Stories by Kristen Gwynne

Kristen Gwynne is an associate editor and drug policy reporter at AlterNet.  Follow her on Twitter: @KristenGwynne subscribe to Kristen Gwynne's feed

Weinergate Gets Even Uglier as Top Campaign Aide Calls Former Intern a "Slutbag"

Posted on: Jul 31, 2013, Source: AlterNet

Another day, another huge setback for the Weiner campaign.

John Oliver: 'Halliburton Can Eat a Bag of D*cks'

Posted on: Jul 31, 2013, Source: AlterNet

Oliver weighed in on Halliburton's role in covering up the BP oil spill—as well as the company's immunity from punishment.

UC Davis "Pepper Spray Cop" Seeks Worker's Comp for Psychiatric Injury

Posted on: Jul 26, 2013, Source: AlterNet

The infamous campus cop claims to have suffered psychiatric injuries from his pepper-spraying of peaceful protesters.

Surveillance Video Catches Police Informant Planting Crack On Business Owner

Posted on: Jul 26, 2013, Source: AlterNet

The latest example of why paid police informants are not always a good idea.

John Oliver: Monopoly Game Removed 'Go to Jail' Option to Reflect America's Financial System

Posted on: Jul 26, 2013, Source: AlterNet

Last night on the Daily Show, Oliver brilliantly connected the board game's change-up to banks' apparent infallibility -- Goldman Sachs price-rigging included.

Feds Raid WA Medical Pot Dispensaries: Could More Regulation Save the Coming Legal Market?

Posted on: Jul 25, 2013, Source: AlterNet

A strong, state-based regulatory system appears key to avoiding the crackdown.

While North Carolina Invites Guns to Bars and Playgrounds, Proposed Voting Restrictions Target Minorities

Posted on: Jul 24, 2013, Source: AlterNet

The state's far-right legislature continues its radical agenda.

Shame on Buzzfeed for Outing the Woman Behind Latest Weiner Revelations

Posted on: Jul 24, 2013, Source: AlterNet

The young woman wished to remain anonymous, but Buzzfeed would rather drag her through the mud.

Police Chief Uploads YouTube Videos Firing Weapons, Ranting About "Libtards" and Calling for Militia Activism

Posted on: Jul 24, 2013, Source: AlterNet

Is this America's scariest police chief?

USC Student: School Official Said My Rape Didn't Count Because Attacker Didn't Orgasm

Posted on: Jul 24, 2013, Source: AlterNet

The school is under federal investigation for failing to seriously address rape and sexual assault, and the allegations are devastating.

Sorry, Britain: Bain Capital Now Owns the Majority of Your Blood Plasma Supply

Posted on: Jul 19, 2013, Source: AlterNet

"Is there no limit to what and how this coalition government will privatise?” exclaimed former UK Health Minister.

4 Unhinged, Offensive Reactions to the Zimmerman Verdict

Posted on: Jul 17, 2013, Source: AlterNet

There's nothing like a racially-charged trial to bring racist apologia out of white folks.

Trial Begins for Old White Man Who Senselessly Shot and Killed Black Middle-Schooler

Posted on: Jul 17, 2013, Source: AlterNet

Days after a jury found George Zimmerman innocent of murdering Trayvon Martin, another racially-charged murder trial begins.

Poisoned School Lunch Leaves Dozens of Kids Dead, Hospitalized in India

Posted on: Jul 17, 2013, Source: AlterNet

Locals are responding with protests demanding answers.

WATCH: Colbert Gives Wag of Finger to 'Non-Rioting Black People'

Posted on: Jul 17, 2013, Source: AlterNet

Colbert was disappointed that, following the Zimmerman verdict, Black Americans did not live up to the media's violent expectations.

Scientist: Trayvon Martin's Marijuana Use Had Nothing to Do with the Night He Died

Posted on: Jul 12, 2013, Source: AlterNet

A researcher at Columbia University debunks some of George Zimmerman's attorneys' flawed logic.

As Taxpayers Foot the Bill, Phone Companies Make Big Bucks Charging Uncle Sam to Wiretap Customers

Posted on: Jul 12, 2013, Source: AlterNet

Wiretapping has become a multi-million-dollar market, according to a new report.

Homeland Security Head Napolitano to Run California's UC System

Posted on: Jul 12, 2013, Source: AlterNet

Rumored replacements are NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly and the notorious Bill Bratton.

Snowden Asks Russia for Asylum -- But Will He Be Willing to Stop Leaking?

Posted on: Jul 12, 2013, Source: AlterNet

Human Rights Watch says Snowden is asking for temporary political asylum in Russia, where he must stop leaking documents to be protected.

