USA Archive - Law Commentary

Governor Gavin Newsom announcing California's vaccine mandate for public workers during a press conference.

California is the First State to Implement Vaccine Mandates for Public Workers

On July 26th, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a statewide vaccine mandate for public employees. For individuals who opt-out of inoculation, weekly testing will be required. This mandate will include not only healthcare workers but other employees in “high-risk congregated settings” such as jails, nursing homes, and homeless shelters. Under California’s... Read More about California is the First State to Implement Vaccine Mandates for Public Workers

A healthcare worker administering a COVID-19 vaccine to a patient.

Loyola Marymount University Sued over COVID-19 Policies

On Saturday, two students at Loyola Marymount, a private Catholic university located in Los Angeles, California, sued the institution over new COVID-19 policies. Loyola Marymount is one of over 400 universities to implement a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for students. In preparation for the return of in-person classes this fall, the... Read More about Loyola Marymount University Sued over COVID-19 Policies

Hands in handcuffs holding a pen above a legal document.

Ninth Circuit Rules Judge’s Comments at Sentencing Don’t Waive Guilty Plea

The defendant pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud. At sentencing, he wanted to change his plea. The judge told him that sentencing was not the proper place to do that. He appealed. The Ninth Circuit agreed with the judge. In an opinion authored by Judge Ronald M.... Read More about Ninth Circuit Rules Judge’s Comments at Sentencing Don’t Waive Guilty Plea

Yellow opioid pills scattered on a teal surface.

Endo Agrees to $35 Million Settlement in Opioid Lawsuit Filed by Tennessee Counties

Drugmaker Endo has agreed to pay $35 million to settle a lawsuit that was brought by several Tennessee local governments and on behalf of a newborn child who was born addicted to opioids. The settlement agreements come after the drugmaker was accused of helping fuel the opioid epidemic that ravaged... Read More about Endo Agrees to $35 Million Settlement in Opioid Lawsuit Filed by Tennessee Counties

Row of Ford SUVs parked at a dealership.

Ford Issues a Recall on Over 770,000 Vehicles Worldwide

Ford Motor Company has issued a worldwide recall on approximately 775,000 2013-2017 Ford Explorer vehicles due to issues with steering that have been linked to at least six injuries in North America. While the recall is worldwide, 676,152 vehicles under the recall are registered in North America, with 59,935 in... Read More about Ford Issues a Recall on Over 770,000 Vehicles Worldwide

Pro-life demonstrators outside the Supreme Court holding signs advocating against abortion rights.

Mississippi Asks Supreme Court to Overturn Roe v. Wade

Ever since the Supreme Court recognized a woman’s right to terminate her pregnancy by abortion in its landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade and 1992 Planned Parenthood v. Casey decisions, states have been chipping away at that right by enacting increasingly stringent pre-viability restrictions. Now Mississippi has decided to stop chipping... Read More about Mississippi Asks Supreme Court to Overturn Roe v. Wade

3M, Saint-Gobain, Honeywell Reach $65 Million Settlement After Contaminating NY Town Water Source

Industry leaders 3M Co, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corp, and Honeywell Inc, have agreed to settle a putative class action lawsuit last Wednesday after allegations that the companies played a hand in the contamination of a New York town’s water system. Residents of the town argue that Hoosick Falls’ drinking water... Read More about 3M, Saint-Gobain, Honeywell Reach $65 Million Settlement After Contaminating NY Town Water Source

Liberty University campus building with the name prominently displayed.

Liberty University Faces Suit Alleging the School Made Rape and Sexual Assault “More Likely” With Discriminatory Honor Code Policy

Liberty University, the nation’s largest Christian university tucked in the hills of the Appalachian mountains has found itself in the center of controversy yet again following a bombshell lawsuit filed against the university by 12 women. The women were not named in the lawsuit and are instead identified as Jane... Read More about Liberty University Faces Suit Alleging the School Made Rape and Sexual Assault “More Likely” With Discriminatory Honor Code Policy

Blonde woman on the red carpet wearing a black lace dress at a Billboard Music Awards event.

