Portland Protesters, Journalists Seek Ban on Tear Gas at ICE Facility
Protesters and freelance journalists appeared in federal court seeking to extend a temporary restraining order that bars federal officers from using tear gas, pepper balls, and flash‑bangs at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland. The plaintiffs argue the munitions are used to intimidate and suppress First Amendment activity, while the federal government contends they are necessary for crowd control. Judge Michael Simon, who issued the original order in February, is now considering an extension and a requirement that agents wear visible identification numbers. The hearing is set to conclude mid‑week.
San Diego District Attorney Urges Jurors to Convict Mother of Murdering Her Baby by Starvation
The San Diego trial of Elizabeth Ucman and Brandon Copeland focuses on the death of their four‑month‑old daughter, Delilah, who was found emaciated after losing more than half her birth weight. Deputy District Attorney Franciesca Balerio framed the case as a...
White News Anchor Fired for Quoting Snoop Dogg Claims Racial Discrimination
White news anchor Barbie Bassett was terminated after quoting Snoop Dogg’s phrase “fo shizzle, my nizzle” on air. Bassett, a 20‑year veteran at WLBT in Jackson, Mississippi, sued the station under Title VII, alleging racial discrimination. A district judge granted...
Conservation Groups Sue Feds to Save Fish From California Water Flows
Conservation groups including San Francisco Baykeeper filed a federal lawsuit accusing the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation of violating the Endangered Species Act by over‑pumping water from the Sacramento‑San Joaquin Delta. The suit alleges the Central Valley Project’s operations raise water...
Hawaii High Court Takes up 20-Year Fight over Retiree Health Benefits
The Hawaii Supreme Court is hearing the third major round of the Dannenberg case, where roughly 100,000 public retirees argue the state violated a constitutional guarantee by reshaping health benefits in 2003. The dispute centers on Article XVI, Section 2, which bars...
ICE Blocked From Warrantless Arrests in Oregon
A federal judge in Oregon issued a preliminary injunction halting ICE's practice of arresting individuals without a warrant or a specific probable‑cause assessment of escape risk. The ruling finds a high likelihood that plaintiffs will succeed on claims ICE is...
$299.5 Million Toyota Forklift Emissions Settlement Moves Forward
A federal judge gave preliminary approval to a $299.5 million class‑action settlement that resolves claims Toyota falsified emissions tests on more than 272,000 gasoline and diesel forklifts. Eligible owners and lessees can file claims for payouts averaging $1,400‑$2,800 per unit, and...
San Francisco Court Clerks Reach Tentative Agreement on Second Day of Strike
San Francisco Superior Court clerks ended a two‑day strike after reaching a tentative agreement with court management. The deal includes concessions on cost‑of‑living adjustments, additional time off, and a pledged unit‑by‑unit approach to staffing and training. Union leaders say the...
Argentina’s Milei Scores Win with Controversial Labor Overhaul
Argentina’s Senate approved President Javier Milei’s Labor Modernization Act, a sweeping overhaul that lengthens the workday to 12 hours, cuts severance payouts, eases firing, and curtails union activity. The legislation aims to bring the country’s 40% informal workforce into the formal sector,...
Judge Reinforces Order Protecting Minnesota Refugees From Detention
U.S. District Judge John Tunheim issued a sweeping injunction that halts the Department of Homeland Security’s Operation PARRIS, which sought to arrest and detain roughly 5,600 Minnesota refugees who have not yet become permanent residents. The judge ruled the agency’s...
Virginia Temporarily Blocked From Enforcing Social Media Limit Law
A federal judge temporarily halted Virginia's 2025 law that caps minors' social‑media use at one hour per platform per day, citing First Amendment concerns. The law, which allows parental adjustments, also mandates age verification and out‑of‑state activity monitoring. NetChoice, representing...
Drone Operator Who Flew Near California Football Game Charged with Criminal Flight Violations
A 27‑year‑old man, Junwei Guo, appeared in federal court charged with a Class A misdemeanor for violating FAA airspace restrictions by flying a DJI Mavic Pro drone near Levi’s Stadium during a 49ers‑Rams NFL game. The temporary flight restriction prohibited...
California Drivers Accuse Flock Safety of Sharing Data with Federal and Out-of-State Agencies
Two California drivers have filed a lawsuit accusing Flock Safety of violating the state ALPR Privacy Act by allowing federal and out‑of‑state law‑enforcement agencies to query its automated license‑plate recognition data. The complaint cites more than 1.6 million out‑of‑state searches of...
Feds Won’t Appeal Dismissal of Luigi Mangione’s Death Penalty Charge
Federal prosecutors announced they will not appeal Judge Margaret Garnett's dismissal of the death‑penalty charge against Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the UnitedHealthcare CEO murder. The judge ruled that the underlying stalking counts do not qualify as "crimes of violence,"...
Feds Strike Deal to Dodge Sanctions over NYC Immigration Facility
The Department of Homeland Security settled a lawsuit with ICE detainees at New York's 26 Federal Plaza, agreeing to upgrade conditions, provide confidential attorney calls, and issue multilingual Notices of Rights. The agreement expands court oversight to the entire building,...
