Amends

Minneapolis Amends Abortion Clinic Ordinance Following Free Speech Lawsuit by Anti-Abortion Group

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Minneapolis, MN – Changes have been made to a Minneapolis city ordinance that previously prevented any obstruction of entrances to abortion clinics. This revision comes in response to a lawsuit filed on the grounds of free speech by anti-abortion activists. The city has also agreed to cover the legal costs of the plaintiffs, signaling a significant shift in policy directly influenced by constitutional concerns. Earlier this month, the Minneapolis City Council opted to amend the ordinance, carefully delineating exceptions for activities deemed constitutionally protected. This adjustment essentially acknowledges the plaintiffs’ argument that their First Amendment … Read more

North Carolina Amends ‘Raise the Age’ Law: Certain Felonies to Send 16, 17-Year-Olds to Adult Court Starting December

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Raleigh, North Carolina – A significant amendment to North Carolina’s juvenile justice law, commonly known as “Raise the Age,” will soon change how 16 and 17-year-olds charged with specific felonies are processed in the state’s legal system. Starting on December 1, these teenagers will be tried as adults if they commit violent felonies, marking a departure from the state’s recent practices focusing on rehabilitation for young offenders. In 2019, North Carolina updated its juvenile justice laws, implementing the “Raise the Age” initiative, which ceased the automatic prosecution of 16 and 17-year-olds as adults for misdemeanors … Read more

Iowa Amends Constitution to Exclude Non-Citizens from Voting, Sparking Legal Battles and Civic Concerns

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Iowa voters have decisively passed a constitutional amendment ensuring that only U.S. citizens can participate in the state’s elections. This legislative action underscores a growing debate about voter eligibility amidst a heightened national discourse on immigration. This change follows a revelation by Iowa’s Secretary of State, Paul Pate, who reported identifying over 2,000 potential non-citizens in the voter registry just ahead of the elections. In late October, Pate disclosed findings from an audit conducted on state voter databases, targeting individuals who had registered with the Iowa Department of Transportation as non-citizens at any point over … Read more