USA Archive - Law Commentary

Governor Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma speaking during a meeting, with state flags in the background.

Oklahoma Charter School Board Approves Unprecedented, First US Publicly Funded Religious School

Oklahoma is the first state to have approved what could be the nation's first and only completely publicly funded Catholic religious school. The dual entities Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa, Oklahoma, would run the school, which is an online charter school. In an opinion issued... Read More about Oklahoma Charter School Board Approves Unprecedented, First US Publicly Funded Religious School

A group of individuals sitting in protest, focusing on their legs and shoes, with a backdrop of flags and governmental decor.

Parents Sue as Fla. Gov. DeSantis Signs Major Legislation With “Let Kids Be Kids” Law, Prohibiting Children From Adult Events, Gender Surgery, and Parental Rights Controlled by the State.

A hefty, throwback bill package in Florida that harkens in spirit to the1950s was signed by Governor Rick DeSantis this week, with the administration promising to “protect Florida’s children from permanent mutilating surgical procedures, gender identity politics in schools, and attending sexually explicit adult performances.” The so-called “sweeping” set of... Read More about Parents Sue as Fla. Gov. DeSantis Signs Major Legislation With “Let Kids Be Kids” Law, Prohibiting Children From Adult Events, Gender Surgery, and Parental Rights Controlled by the State.

A diverse group of people, including a drag performer, marching with LGBTQ+ flags in a demonstration.

Tennessee’s Anti-Drag Law Ruled Unconstitutional

In a strongly worded, 70-page defense of the First Amendment, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Parker of the Western District of Tennessee ruled that a State law that limits public drag shows was unconstitutional. Parker found the bill overbroad, too vague, and not narrowly tailored enough to achieve the compelling... Read More about Tennessee’s Anti-Drag Law Ruled Unconstitutional

Environmental Groups Sue FAA Over Musk’s SpaceX launch, as Metal & Dust Debris Reaches Over 6.5 Miles Away

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is headed to federal court after being sued by numerous environmental groups due to claims of not conducting enough research into the recent SpaceX launch. The plaintiffs include the American Bird Conservancy, Center for Biological Diversity, Surfrider Foundation, Save RGV, and the Corrizzo/Comcrudo Nation of... Read More about Environmental Groups Sue FAA Over Musk’s SpaceX launch, as Metal & Dust Debris Reaches Over 6.5 Miles Away

Dave Ramsey speaking on his radio show, discussing financial matters.

Dave Ramsey Hit With $150 Million Lawsuit Over Timeshare Exit Team Partnership

Radio personality and financial guru Dave Ramsey has been hit with a $150 million class action lawsuit related to Ramsey's promotion of the now-failed timeshare exit company, Timeshare Exit Team. Ramsey, the CEO of Ramsey Solutions, rose to popularity because of his financial advice that pushes people to get out... Read More about Dave Ramsey Hit With $150 Million Lawsuit Over Timeshare Exit Team Partnership

Hyundai dealership with multiple cars on display, including various models of Hyundai vehicles.

Hyundai, Kia Agree to Pay $200 Million to Settle Claims Their Cars Are Easy to Steal

Auto manufacturers Hyundai and Kia agreed to settle class action claims that their vehicles are especially prone to theft. The Korean automakers will pay roughly $200 million to settle claims with as many as nine million vehicle owners nationwide. The lawsuit alleges that the covered vehicles--model years 2015-2019 Kia and... Read More about Hyundai, Kia Agree to Pay $200 Million to Settle Claims Their Cars Are Easy to Steal

A stack of vote-by-mail ballots featuring a U.S. flag design.

Appeals Court Approves Counting Mail-In Ballots Before Election Day

Among its endless controversies, the 2020 election is likely to be most remembered for its contentious debates over the legality and accuracy of ballots. A recent ruling by a California Court of Appeal could help prevent pouring more fuel onto the fire over the legitimacy of votes. This time it’s... Read More about Appeals Court Approves Counting Mail-In Ballots Before Election Day

Priscilla Presley and her granddaughters, Riley Keough and a sibling, attend an event, dressed in formal black attire.

