Federal Judge Expands Sanctuary City Protections, Halting Funding Cuts Amid Immigration Enforcement Battle

A federal judge in San Francisco has broadened the definition of “sanctuary cities,” ruling that Los Angeles and other jurisdictions cannot face funding cuts from the Trump administration. The decision, made by U.S. District Judge William Orrick late Friday, adds to earlier court restrictions that already protected funding for 16 cities and counties, including San Francisco and Santa Clara. Orrick’s latest ruling follows a preliminary injunction issued in April, asserting that President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at cutting funds to sanctuary jurisdictions breaches the separation of powers outlined in the U.S. Constitution. The designation … Read more

LISD Reacts to Court Decision Halting Ten Commandments Displays in Texas Schools

LAREDO, Texas — The Laredo Independent School District is addressing a recent judicial decision that prevents public school districts in Texas from displaying the Ten Commandments on school property. The ruling has sparked a contentious debate surrounding the intersection of religious symbols and public education. In a significant ruling, a federal judge stated that displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools infringes upon the separation of church and state, effectively barring such displays across various school districts. This decision comes amidst ongoing discussions regarding the role of religious symbolism in public education, particularly within Texas, … Read more

Texas Judge Tightens Grip on Beto O’Rourke, Halting Fundraising Efforts Amid Redistricting Battle

A Texas judge has broadened a restraining order against former congressman Beto O’Rourke and his political organization, Powered by People, over its fundraising activities aimed at supporting Democratic state lawmakers who left Texas. This maneuver was intended to hinder a legislative session focused on congressional redistricting. Tarrant County Judge Megan Fahey, affiliated with the conservative Federalist Society and a former president of the Fort Worth Republican Women’s Club, issued a detailed order on Saturday. The ruling stipulates that O’Rourke and his organization are prohibited from transferring money out of Texas. Fahey determined that such fundraising … Read more

Hawaiian Judge Reinstates Ocean Protections, Halting Commercial Fishing in Pacific Marine Monument

HONOLULU, Hawaii — A federal judge has ordered a halt to commercial fishing in a significant area of the Pacific Ocean, siding with environmentalists who argued against a rollback of federal protections implemented during the Trump administration. The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Micah W. J. Smith, reinstates protections for the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument, home to diverse marine life including turtles, seabirds, and mammals. Environmental advocates assert that longline fishing, which involves baited hooks on lines measuring 60 miles or longer, poses a significant threat to these species. The Trump administration’s … Read more