Tennessee Supreme Court Restores Former Senator Brian Kelsey’s Law License Following Presidential Pardon

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Brian Kelsey, a former state senator in Tennessee, has regained the right to practice law after being indicted on federal charges. The Tennessee Supreme Court reinstated Kelsey on August 20, allowing him to go back to the legal profession. Kelsey’s legal troubles began in October 2021 when he faced allegations of violating campaign finance regulations. In December 2022, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States, which led to his suspension from practicing law. His sentence took him to federal prison in February 2025, but his situation changed dramatically when … Read more

Hawaii Judge Restores Ocean Protections, Halting Commercial Fishing in Pacific National Monument After Environmentalists’ Challenge

HONOLULU — A federal judge in Hawaii has supported environmental advocates by ordering a halt to commercial fishing in a vast area of the Pacific Ocean, a move that challenges an earlier decision made under the Trump administration to roll back ocean protections. The ruling affects the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument, a designated area that shelters various marine species such as turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals. Environmental organizations argue that longline fishing, which uses baited hooks on lines stretching up to 60 miles, poses a significant threat to these vulnerable species. In 2017, … Read more

Missouri Court Shifts Abortion Landscape Again as Judge Restores Protections Amid Ongoing Legal Turmoil

Jefferson City, Mo. — In a significant legal development, a Missouri judge has reinstated a preliminary injunction on several abortion restrictions, enabling procedural abortions to resume in the state. This ruling comes just over a month after the state’s highest court lifted a previous block on those regulations. Jackson County Circuit Judge Jerri Zhang delivered the order, indicating that the attacking restrictions likely breach a state constitutional right to abortion established by voters in the last election. Following the ruling, Planned Parenthood announced it would begin providing abortion services once again. The state’s Attorney General, … Read more

Court Blocks Illegal HHS Grant Reductions, Restores Vital Funding for Critical Services

A federal judge in Houston has ruled that certain funding cuts imposed by the Department of Health and Human Services were unlawful, resulting in the reinstatement of millions of dollars aimed at supporting critical health programs. The decision marks a significant victory for several community organizations that had contested the funding reductions. In a prolonged legal battle, the judge found that the cuts, which had targeted essential health services, violated statutory protections. The decision emphasized the importance of these programs, which serve vulnerable populations, particularly in underserved areas facing health disparities. The HHS had announced … Read more