Priscilla Presley Reaches Settlement Over Late Daughter’s Trust That Named Her Granddaughter, Riley Keough, as Beneficiary

The famous: they’re just like us, and love to fight in court. With the Elvis Presley legacy at stake, Priscilla Presley petitioned the court in January to overturn her late daughter’s trust. Now, Ms. Presley has reached a settlement agreement in her petition challenging her late daughter, Lisa Marie Presley’s,... Read More about Priscilla Presley Reaches Settlement Over Late Daughter’s Trust That Named Her Granddaughter, Riley Keough, as Beneficiary

A woman with gray hair and glasses, appearing emotional with her hands clasped in front of her mouth, sits in a courtroom setting.

Appeals Court Orders Parole for Manson Family Member Despite Governor’s Denial

When she was 19, Leslie Van Houten became a member of the notorious Manson Family. After a year of living under the drug-fueled and manipulative influence of their cult leader, she and three other Family members murdered Rosemary and Leno LaBianca. She was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder... Read More about Appeals Court Orders Parole for Manson Family Member Despite Governor’s Denial

Tennessee state legislature in session, with lawmakers discussing health benefits policies.

Federal Lawsuit Alleges Tennessee Health Benefits Program Discriminates Against Transgender Individuals

A federal lawsuit brought forward by a worker for the state of Tennessee and a former special education teacher accuses the state’s health benefit program of discriminating against transgender individuals. The lawsuit was filed by Gerda Zinner, 30, and Story VanNess, 38 on May 24, 2023. Both plaintiffs take issue... Read More about Federal Lawsuit Alleges Tennessee Health Benefits Program Discriminates Against Transgender Individuals

Arby’s restaurant sign against a blue sky with clouds.

Family of Woman Locked in Arby’s Freezer Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit

A family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Arby’s parent company, Turbo Restaurant LLC, and the franchise owners of the New Iberia Arby’s restaurant after their loved one passed away while locked in the restaurant's commercial walk-in freezer. Sixzty-three-year-old Nguyet Le was assigned to work as a temporary manager... Read More about Family of Woman Locked in Arby’s Freezer Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Crowd gathered near the site of an apartment building collapse in Davenport, Iowa, holding a sign that reads "Davenport deserves better."

At Least Two Residents Still Missing After Iowa Apartment Collapse

Four days after a six-story Davenport, Iowa, apartment building collapsed, authorities continue to search for potential survivors while weighing when and how they will demolish the building. The May 28 collapse took down a main portion of the building's interior apartment complexes. And although city officials have not announced any... Read More about At Least Two Residents Still Missing After Iowa Apartment Collapse

Document titled "Employee Termination" with glasses and a pen resting on it.

Fired Employee Can’t Collect Unpaid Wages Due to His Profit-Sharing Compensation

In most cases, a fired employee can collect wages for work performed prior to termination. But if that employee is enrolled in the company’s profit-sharing plan, no payment needs to be made. An appeal by a scientist at Mad Science Laboratories affirmed the trial court’s decision that the man will... Read More about Fired Employee Can’t Collect Unpaid Wages Due to His Profit-Sharing Compensation

A young woman sitting on grass with a graduation sash featuring the Mexican flag on one side and the American flag on the other, smiling at the camera.

Colorado High Schooler Defied Ruling That Banned Her Mexican Heritage Sash at Graduation

A Colorado school district told a high school senior that she could not wear a sash that displayed both the Mexican and American flags to her graduation. She sued. A federal judge agreed with the school district. On May 27, she wore it anyway. And no one tried to stop... Read More about Colorado High Schooler Defied Ruling That Banned Her Mexican Heritage Sash at Graduation

Exterior view of a Wells Fargo branch building.

Wells Fargo Agrees to $1 Billion Settlement in Shareholder Class Action

Wells Fargo & Co. has agreed to pay more than $1 billion to end a shareholder class action connected to the financial institution’s fake account scandals. The settlement aims to resolve claims that Wells Fargo defrauded shareholders by overstating how much progress it had made toward fixing the unlawful practices... Read More about Wells Fargo Agrees to $1 Billion Settlement in Shareholder Class Action