Katie Rucke

Katie Rucke is a MintPress staff writer and investigative report specializing in the war on drugs, criminal justice, marijuana legislation, education and watchdog investigations as well as whistle-blowers. Her investigations related to the coverage of the 2010 Toyota recall scandal, and coverage of the trials of Anonymous hacker and proclaimed activist Jeremy Hammond as well as Bradley Manning have received international acclaim. Rucke has been recommended by the Wikileaks organization as a trusted journalist in 2013. Rucke has also written pieces for Yahoo! and various community magazines. Follow Katie on Twitter: @katierucke

Does Mich. Legislature Finally Have A Solution For Detroit?

The key to getting Detroit back on its feet and to helping other Michigan cities in dire financial straits may lie in 11 bills recently proposed by the state Legislature.

Katie Rucke
作者 Katie Rucke
Rick Snyder, Kevyn Orr

Concerned with just how hard Detroit has fallen as a result of its financial issues and declaration of bankruptcy last July, the Michigan Legislature recently proposed 11 bills that specifically outline how to keep Detroit in check, including the creation of a seven-member board to oversee the city’s pensions and finances for at least the next 20

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Minn. Lawmakers Eye A Medical Marijuana Compromise

Minnesota’s House and Senate have both passed medical marijuana laws. These two laws are incredibly different, so it’s time to find a compromise that the governor can accept.

Katie Rucke
作者 Katie Rucke
Joni Whiting

A Minnesota state Senator is working to reduce the discrepancies in how lawmakers -- namely, those within his own party -- view medical marijuana. He’s hoping the substance that has proven to have medicinal benefits can be legalized before the state Legislature ends its latest session on May 19. Democrats hold a majority in both chambers of the

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Calif. City Boosts Revenue By Detaining And Deporting Immigrants

Despite protests and calls from activists, an immigrant-dominant California city opts to continue its controversial relationship with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Katie Rucke
作者 Katie Rucke
IMMIGRATION

Santa Ana, Calif., welcomed its first Latino police chief on Tuesday during a City Council meeting, then the city with an 80-percent Latino population opted to increase its revenue by deporting undocumented immigrants. As MintPress News previously reported, since 2006, Santa Ana officials have allowed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

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Judge: Medical Marijuana Necessity Defense Doesn’t Apply In Federal Court

Five medical marijuana patients from Washington state are set for trial in a federal court, and the judge says the state’s medical marijuana laws can’t be used in their defense.

Katie Rucke
作者 Katie Rucke
Kari Boiter

Five medical marijuana patients from Washington state won’t be able to use the state’s medical marijuana legalization laws or say they are medical marijuana patients during their federal trial for cultivation and possession of marijuana that is expected to begin in Spokane, Wash., on Monday. The “Kettle Falls 5” case, as it is known, is the

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Study: Undocumented Immigrants Considerably Smaller Burden On Health System Than Citizens

A new study debunks the sometimes convenient political talking point that accuses undocumented immigrants of stressing the U.S. health care system.

Katie Rucke
作者 Katie Rucke
Health Care Immigrants

Are undocumented immigrants to blame for the rising costs of medical care in the United States? It’s an accusation and talking point some lawmakers have used to garner support for the creation of a fence to keep undocumented immigrants -- specifically, Mexicans -- out of the country. However, according to a new study from the University of

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Minn. Senate Votes To Legalize Medical Marijuana

The Minnesota Senate voted to legalize medical marijuana on Tuesday, bringing the state another step closer to legalization. The House is expected to vote on its own bill on Friday.

Katie Rucke
作者 Katie Rucke
Patrick McClellan

The Minnesota Senate voted 48-18 to pass a piece of legislation legalizing medical marijuana in the state on Tuesday. The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Scott Dibble, a Democrat from Minneapolis, would allow those suffering from severe and debilitating medical conditions such as cancer, HIV, AIDS, epilepsy, glaucoma and severe, intractable pain,

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North Dakota Asks Nation For Help In Human Trafficking Epidemic

North Dakota’s male-dominated oil fields have created huge demand for sex workers. This demand has led to a human trafficking epidemic that the state can’t remedy on its own.

Katie Rucke
作者 Katie Rucke
Bakken sign

It’s an unfortunate reality seen throughout the world: where there are men and money, there are prostitutes. And where there are prostitutes, there are victims of human trafficking. Not all individuals selling sex choose to do so willingly -- some reports estimate that about 70 percent of “prostitutes” are actually human trafficking victims.

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