Britney Spears, 39, Fights to End 13-Year Conservatorship as California Law Comes Under Scrutiny, Creating “Britney” Legislative Interest

Celebrity Britney Spears, though living under a public microscope for most of her life, is still trapped in a gilded cage dominated by legal guardians who control every move she makes. For thirteen years, Ms. Spears has lived under a legally binding arrangement that gives power over her personal, business,... Read More about Britney Spears, 39, Fights to End 13-Year Conservatorship as California Law Comes Under Scrutiny, Creating “Britney” Legislative Interest

Silhouette of barbed-wire fencing and a guard tower at Guantanamo Bay detention camp at dusk.

Guantanamo Bay: Finally Closing After 19 Years?

Just after 9/11 and the invasion of Afghanistan, the military prison at Guantanamo Bay was at its peak capacity, with 675 men (or more than 800, depending upon the source) held prisoner there. Today, 39 prisoners remain, only eleven of whom have actually been charged with war crimes.Under the administrations... Read More about Guantanamo Bay: Finally Closing After 19 Years?

A group of protesters hold signs opposing the COVID-19 vaccination mandate at Indiana University.

Federal Judge OKs Mandatory Vaccines for Indiana University Students

As college students across America begin packing for the new fall semester, they typically fill their trunks and suitcases with clothes, blankets, and toiletries. This year, thanks to a ruling by a federal judge, the 90,000 students who will be attending Indiana University (IU) in person will be required to... Read More about Federal Judge OKs Mandatory Vaccines for Indiana University Students

A young girl recovering in a hospital bed surrounded by stuffed animals and get well balloons.

Settlement Reached After Bus Driver Drags Little Girl In Horrifying Video

Terrifying footage has turned up of a six-year-old elementary school student being dragged for over an alleged 1,100 feet after she exits her school bus. Although the incident took place in 2015, the footage has recently surfaced and has since gone viral on social media after the video was released... Read More about Settlement Reached After Bus Driver Drags Little Girl In Horrifying Video

Michael Gargiulo, also known as the "Hollywood Ripper," seated in court during his sentencing for multiple murders.

‘Hollywood Ripper’ Sentenced to Death for Early 2000’s Murders

Last Friday, accused killer Michael Gargiulo, who was dubbed the “Hollywood Ripper,” was sentenced to death for brutally killing Ashley Ellerin, 22, in 2001, and Maria Bruno, 32, in 2005. Gargiulo was thrown into the national spotlight after one of the victims, Ellerin, was found dead just before she was... Read More about ‘Hollywood Ripper’ Sentenced to Death for Early 2000’s Murders

A group of individuals protesting outside a government building, holding signs that read "DEFEND DREAMERS" and "DEFEND DACA," advocating for the protection of DACA recipients.

Federal Judge Rules DACA “Unlawful,” Suspending New Applicants

A Texas federal judge ruled on Friday that the Obama-era program DACA was unlawfully created and would no longer serve as a protection for thousands of undocumented immigrants seeking to live and work in the United States. Judge Andrew S. Hanen of the United States District Court in Houston, Texas,... Read More about Federal Judge Rules DACA “Unlawful,” Suspending New Applicants

A man speaking at a podium in front of a United States Navy flag.

Ninth Circuit Reinstates Discrimination Suit Against the Navy by Employee Who Says He Was Punished for Not Becoming a Mormon

While allowing a chemist the right to pursue a claim against the Navy for violation of his civil rights, the Ninth Circuit said another part of his claim, based on the Navy’s retaliation for his refusal to join the Mormon church, would stay dismissed. The circuit court did not see... Read More about Ninth Circuit Reinstates Discrimination Suit Against the Navy by Employee Who Says He Was Punished for Not Becoming a Mormon