Scottsdale Enacts Tweaked Housing Laws Amid State Pushback, Straining Local Control Over Residential Development

Scottsdale, Ariz. — Scottsdale City Council passed new ordinances on Monday adhering to Arizona’s state housing mandates, albeit with modifications to curtail their impact. The state legislation, enacted earlier this year, mandates a portion of commercial and mixed-use buildings to incorporate housing and allows greater freedom for the creation of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) such as casitas on residential properties. These changes, designed as a response to the growing housing crisis in Arizona, aim to increase housing supply by facilitating the transformation of commercial spaces and the expansion of residential properties. However, implementation has been … Read more

Berkeley Tenants Union Accuses Landlord Group of Illicit Campaign Tactics Amid Rent Control Battles

Berkeley, Calif. – The Berkeley Tenants Union, a local advocacy group representing around 70 tenants, is escalating its dispute with the Berkeley Property Owners Association (BPOA) by lodging formal complaints to municipal and state election watchdogs over alleged inappropriate campaign practices and financial disclosures. The union accuses the BPOA of obfuscation in its recent initiatives on the city’s ballot, particularly in relation to campaign contributions linked to the National Association of Realtors. The bone of contention largely centers on the campaigning for Measure CC in the November 5 election, which was defeated after securing only … Read more

Democrats Hasten Judicial Confirmations in Response to Trump Triumph and GOP Senate Control

WASHINGTON — In the wake of the recent U.S. presidential election, in which Donald Trump was victorious, and a concurrent GOP triumph retaining control of the U.S. Senate, Democratic lawmakers are hastening their efforts to confirm judicial appointments. This sudden push to secure confirmations comes amid concerns about potential shifts in the judicial landscape under a Republican-dominated Senate. The urgency from Democrats stems from an awareness that the composition of the judiciary can profoundly impact a wide array of policy areas—from civil rights to environmental regulations. Historically, the ability to appoint judges has been a … Read more

Startling Report Ties Depo-Provera Birth Control to Increased Brain Tumor Risk: Women Nationwide Seek Justice

BALTIMORE — A new wave of lawsuits is expected across the United States as recent scientific findings link the contraceptive injection Depo-Provera to an increased risk of brain tumors, specifically meningiomas. Legal experts predict the litigation could see significant settlements, based on the strength of evidence demonstrating that prolonged use of the drug can elevate the risk of developing these tumors. Depo-Provera, a birth control shot administered every three months, is used by millions of women worldwide. It contains medroxyprogesterone acetate, a synthetic form of the hormone progestin, which has now been connected to the … Read more