Boy Scouts Declare Bankruptcy
On Tuesday, Feb. 18, Boy Scouts of America (BSA) filed for bankruptcy while sexual abuse claims continue to come forward. According to USA Today, BSA has over 275 sexual abuse lawsuits in state and federal courts and more than 1,400 possible claims from others. Upon filing, all of the current sexual abuse cases against BSA will all be brought before one court instead of each case presented individually. According to the bankruptcy petition, BSA has assets of between $1 billion and $10 billion and liabilities between $500 million to $1 billion. A statement from BSA states “The BSA intends to use the Chapter 11 process to create a Victims Compensation Trust that would provide equitable compensation to victims.” In 2010, after losing a case BSA paid $19.9 million to a single individual. During this case over 20,000 documents were released that recorded suspected and known sexual abusers. These individuals were not reported to police or parents of victims. Only the national organization is filing for bankruptcy. Local councils are independent of the national organization and will continue to operations.
US patients evacuated from Diamond Princess cruise ship
Thirteen United States citizens were evacuated from Diamond Princess cruise ship after either testing positive for coronavirus or having a high chance of testing positive. According to CNN, the 13 people were a part of the 300 Americans being quarantined on the Diamond Princess cruise ship. The quarantined was deemed unsuccessful and Americans on board will have to begin another 14-day quarantine after returning to the U.S. Passengers were in quarantine aboard the ship since Feb. 4 on a Japanese harbor. As of Feb. 19, the current death toll from the coronavirus is at least 2,000 people, with only six of them being outside mainland China.
Environmental Engineering Degree coming to NDSU
The State Board of Higher Education has approved a new bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering at NDSU. According to NDSU News, the degree will be offered starting fall 2020. The degree will focus on soil, water, air and environmental health. According to the National Academy of Science, Environmental Engineers address challenges such as advancing the sustainability of food, water and energy. As well as addressing climate change and its impacts and designing a future without pollution and waste.
Bernie Sanders emerges as Democratic front-runner
According to The New York Times, Bernie Sanders has become the front-runner for the Democratic nomination for president in 2020. After the coming in second in the Iowa Primary and winning in the New Hampshire Primary, Sanders now holds the top spot. Sanders is polling nationally at 24 percent followed by Joseph Biden at 23 percent and Elizabeth Warren at 14 percent. The next caucus will be in Nevada on Feb. 22.