Two former Amazon employees reach settlement deal
Emily Cunningham and Maren Costa were fired from their jobs as user experience designers at Amazon after speaking out against the company’s climate and labor policies. NBC News reported that Amazon spokesperson Jose Negrete wrote in an emailed statement, “We have reached a mutual agreement that resolves the legal issues in this case and welcome the resolution of this matter.” The two women released a joint statement stating, “This is a win for protecting workers rights and shows that we were right to stand up for each other, for justice, and for our world,” they continued, “Amazon will be required to pay us our lost wages and post a notice to all of its tech and warehouse workers nationwide that Amazon can’t fire workers for organizing and exercising their rights.” The amount of the settlement has not been released
Britney Spears’ father suspended as her conservator
According to NBC News on Sept. 29 A judge ruled on Britney Spears conservatorship, with the ruling that Spears’ father is suspended as her conservator. Judge Brenda Penny was originally given the option to terminate the conservatorship or keep it in place. Over the last few months there have been petitions and marches in favor of terminating the conservatorship. Spears described the situation as “abusive” during her court testimony last summer.
Orlando school elects its first transgender homecoming queen
Evan Bialosuknia made history as Olympia High School’s first transgender homecoming queen. NBC News reported Bialosuknia said, “It made me feel like I actually belonged. Not just like a joke. Cause that was one of my fears. I was in bed one night like, ‘What if they were just doing this to laugh at me?” She received her crown on the school’s football field next to all of the other young ladies who had been nominated. NBC News also reported that there has been in increase in LGBTQ+ students challenging their schools’ old traditions to be more inclusive
Man freed from prison after serving 15-year sentence
NBC News reported that on Sept. 29 Juwan Deering’s murder charges had been dismissed. Deering had spent 15 years in prison for a fire related death of five children. The investigation led to the exposure of misconduct by police and prosecutors. A judge granted the request to close the case against him. Deering walked into the court in handcuffs and was able to walk out free. NBC News stated, “Favorable evidence was not shared with his defense lawyer, and jurors at the 2006 trial didn’t know that jail informants were given significant benefits for their testimony against Deering.”
