December 20, 2015 Proposed Ohio cell phone law raises many questions Using a cell phone in a school or construction zone may soon be illegal in Ohio.
December 20, 2015 Federal judge strikes down Alaska's first-in-the-nation gay marriage ban U.S. District Judge Timothy Burgess on Sunday said the ban violates the U.S. constitutional guarantee of due process and equal protection.
December 20, 2015 Supreme Court lifts hold on gay marriage in Idaho The Supreme Court says same-sex marriage can go ahead in Idaho.
December 20, 2015 DC mayor signs legislation allowing handguns District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray has signed legislation that allows people to carry concealed handguns in the nation's capital.
December 20, 2015 Federal judge blocks Texas voter ID law The ruling by U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos of Corpus Christi is a defeat for Republican-backed photo ID measures that have swept across the U.S. in recent years and mostly been upheld in court.
December 20, 2015 Pennsylvania panel advances victim's rights bill after convicted cop killer's commencement speech Pennsylvania's governor called a Vermont college's decision to invite convicted cop killer Mumia Abu-Jamal to give a commencement address "unconscionable" Monday, as a state legislative committee advanced a victim's rights bill designed to prevent those convicted of violent crimes from causing their victims "mental anguish."
December 20, 2015 Federal appeals court upholds Wisconsin voter ID law State elections officials are preparing for the photo ID law to be in effect for the Nov. 4 election, even as opponents continue their legal fight.Â
December 20, 2015 Appeals court allows Texas to begin enforcing tough new abortion restrictions A federal appeals court Thursday gave Texas permission to fully enforce a sweeping abortion law signed by Republican Gov. Rick Perry last year that would effectively close all but seven abortion facilities in America's second-most populous state.
December 20, 2015 California Gov. Brown signs bill allowing families to seek gun restraining order California will become the first state that allows family members to ask a judge to remove firearms from a relative who appears to pose a threat, under legislation Gov. Jerry Brown said Tuesday he had signed.
December 20, 2015 California becomes first in nation to enact statewide plastic bag ban A national coalition of plastic bag manufacturers immediately said it would seek a voter referendum to repeal the law, which is scheduled to take effect in July 2015.