Latest Human rights and civil liberties News
McAuliffe, Youngkin clash over abortion, COVID in 1st debate
GRUNDY, Va. (AP) — Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Glenn Youngkin clashed over abortion and vaccination policies Thursday in Virginia’s first gubernatorial debate of the general election season, as each sought to cast the other as extreme. The candidates in...
Clarence Thomas criticizes judges for veering into politics
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas on Thursday criticized some in the judiciary for veering into the role of legislators and politicians, saying it is not the role of judges to make policy or to base decisions on their personal feelings or religious beliefs. ...
EXPLAINER: The Texas abortion law's swift impact, and future
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A federal judge in October will hear the Biden administration's efforts to block Texas' new law banning most abortions, which is already putting a strain on clinics and patients in the two weeks since it took effect. U.S. District Judge Robert...
Another Texas execution delayed on religious freedom claims
HOUSTON (AP) — Another Texas inmate has had his execution delayed over claims the state is violating his religious freedom by not letting his spiritual adviser lay hands on him at the time of his lethal injection. Ruben Gutierrez was set to be executed on Oct. 27 for...
Biden slammed for challenging nuclear workplace health law
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Officials in Washington state are upset the Biden administration is challenging a law making it easier for workers who become ill at a former nuclear weapons production site to be compensated. The Supreme Court will likely decide in the next few...
Judge refuses to block enforcement of Kansas election law
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas judge is allowing the state to keep enforcing a new election law and is expressing strong doubts about arguments that it hinders efforts to register and educate voters. Shawnee County District Judge Teresa Watson on Thursday denied four...
Court halts use of health order to expel migrant families
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge ruled Thursday that the U.S. government must stop using a Trump-era public health order to quickly expel migrants with children who are apprehended along the U.S.-Mexico border. U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan gave the government...
Lawsuit: Blind man, guide dog forced from N. Carolina mall
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Police officers violated civil rights law when they forced a blind man and his service dog to leave a mall and threatened to arrest him for trespassing if he didn't, according to a lawsuit filed by a North Carolina advocacy group. “Civil rights...
Indiana redistricting plan criticized as aiding Republicans
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Republicans will keep greater control of Indiana’s Legislature than merited by the number of votes they receive, according to a political analyst who on Thursday called the state’s proposed new election districts among most skewed in the country. ...
Lawsuit seeks $1M after Michigan teacher cuts girl's hair
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (AP) — The father of a 7-year-old Michigan girl whose hair was cut by a teacher without her parents’ permission has filed a $1 million lawsuit against the school district, a librarian and a teacher's assistant. The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in...
