The US Supreme Court Monday declined to hear a case that asks if extended solitary confinement is a violation of the Eighth Amendment to the country’s constitution. In Hope v. Harris, the petition for the plaintiff described the solitary confinement of Dennis Wayne Hope since 1994 following an escape attempt from prison. For almost 30 years, [...]

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Thursday signed a bill that would ban abortions after six weeks of pregnancy into law. Senate Bill 300, known as the Heartbeat Protection Act, reduced Florida’s abortion window from 15 weeks down to six weeks into a pregnancy. The law contains exceptions for rape, incest, and human trafficking within 15 weeks [...]

The Biden administration Wednesday unveiled two initiatives aimed at decreasing passenger and heavy duty vehicle emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rule making details two initiatives to target greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, applying to model years 2027 to 2032. Those affected by the rule include vehicle manufacturers and vehicle importers. The White House [...]

Counsel for ousted Tennessee Representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson Monday sent a letter directing Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton to restore their rights if they are reinstated. In the letter, counsel for both individuals explained the severity of these events: The world is watching Tennessee. Any partisan retributive action, such as the discriminatory treatment of [...]

The US Supreme Court Monday declined to hear David Brown v. Louisiana, a case which concerns evidence rules in criminal trials. The man who petitioned the court to hear the case remains on death row, where he has been since his 2011 criminal conviction. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote the dissenting opinion, joined by Justices Sonia [...]

The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Monday reversed a lower court’s dismissal of a religious freedom complaint against California’s state controller. The court reinstated the claims because they believe the plaintiff alleged enough facts to demonstrate the loyalty oath and her religious beliefs are in conflict and the state office does not face [...]

The US Senate repealed the authorizations for use of military force (AUMFs) against Iraq Wednesday by a vote of 66-30. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) made opening remarks addressing the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs formerly passed by Congress. He said: The United States, Iraq, the entire world has changed dramatically since 2002. These AUMFs [...]

The US Supreme Court Monday declined to hear Steven Donziger v. United States, a case concerning a human rights lawyer charged with multiple criminal counts of contempt and prosecuted by special prosecutors. Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh dissented and would have heard the appeal. Gorsuch argued that the appointment of the private attorneys as [...]

The American Library Association (ALA) Wednesday released a report quantifying a dramatic increase in demands for book censorship last year. The ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom compiled data on the number of attempts to restrict access to certain library books. 2022 saw the highest number of demands to censor library books and materials since the [...]

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey issued an emergency regulation Monday asserting that current state law prohibits gender transition “interventions” for minors without meeting specific procedural requirements. Missouri law prohibits “experimental healthcare procedures,” so the AG stated that current law does not allow gender transition care for minors without certain requirements because it is an experimental [...]