Democratic U.S. President Joe Biden secured his 235th federal judicial appointment on Friday, surpassing Donald Trump’s first-term tally of 234 by a narrow margin. Biden’s appointments emphasize diversity, with a record number of women and people of color filling these lifetime positions. Biden Reshapes Federal Judiciary The Democratic-led U.S. Senate confirmed two California-based judges on…
The Illinois Supreme Court has authorized the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools by judges, attorneys, clerks, and other court officials under specific conditions. The new policy, announced Wednesday and effective Jan. 1, emphasizes that AI usage must comply with existing legal and ethical standards while promoting innovation and efficiency in the judiciary. “This policy…
In a bid to enhance safety at the homes of the nine U.S. Supreme Court justices, Congress allocated more than $25 million as part of a temporary funding measure. This stopgap legislation, designed to prevent a partial government shutdown, also ensures federal agencies remain operational through March 14, 2025. Lawmakers Scramble to Prevent Government Shutdown…
TikTok has filed an emergency petition with the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking to block the enforcement of a federal law that could compel the platform to shut down in the United States by Jan. 19, 2025. The petition challenges the constitutionality of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, signed into law in…
Senior U.S. District Judge Michael Ponsor faced a judicial misconduct ruling after publishing an essay in The New York Times criticizing Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. In the May 24, 2024, essay, Ponsor condemned Alito for allowing provocative flags, including an upside-down American flag, to be displayed outside his homes. The flags resembled those used…
The U.S. Supreme Court announced on Friday that it will hear a case involving the Catholic Charities Bureau of Superior, Wisconsin, which seeks a religious exemption from the state’s unemployment insurance tax. The decision could significantly impact how states nationwide balance unemployment tax programs with constitutional protections for religious organizations. Catholic Charities Challenges Wisconsin’s Tax…
Conservative Justices Signal Support for Tennessee’s Gender-Affirming Care Ban The conservative majority of the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed support for a Tennessee law banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors. This case, part of a broader culture war over transgender rights, could influence similar laws across the country. The court heard arguments in…
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on Monday in a case challenging the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) decision to block two e-cigarette companies from selling flavored vape products. The FDA cited health risks to youths as the basis for its refusal, marking another high-stakes case involving the power of regulatory agencies. The FDA…
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear an appeal in an antitrust lawsuit brought by 17 U.S. states against Google, allowing a lower court’s ruling to stand. The decision compels South Carolina’s parks, recreation, and tourism agency to release records that Google sought for its defense. The states accuse Google of maintaining an illegal…
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to hear a bid by landlord groups challenging New York City’s rent stabilization laws, which cap rent hikes and limit evictions. The justices rejected appeals by property owners who argued that the city’s price and eviction controls violate the Fifth Amendment’s “takings clause,” which prohibits the government from…
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