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Advocate Andy
Aprea Seeking Re-Election to School Board
5th district board member files petition to run for second term. A former public school teacher is now seeking a second term on the Williamson County School Board. Jennifer Aprea, the current representative of the 5th district representing the Nolensville area, has filed a petition to again be a candidate for the seat. Aprea first won the seat in the 2020 election.
Utah Bank Fined for Deceptive Practices
A key federal regulator has ordered a Utah-based bank to pay a $315,000 fine for illegal practices. According to a consent order with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Transportation Alliance Bank, or TAB Bank partnered with several nonbank lenders on short-term loan products. These products purported to be interest-free if paid in full in 90 days, but customers were charged a $40 fee for the loans regardless of when they paid them in full.
U.S. Bank Fined $21M for Illegally Freezing Accounts
Bank unlawfully froze customer accounts during COVID pandemic. One of America's largest banks has been fined $21 million for illegal conduct. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has assessed the penalty against U.S. Bank as a result of the bank's unlawful activity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Young to Take Seat on Nashville School Board
Former council member runs unopposed for school board seat. A former member of the Nashville Metro Council will soon take a seat on the Metro Nashville School Board. Zach Young of Goodlettsville was the only candidate to qualify for the East Nashville school board seat being vacated by Emily Masters. That means Young will take the seat following the August 2024 elections.
FTC Announces Effort to Save Car Consumers $3.4B
New federal regulations would fight common auto-buying scams. A key federal regulator has announced a new policy designed to fight common scams in the car-buying marketplace. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced the new Combating Auto Retail Scams (CARS) rule that they say will help stop bait-and-switch tactics and junk fees commonly associated with car purchasing.
Caudill Announces Run for Williamson County School Board
Independent candidate files petition to run in 11th district. Tony Caudill has announced he is a candidate for Williamson County School Board from district 11. The parent and local business leader will run as an Independent, he said in an announcement distributed to media.
Unicoi County Schools to Offer Free Meals for All Students
The Unicoi County School district has announced that free breakfast and lunch will be available to all students in all schools beginning in January of 2024. In a letter to parents and guardians of students in the district, Judy McCurry of the district's school nutrition department said the program will be offered on a pilot basis and may be continued depending on student participation.
Protecting Military from Medical Debt: Sen. Brown Calls for Action
Letter calls on Department of Defense to protect members of the military. U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio is calling on the Department of Defense to take action to prevent members of the military from being plagued by medical debt.
Coalition: Regulate Fintech Cash Advances Now
Advocates say four years is too long to wait for key consumer protection. A coalition of consumer advocates is cheering a new California regulation that limits interest rates on cash advances provided by certain fintech products. But, the group says the new rules should apply immediately rather than with the currently allowed four-year grace period.
TN PTA Opposes Vouchers
TN PTA announces opposition to Gov. Lee's planned voucher expansion. On the heels of an announcement that Gov. Bill Lee plans to expand the state's school voucher program to universal eligibility by 2025, an organization representing parents of public school children expressed opposition to the plan.
TN Pastors Oppose Gov. Lee's School Voucher Plan
A group of Tennessee pastors expressed opposition to a school voucher plan announced by Gov. Bill Lee yesterday. The pastors, affiliated with the advocacy group Southern Christian Coalition, said the plan would harm the state's public education system and called instead for Lee and lawmakers to fully fund public schools.
Job Training Company Prehired to Pay $30 Million in Refunds for Illegal Lending Scheme
Company made false promises, trapped students in illegal loans. A job training company that purported to offer a "job placement guarantee" for jobs in the software industry has been ordered to cease operations and pay $30 million in refunds.
Toyota Motor Credit Fined $60M for Illegal Lending
Lending arm of Toyota withheld refunds, refused to cancel products. The lending unit of Toyota has been fined by a federal regulator for illegal conduct. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a $60 million fine to Toyota Motor Credit after finding that the finance company withheld refunds owed to consumers and made it nearly impossible to cancel product bundles packaged into car loans.
Republic Bank Partner Fined for Deceiving Consumers
Louisville-based bank earned millions from nonbank lender that defrauded customers. A key source of income for a Louisville-based bank is under scrutiny as a federal regulator issues a $15 million fine to the parent company of NetCredit.
Advocate Andy
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Andy Spears is a middle Tennessee writer and policy advocate. He reports on news around public policy issues - education, health care, consumer protection, and more.
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