Declarations

Opioid Fight

“The Justice Department is using every tool at our disposal to confront the opioid epidemic that is killing Americans and shattering communities across the country.”

— Attorney General Merrick Garland said after the U.S. government sued Rite Aid Corp., accusing the pharmacy chain of missing “red flags” as it illegally filled hundreds of thousands of prescriptions for controlled substances, including opioids. In a complaint filed in federal court, the Department of Justice said Rite Aid repeatedly filled prescriptions from May 2014 to June 2019 that were medically unnecessary, for off-label use, or not issued in the usual course of professional practice.

Confidential Confessions

“A priest faces excommunication if he discloses the communication made to him during confession. … And the sacramental seal of confession is the worldwide law of the Catholic Church, not just the diocese of Burlington, Vermont.”

— Bishop Christopher Coyne told the Vermont Senate Judiciary Committee that the church is opposed to a bill that would remove an exemption from Vermont’s child abuse and neglect reporting laws. Clergy are currently not required to report potential evidence of such crimes if they learn of it in confidence while acting as a spiritual advisor.

Ohio Train Terror

“I kind of kept myself under control, told my kids, ‘OK, guys, we have to leave.’ … The only thing I knew was I had to get my kids to safety. Take just the necessary things and get out of there.”

— Heather Bable said, recalling the terror of the night when a train loaded with hazardous chemicals derailed less than a half-mile from her home in East Palestine, Ohio. She heard an earthshaking boom and, from her bathroom window, “all you saw was the flames.”

Louisiana Commissioner Retiring

“I’ve made that decision for two reasons: The first is to remove politics from the vitally important upcoming legislative session where many significant issues are affecting our state and the future of our state’s property insurance market will be debated and hopefully decided to improve that market. … The second reason is that I am obviously 78 years old and have spent almost 50 years serving the public of Louisiana. While very healthy and continuing to exercise, I want to enjoy the remaining years of my life with my family and hopefully some new hobbies.”

— Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announced that he will not run for reelection this fall, marking an end to 17 years as the state’s chief insurance regulator.

Forest Service Distrust

“The U.S. Forest Service admitted fault, but we have a long way to go before they regain the trust of New Mexicans. … This letter requests that the (Forest Service) clearly explain what they plan to change to prevent another grave error like this. Our lands, forests, waters and communities cannot afford anything less, and our people deserve it.”

— U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez of New Mexico said in a statement after members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation sent a letter to Forest Chief Randy Moore looking for assurances from the U.S. Forest Service that it is taking preventative measures to ensure that future prescribed fires don’t turn into disasters. The largest wildfire in state history, sparked last year by a Forest Service prescribed burn, charred more than 530 square miles of Rocky Mountain foothills, destroying homes and livelihoods.

Florida Windshield AOB Bill

“Any attempt by a policyowner to enter into such assignment agreement is void and unenforceable.”

— Reads Florida’s House Bill 541, which was approved by the House Banking and Insurance Committee. The bill would ban assignment-of-benefits agreements for windshield repairs, a measure that proponents hope will stem a flood of litigation aimed at insurers.