Wendi C. Thomas
Commercial Appeal
Memphis, TN, United States
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Past articles by Wendi:
FedEx says it's a safe workplace. So why is Jessica James dead?
Jessica ames’ death illustrates the risks inherent in a culture where speed is of the essence and safety comes a distant second, say former FedEx employees. → Read More
FedEx workers at World Hub said they were pressured to work faster than they felt was safe
FedEx workers at the Memphis World Hub said they were pressured to work faster than they felt was safe, a ProPublica report found → Read More
Nonprofit Hospital Almost Never Gave Discounts to Poor Patients During Collections, Documents Show —
We reported how Memphis’ largest hospital system sued thousands of poor patients. Now, new data shared with Sen. Chuck Grassley shows the system collected $169 million in past-due bills, but only 1% received financial assistance during collections. → Read More
The Police Have Been Spying on Black Reporters and Activists for Years. I Know Because I’m One of Them. —
Wendi C. Thomas is a black journalist who has covered police in Memphis. One officer admitted to spying on her. She’s on a long list of prominent black journalists and activists who have been subjected to police surveillance over decades. → Read More
After Worker Died, Nike Barred Public Health Officials From Its Warehouse
County health officials received a complaint that the giant athletic wear maker wasn't cleaning thoroughly or allowing for social distancing among workers. → Read More
Nike turned away public health official from its warehouse days after a worker with COVID-19 died
The Health Department received a complaint that a Nike warehouse wasn't being cleaned thoroughly or allowing for social distancing. Its inspector wasn't allowed inside. → Read More
These Workers Packed Lip Gloss and Pandora Charm Bracelets. They Were…
PFS, which packs and ships jewelry and cosmetics, stayed open even as employees have tested positive for coronavirus. Some temporary workers say they quit over a lack of workplace protections, but agencies keep sending people to $9 an hour jobs. → Read More
What It Looks Like When a Hospital We Investigated Erases $11.9 Million in Medical Debt —
After our investigation, Methodist Le Bonheur hospital system erased thousands of patients’ medical debt. Many will no longer have to choose between those bills and their children or themselves. We want you to meet four of them. → Read More
Nonprofit Hospital That Sued Poor Patients Just Freed Thousands From Debt
A Memphis hospital that filed more than 8,300 lawsuits for unpaid medical bills from 2014 through 2018 is forgiving many patients' debts, after an investigation by journalists. → Read More
Memphis Hospitals Suspend Debt Collection Suits, Including Suits Against Employees
After an investigation by journalists found the Methodist hospital system had filed 8,300 lawsuits in five years, the hospital announced it will be "reviewing" its policies in the next 30 days. → Read More
Methodist CEO promises review of policies following critical report
As criticism mounts about the debt collection practices of Methodist Le Bonheur, its CEO promised to reevaluate the system's financial assistance policies. → Read More
A Tennessee Hospital Sues Its Own Employees When They Can't Pay Their Medical Bills
A nonprofit hospital network in Memphis takes its own workers to court for unpaid medical bills. Some of them earn as little as $12.25/hour, but still see their wages garnished by their employer. → Read More
Low-wage workers being sued for unpaid bills by Methodist
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare has sued many of its own employees over unpaid medical bills and garnishes their wages. Its health care plan prevents them from going to competitors with better financial assistance. → Read More
A Tennessee Hospital Sues Its Own Employees When They Can't Pay Their Medical Bills
A nonprofit hospital network in Memphis takes its own workers to court for unpaid medical bills. Some of them earn as little as $12.25/hour, but still see their wages garnished by their employer. → Read More
A Tennessee Hospital Sues Its Own Employees When They Can't Pay Their Medical Bills
A nonprofit hospital network in Memphis has taken its own workers to court over unpaid medical bills. Some of them earn as little as $12.25 an hour but still see their wages garnished. → Read More
This nonprofit hospital makes millions, owns a collection agency and relentlessly sues the poor
From 2014 through 2018, Methodist filed more than 8,300 lawsuits for unpaid medical bills, according to an MLK50-ProPublica analysis. → Read More
The Nonprofit Hospital That Makes Millions, Owns a Collection Agency and Relentlessly Sues the Poor —
Nonprofit hospitals pay virtually no local, state or federal income tax. In return, they provide community benefits, including charity care to low-income patients. In Memphis, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare has brought 8,300 lawsuits for unpaid medical bills in just five years. → Read More
As police forces shrink, cities like Memphis look at new ways to fund law enforcement
The numbers of police have declined over the past five years, and the rate of police officers per 1,000 residents has been dropping for two decades. → Read More
What Ben Carson Doesn’t Get About Poverty
The cure is a sizable increase in the federal minimum wage, which remains at $7.25 an hour... “The prescription for the cure rests with the accurate diagnosis of the disease.”Apply Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words to Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson’s latest plan and you’ll see just how brainless public housing policy could become. → Read More
Behind the Veneer of 'I Am Memphis'
Like any good southern hosts, Memphis is polishing its image for the crowd that is about to descend to remember MLK. Here’s the ugly reality we should acknowledge. → Read More