Values December 20, 2015 Pennsylvania Catholic groups win ObamaCare reprieve Two Pennsylvania Catholic dioceses have won a delay in having to comply with what they argue are controversial mandates in ObamaCare that would go against their religious values.
Supreme Court December 20, 2015 Supreme Court refuses to block Texas abortion restrictions The court denied a request by Planned Parenthood to block a ruling by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, which allows key parts of the Texas abortion law to stay in effect while the case plays out.
State and Local December 20, 2015 Conn. judge: Kennedy cousin won't be released yet A judge said Wednesday that Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel cannot be released immediately while he awaits a new trial in the 1975 slaying of neighbor Martha Moxley.
State and Local December 20, 2015 DOJ changes strategy in fight against Louisiana school voucher program The Justice Department has changed its strategy against the Louisiana Scholarship program, abandoning its request for a permanent injunction in favor of a “process of review,” a move Gov. Bobby Jindal (R.) warns could regulate the program out of existence.
State and Local December 20, 2015 Texas files appeal following federal ruling state's new abortion law is unconstitutional Texas officials have appealed a decision made Monday in federal court that would block a part of the state’s new abortion law requiring doctors who perform an abortion to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. District Judge Lee Yeakel ruled Monday that the provision in the bill violates the rights of abortion doctors to do what they think is best for their patients and would unreasonably restrict a woman’s access to abortion clinics.
States Rights December 20, 2015 Pot legalization effort moves eastward to Maine Advocates of recreational marijuana use are looking to an upcoming vote in Maine as an indicator of whether the East Coast is ready to follow in the footsteps of Colorado and Washington by legalizing cannabis.
Supreme Court December 20, 2015 Supreme Court indicates support for Michigan ban on affirmative action The Supreme Court seems prepared to uphold a voter-approved ban on taking account of race in college admissions.
State and Local December 20, 2015 Michigan's gay marriage ban faces court challenge Wednesday Two Detroit-area nurses wanted to adopt each other's children, not rewrite Michigan law on gay marriage. But their lawsuit could end up overturning a 2004 constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage that passed by a landslide.
State and Local December 20, 2015 FBI says alleged welfare cheat scammed Hawaii taxpayers for 14 years The FBI is accusing a Hawaii man of making an art form of scamming local and federal taxpayers during the past 14 years, taking numerous government benefits he was not entitled to receive.
State and Local December 20, 2015 Justice Department sues North Carolina over voter law The Justice Department announced Monday that it is suing the state of North Carolina for alleged racial discrimination over tough new voter ID rules.
Appeals December 20, 2015 Ex-US House leader DeLay says conviction overturn means liberals failed Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay said Thursday that the left and liberals "didn't accomplish their goal" after a Texas appeals court overturned his money laundering conviction, saying there was insufficient evidence.