Justice Department Claims New York’s Policies Benefit Undocumented Immigrants at the Expense of U.S. Citizens

Washington, D.C. – The Justice Department has formally filed a complaint against the state of New York for what it alleges are unfair policies favoring non-citizens over U.S. citizens. The federal lawsuit claims that New York’s specific laws and practices unjustly prioritize undocumented immigrants in areas such as employment, health care, and housing, thereby discriminating against American citizens. The complaint specifically takes issue with several New York initiatives which allegedly provide enhanced services and opportunities to undocumented immigrants. Among the contested areas is the New York Liberty Defense Project, which offers legal services to immigrants … Read more

Birmingham Citizens’ Jury Redefines Future of City Museums with Community-Centric Recommendations

Birmingham, United Kingdom — The Birmingham Museums Trust has taken an innovative step towards engaging the local community with its cultural heritage by convening a citizens’ jury last year. This grassroots initiative aimed to gather insights and recommendations to enhance the city’s museums, reflecting a growing trend across the UK where institutions seek to deepen public involvement in the cultural sector. Over several months, the Birmingham Museums Trust collaborated with Shared Future, a community interest company, to gather 28 diverse participants from the Birmingham metro area. These individuals, representing a broad spectrum of society, devoted … Read more

Contra Costa County Calls for Citizens to Shape Local Governance as Civil Grand Jury Applications Open for 2025-26

Martinez, Calif. — Residents of Contra Costa County have the opportunity to directly shape their local government by serving on the Civil Grand Jury for the fiscal year 2025-26. The Superior Court of Contra Costa County is opening the application process for this oversight body, which plays a crucial role in examining the operations of various local governmental bodies including city and county administrations and school districts. The Civil Grand Jury, comprising 19 members, serves from July to June each year. Its main tasks are to inspect, evaluate, and report on the functioning and efficiency … Read more

Beware: Aggressive New Jury Duty Scams Targeting Citizens — Here’s What You Need to Know

Residents across the country are reporting an uptick in jury duty scams, with perpetrators becoming increasingly aggressive, law enforcement agencies warn. Scammers are contacting individuals, falsely claiming they face arrest for skipping jury duty and demanding payment for supposed fines. The scammers are employing a variety of tactics to instill fear and elicit an immediate reaction. They often pose as law enforcement officers or court officials and may use real names and fabricated badge numbers to appear legitimate. Victims are usually told they can avoid arrest by paying a fine, typically requested in the form … Read more