Midwest December 20, 2015 Wisconsin Supreme Court upholds voter ID law The Wisconsin Supreme Court has upheld a requirement that voters show photo identification at the polls, but the law remains blocked in federal court.
State and Local December 20, 2015 Judge says US can't seize tanker full of Kurdish oil off Texas coast A federal magistrate judge ruled Tuesday that U.S. Marshals will not be able to able to carry out her earlier order to seize a million barrels of Kurdish crude oil unless the tanker carrying the cargo comes closer to the Texas shore.
State and Local December 20, 2015 Justice Department sues Pennsylvania State Police, claiming fitness tests discriminate against women The Pennsylvania State Police, one of the nation's largest forces, is faced with ending the physical fitness tests it gives to applicants for state trooper positions or defending in court a practice that the federal government says illegally discriminates against women.
State and Local December 20, 2015 Judge rules Colorado same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional A federal judge in Denver has declared Colorado's gay marriage ban unconstitutional, but he issued a temporary stay of the ruling until an appeals court hearing next month.
Supreme Court December 20, 2015 Supreme Court delays benefits for Utah gay couples More than 1,000 same-sex married couples in Utah must wait longer for state benefits after the U.S. Supreme Court granted the state a stay on an order requiring it to recognize the marriages.
Supreme Court December 20, 2015 California's foie gras ban waddles to the Supreme Court California’s ban on force-feeding ducks and geese to produce foie gras could become an entrée on the U.S. Supreme Court’s summer menu. According to a state law that was adopted in 2004 but didn’t take effect until two years ago, “a product may not be sold in California if it is the result of force-feeding a bird for the purpose of enlarging the bird’s liver beyond normal size,” the typical method of producing the rich and buttery delicacy.
State and Local December 20, 2015 Activists sue to block marijuana sales tax in Colorado Marijuana legalization advocates are suing to block state and local governments from collecting certain taxes on weed sold in Colorado, out of concern that businesses paying the fees would incriminate themselves at the federal level.
New York December 20, 2015 NY high court won't reinstate NYC big-soda ban Guzzlers prevailed Thursday as New York's highest court refused to reinstate New York City's ban on the sale of big sodas, ruling that the city's health department overstepped its bounds when approved the 16-ounce cap on sugary beverages.
New Mexico December 20, 2015 Judges in New Mexico get a pay raise … from other judges It was a complicated case but, in the end, a specially selected panel of the New Mexico Supreme Court gave judges a 5 percent pay raise.
State and Local December 20, 2015 Judge orders Kentucky to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states A federal judge on Thursday signed an order directing officials in Kentucky to immediately recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states and countries.
State and Local December 20, 2015 Judge deals blow to Ohio village's use of speeding traffic cameras Butler County Common Pleas Judge Michael J. Sage also approved class action status, meaning thousands of drivers potentially could seek refunds from the village of New Miami.