courthousenews--2020-06-17--House Lawmakers Hold Charged Debate Over Police Reforms

WASHINGTON ( CN ) — Weighing a law that would alter police conduct and accountability to the public they are sworn to protect — in particular African Americans disproportionately impacted by police brutality — House lawmakers found themselves sharply at odds Wednesday over how to solve a long-running crisis of civil and human rights .
The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act was debated over a charged and lengthy session Wednesday with Democrats and Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee in disagreement over several provisions in the law introduced just ten days ago after national outcry was sparked by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black man asphyxiated to death by Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin on May 25 .
The bill is an amalgam of police reform legislation that has languished in Congress and features a federal ban on the use of chokeholds , ends no-knock warrants in drug cases and modifies qualified immunity , a doctrine stating government officials , or in this case , law enforcement , can not be sued for violating a person ’ s constitutional rights lest those actions violate “ clearly established ” law .
It calls too for an end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a national database where misconduct can be tracked and shared between jurisdictions , mandatory racial bias training on the federal level and codifying lynching as a federal hate crime .
Limits for the transfer of drones and other military-level weapons to police departments and an increase of dashboard and body cameras are included as well .
The law goes significantly further than the Senate package unveiled Wednesday and despite widespread criticism hurled at the Floyd Act by Republicans , the bill does not call for defunding of police , a platform Black Lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the centerpiece of their demands as lawmakers on the state , local and national level have rushed to mobilize a response .
With 225 cosponsors in the House , Floyd ’ s law is virtually guaranteed to pass in that body but it will almost certainly fail to vault through the Senate where Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said it has no chance of passage .
Democratic lawmakers like Rep. Karen Bass of California , who also chairs the Congressional Black Caucus and Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas delivered emphatic entreaties nonetheless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debated and a litany of amendments were considered .
“ What is the value of black lives ?
Are black lives valued ?
Is a black life valued ?
Are all black lives valued ?
Living in the skin that I live in obviously for all of my life… I realized that question was never answered by this nation , ” Jackson Lee , a black lawmaker said before expressing her pain hearing fellow legislators reject the concept that “ systemic racism has plagued every aspect of our society.
” This pain was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including one ignited by Rep. Matt Gaetz , R-Fla. , who quickly issued the qualifier of “ all lives matter ” when Rep. Eric Swalwell , D-Calif. , asked Republicans as he took the dais if they could “ unequivocally ” state that black lives matter .
“ I think it ’ s clear my colleagues would like to put up a strawman about the uncomfortable conversation we need to have about race .
In police shootings , we talk about the act but we don ’ t get to the harder part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is disputing what the officer did here with Mr. Floyd should be defended… Until you are willing to get rid of the strawman , the confusion , all of the different tactics you ’ re using to avoid the hard conversation about race in America , we ’ re not going to get where we need to be and not just in policing.
” After three hours of debate , Republicans like ranking member Jim Jordan regularly focused on matters like President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment or former special counsel Robert Mueller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2016 election .
That opening was provided when Rep. Kelly Armstrong , R-N.D. proposed an amendment to the Floyd Act requiring audio recordings of those detained by federal agents and officers .
At present , the FBI does not require this .
For Jordan , the subject moved quickly from excessive use of force by police but to the lack of audio recordings for FBI interviews of Trump ’ s convicted former chairman Paul Manafort and former national security adviser Michael Flynn .
House Judiciary chairman Jerry Nadler asked Armstrong to withdraw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since on its face , he said , it might be worth considering with tweaks .
Armstrong ’ s amendment was refused and later voted down .
As the slog continued , when Rep .
Guy Reschenthaler , R-Pennsylvania , proposed an amendment declaring antifa , a political ideology opposed to fascism lacking central leadership , as a domestic terrorist group , Rep. Cedric Richmond , D-Louisiana bluntly dismissed it as a distraction .
“ You are all white males .
You have never lived in my shoes .
You do not know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an African American male .
If you ’ re opposed to this legislation , let ’ s just have the vote but please do not come in this committee room and make a mockery of the pain that exists in my community , ” Richmond said .
The effort from Republicans to “ water down ” the bill , Richmond argued , was simply unacceptable .
