Here are the morning’s top stories on Wednesday, September 25, 2024…
- Mexican drug cartels are recruiting San Diegans to smuggle fentanyl into the United States. Prosecutors are worried about teenagers getting caught up in the cross-border drug trade.
- Gavin Newsom signed a bill that will remove debt owed to a medical office or hospital from Californian’s credit reports.
- Invitation Homes, a massive corporate landlord, has agreed to pay $48 million to settle a lawsuit with the Federal Trades Commission. The FTC alleges Invitation Homes charged tenants junk fees, and withheld security deposits.
- Hotel workers in Hawaii’s largest resort are joining thousands of others striking hotels in California.
Prosecutors Say American Citizens Smuggle More Fentanyl Across Border Than Migrants
The idea that more border walls and tougher enforcement on illegal immigration will stop illegal drugs from getting into the United States has become a common political talking point, especially in an election-year. But cartels rarely use migrants crossing illegally to smuggle fentanyl. Instead, they use people who cross the border through official ports of entry without raising suspicion. KPBS reporter Gustavo Solis found that cartels are often times recruiting young, low-income people, in need of cash. Often times, that’s high school or college student. And then sometimes, people are unknowingly bringing drugs like Fentanyl across the border. According to data from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over ten thousand Californians are dying from drug overdoses every year.
Medical Debt Will Soon Be Scrubbed From CA Credit Reports.
Starting January 1st 2025, debt owed to a medical office or hospital will no longer appear on Californian’s credit reports. The bill, authored by Senators Monique Limón and Josh Becker, was signed into law on Tuesday by governor Gavin Newsom. Medical debt can lower credit scores, making it more difficult to negotiate a loan or mortgage. The legislation was backed by Attorney General Rob Bonta, as well as consumer advocacy groups. Under the This law will not cover, or scrub, debt from medical credit cards. The federal government has also announced plans to create legislation to remove medical debt from credit reports, but there timing is uncertain.
Corporate Landlord to Pay FTC $48 Million to Settle Lawsuit
One of the biggest corporate landlords in the country has agreed to pay $48 million to settle a lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission. The lawsuit alleged Invitation Homes charged tenants junk fees, withheld security deposits, and failed to inspect homes before tenants moved in. Invitation Homes is the country’s largest landlord for single family homes, with nearly 12,000 SRO’s in California alone. As part of the settlement, the company has agreed to change it’s security deposit practices and advertise accurate rental prices.
Hotel Workers in Hawaii Join Strike
Two thousand unionized Hotel workers walked off the job yesterday at Hawaii’s largest resort, Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. They are joining thousands of others that are currently striking at hotels here in California. The workers are calling for higher wages, more manageable workloads and a reversal of cuts implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as limited daily room cleaning. UNITE HERE, the labor union representing these hotel workers, say they will strike until they get new contracts.