State and Local - Page 56

Federal court strikes down 'discriminatory' Texas voter ID

December 20, 2015

Federal court strikes down 'discriminatory' Texas voter ID

A federal appeals court struck down Texas' voter ID law on Wednesday in a victory for the Obama administration, which had taken the unusual step of bringing the weight of the U.S. Justice Department to fight new Republican-backed mandates at the ballot box.

Planned Parenthood head apologizes for official’s fetal organ comments, as fallout grows

December 20, 2015

Planned Parenthood head apologizes for official’s fetal organ comments, as fallout grows

Planned Parenthood’s president apologized Thursday for comments made by the group’s medical research director in a secretly recorded conversation about collecting fetal body parts, as outrage over the graphic video mounted on Capitol Hill where lawmakers are launching several investigations.

Denver court rules against Little Sisters of the Poor in contraception coverage case

December 20, 2015

Denver court rules against Little Sisters of the Poor in contraception coverage case

A federal appeals court in Denver ruled on Tuesday against a group of Colorado nuns who challenged a provision in the Affordable Care Act that requires employers to provide insurance policies covering contraception.

Former FBI director alleges agency concealing evidence in anthrax case

December 20, 2015

Former FBI director alleges agency concealing evidence in anthrax case

An ex-director of the FBI’s anthrax investigation says the agency is hiding evidence that casts doubt on its conclusion that Army scientist Bruce Ivins sent the anthrax-filled letters that killed five people and sickened 17 others in 2001.

Pa. high court nominee in hot seat over 'Christmas' email

December 20, 2015

Pa. high court nominee in hot seat over 'Christmas' email

A white county judge nominated for Pennsylvania's highest court apparently forwarded a racially insensitive email showing a black couple talking through glass via a jailhouse phone under the heading, "Merry Christmas from the Johnsons."

Federal judge orders Alabama county to wed gay couples

December 20, 2015

Federal judge orders Alabama county to wed gay couples

A federal judge in Alabama has ordered Mobile County to start issuing gay marriage licenses.

Federal court weighs in on Alabama county's refusal to wed gays

December 20, 2015

Federal court weighs in on Alabama county's refusal to wed gays

A federal judge in Alabama should make it "crystal clear" that gay marriages should be allowed across the state, an attorney for same-sex couples said Thursday.

Federal prosecutors in Chicago drop drug charges against 27 people in stash house sting cases

December 20, 2015

Federal prosecutors in Chicago drop drug charges against 27 people in stash house sting cases

The U.S. attorney's office in Chicago has quietly dropped dozens of serious narcotics conspiracy charges stemming from undercover stings involving fictional drug stash houses, a federal law enforcement technique critics contend amounts to entrapment and displays racial bias against minorities.

Ten Commandments: Madness strikes in Oklahoma

July 1, 2015

Ten Commandments: Madness strikes in Oklahoma

Texas has a monument to the Ten Commandments at its State Capitol.

What I saw with Karl Rove on election night

May 7, 2015

What I saw with Karl Rove on election night

I blurted out to Chris Wallace and Karl Rove, “Do they understand the implications of that call?” I felt calling Ohio was tantamount to calling the presidency and thought we would be seeing blazing graphics declaring Obama reelected.