“ I ’ m not interested in equality with ‘ all deliberate speed , ’ ” Richmond said , citing the 1954 Supreme Court ruling Brown v. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but did not order states to act with a urgency , semantics exploited by segregationists eager to delay implementation .
Expressing a willingness to work on the GOP ’ s proposed amendments in separate legislation later , Richmond said as people continued to die needlessly at the hands of police , he wasn ’ t willing to move at a “ snail ’ s pace ” or pass a bill that “ mandates nothing.
” “ I ’ m not interested in studying antifa or the Klan or sovereign citizens because that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face on a daily basis , ” he said .
“ Right now , all too often , the threat is from law enforcement , those sworn to protect and serve.
” When Richmond said he hoped committee Republicans refusal to consider the Floyd legislation was a reflection of their unconscious bias and not their conscious bias , Rep. Matt Gaetz asked whether Richmond was questioning whether white lawmakers did not care about black children they may have in their families .
“ It ’ s not about the color of your kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if one of them happens to be your kid , clearly , I ’ m more concerned about him than you are , ” Richmond said .
An insulted Gaetz lept from his seat and chastised Richmond , shouting over him : “ How dare you.
” When the Louisiana Democrat calmly asked if he “ struck a nerve , ” Gaetz responded angrily again : “ You ’ re damn right.
” Reschenthaler ’ s antifa amendment was voted down by Democrats shortly thereafter .
Some 20 proposed amendments are expected and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amendments were considered so far including one from Rep. Louie Gohmert , R-Texas , that calls for enforcing the death penalty for lynching .
The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act proposes a minimum 10 year sentence for lynching and that would have to be sufficient for now , Judiciary Committee chairman Nadler , adding that he felt capital punishment was “ barbarous.
” Gohmert ’ s amendment was voted down by Democrats .
As the night wore on , with several more amendments forthcoming , many others were shot down by Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposed modification to qualified immunity .
As it stands , the bill proposes a minimum 10-year sentence for lynching .
That would have to be sufficient for now committee chairman Nadler said , adding that capital punishment was “ barbarous.
” An amendment contesting the formation of autonomous zones introduced by Rep. Debbie Lesko , R-Arizona was also handily dismissed after Rep. Pramila Jayapal , D-Wash. , slammed the suggestion that Seattle was under siege by rogue demonstrators hellbent on extorting local businesses , a claim circulating by right wing news outlets and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
An attempt by Rep. Greg Steube , R.-Fla. , to overturn the bar on no knock warrants also failed late Wednesday night .
The bill is expected to hit the House floor as early as next week along with the legislative package offered by the Senate which Nadler early Wednesday called a “ sham .
”

Weighing a law that would alter police conduct and accountability to the public they are sworn to protect — in particular African Americans disproportionately impacted by police brutality — House lawmakers found themselves sharply at odds Wednesday over how to solve a long-running crisis of civil and human rights.
WASHINGTON (CN) — Weighing a law that would alter police conduct and accountability to the public they are sworn to protect — in particular African Americans disproportionately impacted by police brutality — House lawmakers found themselves sharply at odds Wednesday over how to solve a long-running crisis of civil and human rights.
The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act was debated over a charged and lengthy session Wednesday with Democrats and Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee in disagreement over several provisions in the law introduced after the May 25 death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man as Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck, sparked national outcry.
The bill is an amalgam of police-reform legislation that has languished in Congress, featuring a federal ban on the use of chokeholds as well as no-knock warrants in drug cases, while also modifying qualified immunity, a doctrine stating that government officials, or in this case, law enforcement, cannot be sued for violating a person’s constitutional rights lest those actions violate “clearly established” law.
It calls too for an end to racial profiling and the creation of a national database where misconduct can be tracked and shared between jurisdictions, plus mandatory racial-bias training on the federal level, and the codification of lynching as a federal hate crime. Limits for the transfer of drones and other military-level weapons to police departments and an increase of dashboard and body cameras are included as well.
The law goes significantly further than the Senate package unveiled Wednesday and, despite widespread criticism hurled at the Floyd Act by Republicans, the bill does not call for defunding of police, a platform Black Lives Matter activists and protesters nationwide have made the centerpiece of their demands as lawmakers on the state, local and national level have rushed to mobilize a response.