Former San Francisco Building Inspector Gets One-Year Sentence in Bribery Case
Former San Francisco Department of Building Inspection plan‑checker Rodolfo “Rudy” Pada was sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison for accepting more than $40,000 in bribes over a 14‑year span, plus additional payments while working for a...
Mother of 12-Year-Old Killed in Nebraska Plant Explosion Sues Wood Pellet Producer
Mother of a 12‑year‑old killed in a 2025 Nebraska wood‑pellet plant explosion files a lawsuit against Horizon Biofuels. The complaint alleges the company failed to maintain dust collection, housekeeping, and ignition controls, causing a July 29 blast that killed a father...
States, Tribes Get Partial Victory in Columbia River Basin Salmon Battle
A federal judge in Portland partially granted a preliminary injunction sought by Washington, Oregon, several Native American tribes and conservation groups to protect endangered salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River Basin. The ruling found the 2020 biological opinion for...
Judge Bars Trump Administration From Removing People to Third Countries without Due Process
U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy in Massachusetts blocked the Trump administration’s policy of deporting noncitizens to third countries without notice or a chance to contest. The ruling requires meaningful notice and an opportunity to challenge removals, rejecting the government’s reliance...
Colorado Lawmakers Look to Require Public Defenders, Livestream Hearings at Municipal Courts
Colorado lawmakers advanced HB26-1134, the Fairness & Transparency in Municipal Court bill, to require public defenders, ensure attorney access to case files, and mandate livestreamed municipal court hearings. The legislation responds to cases like a 30‑day jail sentence for a...
Brooklyn Terror Trial Opens for Man Accused of Plotting to Kill Trump, Other US Officials
Federal prosecutors opened the Brooklyn trial of Pakistani national Asif Merchant, who faces terrorism and murder‑for‑hire charges for an alleged scheme to assassinate high‑profile U.S. officials, possibly former President Donald Trump. Prosecutors say Merchant tried to hire two undercover FBI...
Railroad Company Wins Appeal in Montana Asbestos Death Case
The Ninth Circuit reversed a district court ruling that held BNSF Railway strictly liable for asbestos dust from the Libby, Montana, vermiculite mine, invoking the federal common‑carrier exemption. A 2024 jury had awarded each estate $4 million, but the appeals court...
Ninth Circuit Won’t Pause Injunction Against Feds’ Discontinuation of School Mental Health Grants
A three‑judge Ninth Circuit panel denied an emergency stay, leaving in place a district court injunction that bars the U.S. Department of Education from canceling school‑based mental health grants without following required procedures. The court ordered the department to issue...
Feds and Defense Attorneys Lay Out Dueling Narratives in North Texas ‘Antifa’ Trial
A federal prosecutor and defense attorneys opened a high‑profile trial in Fort Worth, alleging that a self‑identified “North Texas antifa cell” conspired to attack the Prairieland Detention Center on July 4, shooting fireworks and injuring a police officer. The government...
OpenAI Fends Off xAi’s Claims of Trade Secret Theft
A U.S. District Judge dismissed xAI's trade‑secret lawsuit against OpenAI, finding no evidence that OpenAI induced former employees to steal confidential information. The ruling emphasized that mere possession of trade secrets does not constitute misappropriation and that the plaintiff failed...
Florida Beach Access Fight Returns to 11th Circuit
Two Florida waterfront owners appealed to the 11th Circuit to overturn Redington Beach’s ordinance that permits public use of dry sand up to 15 feet from private property. The case hinges on the “customary use” doctrine, which allows public access...
Kanye West Trial over Botched Remodel of ‘Architectural Treasure’ Set to Kick Off This Week
A civil suit filed by construction foreman Tony Saxon alleges Kanye West, now known as Ye, owes more than $1 million for unpaid wages and expenses tied to a stalled remodel of a Tadao Ando‑designed Malibu beachfront home. The 12‑day trial will...
25 Years Later, San Diego-Area High School Shooter Eyes Release
Attorney Laura Sheppard argued that Charles Andy Williams, convicted for the 2001 Santana High School shooting, should be released after 25 years. A Superior Court judge vacated his 50‑to‑life sentence under California's new juvenile resentencing law, prompting an immediate appeal...
Ohio School District Sues Microsoft, Roblox over Video Game Harm to Students
The Champion Local School District in Ohio filed a 185‑page lawsuit against Microsoft (including its Mojang subsidiary) and Roblox, alleging that their games such as Minecraft and Roblox are engineered to create addiction and mental‑health issues among students. The district...
San Francisco Seeks Breakaway From PG&E to Create Public Utility
California State Senator Scott Wiener introduced Senate Bill 875 to let San Francisco municipalize its electric distribution, aiming to break away from PG&E. The move follows repeated blackouts, rates that are roughly double those of neighboring areas, and safety failures...
