The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that the Department of Health Services (DHS) lacked authority to limit capacities for indoor public gatherings. DHS issued Emergency Order 3 in October in response to COVID-19, which “limited the size of indoor public gatherings either to 25 percent of a facility’s permitted capacity or, if no general [...]

A judge for Shawnee County District Court in Kansas blocked the state’s ban on Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) abortions Wednesday. The Kansas legislature passed Senate Bill 95, commonly known as the Kansas Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act, in 2015. The Act prohibits D&E abortions, providing exceptions only for when the abortion is “necessary [...]

A judge for the US District Court for the Northern District of Georgia decided that Georgia’s ballot access restrictions for third-party candidates are unconstitutional. In 1943, Georgia approved a five percent petition ballot access requirement. The law currently states that a “political body” or independent candidate for non-statewide offices “must submit (1) a notice of candidacy and [...]

The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on Wednesday upheld Hawaii’s firearm-licensing law, which restricts open-carry licenses to those who can demonstrate “the urgency or the need” to carry a firearm, that they are of good moral character, and are “engaged in the protection of life and property.” The appellant, George Young, applied for [...]

The US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled Wednesday that Uber Technologies, Inc. (Uber) cannot force plaintiffs to arbitrate their disability discrimination claims. The plaintiffs include motorized-wheelchair users from the Pittsburgh area and the Pittsburghers for Public Trust, which is a non-profit organization that aims to make “transportation … available and accessible to [...]

Philadelphia and three other municipalities, filed suit against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania legislature on Wednesday, claiming the legislature unconstitutionally deprived the municipalities of their right to pass ordinances on single-use plastics. Lower Merion, Narberth, West Chester and Philadelphia are challenging the legislature’s use of the annual fiscal code amendment—”a must-pass omnibus-style bill [...]

A judge for the US District Court for the Eastern District of California refused to grant a preliminary injunction on Tuesday, thereby allowing California’s net neutrality law to take effect. The California Internet Consumer Protection and Net Neutrality Act was signed by the former California Governor Jerry Brown in September 2018. The Act sought to [...]

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signed a bill on Thursday that prohibits an abortion if a physician detects a fetal heartbeat. The bill will only take effect if the US Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. The General Assembly passed the South Carolina Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act with a 79-35 vote. The law [...]

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced on Wednesday the grand jury’s decision to indict Adam Coy—former Columbus Police Officer—for the shooting and subsequent death of Andre Hill. On December 22 Coy and another officer responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle. As he approached the residence where the vehicle was located he came across [...]

The Kenosha Police Department announced Wednesday that the two officers involved in the arrest of Jacob Blake that resulted in his fatal shooting have returned to duty. The Kenosha Police Department explained that Officers Vincent Arenas and Brittany Meronek were on administrative leave since August 23 and returned to full duty on January 20. The [...]