With 225 co-sponsors in the House, Floyd’s law is virtually guaranteed to pass in that body, but it will almost certainly fail to vault through the Senate where Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said it has no chance of passage.
Democrats like California Representative Karen Bass, who also chairs the Congressional Black Caucus, and Texas Representative Sheila Jackson Lee delivered emphatic entreaties nonetheless, as the merits of the law were debated and a litany of amendments were considered.
“What is the value of black lives? Are black lives valued? Is a black life valued? Are all black lives valued? Living in the skin that I live in obviously for all of my life … I realized that question was never answered by this nation,” said Jackson Lee, who is black, before expressing her pain hearing fellow legislators reject the concept that “systemic racism has plagued every aspect of our society.”
This pain was wrestled with over several tense moments Wednesday including one ignited by Florida Representative Matt Gaetz, who quickly issued the qualifier of “all lives matter” when California Representative Eric Swalwell asked Republicans, as he took the dais, if they could “unequivocally” state that black lives matter.
“I think it’s clear my colleagues would like to put up a straw man about the uncomfortable conversation we need to have about race. In police shootings, we talk about the act, but we don’t get to the harder part,” Swalwell said. “Nobody is disputing what the officer did here with Mr. Floyd should be defended. … Until you are willing to get rid of the straw man, the confusion, all of the different tactics you’re using to avoid the hard conversation about race in America, we’re not going to get where we need to be and not just in policing.”


courthousenews--2020-06-17--Small Business Owners Urge Feds to Improve Loan Program

WASHINGTON ( CN ) — While those participating in a federal loan program aimed at helping small businesses ride out the coronavirus pandemic generally praised the initiative to lawmakers Wednesday , they called on the government to take steps to make it run more smoothly .
Created as part of the $ 2 trillion CARES Act that became law in March , the Paycheck Protection Program allows businesses to take out federally guaranteed loans that can be forgiven if the money is used to cover payroll , rent and certain other expenses .
Through June 12 , the program has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across more than 4.5 million loans .
The average loan size is $ 112,000 , with more than 65 % of loans coming in at $ 50,000 or less .
“ There ’ s clearly a long way to go in this recovery , but it appears that the PPP is having a major impact in saving many American jobs , ” Representative Steve Chabot , an Ohio Republican , said at a Wednesday hearing of the House Small Business Committee .
Congress approved a new round of funding in April , after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to shutter or restrict their operations to limit the spread of Covid-19 quickly exhausted the nearly $ 350 billion initially approved for the program .
Last month , Congress passed a law giving businesses greater flexibility in how they use their loans , including upping the amount of time they have to spend the money and still be eligible for loan forgiveness .
Responding to concerns that the application borrowers must fill out to have their loans forgiven is too complicated , the Small Business Administration issued a new , shorter application on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stop accepting new applications at the end of the month , drawing concerns from business owners and advocates who say they are still struggling even as states begin to reopen .
“ Many of my fellow restauranteurs are not going to make this , ” Melissa Kelly , who runs a restaurant in Rockland , Maine , told the committee Wednesday .
“ They ’ re not going to survive the government-mandated restrictions on restaurant operations due to Covid-19.
” Kelly urged the committee to “ revise and amend ” the PPP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other hospitality businesses .
She noted that even though states are reopening , many people will not feel comfortable returning to restaurants .
“ I want you all to think about restaurants in a different way , ” Kelly said .
“ After 30 years of being in the business , our industry is in a crisis.
” Eduardo Sosa , senior vice president of Small Business Administration lending at Commerce National Bank , said the process of receiving a PPP loan has at times been difficult to navigate , and called on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on how the loans work .
“ I ’ m an experienced lender , but I ’ ve never fully understood how to make a PPP loan from beginning to end , ” Sosa said .
“ No one does.
” A side effect of the speed with which the Small Business Administration stood up the program , Sosa said quickly changing guidance and a lengthy loan application has kept some business owners away from the program over concerns about how the loan forgiveness will work .
He also said guidance issued in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were receiving PPP loans caused some business owners to unnecessarily repay their loans .
