Latest Constitutions News

Judge strikes down part of Missouri law restricting access to court records

Dec. 24, 2024 13:41 PM EST

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A judge struck down parts of a Missouri law requiring redactions of many court records, including the names of all witnesses and victims involved in lawsuits and criminal proceedings. Moniteau County Associate Circuit Judge Aaron Martin, in an order...

What will Syria's future look like? The answer could lie in other Arab countries' recent pasts

Dec. 20, 2024 12:30 PM EST

CAIRO (AP) — Even with hopes running high, so much can go wrong when a country ousts a longtime dictator and tries to start anew. The Middle Eastern and North African nations that attempted to transition to democracy in recent years can attest to that. Now it's Syria's turn to try...

German lawmakers back plan to protect supreme court against meddling by authoritarians, extremists

Dec. 19, 2024 08:42 AM EST

BERLIN (AP) — German lawmakers on Thursday approved legislation designed to protect the country's highest court against possible future manipulation or obstruction by authoritarian or extremist politicians. Officials have cited experiences in Poland, Hungary and elsewhere as...

Global warming can't be ignored, Montana's top court says, upholding landmark climate case

Dec. 18, 2024 17:26 PM EST

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana’s Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a landmark climate ruling that said the state was violating residents’ constitutional right to a clean environment by permitting oil, gas and coal projects without regard for global warming. The justices, in a...

Today in History: December 18, Donald Trump impeached for the first time

Dec. 18, 2024 00:03 AM EST

Today is Wednesday, Dec. 18, the 353rd day of 2024. There are 13 days left in the year. Today in history: On Dec. 18, 2019, the U.S. House impeached President Donald Trump on two charges, sending his case to the Senate for trial; the articles of impeachment accused him...

Archivist says Equal Rights Amendment can't be certified as Democrats push Biden to recognize it

Dec. 17, 2024 15:52 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a rare joint statement, the archivist and deputy archivist of the United States said Tuesday that the 1970s-era Equal Rights Amendment cannot be certified without further action by Congress or the courts, as Democrats press President Joe Biden to act unilaterally on its...

Today in History: December 15, the Bill of Rights takes effect

Dec. 15, 2024 00:02 AM EST

Today is Sunday, Dec. 15, the 350th day of 2024. There are 16 days left in the year. Today in history: On Dec. 15, 1791, the Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, went into effect following ratification by Virginia. Also on...

Young activists take on a government agency in a Florida climate lawsuit

Dec. 14, 2024 00:11 AM EST

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A group of young people in Florida say they believe the state’s continued reliance on fossil fuels is a violation of their constitutional rights and are suing the state agency that regulates public utilities in the hopes of forcing the energy companies to transition...

North Carolina GOP lawmakers enact a law eroding the incoming Democratic governor's powers

Dec. 11, 2024 21:32 PM EST

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina lawmakers on Wednesday enacted a law over the governor's veto that would diminish the powers afforded to his successor and other other Democratic statewide winners in the Nov. 5 elections. In a 72-46 vote, the Republican-dominated House overrode...

Missouri companies sue to stop a law that raises minimum wage and requires paid sick leave

Dec. 09, 2024 18:46 PM EST

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri business groups announced Monday that they have filed a lawsuit to try to stop a voter-approved law that will raise the state's minimum wage and require employers to give workers paid sick leave. The powerful Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry,...