Latest news with #AndreaJoyCampbell
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
12,000 alumni and 24 universities rally behind Harvard in historic US court clash over academic freedom
Harvard garners widespread support in court battle over academic freedom More than 12,000 Harvard alumni, 21 state attorneys general, and 24 universities, including five Ivy League institutions, have rallied behind Harvard University in a landmark legal fight against the Trump administration. The case, centered on academic freedom, has sparked a nationwide debate as Harvard seeks a summary judgment to counter the administration's freeze of nearly $3 billion in federal funding, as reported by the Boston Globe. The dispute stems from allegations that Harvard violated civil rights laws by failing to protect Jewish students from discrimination and harassment. The Trump administration, accusing elite universities of fostering leftist ideologies and tolerating antisemitism, has intensified its scrutiny, targeting Harvard's academic and hiring autonomy, as noted by the Boston Globe. Broad coalition unites Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell spearheaded a coalition of 21 state attorneys general, filing an amicus brief warning that the government's actions threaten the Massachusetts economy. "The Trump Administration's attack on Harvard is an attack on the Commonwealth itself," Campbell stated, emphasizing the risk of a "brain drain" as researchers may seek stable funding abroad, as quoted by the Boston Globe. The brief highlighted the loss of funding for critical studies on radiation exposure, ALS, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and breast cancer, arguing that such cuts could lead to "significant loss of life." Additionally, 12,000 Harvard alumni filed a brief urging judicial protection against what they called "unconstitutional and unlawful demands" by the government. "The Government's war against Harvard is not just about Harvard: it is an attempt to discredit and dismantle education," the filing stated, as reported by the Boston Globe. Anurima Bhargava, a Harvard graduate and lead attorney for the alumni brief, noted the broader goal of undermining free inquiry, as per the Boston Globe. Academic institutions stand firm Twenty-four universities, including Yale, MIT, Stanford, and Princeton, submitted a joint amicus brief outlining the benefits of federal funding, which has driven innovations like the telephone, computers, and cancer treatments. "Sustained government-university collaboration has contributed to everything from nuclear reactors to Google," the universities argued, as cited by the Boston Globe. MIT President Sally Kornbluth emphasized the "countless benefits" of this model for US prosperity and health, as reported by the Boston Globe. The American Civil Liberties Union and the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression also backed Harvard, condemning the administration's actions as violations of First Amendment rights. "Left unchecked, the administration will continue to deploy its willfully distorted conception of federal anti-discrimination law," the foundation stated, as quoted by the Boston Globe. Vera Eidelman of the ACLU warned that unchecked actions could lead to widespread "retaliation, coercion, and ideological harassment," as per the Boston Globe. Pushback against federal overreach Harvard's allies, including Professor Steven Levitsky, view the case as pivotal for democracy. "If we stand on the sidelines and let the administration abuse its power in this way, we are going to lose our democracy," Levitsky said, as reported by the Boston Globe. The administration's broader campaign has already targeted other institutions like Columbia, threatening their accreditation and funding. This unified response underscores a critical stand for academic independence, with implications far beyond Harvard's campus. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
High-end Boston restaurant fined for forcing service staff to share tips with management, AG says
A high-end Boston restaurant was slapped with a hefty fine after officials said the business violated Massachusetts laws by forcing its service staff to share tips with managers. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell announced Monday that her office issued citations totaling $1,813,850 against Zuma, a contemporary Japanese eatery located inside the Four Seasons hotel, and its manager, Garrett Ronan. The citation includes penalties and restitution for unpaid wages, with some individual employees receiving as much as $50,000, according to Campbell's office. Between July 2022 and July 2024, the AG's office alleges the restaurant allowed some employees with managerial duties to illegally participate in a tip pool with service staff at the restaurant. Campbell's office launched an investigation in July 2022 after receiving a complaint from a worker alleging that employees who had been promoted continued to participate in the restaurant's tip pool, despite being ineligible due to their new managerial duties. Massachusetts wage laws allow tip pooling, but only wait staff, service bartenders, and other service employees can take part. Even if managers and supervisors help to serve customers, they can't share in a tip pool on a day when they have any managerial responsibilities. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Bring it on': Democratic AG's unite in Boston to discuss ICE activity in New England
