California emissions standards ruling [EPA] News
California emissions standards ruling [EPA]

California State Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Standards; Notice of Decision Granting a Waiver of Clean Air Act Preemption for California's 2009 and Subsequent Model Year Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards for New Motor Vehicles, Environmental Protection Agency, June 30, 2009 [granting permission to California to enforce its own greenhouse gas emissions standards].

Reported in JURIST's Paper Chase here. Latest commentary available here. JURIST has more on actions taken by the Environmental Protection Agency.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Inquisition of Galileo begins

On April 12, 1633, the Roman Catholic Church began its formal inquisition of Galileo Galilei on charges of heresy. Galileo was tried by the Roman Inquisition "for holding as true the false doctrine taught by some that the sun is the center of the world" in direct contradiction to the Catholic Church's teaching that man and the Earth are the center of the Universe. Galileo was found "vehemently suspect of heresy" and sentenced to life in prison. His punishment was later commuted to house arrest. Learn more about the trial of Galileo Galilei.

President Clinton cited for contempt in Paula Jones case

On April 12, 1999, US District Judge Susan Webber Wright found President Bill Clinton in contempt of court in the Paula Jones case, concluding that the President had provided "intentionally false" evidence in that case about his relationship with Monica Lewinsky.

Read a contemporary CNN report here.