Declarations

Nevada Gigafactory

“We will be investing over $3.6 billion more to continue growing Gigafactory Nevada, adding 3,000 new team members and two new factories.”

— Tesla announced in late January its intent to expand its manufacturing capabilities in Nevada for production of electric semi-trucks and make enough cell batteries for 2 million light-duty vehicles annually.

Iowa Flood Mitigation

“That’ll save us a substantial amount of time, effort, labor, and money when we have those smaller-level floods specifically in that area.”

— Davenport, Iowa, Assistant Public Works Director Clay Merritt on the city’s $165 million flood mitigation plan which aims to address floodwaters that surge up from the ground because of backed up storm sewer systems. For decades, Davenport residents have resisted a floodwall, for concerns it would impede resident access to and views of the Mississippi River.

On Their Own

“Not one medicine, not one tablet, not one vitamin. Nobody gave these things to us. We were on our own.”

— Rosel Hernandez is one of 10 Filipino workers who are suing their former employer, offshore oil industry company Grand Isle Shipyard, alleging they were virtual prisoners at their bunkhouse and that the company abandoned them during Hurricane Ida in 2021. The plaintiffs allege they were illegally underpaid and that those among them who tested positive for COVID-19 were quarantined on vulnerable moored supply boats or other vessels, sometimes without adequate food or medicine. A 15-year employee of the company, Hernandez said there was little food when he arrived at the quarantine vessel.

No Deference

“We disagree the commission is entitled to any deference in this case … because there is no indication the commission actually exercised its discretion.”

— That was from a South Carolina Supreme Court opinion in January, in which the court criticized the state’s Workers’ Compensation Commission for not giving a reason when it dismissed an appeal. A claimants’ attorney had filed an appeal on his fees but missed the commission’s deadline for filing a brief. The commission dismissed his appeal and request for reinstatement by simply checking a box on a form and not giving a reasoned explanation, the high court noted.

Virginia School Shooting

“On that day, over the course of a few hours, three different times — three times — school administration was warned by concerned teachers and employees that the boy had a gun on him at the school and was threatening people. But the administration could not be bothered.”

— Diane Toscano, an attorney for Abigail Zwerner, a teacher in a Newport News, Virginia, elementary school who was shot by a 6-year-old student, says Zwerner plans to sue the school district. Toscano said despite being warned the boy had a gun, the administration didn’t call police, remove the boy from class or lock down the school.

Hyundai, Kia Thefts

“During the past year we’ve seen theft rates for certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles more than triple and in some markets these vehicles are almost 20 times more likely to be stolen than other vehicles. … Given that we price our policies based on the level of risk they represent, this explosive increase in thefts in many cases makes these vehicles extremely challenging for us to insure.”

— Progressive Insurance Co. said in an email regarding its decision to limit the number of car insurance policies it writes for 2015 through 2019 models of Kias and Hyundais. Insurer State Farm has similarly said it is increasing rates and limiting the sale of new insurance policies for the vehicles, which the insurers say are theft-prone. Both brands are owned by Hyundai Motor Group.