The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected Florida's bid to enforce a law that would have prohibited children from attending drag shows, keeping in place a lower court ruling as a legal challenge continues. The law was challenged by a restaurant in Orlando known as Hamburger Mary's, arguing that it was unconstitutional and imposed unlawful restrictions on free speech. Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch said they would have granted Florida's bid, while Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Justice Amy Coney Barrett said the court's decision does not speak to their views on the merits of the case.
Posts published in “US”
Former President Donald Trump's legal team successfully obtained a stay of a gag order that barred him from commenting on court staff in his civil fraud trial. Judge David Friedman of the state’s intermediate appeals court issued the stay due to constitutional concerns about restricting Trump’s free speech. The stay allows Trump to comment freely while a longer appeals process plays out, though the gag order may be reinstated.
David DePape has been found guilty of two federal charges related to an attack on Paul Pelosi, husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in October 2022. He was convicted of attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assault on an immediate family member of a federal official. DePape could face up to 20 years in prison for the attempted kidnapping charge and up to 10 years for the assault charge. The Pelosi family has asked for privacy as they continue to process the verdict.
Yesterday, U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Woodside, California for a summit, the first time the two leaders had spoken in a year. The two sides discussed a number of topics, including plans to reduce the transport of fentanyl and the resumption of direct military talks. Despite remaining far apart on some key issues, the summit was seen as a positive step forward in the relationship between the U.S. and China, with Biden giving a thumbs up in response to shouted questions by reporters.
The United Auto Workers union has ratified a new contract with General Motors, making it the first Detroit automaker to get a ratified deal that could end a lengthy labor dispute. The agreement includes wage increases, improved job security, and a pathway to permanent employment for temporary workers, as well as a $11,000 signing bonus and a commitment from GM to invest $7.7 billion in U.S. plants over the next four years. The ratification of the deal came under doubt Wednesday morning, but a swing in voting results in favor of the deal gave the agreement a much needed lifeline. The new agreement is expected to bring stability to the auto industry and set a new standard for the industry.
A 6-year-old boy in Texas has died after spending two months on a hospital ventilator following an attack by his neighbor in September. Daniel Logan, 39, has been charged with first-degree murder and is being held in the Williamson County Jail on a $1 million bond. A GoFundMe page was set up to help cover the costs of Jeremy’s medical care and funeral expenses, and has raised over $50,000.
The Ventura County Sheriff's Office have arrested Loay Alnaji, 50, in connection to the death of 69-year-old pro-Israel protester Paul Kessler. Kessler was allegedly struck in the head by a megaphone wielded by a pro-Palestinian protester during a pro-Israel gathering in Thousand Oaks, California, and died the following day. The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles expressed their condolences for Kessler's family and friends and the Sheriff's Office is asking anyone with information to contact Detective Sergeant John Franchi.
The Thurston County Sheriff's Office in Washington state is searching for a married couple who mysteriously disappeared this week in suspicious circumstances. Karen A. Koep and Davido were reported missing after a welfare check at their home, and their car, a 2014 white Toyota Corolla, is also missing. The sheriff's office is asking anyone with information about the couple's whereabouts to contact them.