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Lawsuit Against Florida School District’s Book Ban Granted Permission to Proceed by Federal Judge

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A federal judge has ruled that a lawsuit against a Florida Panhandle school district can move forward over its removal of books about race and LGBTQ+ identities from library shelves. The Pensacola-based judge ruled on Wednesday that the writers’ group PEN America, publisher Penguin Random House, banned authors, and parents have standing to pursue their claims under the First Amendment’s free speech protections. However, the judge denied a claim under the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. The federal lawsuit alleges that the Escambia County School District and its School Board are violating the First Amendment … Read more

Judge Denies Trump’s Request to Speak in New York Fraud Trial, Closing Arguments Proceed Without Former President’s Statement

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NEW YORK — Former President Donald Trump is not expected to speak during closing arguments in the New York civil fraud trial against him, according to Judge Arthur Engoron. In a letter to attorneys for Trump and the New York Attorney General, the judge stated that Trump had not agreed to the conditions he had set for giving a statement. The judge assumed that Trump would not agree to the limits imposed and therefore would not be speaking in court. The possibility of Trump participating in the closing arguments had been under discussion since last … Read more

Judge Allows Lawsuit Against Former Sheriff’s Deputy in Parkland School Massacre to Proceed

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A judge has ruled that a lawsuit filed by families of the victims of the Parkland school massacre can proceed against former sheriff’s deputy Scot Peterson, who failed to intervene during the attack. Circuit Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips denied Peterson’s motion to dismiss the case before trial, stating that a jury should determine whether Peterson showed a “wanton and willful disregard” for the safety of the students and teachers during the six-minute shooting. Although Peterson was acquitted of criminal charges last year, the standard of proof is lower in a civil lawsuit. … Read more