People's World

1 week ago | peoplesworld.org | Tristan Baurick

On a summer night in 2023, an explosion at one of Louisiana’s biggest petrochemical complexes sent a plume of fire into the sky. More explosions followed as poison gas spewed from damaged tanks at the Dow chemical plant, triggering a shelter-in-place order for anyone within a half mile of the facility, which sprawls across more than 830 acres near Baton Rouge. For more than a year, a little-known government agency has been investigating the incident.

1 week ago | peoplesworld.org | John Wojcik

If Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” is not stopped, the president’s promise not to cut Social Security will be thrown into the trash heap, and recipients will soon end up with a 23% cut in benefits. The government is now saying the Social Security Trust fund will run out faster than ever, meaning that when people who are now 59 reach 65, the fund will be dry, and that sooner than that, benefits might have to be cut by as much as 23 percent for millions now receiving Social Security checks.

1 week ago | peoplesworld.org | Roberta Wood

If you get your health care insurance at work through an employer plan, look out! The Republican-pushed “Big Beautiful Bill” is looking pretty ugly for all working-class Americans! HR 1, the centerpiece of Trump’s legislative program, could have you shelling out an additional $2,000 a year for a family of four, according to a report cited by the AFL-CIO this week. And when you need an emergency room, you may not be able to find one.

1 week ago | peoplesworld.org | Brandon Chew

CHICAGO—Mayor Brandon Johnson said he will veto an ordinance that would allow the police superintendent to declare a curfew anywhere in the city with just 30 minutes’ notice to respond to so-called “teen takeover” gatherings. The ordinance was approved by city council members Wednesday by a 27-22 vote. Speaking to reporters shortly after the vote, Mayor Johnson said the ordinance is “counterproductive to the progress” the city has made in reducing crime and violence.

1 week ago | peoplesworld.org | Brandon Chew

Employees of a Chicago-area manufacturer have filed for a union election to address unsafe working conditions that have resulted in multiple severe injuries. Workers at SureBuilt, a producer of concrete construction products, reported 23 injuries in 2024 at their Melrose Park facility. They also allege that on March 13, a fire broke out and the company’s fire detectors failed to alert workers. Later that same week, a worker’s arm was cut in several places and broken by a machine.