PORTLAND (AP) — Law enforcement officials don’t have to show what specifically distracted a driver before a fatal chain-reaction crash, the state supreme court ruled, providing important guidance to law enforcement at a time when distracted drivers are a major concern. The Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled that lawmakers contemplated a wide variety of activities […]
supreme court
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
U.S. Supreme Court allows strict enforcement of Donald Trump's travel ban
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is granting the Trump administration’s request to more strictly enforce its ban on refugees, at least until a federal appeals court weighs in. But the justices are leaving in place a lower court order that makes it easier for travelers from six mostly Muslim countries to enter the United […]
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Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Supreme Court to take case of Colorado baker who wouldn't sell wedding cake to gay couple
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday said it will consider next term whether a Denver baker unlawfully discriminated against a gay couple by refusing to sell them a wedding cake. Lower courts had ruled that Jack Phillips, the owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop, had violated Colorado’s public accommodations law, which prohibits refusing service to customers […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Supreme Court sides with church seeking state funds for playground
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court concluded its work for this session on Monday siding with religious institutions in a major church-state decision. The court ruled 7-2 that religious institutions may not be excluded from state programs with a secular intent — in this case, making playgrounds safer. Missouri’s state constitution, like those in about three […]
Posted inBusiness, National Sports
Supreme Court rules trademarks that ‘disparage’ protected by 1st Amendment
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court ruled Monday that a law that prohibits the government from registering trademarks that “disparage” others violates the First Amendment, a decision that could impact the Washington Redskins’ efforts to hang on to its controversial name. Justice Samuel Alito delivered the opinion for a largely united court. He said the law […]
Posted inNation / World
Donald Trump asks Supreme Court to reinstate travel ban
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to let it move forward with the president’s plan to temporarily ban citizens from six mostly Muslim countries, elevating a divisive legal battle involving national security and religious discrimination to the nation’s highest court. Justice Department lawyers asked the court to overturn a decision […]
Posted inNation / World
Donald Trump travel ban showdown headed for Supreme Court
In this Sept. 27, 2016 file photo, 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, Chief Justice Roger Gregory, gestures during an interview in his office in Richmond, Va. The 4th U.S. Circuit of Appeals dealt another blow to President Donald Trump’s revised travel ban targeting six-Muslim majority countries on Thursday, May 25, 2017, siding with groups that […]
Posted inNation / World
Rumors surround Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy’s exit
In this April 10, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump, left, and Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy participate in a public swearing-in ceremony for Justice Neil Gorsuch in the Rose Garden of the White House White House in Washington. As one justice settles into his new job at the Supreme Court, is another about to […]
Posted inOp-Eds
Bad precedent and the nuclear option
WASHINGTON — For euphemism, dissimulation and outright hypocrisy, there is nothing quite as entertaining as the periodic Senate dust-ups over Supreme Court appointments and the filibuster. The arguments for and against the filibuster are so well-known to both parties as to be practically memorized. Both nonetheless argue their case with great shows of passion and […]
Posted inLetters
Democrats were right to oppose
I reject Sen. Susan Collins’ claim that Democrats had no reason to oppose Neil Gorsuch’s nomination to the Supreme Court. In the Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, he sided with corporate “rights” (privileges) over women’s rights. He sided against consumers ruling for corporations that swindled them. He ruled in favor of corporations against the right of […]