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News

Judge Tracey Flemings-Davillier Takes the Helm as Chief Judge of Orleans Parish Criminal Court

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – Orleans Parish Criminal District Judge Tracey Flemings-Davillier has been appointed as the new chief judge of the criminal court. The two-year appointment began on January 1, as disclosed in a news release received on Tuesday. Flemings-Davillier, 54, takes over from Judge Robin Pittman, who held the post for the past two years and continues to serve on the bench. Flemings-Davillier brings over a decade of experience to her new role. She previously presided as judge in Orleans Parish Juvenile Court from 2010 to 2012 and also served as Deputy Chief Judge … Read more

Florida School District Faces Lawsuit Over Removal of Books on Race and LGBTQ+ Identities, Judge Rules

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PENSACOLA, Fla. – A federal judge has ruled that a lawsuit can proceed against a Florida Panhandle school district for removing books about race and LGBTQ+ identities from library shelves. U.S. District Judge T. Kent Wetherell II, based in Pensacola, made the ruling on Wednesday, granting standing to the writers’ group PEN America, publisher Penguin Random House, banned authors, and parents to pursue their claims under the First Amendment’s free speech protections. However, the judge denied a claim under the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. “We are gratified that the Judge recognized that books cannot … Read more

Mother Found Guilty on All Charges in Daughter’s Coldwater Shooting Incident, Faces Minimum Two-Year Prison Sentence

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COLDWATER, Michigan — Kathleen Rowe faces the possibility of a two-year prison sentence after being found guilty by a jury on all charges in the shooting of her daughter, Kasey Stringer, on January 26, 2023. The jury deliberated for just under an hour after hearing testimonies from Rowe and her 34-year-old daughter. The incident occurred at Rowe’s home on Pamela Drive, just north of the Coldwater city limits. Rowe, a 66-year-old woman with multiple long-term illnesses, rejected a plea bargain in October for a four-year felonious assault charge with no jail or prison time. The … Read more

New Year, New Laws: Illinois Implements Over 300 Changes, Including Minimum Wage Increase and Paid Leave for Workers

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Chicago, Illinois – Over 300 new laws have recently gone into effect in the state of Illinois. These laws cover a wide range of topics, from minimum wage increases to gun control measures. Here are some of the key highlights: One of the significant changes is the increase in the minimum wage. Workers in Illinois will now earn $14 per hour, with tipped workers receiving $8.40 per hour. This is just the first step, as the minimum wage is set to rise to $15 per hour by 2025. Another important law is the Paid Leave … Read more