Oregon Governor Kate Brown Tuesday commuted the death sentences of 17 individuals to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. In the commutation of sentence, Governor Brown argued “that the death penalty is dysfunctional and immoral in all circumstances.” The 17 individuals were previously sentenced to death in the state of Oregon. In Article V, Section [...]

The US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit Monday issued a one-page order staying a lower court’s preliminary injunction of a New York law which restricts gun possession on private property. The court is in the process of setting an expedited briefing schedule to hear an appeal filed by defendant and Superintendent of the New [...]

The US Supreme Court Thursday agreed to consider whether President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan is unlawful in February 2023. In the Supreme Court’s brief order, Justice Brett Kavanaugh also declined to vacate an injunction blocking the plan from taking effect while litigation pends. On Wednesday, the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit [...]

The Biden administration Wednesday expressed concerns about the health and wellbeing of former US Marine Paul Whelan. Whelan was sentenced to 16 years in a Russian penal colony in 2018 after being convicted of espionage conviction for possessing a flash drive with classified information. At a White House press briefing, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated: [...]

Payton Gendron Monday pleaded guilty in an Erie County, New York court to criminal charges resulting from a mass shooting he carried out in a Buffalo supermarket in May. Gendron’s defense attorney Brian Parker said: Our client pled guilty to every count in the indictment with the full knowledge that he will spend the rest [...]

The Colorado Springs Police Department Monday announced that the arrest warrant for alleged shooter Anderson Lee Aldrich is sealed, and formal charges will be filed in the coming weeks. Aldrich allegedly carried out a mass shooting at LGBTQ Colorado nightclub Club Q on Saturday night, killing five people. District Attorney Michael Allen said Aldrich will [...]

The US Supreme Court Wednesday denied an Alabama man’s petition for a stay of execution. In 1996, a jury voted 11 to 1 to sentence Kenneth E. Smith life in prison without the possibility of parole. A judge overrode the jury’s life in prison sentence and sentenced Smith to death, citing aggravating circumstances. Smith noted that, [...]

Family members of Egyptian activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah Monday reported they have received a letter in Abd El-Fattah’s handwriting confirming he is still alive. Abd El-Fattah went on a water strike last week, and his lawyer claims he is not allowed to visit Abd El-Fattah in prison. According to the letter shared by Abd El-Fattah’s sister [...]

The Biden administration Thursday proposed a rule that would require federal contractors to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and resulting financial risks from these emissions. The Federal Supplier Climate Risks and Resilience Rule would also require contractors to set targets to reduce their emissions. Last year, the US was the largest purchaser of goods and [...]

The US Supreme Court Friday added four new cases to its docket, including two cases concerning the Navajo Nation’s water rights and two intellectual property law disputes. In Arizona v. Navajo Nation and the Department of the Interior v. Navajo Nation, the court will consider the ongoing dispute over rights to Colorado River water. Arizona [...]