The Senate on Wednesday voted 73-25 to approve a public land conservation bill. The vote delivers a rare bipartisan win for the often politically gridlocked legislature. The bill, titled the Great American Outdoors Act, was first introduced in March and will provide additional funding from oil, gas, coal, or alternative renewable energy revenues to the Land and [...]

US President Donald Trump said in a tweet on Sunday that the US government will designate Antifa as a terrorist organization. “It’s ANTIFA and the Radical Left,” Trump tweeted. “Don’t lay the blame on others.” According to Merriam-Webster, “ANTIFA” or “Antifa” is short for the German “antifaschistisch” (“anti-facist” in English), and is often used to [...]

The US Supreme Court ruled Monday in Maine Community Health Options v. United States that health insurance companies that suffered losses related to Affordable Care Act health benefit exchange policies may receive compensation. Insurance companies recently sued the government to receive reimbursement owed for ACA related losses. In an 8-1 decision, the court held that [...]

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that Chipotle Mexican Grill agreed on Tuesday to pay a $25 million fine and enter a deferred prosecution agreement to resolve foodborne related illness outbreak charges. “This case highlights why it is important for restaurants and members of the food services industry to ensure that managers and employees [...]

US President Donald Trump unveiled new federal COVID-19 guidelines on Thursday in hopes of reopening American businesses. The guidelines, titled “Opening Up America Again,” outline a three-phased plan based on advice of public health experts, according to the White House plan. The phases are designed to allow people to slowly return to work if their [...]

Federal appeals courts on Tuesday affirmed temporary lower court blocks on abortion bans issued in Oklahoma and Texas amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit blocked surgical abortions, but allowed medical abortions to continue in Texas. The US Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit held similarly, denying the [...]

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said Thursday in his remarks to the Security Council that the COVID-19 pandemic threatens global peace. “In some conflict settings, the uncertainty created by the pandemic may create incentives for some actors to promote further division and turmoil,” Guterres stated. “This could lead to an escalation of violence and possibly devastating [...]

UN Secretary-General António Guterres called Sunday for a “ceasefire” in domestic violence, after a recent surge following global COVID-19 lockdowns. “Peace is not just the absence of war. Many women under lockdown for COVID-19 face violence where they should be safest: in their own homes,” Guterres tweeted. “I urge all governments to put women’s safety [...]

Kentucky Circuit Court judges on Tuesday ordered at least four COVID-19 patients to wear GPS ankle monitors for allegedly breaking self-isolation orders. The first order was issued after a patient broke self-quarantine to shop on March 21. On March 27, Judge Charles Cunningham ordered two relatives to wear ankle monitors after one tested positive and [...]

Federal judges on Monday temporarily blocked Texas, Alabama and Ohio from enforcing COVID-19 abortion bans for the duration of the lawsuits. On March 22, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an Executive Order that: applies throughout the State and to all surgeries and procedures that are not immediately medically necessary, including routine dermatological, ophthalmological, and dental [...]