Citing

Federal Appeals Court Upholds $83.3 Million Defamation Ruling Against Trump, Citing ‘Unprecedented’ Conduct in E. Jean Carroll Case

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NEW YORK — A federal appeals court has upheld a jury’s decision requiring former President Donald Trump to pay E. Jean Carroll $83.3 million for defamation. This ruling stems from Trump’s repeated social media attacks and public statements following Carroll’s allegations of sexual assault against him. On Monday, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed Trump’s appeal against the jury’s findings, describing the damage rewards as “fair and reasonable.” The court, emphasizing the severity of Carol’s experience, noted that she faced numerous death threats, which supported the trial judge’s conclusion regarding the highly reprehensible … Read more

Federal Judge Rules Against Stonewall Jackson Name Restoration at Shenandoah School, Citing Student Rights

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WINCHESTER, Va. — A federal judge has ruled that renaming a Shenandoah Valley school after Confederate General Stonewall Jackson infringes on the rights of students. The decision comes amid ongoing debates over the legacy of Confederate figures in public spaces. The ruling was made by U.S. District Judge Norman K. Moon, who found that restoring Jackson’s name to the school would violate the First Amendment rights of students and parents who oppose the change. The judge emphasized that public schools should serve as beacons of inclusivity, not as reminders of a divisive past. This controversy … Read more

Federal Judge Halts Georgia’s Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Inmates, Citing Eighth Amendment Violations

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ATLANTA — A federal judge has temporarily halted the enforcement of a Georgia law that restricts prison inmates from accessing gender-affirming healthcare. The ruling came following a class-action lawsuit filed by nearly 300 transgender individuals incarcerated in the state. Judge Victoria M. Calvert determined that the plaintiffs are likely to prevail in their argument that Georgia Senate Bill 185 breaches the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. This preliminary injunction permits the reinstatement of hormone therapy and necessary evaluations for treatment, signaling the court’s concern about the potential constitutional violations associated with the … Read more

UT Austin Students Challenge New Law Limiting Expressive Activities, Citing Threats to Musical Freedom

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Austin, Texas — A group of students at the University of Texas at Austin, including Santiago Lopez, is taking a stand against a new state law that limits expressive activities on public university campuses. Lopez, who joined the Society of Unconventional Drummers shortly after starting his studies, is passionate about the club’s mission to demonstrate that anyone can create music from everyday objects, such as buckets and bicycles. The Society of Unconventional Drummers, known as SOUnD, ends each semester with a performance celebrating their innovative music-making. However, under Senate Bill 2972, enacted on September 1, … Read more