WATCH: Rachel Maddow Eviscerates NC's Latest Antichoice "Motorcycle Vagina" Legislation

Posted on: Jul 12, 2013, Source: AlterNet

The North Carolina legislature is out of control.

The Backlash Begins: Indiana Makes Same-Sex Marriage a Felony Punishable by Prison

Posted on: Jul 10, 2013, Source: AlterNet

Beginning July 2014, same-sex couples seeking marriage in the state can face serious time.

Why Veterans Struggling with PTSD Want Access to Medical Marijuana

Posted on: Jul 10, 2013, Source: AlterNet

A new campaign aims to educate the public about PTSD and marijuana's potential to treat it.

Coincidence? KKK Leaves 'Neighborhood Watch' Letters in CT, Just as Zimmerman Defense Wraps Up

Posted on: Jul 10, 2013, Source: AlterNet

Racists do not keep America's streets 'safe.'

Wal-Mart Will Not Open D.C. Stores if Forced to Pay Living Wages

Posted on: Jul 10, 2013, Source: AlterNet

Mega-retailer would rather dip out than pay up.

Injured Vet Traveling to Be Honored Is Aggressively Searched by TSA Agents

Posted on: Jul 10, 2013, Source: AlterNet

The retired marine could not lift his right arm above his head to comply with requests.

Cops Accused of Invading NV Home, Firing Pepperballs and Assaulting Family

Posted on: Jul 5, 2013, Source: AlterNet

After a family refused to allow the police to use home as a lookout, the police decided to forcibly take control of the house anyway.

Teenager Jailed for Facebook "Terrorist Threat" Is Now On Suicide Watch

Posted on: Jul 5, 2013, Source: AlterNet

The nineteen-year-old facing a third-degree felony for a Facebook joke is now suffering from the trauma of incarceration.

Zimmerman Lawyer Tries to Bully Trayvon's Mother to Say her Son "Caused His Own Death"

Posted on: Jul 5, 2013, Source: AlterNet

Using absurd rhetorical tricks, the defense continues its effort to criminalize Trayvon Martin.

4 Shady Ways Police Bust People For Drugs

Posted on: Jul 4, 2013, Source: AlterNet

The profit incentive leads some cops to great lengths just to make a bust.

City of Berkeley Fights Back Against Federal, Anti-Medical-Marijuana Bullies

Posted on: Jul 3, 2013, Source: AlterNet

The feds won't close Berkeley's largest medical marijuana dispensary without a fight.

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to Kindly Fund Research into Student-Worn Bracelets Monitoring Teacher Effectiveness

Posted on: Jul 3, 2013, Source: AlterNet

The Gates just keep pumping money into educational research teachers don't want or need.

NC Senate Slips Sweeping Abortion Restrictions into Bill Supposed to Ban Sharia Law

Posted on: Jul 3, 2013, Source: AlterNet

The latest example of shady politics from our antichoice legislators.

Victory for Woman Whose Newborn Baby Was Taken Away After Poppyseed Bagel Caused Positive Drug Test

Posted on: Jul 3, 2013, Source: AlterNet

Here's why drug-testing women at birth is not the best idea.

Cops Shoot Dog After Arresting Owner for Filming Police

Posted on: Jul 2, 2013, Source: AlterNet

A crime scene in Hawthorne, California ended with a dead dog.

Teenager Commits Suicide After Police Launch Social Media Campaign Against Him

Posted on: Jun 28, 2013, Source: AlterNet

When a teenager failed to appear in court on substance abuse charges, the police began cyber-bulling him on Facebook.

John Oliver's Hilarious Breakdown of Republican Reactions to DOMA Ruling

Posted on: Jun 28, 2013, Source: AlterNet

Why the long face?

Georgia Woman Told Vaginal Exam Necessary to Prove Gender for Driver's License

Posted on: Jun 26, 2013, Source: AlterNet

This is how nonchalantly we probe women's bodies nowadays.

3 Things to Know About Wendy Davis' Rowdy, Badass Victory for Women in Texas

Posted on: Jun 26, 2013, Source: AlterNet

Last night, hundreds of angry women refused to let their voices be silenced by Senate Republicans dead-set on trampling their rights.

Colorado Police Department 'Mistakenly' Destroyed DNA Evidence in 48 Sexual Assault Cases

Posted on: Jun 26, 2013, Source: AlterNet

In one of the cases, the victim will no longer be able to prosecute her attacker, because the DNA evidence matched to him was destroyed.

Mistrial for Detroit Cop Who Killed 7-Year-Old Girl Shows Barriers to Justice for Police Brutality VIctims

Posted on: Jun 19, 2013, Source: AlterNet

A deadlocked jury failed to decide whether to convict or acquit the cop responsible, but prosecutors will face the same obstacles in a new trial.

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