Aid

Luther Rice College Sues Georgia Over Exclusion from Student Aid Programs, Defends Religious Freedom in Education

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Lithonia, GA — Luther Rice College and Seminary, a private Baptist institution established in 1962, is now in a legal battle with Georgia state officials over the exclusion of the school from student financial aid programs. The lawsuit, filed on October 15 by the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a prominent Christian legal organization, challenges the state’s decision based on claims of religious discrimination. According to the ADF, the lawsuit aims to protect the religious identity and practices of Luther Rice College and Seminary by allowing it to participate in public tuition aid programs on par … Read more

Free Legal Aid Clinic at Fayetteville Library Empowers Individuals with Name and Gender Marker Changes During Pro Bono Week

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Fayetteville, Ark. – In a significant community outreach effort, the University of Arkansas School of Law, in collaboration with Legal Aid of Arkansas and volunteer attorneys, hosted a “Name and Gender Marker Change Clinic” at the Fayetteville Public Library on Thursday. This event was a part of Pro Bono Week, an annual event celebrated across the nation, aimed at enhancing justice in communities through volunteer legal services. Legal Aid of Arkansas, a non-profit organization, works to provide free legal assistance in civil cases to low-income residents throughout Arkansas. Pro Bono Week, observed from October 20-26, … Read more

Vulnerable Mainers Often Enter Guardianships Without Legal Aid, Report Finds

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Augusta, Maine — A new analysis by Disability Rights Maine highlights a concerning trend in the state’s guardianship system, revealing that an overwhelming majority of adults placed under court-appointed guardians have no legal representation. The study, covering the years 2019 to 2021, exposes that 75% of these individuals did not have an attorney to advocate for their rights during the critical moments when their autonomy was being removed. Disability Rights Maine, under the leadership of Legal Director Lauren Wille, has been pivotal in addressing this issue, striving to rectify cases where the rights of adults, … Read more

Oklahoma Governor and Officials Criticized for Mishandling $39.9 Million in Federal Pandemic Aid, No Criminal Charges Filed

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Oklahoma City, OK – A recent investigation by a Multi-County Grand Jury into the management of federal pandemic aid by Governor Kevin Stitt’s administration and State Superintendent Ryan Walters has revealed a pattern of mismanagement. While no criminal charges will be filed, the jurors labeled the administration’s actions regarding the $39.9 million Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER) as “grossly negligent.” Attorney General Gentner Drummond initiated the probe into the use of the GEER funds earmarked for educational programs amid the COVID-19 crisis. Despite the findings of gross mismanagement, the Grand Jury determined that there … Read more