Ashley Harrington , senior counsel at the Center for Responsible Lending , told the committee the program ’ s complexities have fallen especially hard on businesses owned by minorities , which tend to be smaller and have less contact with large financial institutions .

While those participating in a federal loan program aimed at helping small businesses ride out the coronavirus pandemic generally praised the initiative to lawmakers Wednesday, they called on the government to take steps to make it run more smoothly.
WASHINGTON (CN) — While those participating in a federal loan program aimed at helping small businesses ride out the coronavirus pandemic generally praised the initiative to lawmakers Wednesday, they called on the government to take steps to make it run more smoothly.
Created as part of the $2 trillion CARES Act that became law in March, the Paycheck Protection Program allows businesses to take out federally guaranteed loans that can be forgiven if the money is used to cover payroll, rent and certain other expenses.
Through June 12, the program has approved $512 billion in loans spread across more than 4.5 million loans. The average loan size is $112,000, with more than 65% of loans coming in at $50,000 or less.
“There’s clearly a long way to go in this recovery, but it appears that the PPP is having a major impact in saving many American jobs,” Representative Steve Chabot, an Ohio Republican, said at a Wednesday hearing of the House Small Business Committee.
Congress approved a new round of funding in April, after a rush of applications from businesses forced to shutter or restrict their operations to limit the spread of Covid-19 quickly exhausted the nearly $350 billion initially approved for the program.
Last month, Congress passed a law giving businesses greater flexibility in how they use their loans, including upping the amount of time they have to spend the money and still be eligible for loan forgiveness.
Responding to concerns that the application borrowers must fill out to have their loans forgiven is too complicated, the Small Business Administration issued a new, shorter application on Wednesday.
But the program is set to stop accepting new applications at the end of the month, drawing concerns from business owners and advocates who say they are still struggling even as states begin to reopen.
“Many of my fellow restauranteurs are not going to make this,” Melissa Kelly, who runs a restaurant in Rockland, Maine, told the committee Wednesday. “They’re not going to survive the government-mandated restrictions on restaurant operations due to Covid-19.”
Kelly urged the committee to “revise and amend” the PPP program, focusing specifically on restaurants and other hospitality businesses. She noted that even though states are reopening, many people will not feel comfortable returning to restaurants.
“I want you all to think about restaurants in a different way,” Kelly said. “After 30 years of being in the business, our industry is in a crisis.”
Eduardo Sosa, senior vice president of Small Business Administration lending at Commerce National Bank, said the process of receiving a PPP loan has at times been difficult to navigate, and called on the federal government to give clear guidance on how the loans work.
“I’m an experienced lender, but I’ve never fully understood how to make a PPP loan from beginning to end,” Sosa said. “No one does.”
A side effect of the speed with which the Small Business Administration stood up the program, Sosa said quickly changing guidance and a lengthy loan application has kept some business owners away from the program over concerns about how the loan forgiveness will work.
He also said guidance issued in the wake of reporting that large companies were receiving PPP loans caused some business owners to unnecessarily repay their loans.
Ashley Harrington, senior counsel at the Center for Responsible Lending, told the committee the program’s complexities have fallen especially hard on businesses owned by minorities, which tend to be smaller and have less contact with large financial institutions.


courthousenews--2020-06-17--Fighting Slander Suit Over Tucker Carlson, Fox Calls Host Hyperbolic

( CN ) — “ Remember the facts of the story ; these are undisputed , ” Fox News personality Tucker Carlson told his 2.8 million viewers in 2018 , before labeling former Playboy model Karen McDougal as a presidential extortionist .
On Wednesday , an attorney for the network asserted that no reasonable viewer would believe that what followed this preamble was factual reporting .
“ It ’ s a commentary show , ” Fox ’ s lawyer Erin Murphy , of the firm Kirkland & Ellis , insisted during arguments trying to swat away McDougal ’ s defamation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show that markets itself … as opinion and spirited debate .
That context matters.
” The segment at issue aired on Dec. 10 , 2018 — two days before a federal judge sentenced former Trump fixer Michael Cohen and prosecutors acknowledged for the first time that it granted immunity as part of the case to the parent company of the National Enquirer .
