The lights are still on inside federal courthouses—but for thousands of lawyers defending those who cannot afford counsel, the paychecks have stopped. As the U.S. government shutdown drags into its 34th day, it has quietly gutted the system meant to uphold one of America’s most basic constitutional promises: the right to a fair defense. Roughly …

Justice on Pause: Shutdown Pushes America’s Court-Appointed Lawyers to the Brink Read More »

A fresh legal battle has erupted over a new rule from the Trump administration that could reshape who qualifies for federal student loan forgiveness. A coalition of Democratic-led states, cities, and nonprofit organizations filed lawsuits in federal court, accusing the U.S. Department of Education of weaponizing the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program to penalize …

Blue States and Nonprofits Challenge Trump Administration Rule Tightening Student Loan Forgiveness Access Read More »

The ocean glimmers quietly until the missiles fall. In the last few months, U.S. forces have turned suspected drug vessels into watery graves — 13 strikes, 57 dead, according to officials. The White House calls it self-defense. Human rights observers call it murder dressed as national security. In a small fishing village in Trinidad, an …

America’s Shadow War on the Sea: Questions of Law and Power Trail Deadly Strikes on “Drug Boats” Read More »

Alaska has abruptly ended its partnership with national law firm Motley Rice, accusing the firm of breaching confidentiality and conflict-of-interest rules while representing the state in its long-running opioid litigation. The state’s attorney general, Stephen Cox, said in a letter dated October 23 that Motley Rice failed to disclose its simultaneous representation of other clients …

Alaska Cuts Ties with Motley Rice Over Conflict Concerns, Echoing Utah’s Exit from Opioid Case Read More »

A federal court in Boston has opened the door for thousands of detained migrants in New England to unite in their legal fight against a policy that strips them of the right to seek release on bond. The class-action ruling, delivered by U.S. District Judge Patti Saris, challenges the Trump administration’s interpretation of immigration law …

Federal Judge Clears Path for Migrants to Challenge Blanket Bond Denials in New England Read More »

Two federal judges have ruled that the Trump administration cannot pull the plug on food aid for millions of Americans amid the ongoing government shutdown, directing officials to tap into contingency funds to keep benefits flowing. The rulings, delivered from courts in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, came as the administration prepared to suspend the Supplemental …

Courts Block Trump Move to Halt Food Aid: Judges Order Government to Unlock Emergency Funds Read More »

A federal court in Washington, D.C. has permanently struck down a key part of former President Donald Trump’s executive order that sought to compel voters to present passports or similar documents as proof of citizenship before casting their ballots. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly delivered the ruling, declaring that the president had no constitutional authority …

Federal Judge Strikes Down Trump’s Citizenship Proof Mandate for Voters Read More »

Bob Mackie — the legendary designer who dressed Cher in feathers, Carol Burnett in curtains, and Elton John in sequins — is taking JCPenney to court, claiming the retail giant hijacked his name and signature to sell clothes he never approved. In a lawsuit filed in Manhattan, the 85-year-old designer said he was blindsided when …

Bob Mackie Battles JCPenney Over Fashion Line Using His Name Without Consent” Read More »