Federal

Federal Judge Reduces COVID-19 Vaccine Dismissal Award for Ex-CTA Employee from $425,000 to $300,000

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CHICAGO — A federal judge in Illinois has significantly reduced the damages awarded to a former employee of the Chicago Transit Authority from $425,000 to $300,000. This adjustment follows the individual’s claim that he was terminated unjustly for opting not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The case, which garnered attention due to its implications regarding vaccine mandates and employment rights, involved the employee arguing that his dismissal was retaliatory. The ruling reflects ongoing legal debates surrounding workplace vaccination policies, particularly as they relate to individual rights and corporate responsibilities. In recent years, the requirement for … Read more

UCLA Wins Court Battle: $500 Million in Federal Research Grants Reinstated Amid Controversy Over Antisemitism Claims

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A federal court in California granted a significant financial reprieve to the University of California, Los Angeles, late Monday, reinstating approximately $500 million in federal research grants. This decision comes amid an ongoing legal battle with the Trump administration, which has accused the university of antisemitism on campus. The preliminary injunction, first reported by multiple outlets, reinstates over 500 grants from agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Labor. This ruling allows hundreds, possibly thousands, of UCLA researchers to continue their work. This comes after a … Read more

Federal Jury Exonerates Former Norfolk Officers in Controversial Retaliation Case Following Car Crash

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NORFOLK, Va. — A federal jury has ruled in favor of three former Norfolk police officers accused of retaliating against Brandon A. Williams following a serious car crash in September 2020. After two days of deliberation, the eight-member jury found unanimously that the officers did not conspire to infringe on Williams’ rights. The civil trial, held in U.S. District Court, concluded last week after four days of testimonies. Williams, 40 and the stepson of Hampton Deputy Police Chief Kenny Ferguson, had sought damages for the emotional distress he claimed resulted from the police officers’ alleged … Read more

"Chesterton Man Faces Federal Charges for Alleged Threat to Naval Academy Linked to Political Assassination"

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CHESTERTON, Ind. — A defense attorney revealed in court on Monday that federal prosecutors are accusing a local man of making a threatening statement regarding the U.S. Naval Academy, linking the incident to the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Jackson Fleming, 22, faces a charge of transmitting a threat through interstate communication, as announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to five years in federal prison. His upcoming hearing on Thursday is expected to finalize the terms of his potential … Read more