Precedents December 20, 2015 Fed judge: Gay couples can wed in Chicago A federal judge says gay couples in Chicago don't have to wait until June to marry. Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman's Friday order says there is no reason to delay same-sex marriages in Illinois, when the state's law is set to take effect. Her finding applies only to Cook County.
State and Local December 20, 2015 Federal judge throws out NYPD spying lawsuit The New York Police Department's intelligence unit didn't discriminate against Muslims with far-reaching surveillance aimed at identifying "budding terrorist conspiracies" at Newark mosques and other locations in New Jersey, a federal judge ruled on Thursday.
State and Local December 20, 2015 Government looking into ATF operations in 4 cities The Justice Department's inspector general is conducting a four-city examination into storefront undercover operations run by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to assess whether they pose a danger to the public. The ATF runs sting operations in various cities, often as part of an effort to catch arms traffickers who bring stolen weapons into storefronts where agents act as buyers.
Supreme Court December 20, 2015 Trio of California cases challenge big union power in Golden State Fed up with increasing union dues and a decreasing say in how the money is spent, three California groups are challenging their big labor bosses in landmark cases that could change how unions operate in the Golden State.
State and Local December 20, 2015 California school’s uniform regulation violates free speech, court rules A Nevada grammar school violated students’ right to free speech in mandating they wear a school uniform with its motto, “Tomorrow’s Leaders,” emblazoned on it, a federal court has ruled.
State and Local December 20, 2015 Fathers sue Utah over law allowing mothers to secretly give up babies for adoption A dozen men are suing the state of Utah in federal court because of a law that allows mothers to put their babies up for adoption without the biological father's consent, or sometimes even knowledge. The civil rights lawsuit claims the Utah Adoption Act has resulted in what amounts to "legalized fraud and kidnapping."
State and Local December 20, 2015 19 states join legal fight against New Jersey's concealed weapons law A brief from Wyoming Attorney General's Office says that Wyoming and the other states are concerned that if the appeals court ruling stands, it could threaten their less-restrictive concealed carry laws.
State and Local December 20, 2015 Federal judge rules drivers allowed to flash headlights to warn of speed traps A federal judge on Monday issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting the St. Louis County town of Ellisville from arresting and prosecuting drivers who flash headlights to warn other drivers of nearby police and speed traps.
Supreme Court December 20, 2015 California high court asked to take up high-speed rail Gov. Jerry Brown's administration on Friday petitioned the California Supreme Court to overturn two lower-court rulings that have stalled progress on the state's high-speed rail project, one of the nation's most expensive public works projects.
State and Local December 20, 2015 Federal judiciary websites hit by cyber attack A federal clerk from Arkansas told Fox Business the disruption to the judiciary’s websites appears to have been a “new national cyber-attack.”
State and Local December 20, 2015 California students sue state over ineffective teachers California’s laws surrounding teacher tenure, dismissal, and layoffs violate the state’s constitution — specifically, students’ right to an equal opportunity to access quality education — say nine students suing the state. The trial is set to begin Jan. 27.