Hackers who breached Keenan & Associates’ systems between August 21 and August 27, 2023, did more than just interfere with an insurance broker’s business; they also opened a vault of private information belonging to more than 1.5 million individuals. Names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, passport information, driver’s license information, health insurance information, and private medical records were among the many pieces of compromised data. The attack was eerily reminiscent of security lapses that have rocked insurers, hospitals, and even the privacy of celebrities in recent years, demonstrating that no industry is immune. The incident, which started with network…
Author: Sierra Foster
Sierra Foster
Born in Kansas City, Sierra Foster writes about politics and serves as Senior Editor at kbsd6.com. She was raised paying attention to this city, not just living in it. Sierra has a strong, deep connection to Kansas City, from the neighborhoods east of Troost to the discussions that take place in the city hall halls. Sierra, who is presently enrolled at the University of Kansas to pursue a degree in Political Science, applies the rigor of academic study to her journalism. She writes about politics in Missouri and Kansas as someone who genuinely cares about what happens to the people in these communities—the policies that impact them, the leaders who represent them, and the civic forces influencing their futures—rather than as an outsider watching from a distance. Her editorial coverage encompasses state-level policy, local government, and the national political currents that permeate bi-state regional life. Whether it's a city council vote or a Senate race, she has a special gift for turning complex policy language into writing that feels urgent, relatable, and worthwhile. Sierra seldom sits still off the page. She claims that playing soccer on a regular basis has sharpened her instincts for political reporting because of the sport's teamwork, strategy, and requirement to read a changing game in real time. She's probably somewhere in Kansas City with her friends when she's not writing or on the pitch, discovering new reasons to adore a city she already knows so well.
It’s possible that subscribers who signed in to read stories from the Philadelphia Inquirer during the class period had no idea that their video viewing history would be the subject of a multimillion-dollar lawsuit. But that’s precisely what happened. The paper was accused of violating privacy laws by sharing with Facebook the URLs, Facebook IDs, and video viewing habits of digital subscribers. A precedent for how news organizations handle subscriber data has been set by the settlement, which now calls for monetary compensation and policy changes. The $1.125 million fund pays for the legal costs of pursuing the case as…
For many years, MySchoolBucks was promoted as a quick, digital, and ostensibly time-saving way for parents to connect with their kids’ lunch accounts. However, little “program fees” gradually added up, resulting in a financial burden that wasn’t fully apparent until legal action revealed the truth. For the families involved as well as for digital payment platforms worldwide that make money from comparable microcharges, the recent $18.25 million settlement against Heartland Payment Systems, the company running MySchoolBucks, marks a sea change. Parents nationwide reported that a fee was added each time they used a credit or debit card to top up…
For employees who claimed that their retirement plan was mismanaged, the Wake Forest Medical Center ERISA settlement represents a remarkably successful outcome. A $2 billion 403(b) plan that served tens of thousands of employees and former employees was at the heart of the conflict. The plaintiffs claimed that the fiduciaries permitted exorbitant expenses to covertly erode savings rather than leveraging the plan’s size to bargain for favorable fees and better investment options. Participants reported paying between $110 and $141 in administrative fees per year, which is incredibly high considering that peers in comparable plans paid closer to $40. Such discrepancies…
Subaru’s EyeSight settlement has garnered a lot of attention recently from owners who have long complained about the peculiarities of the system. Subaru’s cutting-edge driver assistance system, EyeSight, which it has proudly marketed as a safety feature, came under legal scrutiny following complaints of unexpected braking, missed hazard detection, and inconsistent lane guidance. The settlement offers drivers a noticeably better support package, even though Subaru still disputes any flaw. Affected models’ New Vehicle Limited Warranty will be extended for up to four years or 48,000 miles from the vehicle’s original in-service date to cover 75% of the cost of repairs…
Consumer advocates, legal experts, and regular people hoping to recover some measure of justice following the 2023 data breach have been interested in the NCB Management Services settlement in recent months. The $2.625 million agreement is a direct response to the financial harm and frustration endured by over 1.6 million individuals whose personal information was compromised; it is more than just a figure on a court document. Even though it still denies any wrongdoing, NCB has significantly improved its reputation with regulators by ending the case before it descended into a protracted legal battle. The settlement provides two different paths…
Chobani, praised for its especially creative approach to reimagining dairy products, is currently involved in a legal dispute that could change the definition of “natural” on packaging. At the heart of the case is the claim that its coffee creamers and some yogurts contain plant-based sweeteners, such as stevia and monk fruit, which are derived from nature but go through a number of industrial transformations. The claims are sensitive to consumers who are used to thinking of “natural” as something that hasn’t been altered. The primary plaintiff, Laura Willis Albrigo, describes in great detail how these ingredients go through several…
Kate Merrill is in the news again more than a year after leaving WBZ-TV, but this time it’s not for breaking news; rather, it’s because she filed a $4 million lawsuit against the station and its corporate parents. According to her, a corporate diversity agenda was the driving force behind the sudden dismantling of her long-standing career. This lawsuit may have an impact on how newsrooms around the country handle interpersonal and cultural conflicts because it bears an emotional weight remarkably similar to other well-known media disputes. Merrill recounts in her court filing how her career, which was based on…
One of the largest financial settlements in telecom history, the AT&T data breach settlement is remarkably similar in scope to previous cases that defined the industry, such as those involving Equifax and T-Mobile. In addition to raising awareness of the vulnerability of digital trust, the $350 million deal aims to compensate millions of consumers whose personal information was compromised in a cyberattack. The scope of the breach, according to industry experts, might serve as a warning to other businesses that rely too much on storing large amounts of customer data without having very clear security measures. Telecom companies have greatly…
Recently, Carrie Underwood’s name has been connected to a fascinating combination of verified court cases and speculative news stories. The most dramatic allegation is that she sued The View and several of its hosts, including Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg, for an enormous sum of money, estimated at $50 million or even $800 million. According to reports, these accusations are the result of scathing remarks made on-air regarding Underwood’s decision to perform at Donald Trump’s inauguration, which in turn sparked intense national outrage. A particularly successful chain of social media amplification helped the rumor gain traction. Legal retaliation appeared imminent,…