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New Year, New Rules: Tax and Firearm Adjustments Set to Impact New York and New Jersey in 2025

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New York, NY – As the new year settles in, residents in New York and New Jersey are adjusting to new laws that went into effect at the turn of the year. Among the most noteworthy changes, New Yorkers will grapple with tighter gun control measures, while New Jerseyans face an increase in gas taxes. The increased gas tax in New Jersey comes as part of an ongoing effort to maintain the state’s transportation infrastructure. The adjustment is a result of the state’s fuel consumption formula, which aims to balance tax rates with the needs … Read more

Federal Appeals Court Affirms $5 Million Verdict Against Donald Trump in Sexual Abuse and Defamation Case

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New York — A federal appeals court has affirmed a substantial legal defeat for former President Donald Trump, upholding a $5 million verdict awarded to columnist E. Jean Carroll, who accused him of sexual abuse dating back to the mid-1990s. The decision, rendered by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, supports the jury’s findings from a 2023 trial, marking a significant milestone in a series of legal battles entangling Trump with allegations of misconduct. In a written opinion, the appellate court dismissed a series of appeals from Trump’s legal team, which argued that multiple … Read more

Vancouver’s Lohn Foundation Boosts Support for Struggling Students, Donates $25,000 to Adopt-A-School Campaign

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Vancouver, Canada — The Lohn Foundation, renowned for its charitable contributions, has pledged an additional $25,000 to the Vancouver Sun’s Adopt-A-School (AAS) program, spurred by concerning tales of hardships faced by students in alternative education systems across British Columbia. This decision comes as a continued commitment from the Foundation, specifically prompted by reports highlighting the dire circumstances of students who attend alternate programs in Surrey, Vancouver, and Mission. These students often grapple with challenges such as poverty, mental health troubles, substance abuse, criminal justice involvement, and vulnerability to exploitation. Jack Kowarsky, a Vancouver-based lawyer and … Read more

Opinion: How Partisanship in the Judiciary Is Eroding Public Trust

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WASHINGTON — The perceived partisanship of judges and their decisions is casting a long shadow over the judiciary’s respect within public perception. This growing skepticism towards judicial impartiality threatens the foundational trust required for the American legal system to function effectively. The public’s dwindling respect for judges seems to be influenced by several politicized high-profile cases where the decisions appeared aligned with partisan lines, leading to questions about the influence of politics on judicial impartiality. This situation is exacerbated by the nomination and confirmation processes of judges, which are becoming increasingly fraught with partisan conflicts, … Read more