Wisconsin Taxpayers Accuse Legislature of Wasting Funds on Private Attorneys
Three Wisconsin taxpayers have sued the state Legislature, alleging it misused about $26 million of public funds to hire private attorneys to challenge Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul. The lawsuit targets a 2018 lame‑duck package that gave the Legislature authority to...
Hawaii Tackles Government Ethics in Slate of Bills Passing Initial Muster
The 2026 Hawaii legislative session cleared a slate of bills on ethics, gambling, education and Native Hawaiian land while many environmental measures stalled. Senate Bill 2824 makes failure to report bribery a misdemeanor, and SB2661 extends anti‑nepotism rules. House Bill...
Authors, Illustrators Push for Copyright Owner Class in Case Against Google AI
A coalition of authors and illustrators has asked the court to certify a class that would include any copyright owner whose works were used to train Google’s Gemini AI. Judge Eumi Lee pressed both sides on the feasibility of such...
Utah Supreme Court Dismisses GOP Legislature Appeal in Redistricting Fight
The Utah Supreme Court unanimously rejected the Republican‑led Legislature’s attempt to appeal a lower‑court ruling that its 2021 congressional redistricting map violated Proposition 4, the state’s voter‑approved anti‑gerrymandering amendment. The court said the Legislature missed the 30‑day window for certification, leaving...
California Lawmakers Focus on Immigration This Session
California’s 2025 legislative session has seen a surge of bills, with immigration at the forefront. Key proposals include AB 1627, which would bar former ICE agents from law‑enforcement and teaching positions, and SB 1105, aimed at preventing local police from...
Bakersfield College Can’t Fire Professor for Anti-DEI Beliefs
A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction preventing Bakersfield College from disciplining history professor Daymon Johnson for his anti‑DEI speech, while still allowing the college to require mandatory DEI training for faculty screening committee service. Johnson, who leads the right‑leaning...
Seventh Circuit Doubts Indiana ‘Intellectual Diversity’ Law Harms Professors
Indiana’s 2022 higher‑education law requires public universities to promote intellectual diversity and expose students to varied ideological perspectives. Four professors from Indiana University and Purdue argue the mandate forces curricular changes that violate their First Amendment free‑speech rights. A lower...
Washington Justices Revive Sodium Nitrite Suicide Suit Against Amazon
The Washington Supreme Court revived a wrongful‑death suit against Amazon, allowing families of four young victims who ingested high‑purity sodium nitrite purchased on the platform to pursue claims. The court rejected the lower courts' view that sellers have no duty...
New York High Court Clears Manhattan Hotel over 2017 Balcony Suicide
New York Court of Appeals cleared the TRYP Hotel of negligence in the 2017 balcony suicide of Dr. Noah Beadell. The majority held the hotel had no control over the guest and that the family’s expectation of an immediate 911...
Former Students Blast Grand Canyon University over ‘Worthless Degrees’
Grand Canyon University is facing a class‑action lawsuit alleging it misled students about the accreditation and licensure eligibility of its Master of Science in Psychology program. Plaintiff Katie Ogdon says she spent over $20,000 and was told the degree qualified...
Judge Clears Navy Contractor’s $1.5 Million Settlement with Hunters Point Residents
A federal judge approved a $1.5 million settlement between Tetra Tech, the Navy contractor cleaning the former Hunters Point Naval Yard, and 6,500 local residents, deeming the agreement made in good faith. The settlement follows an earlier, far larger $27 billion...
Texas AG Sues Wi-Fi Company over Links to China
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued TP‑Link Systems Inc., alleging the Wi‑Fi maker deceived consumers by marketing its routers as "Made in Vietnam" while sourcing most components in China. The complaint cites longstanding firmware vulnerabilities that Chinese state‑backed hackers have...
Victims Recall Horror of School Shooting in Trial Against Suspect’s Father
Multiple survivors of the September 4, 2024 Apalachee High School shooting testified about severe physical injuries and lasting anxiety as the murder trial of their shooter’s father, Colin Gray, proceeds. The father faces 29 charges, including second‑degree murder and child cruelty, after...
‘No Careless Mistake’: Trump Sued for Removing Pride Flag at Stonewall Monument
LGBTQ advocates sued the Trump administration after the National Park Service removed the rainbow flag from the Stonewall National Monument, citing a Department of the Interior memo that limits flags at federal parks. The plaintiffs argue the action reflects targeted...
Massachusetts Judge Pauses ICE Policy Allowing Enforcement in Churches
A Massachusetts federal judge issued a preliminary injunction halting the Department of Homeland Security’s new guidance that permits ICE agents to conduct immigration enforcement inside and near houses of worship. The memo, introduced by acting DHS secretary Benjamine Huffman, replaced...
Virginia Democrats Weigh Increasing Parole Opportunities to Decrease Rising Prison Medical Costs
Virginia Democrats approved a bill to double the state parole board to at least ten members, slated to take effect in 2028, as part of a strategy to curb soaring prison medical expenses. A recent Department of Corrections report showed...
