State and Local - Page 41

December 20, 2015

Federal judge throws out NYPD spying lawsuit

The New York Police Department's intelligence unit didn't discriminate against Muslims with far-reaching surveillance aimed at identifying "budding terrorist conspiracies" at Newark mosques and other locations in New Jersey, a federal judge ruled on Thursday.

December 20, 2015

Government looking into ATF operations in 4 cities

The Justice Department's inspector general is conducting a four-city examination into storefront undercover operations run by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to assess whether they pose a danger to the public. The ATF runs sting operations in various cities, often as part of an effort to catch arms traffickers who bring stolen weapons into storefronts where agents act as buyers.

December 20, 2015

Trio of California cases challenge big union power in Golden State

Fed up with increasing union dues and a decreasing say in how the money is spent, three California groups are challenging their big labor bosses in landmark cases that could change how unions operate in the Golden State. 

December 20, 2015

California school’s uniform regulation violates free speech, court rules

A Nevada grammar school violated students’ right to free speech in mandating they wear a school uniform with its motto, “Tomorrow’s Leaders,” emblazoned on it, a federal court has ruled.

December 20, 2015

Fathers sue Utah over law allowing mothers to secretly give up babies for adoption

A dozen men are suing the state of Utah in federal court because of a law that allows mothers to put their babies up for adoption without the biological father's consent, or sometimes even knowledge. The civil rights lawsuit claims the Utah Adoption Act has resulted in what amounts to "legalized fraud and kidnapping."

December 20, 2015

19 states join legal fight against New Jersey's concealed weapons law

A brief from Wyoming Attorney General's Office says that Wyoming and the other states are concerned that if the appeals court ruling stands, it could threaten their less-restrictive concealed carry laws.

December 20, 2015

Federal judge rules drivers allowed to flash headlights to warn of speed traps

A federal judge on Monday issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting the St. Louis County town of Ellisville from arresting and prosecuting drivers who flash headlights to warn other drivers of nearby police and speed traps.

December 20, 2015

California high court asked to take up high-speed rail

Gov. Jerry Brown's administration on Friday petitioned the California Supreme Court to overturn two lower-court rulings that have stalled progress on the state's high-speed rail project, one of the nation's most expensive public works projects.

December 20, 2015

Federal judiciary websites hit by cyber attack

A federal clerk from Arkansas told Fox Business the disruption to the judiciary’s websites appears to have been a “new national cyber-attack.”  

December 20, 2015

California students sue state over ineffective teachers

California’s laws surrounding teacher tenure, dismissal, and layoffs violate the state’s constitution — specifically, students’ right to an equal opportunity to access quality education — say nine students suing the state. The trial is set to begin Jan. 27.