grant for millions of Americans, with some projections estimating the government’s cost at about half a trillion dollars–but for Daniel Garza, president of the LIBRE Initiative, one of the nation’s largest Hispanic organizations, the move does not “address the root problem of rising college tuition prices.”

In fact, in a recent statement published by the LIBRE Initiative, the group said that, “many Latinos are not celebrating student loan forgiveness.”

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Bridgestone to Make $500 Million Expansion in Warren County

One of the world’s largest tire companies is making a $500 million investment to expand its operations in Tennessee, creating more jobs in the Volunteer State.

Bridgestone’s investment strengthens the global competitiveness of the company’s U.S. manufacturing operations and commitment to its U.S. labor force. Bridgestone will create 380 new jobs at its Warren County facility, increasing its existing headcount of 1,100 to more than 1,400, and bringing the total number of Bridgestone’s U.S. manufacturing workforce to nearly 10,000,” according to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD).

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Zuckerberg Claims FBI Pressured Him to Censor Hunter Biden Laptop Story

In a stunning admission, Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg claimed that his social media platform only censored the New York Post’s bombshell story about Hunter Biden’s laptop after the FBI came to them and advised them to do so.

As reported by the Daily Caller, Zuckerberg made the claim during an interview with Joe Rogan on his podcast, “The Joe Rogan Experience,” on Thursday. Rogan had asked Zuckerberg about how his platform would handle censorship going forward, after multiple Big Tech platforms were widely criticized for deliberately suppressing the story, which was later confirmed to be true.

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Ohio Utility Commission Pauses HB 6 Investigations at Request of Federal Prosecutors

FirstEnergy building

Ohio paused its investigation into FirstEnergy and House Bill 6 after federal prosecutors said continuing could interfere with their ongoing criminal investigation.

Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chairwoman Jenifer French, a former judge, said she understood how the four PUCO investigations into FirstEnergy and the passage of House Bill 6 could create issues for the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio.

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Michigan Voters to Decide on Longer Term Limits for Lawmakers

Michigan voters in November will decide whether state legislators will have a shot at longer terms in office.

Proposal One, the Michigan Legislative Term Limits and Financial Disclosure Amendment, was approved by the Michigan legislature for inclusion on the Nov. 8 ballot. If voters approve, term limits for state legislators would expand to 12 combined years in both the Senate and House of Representatives.

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Florida Invests over $56 Million in Additional Land Conservation Efforts

The Florida Cabinet approved spending more than $56 million on seven parcels of land totaling 19,897 acres within the Florida Wildlife Corridor for acquisition or conservation easement made possible by the state’s Florida Forever Program and Department of Agriculture’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.

The overwhelming majority of the properties, more than 98%, are within the Florida Wildlife Corridor, a mix of native and working lands that provide habitat for key Florida species including the Florida panther, Florida black bear, swallow-tailed kite, and gopher tortoise, among others.

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Arizona Reps Blast FBI for Directing Facebook to Censor Hunter Biden Laptop Story

After Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg admitted on “The Joe Rogan Experience” that he worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to censor the now-infamous Hunter Biden laptop story in the lead-up to the 2020 election, Arizona’s elected officials are speaking out.

“The FBI’s collusion with Big Tech unquestionably constitutes election interference. Every single American should be appalled,” Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-AZ-08) told The Arizona Sun Times Friday. “This is yet another example of the politicization and weaponization of bad actors in the FBI to protect Democrats’ political allies and go after their political opponents. If House Republicans win back the majority, we will hold these bad actors in the FBI accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

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Affordable Housing, Job Training a Growing Problem for Pennsylvania Business Owners

In the Pennsylvania economy today, employers struggle with finding enough workers, rising prices, and enough affordable housing for their workers.

Rising prices, employee and supply shortages, wage surcharges, and “escalating energy prices” puts “a strain on our survival,” said David Crouse, owner of 3C’s family restaurant in the Pottsville area.

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Minnesota Public Schools Continue to Fall Behind in Student Proficiency

Nearly 400 public schools throughout Minnesota are set to receive additional support from the state education department as student proficiency scores continue to lag or fall further behind.

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) announced on Thursday an expansion of its relatively new COMPASS program (Collaborative Minnesota Partnerships to Advance Student Success) to render “various levels of support” to 371 public schools, including “15 entire school districts.”

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Georgia’s Kemp to Spend $100 Million in Federal COVID-19 Relief Funds for Law Enforcement

Another day, another dollar dispersed.

Georgia’s governor is again turning to federal COVID-19 relief money to provide grants to another constituency. This time, he plans to give $100 million to law enforcement agencies statewide.

Gov. Brian Kemp is turning to the American Rescue Plan and the State Fiscal Recovery Fund to dole out grants of up to $1.5 million per award. Awardees can put the money toward a range of initiatives, from law enforcement staffing to investing in technology and equipment to respond to the uptick in gun violence.

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Gov. Doug Ducey Orders Flags to Fly at Half-Staff Following the Loss of Pima County Constable

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey ordered state buildings to fly flags at half-staff Friday following a mass shooting in Tucson resulting in the loss of Pima County Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay.

“The loss of Constable Deborah Martinez is felt across our state,” Ducey said. “Whether it was serving in the U.S. Army or carrying out her duties as a constable for Pima County, she dedicated her life to helping others and her community. Constable Martinez was a Tucson native who will be remembered for the way she treated others with dignity and respect. Our thoughts and prayers are with her friends and family, as well as those who also lost their lives in today’s tragic events.”

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New Report Shows the Economic Cost of the Opioid Crisis on Arizona

A new report from the Common Sense Institute of Arizona (CSI) shared how the growing opioid crisis has economically burdened Arizona.

“Federal border officials have been forced to reallocate scarce resources to the interdiction and processing of migrants since 2020. Failure to complete physical barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border, combined with a lack of enforcement attention, has enabled sufficient flow of fentanyl into the United States to fill a demand shift created in part by the crackdown on mail-order and prescription drugs,” according to the CSI. “Last year, fatal overdoses in Arizona reached the highest level ever reported by DHS, and data suggests the national numbers will be worse this year.”

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Commentary: Pope Francis Set to Add 20 New Names to College of Cardinals

As most Italians are enjoying the last days of summer, Pope Francis has called the College of Cardinals to the Vatican.  From August 27-30, the Holy Father will preside over three consistories and a pastoral visit.  

On August 27, Pope Francis will convene two consistories, on August 28, he will make a pastoral visit to L’Aquila, and on August 29 and 30, he will preside over a third consistory. 

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World’s Youngest Trans Model Is Child of Two Trans Parents Who Plan His Gender Surgery at Age 16

The 10-year-old boy acclaimed as the world’s youngest trans model is the child of two transgender parents who say they plan to start him on puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones before gender surgery at age 16.

“Noella” McMaher, who was “socially transitioned” at age 4, represented the Trans* Clothing Company brand during New York Fashion Week in February, but has now been signed on for continued modeling jobs until November, reported Metro UK.

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Governor Bill Lee Announces First Lady Maria Lee Has Lymphoma

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee said Friday that his wife, First Lady Maria Lee, has lymphoma.

Bill Lee said, “Maria and I have learned that she has lymphoma and will begin treatment immediately. While this news is unexpected, her prognosis is good and it is treatable. Maria and I deeply appreciate prayers for healing. We are hopeful and will share more in the days ahead.”

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