All Law & Courts
First LookAfter enduring years of harassment, lesbian firefighter awarded $800,000A former Providence, R.I., firefighter who says she was harassed and discriminated against for being a lesbian was awarded more than $800,000 in US District Court Monday.
First LookPeter Liang sentencing: Measured justice or a lack of it?The ex-police officer who says he accidentally fired a shot that resulted in the death of an unarmed black man avoided prison time after judge reduces a jury's manslaughter conviction.
How a Virginia teen is challenging North Carolina's transgender lawA federal appeals court ruled in favor of transgender teen Gavin Grimm Tuesday in a decision that will impact North Carolina's recently passed 'bathroom bill.'
The big, overlooked question in Supreme Court immigration caseUS v. Texas is most immediately about President Obama's attempt at immigration reform. But the Supreme Court case argued Monday could reshape how federal agencies work.
First LookWhy Virginia faith leaders are protesting drug secrecy for executionsGovernor McAuliffe proposed a law that would allow Virginia to buy lethal injection drugs while keeping the drugs suppliers secret to protect them from public backlash.聽
For millions of immigrants, future hinges on Supreme CourtThe US Supreme Court will hear a case聽Monday聽that will determine whether two of President Obama鈥檚 executive actions, designed to give relief to an estimated 4 million unauthorized immigrants, are allowed to take effect.
First Look76-year-old man freed in 1957 killing as exonerations riseJack McCullough, who was convicted in 2012 for abducting and killing 7-year-old Maria Ridulph, was freed pending a new trial after a prosecutor found a wealth of new evidence.
After scathing Chicago police report, hope that 'this time is different'Even skeptics of Chicago's efforts to reform its police department praise the task force for 'truth telling' about racism in the police's dealings with the black community.
How Chicago police can rebuild trustResponding to recent incidents of police violence, a Chicago task force has released a scathing report. Solutions will be difficult, all agree, but there are clear places to start. 聽
Virginia's governor vetoes electric chair bill. What does it mean for death row?Gov. Terry McAuliffe says his veto essentially shuts down capital punishment in his state. 37 percent of Americans oppose the death penalty.
US Naval Officer with 'secret' clearance held on espionage chargesLieutenant Commander Edward Lin has been charged with espionage, falsifying records, and patronizing prostitutes.聽
On court diversity, Justice Sonia Sotomayor sounds like ScaliaAt a talk Friday at Brooklyn Law School,聽Justice Sonia Sotomayor said聽the court is disadvantaged by 'having (five) Catholics, three Jews, everyone from an Ivy League school.'
Dennis Hastert paid $3.5 million to hush sexual abuse, say prosecutorsFor the first time prosecutors have confirmed former House speaker聽Dennis Hastert paid hush-money to conceal sex abuse, according to court documents. As a teacher and coach at a suburban Chicago high school, he allegedly molested five boys.聽
An Ohio police officer who shot, but didn't killDespite heightened perceptions that police shoot to kill, a police officer averted a 'suicide by cop' situation by wounding a murder suspect who charged him.
First LookDEA to reconsider marijuana's federal statusThe US Drug Enforcement Agency announced this week that it would reach a decision in the first half of 2016 as to whether to downgrade marijuana from a Schedule I controlled substance to Schedule II.
First LookNo-fly list: vital security measure or state-sanctioned religious profiling?A Muslim civil rights group has filed a federal聽class-action lawsuit on behalf of Muslims who say they have been wrongfully added to government watch lists.
First LookPolice shooting in Alabama highlights challenge of policing mentally illMelissa Boarts's family called police on Sunday hoping to get her into mental health treatment. Instead the officers shot her, saying she charged them with a weapon.
First LookWhat does Scalia's empty chair mean for the Supreme Court's case load?The US Supreme Court appears to be choosing cases carefully, in effort to avoid the appearance of being hamstrung by the vacancy left by the death of Justice Scalia.- First Look'One person, one vote': What Supreme Court ruling means for statesIn a blow to conservative challengers of the current system for outlining legislative districts, the court ruled to keep the widely-used system states use to draw voting districts based on total population, rather than just eligible voters.
Chicago violent crime has soared in 2016. What's the response?Mayor Rahm Emanuel's plan to combat increasing crime in Chicago starts with a new interim police superintendent.
