All articles tagged with #regulatory agency
The White House has dismissed Robert Primus from the Surface Transportation Board amid efforts to exert greater control over independent agencies, as the board reviews a major railroad merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. This move is part of a broader pattern of the Trump administration removing officials who do not align with its agenda, raising concerns about independence and political influence in federal agencies.
Dr. Vinay Prasad, who resigned from the FDA amid political pressure and criticism from right-wing activist Laura Loomer, has returned to his role at the agency, specifically leading the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, after a brief departure caused by internal and external political conflicts.
Erin DuPree, the newly appointed director of Minnesota's marijuana regulatory agency, resigned just one day after her appointment following an investigation that revealed she ran a business selling products that exceeded state limits on THC potency, owed money to former associates, and had accumulated tens of thousands of dollars in tax liens. The investigation raised questions about the thoroughness of the governor's administration's background check. DuPree's business, Loonacy Cannabis Co., advertised products with THC content above the legal limit and vape products containing THC, which were prohibited. Videos posted by DuPree on social media showed her advertising noncompliant products. The governor's office praised DuPree's compliance with state laws and regulations in a statement, but her past irregularities, including court judgments for unpaid wages and unpaid taxes, raised concerns about her trustworthiness and suitability for the position.
Erin DuPree, the newly-appointed director of Minnesota's marijuana regulatory agency, resigned a day after her appointment following an investigation that revealed she ran a business selling cannabis products that exceeded state limits on THC potency and owed money to former associates. The investigation also found that DuPree accumulated tens of thousands of dollars in tax liens. Questions have been raised about the thoroughness of the governor's administration's background check before her appointment. DuPree stated that she planned to sell her business to avoid conflicts of interest when she moved to the regulatory side. Governor Tim Walz did not comment directly on DuPree's departure but stated that the interim director would remain in her role.
The U.K. regulatory agency, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), has extended the deadline for ruling on Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard by six weeks. Microsoft had paused its appeal efforts in the U.K. to negotiate with the CMA after a California judge denied the FTC's request to block the acquisition. The new deadline of August 29 adds uncertainty to Microsoft's acquisition efforts, as its deadline to close the deal is July 18. If the CMA does not provide an updated ruling by then, Microsoft may need to exclude the U.K. from the deal or reach an agreement before August 29.