The Raleigh News & Observer reported on Oct. 10, “In the 4-3 decision, the [Utilities] Commission said that even though NC’s corporate income tax was cut by the state legislature from 6.9 percent to 5 percent, utilities can continue charging customers at 6.9 percent and pocket the difference.” The newspaper said all the Commission members appointed by Gov. Pat McCrory voted in favor of this giveaway of our money. McCrory is a former Duke Energy executive; he benefited from over $1 million of the company’s campaign spending, and his environmental agency tried to block efforts to force Duke to clean up its coal ash pollution. The Utilities Commission’s decision is an example of favoritism to big political donors, rather than sound economics or fairness. The strong protest against Duke’s coal ash pollution of the Dan River forced some modest improvements. Now we need to push the agency responsible for protecting the public interest to oppose a bad decision that will cost us over $20 million a year. Mr. Chris Ayers of the Public Staff said they are “considering our options” to challenge the decision. Please sign the petition to urge the Public Staff to take strong action for the public.

My son, Frank McQueen, was shot multiple times and killed by Chester, Pennsylvania Police. He was shot so bad the funeral director wanted to do a close casket. I was also told that my son was also shot in his head twice at close range. The system is not telling me anything about my son's killing. My son is dead help me fight for yours. Thank You All In Advance I will always fight police brutality.

Our American History class feels that having Election day on Tuesday prevents many eligible voters from voting. By allowing the process to change to Sunday or even Saturday, more citizens will be able to vote thus creating a more democratic process.

On July 2, 2014, in New York City (NYC), a Federal Court jury found that NYC police acted with "malice or evil intent" in falsely arresting four individuals at the 2004 Republican National Convention (RNC) in NYC, and awarded punitive damages to the protesters. This trial -- possibly the first time a "false arrest for protesting" case has gone to trial in decades -- comes six months after an $18 million settlement for the arrests of some 1,800 individuals at the 2004 RNC. I am one of the four (out of over 1,800) who refused all settlement offers in order to have a trial by jury. It is long overdue for NYC to accept responsibility for the wrongs committed and not continue to drag this process out.

In the Native American tradition, Mothers hold the power to remove leaders who are not serving the community. From the United States Native American Museum: "To this day, the Native America Tribal Council Leaders are elected by the MOTHERS of the tribe. They also continue to hold the power to remove a leader based on lack of performance." It is time to remove leaders that are not protecting our people. Moms Across America and supporters call for the resignation or removal of Gina McCarthy, Head of the EPA. Allowing toxic chemicals to be sprayed on our food and near our schools is harmful to our children and citizens. We demand a leader of the EPA that will put the safety of our children over the profits of a chemical company.

As the Deputy Director of Interfaith Worker Justice, a national organization that engages the faith community in worker rights issues, I’ve encountered my fair share of unscrupulous corporate bosses who strip workers of their rights and dignity on the job. As a faithful Episcopalian and divinity school graduate, whose experience of church and seminary led me to my vocation, I never imagined the day when I’d find myself rallying against leaders of the Church’s oldest seminary, General Theological Seminary (GTS). Today, Oct. 17, the GTS Board of Trustees ruled against pleas — from students, clergy, worker advocates and concerned people of faith — to fully reinstate the eight GTS professors (GTS8) who were recently let go for exercising their legal right to demand fair treatment and a healthy work environment. As custodians and overseers of an institution charged with nurturing the next generation of faith leaders, the Board of Trustees’ decision jeopardizes not just the lives and livelihoods of the GTS8, but also the integrity of an institution founded on Episcopalian values that includes the just and fair treatment of workers. The seminary has failed to live out its religious values, so it's time to look to the Presiding Bishop and Church for leadership and accountability. What the board of trustees has done is wrong. The Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori, can make this right. Episcopalians, seminarians, clergy, people of faith and worker rights advocates all over the country are waiting for her to act. The GTS8 deserve nothing less than full reinstatement.

Supporters are striving for a balanced Senate

This pollution is the largest source of global warming pollution in America, and if we don't take action now, it will mean more heat waves, extreme weather, and dangerous sea level rise for future generations.

I am not one for unneeded violence or violence where someone is brutally killed. That being said games like Grand Theft Auto, World of Warcraft, and Super Smash Brothers are all games i play because killing isn't the objective but something you do in the game to advance a story, enjoy yourself, or make in game decisions. "Hatred" has no story, no care for the individuals in it, and no need to honestly be made. Everyone will cry and say "oh well its just a game, games don't make people into killers or crazy people", and personally i 100% agree. However this "game" isn't really your conventional shooter where you kill aliens trying to destroy your planet, or where you shoot fireballs at zombies, or even where you can stick a goats tongue to an axe and chase people around. This "game" is a murder-suicide simulator. This allows people who are so inclined to take up arms against "the human worms feasting on the worlds carcass". - an actual quote from the player character You play as a man who wants to for no real reason kill any person that he sees and die. The creators of the graphics engine that brought this game into being is actively seeking that their logo is removed from this game as to how awful it really is. I urge everyone to sign this petition to remove this game from the shelves before it even gets the chance to make it into a TV ad. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrX7G-1xPLs Game Trailer link for reference above.

It's time for Washington State 5th District voters to put Joe Pakootas in the House and send Cathy home to her family in California. Please send in your ballots with your vote for Joe, and remind your family and friends to do so as well. Though Cathy claims support of VAWA, she and her fellow House Republicans reduce funding every chance they get. Joe supports VAWA and full funding of it. Joe Pakootas will vote for the protection of women everywhere. Go to http://www.pakootasforcongress.com/#!issues/c1han to learn of Joe's background and why he should have your support.

Our son Hunter, has turned his life around and wants to continue going to school and the board of Elizabethtown area school district will not allow him to attend because of a past expulsion. They didn't take the time to see what he has accomplished since the incident and say they are not obligated to help due to his age. Anyone who knows the man that he has become can attest to the fact that he deserves the chance to continue his education...

Voter turnout is pathetic in this country. I am concerned that the political ads increase voter apathy and make the public less inclined to have their voice heard in the political process. No matter how you lean politically, the ads are awful and don't further our democracy. Banning political ads and instead airing PSA's of this nature will increase participation and lead to greater trust in the political process.