USA Archive - Law Commentary

Two people watch a large cruise ship docked at a port.

Third U.S. State Joins Suit to Enjoin CDC From Enforcing Ban on Cruise Industry

As the calendar moves from spring to summer, millions of Americans are gaining confidence that they can safely book vacations without the omnipresent fear of COVID-19 that kept them locked indoors last year. But one popular option, taking cruises, remains on the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) still-banned-without-permission-list, and the... Read More about Third U.S. State Joins Suit to Enjoin CDC From Enforcing Ban on Cruise Industry

A man in a gray suit walks down outdoor steps beside a railing outside a courthouse.

Landmark Opioid Trial Begins with Legal Blame-Game in West Virginia

In a landmark opioid case that began on Monday, brought by two counties and a city in West Virginia, attorneys for three gigantic drug manufacturers came out swinging, refusing to take any responsibility.Attorneys argued, in part, that their companies cannot be held responsible for the West Virginia opioid epidemic, with... Read More about Landmark Opioid Trial Begins with Legal Blame-Game in West Virginia

Supporters of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at a voting reform bill signing event, wearing "Trump 24 Desantis" shirts and hats.

Florida Governor Signs New Voting Rules into Law Before Crowd of Trump Supporters

Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida signed a voting reform bill (Senate Bill 90) into law in a televised event in front of supporters of former President Donald Trump. Senate Bill 90 was passed along partisan lines in the state legislature. DeSantis did not allow Florida reporters to cover the event.... Read More about Florida Governor Signs New Voting Rules into Law Before Crowd of Trump Supporters

Pipelines and storage tanks at a fuel facility, highlighting infrastructure related to the Colonial Pipeline incident.

Cyber Hackers Hit East Coast Colonial Pipeline & New-World Legal Issues Emerge

Cybercriminals forced the East Coast Colonial Pipeline to go offline Friday, impacting 2.25 million barrels of the coast's supply of diesel, petrol, and jet fuel. The breach is considered the most significant energy breach in history. This cyber-attack impacted about 45 percent of the entire East Coast's fuel and reinforced... Read More about Cyber Hackers Hit East Coast Colonial Pipeline & New-World Legal Issues Emerge

Close-up of an elderly person's hand and a caregiver's gloved hand over a desk, with a pulse oximeter displaying Blood Oxygen and papers on the table.

Texas Man Sentenced to 20 Years for $150 Million Hospice Fraud Scheme

Government shuts down Medicare fraud scam that spanned nearly a decade and covered multiple locations across the Lone Star State. Rodney Mesquias, 48, of San Antonio, Texas, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in a hospice fraud scheme that amounted to over $150 million. The... Read More about Texas Man Sentenced to 20 Years for $150 Million Hospice Fraud Scheme

Exterior view of Rigby Middle School with authorities present and police tape surrounding the area after a shooting incident.

Authorities Search for Motive In Sixth Grader’s Shooting Rampage

The investigation into the Idaho school shooting at Rigby Middle School is ongoing as authorities continue searching for a motive behind a sixth grader’s shooting rampage. On Thursday at around 9:15 am, authorities were called to the middle school after teachers and students heard gunshots ring out on the school... Read More about Authorities Search for Motive In Sixth Grader’s Shooting Rampage

A farmer standing in front of the Faust Farms sign, holding a cane at his dairy farm.

5 White Farmers Sue Biden Administration For Stimulus Package Racial Discrimination

Five white farmers from the Midwest filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration for alleged discrimination since they were excluded from a Federal Covid stimulus package forgiveness program. The farmers are from Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Ohio, and all have direct loans with the Farm Service Agency or USDA-backed... Read More about 5 White Farmers Sue Biden Administration For Stimulus Package Racial Discrimination

Appellate Court Rules Snapchat Can be Sued for Teens’ Death After Using ‘Speed Filter’”

Last week, a California federal appeals court deviated from the norm in its ruling in a case involving Snapchat and the parents of three individuals who died after using the app's popular “speed filter.” On the evening of May 28, 2017, 17-year-old Jason Davis was behind the wheel of a... Read More about Appellate Court Rules Snapchat Can be Sued for Teens’ Death After Using ‘Speed Filter’”

Students raising their hands in a classroom setting.

Tennessee Law Passed to Ban Critical Race Theory in Public Schools as Nation Grapples with Racist History

In a controversial action, the Tennessee legislature passed a law to ban “critical race theory” from being taught in all state public schools. The new concept is being taught to students of all ages and races by educators to support all races within schools to be given an equal education.... Read More about Tennessee Law Passed to Ban Critical Race Theory in Public Schools as Nation Grapples with Racist History

A large gathering of West Point cadets listening to a speaker at a ceremony, with the West Point banner displayed prominently in the background.

Supreme Court Won’t Hear Arguments from Female West Point Cadet Who Was Raped

A 70-year-old law has prevented a West Point cadet from seeking justice for her rape by a fellow cadet. Jane Doe was denied certiorari by the U.S. Supreme Court because members of the military cannot sue for injuries “incident to military service.” The Court did not explain why rape falls... Read More about Supreme Court Won’t Hear Arguments from Female West Point Cadet Who Was Raped

Biden greets lawmakers in the House chamber, emphasizing his administration's commitment to raising the immigration cap for refugees.

Biden Announces Raising Immigration Cap

President Biden says that he is raising the cap of immigrants allowed into the country this fiscal year to 62,500 from the record low 15,000 set by President Trump, “which did not reflect America’s values as a nation that welcomes and supports refugees.” However, he adds that unfortunately, the United... Read More about Biden Announces Raising Immigration Cap

Protesters rally outside a courthouse holding signs advocating to cancel rents and stop evictions and foreclosures.

DOJ Appeals After Federal Judge Strikes Down CDC Eviction Ban

Judge Dabney Friedrich of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia struck down the Center for Disease Control's eviction moratorium on Wednesday. The case was brought in front of the court by the Alabama Association of Realtors where they argued that the CDC overstepped its authority in telling... Read More about DOJ Appeals After Federal Judge Strikes Down CDC Eviction Ban

Oversight Board Directs Facebook to Make Final Decision on Trump in the Next Six Months

Facebook’s Oversight Board upheld the company’s decision to suspend then-President Donald J. Trump from the platform after his involvement in supporters storming the capitol on January 6, 2021. While the Board agreed with Facebook’s initial response, the Board criticized the company for “not following a clear published procedure” when indefinitely... Read More about Oversight Board Directs Facebook to Make Final Decision on Trump in the Next Six Months

A close-up of a computer screen displaying the United States Census Bureau website with the title "Census" visible.

How the 2020 Census Will Affect the Electoral College and Congress

Every 10 years, the United States has a census. The census determines how many seats each state gets in the Electoral College and Congress. In Congress, the 435 members of the House of Representatives are determined by the population of each state, and the Senate has 100 members, which is... Read More about How the 2020 Census Will Affect the Electoral College and Congress

A woman holds a document while speaking at a Senate hearing.

Senate Passes Water and Waste Infrastructure Improvement Bill in Rare Bipartisan Vote

In a rare showing of bipartisan support, the U.S. Senate passed a $35 billion bill that will reauthorize or create a variety of programs to deliver safe drinking water and address antiquated infrastructure and outdated waste management systems throughout the states. The Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021,... Read More about Senate Passes Water and Waste Infrastructure Improvement Bill in Rare Bipartisan Vote