December 20, 2015 Justice Department sues Pennsylvania State Police, claiming fitness tests discriminate against women The Pennsylvania State Police, one of the nation's largest forces, is faced with ending the physical fitness tests it gives to applicants for state trooper positions or defending in court a practice that the federal government says illegally discriminates against women.
December 20, 2015 Judge rules Colorado same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional A federal judge in Denver has declared Colorado's gay marriage ban unconstitutional, but he issued a temporary stay of the ruling until an appeals court hearing next month.
December 20, 2015 Supreme Court delays benefits for Utah gay couples More than 1,000 same-sex married couples in Utah must wait longer for state benefits after the U.S. Supreme Court granted the state a stay on an order requiring it to recognize the marriages.
December 20, 2015 California's foie gras ban waddles to the Supreme Court California’s ban on force-feeding ducks and geese to produce foie gras could become an entrée on the U.S. Supreme Court’s summer menu. According to a state law that was adopted in 2004 but didn’t take effect until two years ago, “a product may not be sold in California if it is the result of force-feeding a bird for the purpose of enlarging the bird’s liver beyond normal size,” the typical method of producing the rich and buttery delicacy.
December 20, 2015 Activists sue to block marijuana sales tax in Colorado Marijuana legalization advocates are suing to block state and local governments from collecting certain taxes on weed sold in Colorado, out of concern that businesses paying the fees would incriminate themselves at the federal level.
December 20, 2015 NY high court won't reinstate NYC big-soda ban Guzzlers prevailed Thursday as New York's highest court refused to reinstate New York City's ban on the sale of big sodas, ruling that the city's health department overstepped its bounds when approved the 16-ounce cap on sugary beverages.
December 20, 2015 Judges in New Mexico get a pay raise … from other judges It was a complicated case but, in the end, a specially selected panel of the New Mexico Supreme Court gave judges a 5 percent pay raise.
December 20, 2015 Judge orders Kentucky to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states A federal judge on Thursday signed an order directing officials in Kentucky to immediately recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states and countries.
December 20, 2015 Judge deals blow to Ohio village's use of speeding traffic cameras Butler County Common Pleas Judge Michael J. Sage also approved class action status, meaning thousands of drivers potentially could seek refunds from the village of New Miami.
December 20, 2015 Fed judge: Gay couples can wed in Chicago A federal judge says gay couples in Chicago don't have to wait until June to marry. Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman's Friday order says there is no reason to delay same-sex marriages in Illinois, when the state's law is set to take effect. Her finding applies only to Cook County.
