Dana's Dispatch: Student Loan Settlement, Over the Counter Hearing Aids, Roe vs Wade Anniversary and more

--------------------------------------------------------------- Nessel joins bipartisan appeal to end Facebook monopoly Facebook continues to profit from its monopoly while steadily depriving users of the benefits of competition and reducing privacy protections and services. I join my colleagues in this fight to protect consumers and push back against Facebook’s illegal, anticompetitive conduct. The attorney general’s office says Meta obtained competitors in an illegal and predatory fashion and eliminated or set limits on smaller rivals, adding a lawsuit was filed with the U.S. District Court back in December 2020 to bring an end to this conduct. The bipartisan coalition argues the district court mistakenly dismissed the case. "Facebook continues to profit from its monopoly all while steadily depriving users of the benefits of competition and reducing privacy protections and services,” says Nessel. “I join my colleagues in this fight to protect consumers and push back against Facebook’s illegal, anticompetitive conduct.” [READ MORE]( Fox 17, WXMI (19 Jan, 2022) Nessel joins bipartisan appeal to end Facebook monopoly Retrieved from: [Nessel joins bipartisan appeal to end Facebook monopoly]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Nessel announces additional information on Navient student loan settlement The predatory practices used by Navient exploited students who simply wanted an education. The company placed borrowers in risky subprime loans, causing them to incur debts they could never repay. This settlement reflects accountability for affected borrowers across the country. Attorney General Dana Nessel is one of 39 attorneys general to take part in the settlement, which was announced last week. “The predatory practices used by Navient exploited students who wanted nothing more than an education,” Nessel said. “The company placed borrowers in risky subprime loans, causing them to incur debts they could never repay. This settlement reflects accountability for affected borrowers across the country.” As a result of the settlement, 1,576 Michigan borrowers will receive over $38.6 million in debt relief. Those borrowers receiving the private loan debt cancellation will be contacted by Navient by July 2022, along with receiving refunds of any payments they made on the cancelled private loans after June 30, 2021. [READ MORE]( Krystle Holleman, WILX (19 Jan, 2022) Nessel announces additional information on Navient student loan settlement Retrieved from: [Nessel announces additional information on Navient student loan settlement]( --------------------------------------------------------------- AG Nessel Urges FDA To Enforce Regulation Of Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids This proposed rule will allow for more affordable and accessible hearing aids, but the FDA must ensure that any action taken preserves states’ abilities to protect consumers. It is imperative that federal regulation not preempt safeguards already in place. Photo courtesy of Bill Pugliano, Getty Images The FDA is currently considering the approval of a new category of over-the-counter hearing aids that would be sold directly to consumers without a medical exam or fitting by an audiologist. “This proposed rule will allow for more affordable and accessible hearing aids, but the FDA must ensure that any action taken preserves states’ abilities to protect consumers,” Nessel said. “It is imperative that federal regulation not preempt safeguards already in place.” Nessel joined two multistate letters, one led by the states of Connecticut and Ohio, and the other led by the state of New Jersey, to help ensure protection to consumers as the FDA considers this proposal. [READ MORE]( Sara Powers, CBS (20 Jan, 2022) AG Nessel Urges FDA To Enforce Regulation Of Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids Retrieved from: [AG Nessel Urges FDA To Enforce Regulation Of Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Former priest from Oakland, Wayne sentenced for sexual abuse of teenagers This plea secures long-awaited justice for those who bravely came forward with their stories. My clergy abuse investigation team continues to work tirelessly to reach similar outcomes in our additional cases. A former priest from Oakland and Wayne counties has been sentenced to prison for sexually abusing teenagers. Gary Berthiaume, 79, was sent to trial in July on two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. He pleaded guilty to those counts in November but pleaded no contest to a third charge of gross indecency, according to authorities. He was also charged in two new cases in June. The charges stem from allegations of abuse in the 1970s, while Berthiaume was a priest at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wyandotte and later Our Lady of Sorrows in Farmington, officials said. [READ MORE]( Derick Hutchinson, WDIV (20 Jan, 2022) Former priest from Oakland, Wayne sentenced for sexual abuse of teenagers Retrieved from: [Former priest from Oakland, Wayne sentenced for sexual abuse of teenagers]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Michigan AG issues statement commemorating Roe V. Wade anniversary The legislative attacks we’ve watched play out across the country – and now before SCOTUS – are a slap in the face to women and a step backward. I will continue to defend a woman’s right to choose both here in Michigan and across the United States. Photo courtesy of Max Ortiz, Detroit News “Nearly a half-century ago, the highest court in the land held that women in the United States had a fundamental right to choose, without excessive government interference controlling decisions over our own bodies," Nessel said. "While that day was a monumental triumph for reproductive rights, we face the same battle 49 years later. Today and every day, I remain dedicated to fighting back against attempts to undermine this federal precedent." [READ MORE]( News Channel 3, WWMT (20 Jan, 2022) Michigan AG issues statement commemorating Roe V. Wade anniversary Retrieved from: [Michigan AG issues statement commemorating Roe V. Wade anniversary]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for being a part of Dana's re-election campaign! Sending emails is a crucial way to keep supporters like you updated on Dana's fight for justice and progress. Plus, this campaign is fueled by grassroots supporters like you! [Will you chip in today to join Dana in the fight for a better tomorrow?]( [CHIP IN TO RE-ELECT DANA NESSEL >>]( KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DANA: Any donor history information in this email reflects what we have on file for this specific email address. If you have donated with a different email address, with a check, or with a spouse – thank you so much. We have that on file and cannot thank you enough for your support. Paid for by Friends of Dana Nessel Friends of Dana Nessel P.O. Box 11141 Lansing, MI 48901 United States This email was sent to: {EMAIL}. [unsubscribe](