Attorney generals from Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts answered questions from concerned citizens during a town hall in Boston about recent ICE activity. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell spoke to begin the event. 'All of us probably have a target on our back,' she told dozens in the crowd Friday night. 'But, we say bring it on. We welcome it.' Concerned citizens stepped up to ask the panel of democratic leaders questions and express their worries. One explained, 'One of the top issues that concerns me today is ICE abducting people off our streets without warrants, without charges.' Campbell said nothing is off the table in terms of holding ICE agents or the federal administration accountable over the recent arrests. They said Friday they are working with individuals targeted, and are spreading information to those that could be vulnerable. Recent body-camera from Worcester Police's response to a May 8th detainment by ICE where federal authorities were surrounded was a main topic of conversation. Campbell explained, 'It is horrific. It is not promoting public safety. It is promoting fear.' Massachusetts GOP Chair Amy Carnevale told Boston 25 News Friday democratic leaders in New England should take a step back. 'The rally itself seems much more political in nature than legal,' she said. 'Massachusetts has a lot to lose in terms of federal funding.' A regional GOP join statement in response to the town hall read: 'The Republican Parties of Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island and Connecticut release the following statement in response to the 'United in Justice New England Town Hall' with Attorneys General Tong (CT), Frey (ME), Campbell (MA), Nerenha (RI) and Clark (VT): 'Less than two years ago, New England was overrun by waves of illegal aliens who strained the ability of our states to provide basic government services for their citizens, and today we are still dealing with the criminal repercussions and resulting budget shortfalls. 'Rather than support cooperative efforts with ICE to deport violent illegal aliens, these far-left attorneys general are failing our residents by providing legal cover for tone-deaf media stunts over their well-being. 'President Trump will continue his work to restore law and order in New England and across America. Meanwhile, these Democratic state prosecutors should focus on their actual jurisdictions and solving the problems caused by their ideological crusades.' Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Campbell accuses CVS of unfair prescription drug pricing, Medicaid fraud
BOSTON (WPRI) — Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell is suing Woonsocket-based CVS Health for allegedly charging the state's Medicaid program more for prescription drugs than cash-paying customers. Campbell accused the drugstore giant of neglecting to offer lower and discounted rates to MassHealth — which offers benefits to qualifying adults, children, families and seniors, as well as those with disabilities. She claimed CVS Health worked with ScriptSave to provide non-Medicaid customers with lower drug prices through a discount card program, which any cash-paying customer could sign up for. CVS Health avoided submitting the lower drug prices as its 'Usual & Customary' prices (U&C) under the guise that those discounts were being offered by a third party, according to the lawsuit. 'CVS Health worked strategically with ScriptSave to set pricing, and thus CVS Health (and not ScriptSave) was the party offering these discounts to the general public,' the lawsuit stated. Campbell explained that MassHealth has had a 'Most Favored Nation' drug pricing clause on the books since 1995, which entitles the statewide Medicaid program to the lowest U&C drug prices pharmacies charge or accept from other payers. SEE ALSO: Healey looks to tax pharmacies for prescription drug sales She also claimed CVS Health's methodology for submitting U&C drug pricing to MassHealth has not included the pharmacy's best prices, particularly for generic medications. The lawsuit further noted that, from January 1, 2016, to the present day, CVS Health has failed to comply with regulations requiring that it submit U&C prices on prescription drug claims to MassHealth, 'the goal of which is to ensure that Medicaid does not pay higher prices than non-Medicaid payers.' Campbell claimed she uncovered numerous transactions throughout that time period in which cash-paying customers received lower drug prices than the ones being offered to MassHealth. 'When pharmacies offer discounted drug pricing to its customers, they must also charge MassHealth that same low price,' Campbell said. 'At a time when costs are sky-high, our taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for pharmacies' inaccurate price reporting.' RELATED: CVS hit with lawsuit, accused of unlawfully filling opioid prescriptions Campbell is suing CVS Health jointly with the attorneys general of Connecticut, Indiana, and Oklahoma. In a statement to 12 News, CVS Health spokesperson Amy Thibault noted that the four states involved in the lawsuit 'have never issued guidance to pharmacies contending that third-party discount card prices constitute a pharmacy's usual and customary prices.' 'We strongly dispute the allegations that our prices to Medicaid programs were inaccurate or inflated,' Thibault wrote. 'We've always been transparent with Medicaid programs concerning the prices we were submitting.' Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
AG Campbell releases guide protecting Massachusetts homebuyers from discrimination
BOSTON (WWLP) – Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell released the office's first 'Know Your Rights' consumer guide on Wednesday, aimed at protecting homebuyers and homeowners against appraisal discrimination. Springfield among Mass. casino cities losing community mitigation funds AG Campbell released this guide to help consumers understand and identify both explicit and subtle signs of appraisal discrimination. This can include written commentary referring to the race, national origin, or other protected characteristics of a homeowner or neighborhood, or assigning a lower value to a home based on the race of the homeowner or the racial composition of the neighborhood. The Attorney General's Office stated that in Massachusetts, the homeownership rate is 37.4% for black families and 70.4% for white families. Furthermore, national research from the Brookings Institution finds that homes in black neighborhoods are valued at 23% less than those in non-black neighborhoods, even when having similar quality and amenities. AG Campbell said that the racial wealth gap in the state is impacted by racial disparities in the rates of homeownership and in the financial returns associated with owning a home, including the bias in home valuation. She hopes that through this guide, homeowners and homebuyers can recognize and report appraisal discrimination. Consumers who believe they have received a discriminatory home appraisal are urged to file a consumer complaint with the Attorney General's Office online or through the Civil Rights Division at 617-963-2917. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
