Chris Geidner
Stage Is Set For Supreme Court Marriage Showdown — If The Justices Want It
Almost all of the parties in five same-sex marriage cases pending at the high court — save for Tennessee officials — are urging the justices to resolve the issue nationwide. Word on whether the justices will weigh in isn't expected until January.
Chris Geidner
Despite Administration Silence, Advocates Expect Movement On Transgender Military Service
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel "needs to order the review" of current regulations barring trans service, a prominent advocate says. Administration officials, for the most part, are staying silent on the issue.
Chris Geidner
Advocates Say Labor Department Rule On LGBT Job Bias Lacks Details
The Labor Department has left many key questions, particularly related to transgender workers, unanswered. The department says "more guidance" will be forthcoming.
Chris Geidner
Paul Goodwin Executed In Missouri, After Supreme Court Denies Stay
Paul Goodwin was set to be executed at 12:01 a.m. CT Wednesday, but state officials held off on the execution while awaiting word from the Supreme Court and governor. Update: Goodwin was executed at 1:25 a.m. CT Wednesday.
Chris Geidner
Federal Government To Expand Ban On Police Profiling
The long-awaited policy announced Monday expands who is covered and ends a broad exemption for "national security" concerns. The ban will still not apply to most activities of the Border Patrol or the Transportation Security Administration. [Update: The guidance has been issued.]
Chris Geidner
Key Republican Congressmen Call On Labor Department To Withdraw New LGBT Protections
"Public comment is essential to all rulemakings," the head of the House Education and Workforce Committee and a key subcommittee chair wrote this week.
Chris Geidner
Rule Barring Anti-LGBT Job Bias By Federal Contractors Is Posted
The rule is to be published in the Federal Register on Friday and will take effect 120 days later.
Chris Geidner
Appeals Court Refuses To Stop Florida Same-Sex Marriages After Jan. 5
The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals denied Florida's request to issue a stay pending its appeal. "The stay ... expires at the end of the day on January 5, 2015."
Chris Geidner
Scott Panetti Will Not Be Executed In Texas Tonight
The schizophrenic man was scheduled to be executed Wednesday for killing his wife's parents. [Update: A federal appeals court has issued a stay of execution, which the state is not going to appeal immediately, meaning the execution will not go forward at this time.]
Chris Geidner
Louisiana Asks Supreme Court To Hear Same-Sex Marriage Case
Two states are now on board seeking review from the justices, as same-sex couples wait to see what the court does with the cases.
Chris Geidner
Justices Struggle Over When Violent Facebook Posts Become A Felony
At the Supreme Court, several justices appeared to be seeking a middle ground.
Chris Geidner
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Back At Work After Surgery
The 81-year-old justice was asking questions in oral arguments on Monday, five days after having heart surgery.
Chris Geidner
Republican Texas Criminal Appeals Judge Calls For End To Death Penalty
"I conclude that it is wishful thinking to believe that this State will never execute an innocent person for capital murder." After more than 15 years on Texas' Court of Criminal Appeals, Judge Tom Price calls for abolition.
Chris Geidner
Mississippi's Same-Sex Marriage Ban Is Unconstitutional, Federal Judge Rules
"This court joins the vast majority of federal courts to conclude that same-sex couples and the children they raise are equal before the law." The decision is on hold for 14 days. [Update: The state is appealing the ruling and is seeking a stay pending that appeal.]
Chris Geidner
Arkansas Same-Sex Marriage Ban Is Unconstitutional, Federal Judge Rules
Ruling is put on hold pending any appeal from the state.
Chris Geidner
Michigan Agrees That Supreme Court Should Take Same-Sex Marriage Case
"Given the importance of the issue ... Michigan does not oppose review by" the Supreme Court. State asks justices to uphold constitutionality of Michigan's ban on same-sex couples' marriages.
Chris Geidner
NOM Loses, Again, In Appeal Trying To Intervene In Oregon's Marriage Case
The National Organization for Marriage is still fighting a marriage case that, for most people, ended more than six months ago.
Chris Geidner
Louisiana Same-Sex Couples Ask Supreme Court To Hear Their Marriage Case
A fifth petition asks the justices to resolve questions about same-sex couples' marriage rights. The Louisiana request comes before the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has weighed in on the case.
Chris Geidner
Marriage Equality Comes To Montana, Federal Judge Rules
"This injunction shall take effect immediately.
Chris Geidner
Kamala Harris Charts Her Path As A Progressive Prosecutor
The California attorney general is a rising national Democratic star. For now, though, Kamala Harris would rather talk about the evolution of Fourth Amendment law than D.C. political news.
Chris Geidner
