Federal

Federal Appeals Court Evaluates Veterans Affairs’ Housing Duties Amid Legal Battle Over West Los Angeles Campus Control

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San Francisco — A federal appeals court is currently examining whether a district court judge exceeded his authority with an expansive mandate for the Department of Veterans Affairs to increase housing on its West Los Angeles campus. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals heard multiple appeals related to the case, highlighting concerns about whether previous uses of the VA property genuinely benefited veterans. During the proceedings, Presiding Judge Consuelo M. Callahan articulated concerns about the broad scope of remedies ordered by U.S. District Court Judge David O. Carter. Last year, Carter struck down four leases … Read more

Federal Judge Dismisses Former Minnesota Gubernatorial Candidate’s Lawsuit, Citing Lack of Concrete Injury

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ST. PAUL, Minn. — A federal lawsuit brought by Scott Jensen, a former Republican gubernatorial candidate in Minnesota, was dismissed by a federal judge. Jensen had accused the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice of politically motivated investigations tied to his statements about COVID-19. The court decided on March 31 to dismiss the case without prejudice, meaning Jensen retains the option to refile. Jensen, a family physician who lost the 2022 governor race to Democrat Tim Walz, originally filed the lawsuit in June 2023. He claimed that his First Amendment rights to free speech were infringed … Read more

Iowa House Passes Bill to Strengthen Enforcement of Federal Immigration Laws, Introduces Penalties for Non-Compliance by Law Enforcement Officers

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Des Moines, Iowa — In a significant legislative action, the Iowa House of Representatives recently approved a bill aimed at reinforcing the compliance with federal immigration laws by state law enforcement agencies. The bill, known as House File 946, was introduced as a method to ensure the uniform enforcement of immigration statutes across Iowa, setting protocols for local law enforcement, including sheriffs, on how they interact with federal immigration directives. Rep. Ray Sorensen, representing District 23, has been a vocal supporter of the bill, describing it as a necessary step to bolster public safety and … Read more

Federal Judge Withholds Injunction Against NEA’s Funding Restrictions on Gender Identity Projects Amid Reevaluation

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Providence, R.I. — A federal judge has decided not to intervene with the National Endowment for the Arts’ (NEA) current review of a Trump-era executive order that aims to restrict federal arts funding from supporting projects perceived to endorse certain views on gender. The order, which stirred significant concern among arts organizations, is presently under administrative scrutiny, with the NEA retracting its earlier enforcement pending a thorough policy assessment. The issue emerged vehemently after President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14168, which asserted a definition of “gender ideology” in contrast to biological sex, characterizing it … Read more