This came months after it was widely reported that the publishing company owned by Trump ’ s longtime friend David Pecker was admitting that it had arranged a “ catch-and-kill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stories of any women who were claiming to have had affairs with Trump .
“ Two women approached Donald Trump and threatened to ruin his career and humiliate his family if he doesn ’ t give them money , ” Carlson declared , as the screen flashed photographs of Karen McDougal and Stormy Daniels .
“ Now that sounds like a classic case of extortion .
Yet for whatever reason , Trump caves to it , and he directs Michael Cohen to pay the ransom.
” Carlson did not speak either woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s attorney Eric Bernstein the reference alone was slanderous .
“ They know who she is , ” the attorney said Wednesday , referring to Fox viewers .
“ They know she was a Playmate model.
” Since Cohen ’ s prosecution was highly publicized , McDougal calls it clear that Carlson spun his false narrative intentionally .
She notes that she never approached Trump , let alone threatened him — a sequence of events backed up by the federal court record in Manhattan .
McDougal ’ s defamation claims can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with actual malice .
U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil noted at Wednesday ’ s hearing this requires more than showing the Fox personality has bias and an agenda .
“ You agree with me that malice is not the equivalent of ill-will or bias ?
” “ Of course , ” Bernstein told the judge , a Trump appointee sworn in last year .
The lawyer added there were other reasons to suspect Carlson peddled a false narrative to advance his “ symbiotic ” relationship with the president .
Trump had promoted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fools ” a little less than two months before the segment .
“ It just went to NUMBER ONE !
” Trump tweeted on Oct. 23 , 2018 .
Citing the presidential endorsement , Bernstein said : “ That ’ s not a typical occurrence , for anyone to get congratulatory tweets for the president concerning a book.
” “ Are you sure about that ?
” Vyskocil shot back , noting that such behavior might not be out of character for Trump .
Before the hearing began , Vyskocil disclosed a relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Shawn Regan , who works with the judge at the Federal Bar Council .
Vyskocil serves as president of the legal organization , and Regan is its treasurer .
She said that relationship would not affect her impartiality .
In trying to dismiss the lawsuit , Fox News could encounter an ironic hurdle : Sarah Palin , the folksy Alaskan politician who became a pundit for the network , sued The New York Times over its editorial tying her to a trend of partisan rhetoric fueling mass shootings .
The Second Circuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could now undermine Fox ’ s argument that Carlson ’ s commentary is protected opinion , if the court finds it makes false claims with reckless disregard to the facts .
Vyskocil , who pressed Fox on that new precedent , reserved decision on McDougal ’ s lawsuit .

“Remember the facts of the story; these are undisputed,” Fox News personality Tucker Carlson told his 2.8 million viewers in 2018, before labeling former Playboy model Karen McDougal as a presidential extortionist.
(CN) — “Remember the facts of the story; these are undisputed,” Fox News personality Tucker Carlson told his 2.8 million viewers in 2018, before labeling former Playboy model Karen McDougal as a presidential extortionist.
On Wednesday, an attorney for the network asserted that no reasonable viewer would believe that what followed this preamble was factual reporting.
Playboy model Karen McDougal in 2011. (© Glenn Francis, www.PacificProDigital.com via Wikipedia)
"It's a commentary show,” Fox’s lawyer Erin Murphy, of the firm Kirkland & Ellis, insisted during arguments trying to swat away McDougal’s defamation lawsuit. “It's a show that markets itself ... as opinion and spirited debate. That context matters.”
The segment at issue aired on Dec. 10, 2018 — two days before a federal judge sentenced former Trump fixer Michael Cohen and prosecutors acknowledged for the first time that it granted immunity as part of the case to the parent company of the National Enquirer. This came months after it was widely reported that the publishing company owned by Trump’s longtime friend David Pecker was admitting that it had arranged a “catch-and-kill” scheme with Cohen to avoid reporting the stories of any women who were claiming to have had affairs with Trump.
“Two women approached Donald Trump and threatened to ruin his career and humiliate his family if he doesn’t give them money,” Carlson declared, as the screen flashed photographs of Karen McDougal and Stormy Daniels. “Now that sounds like a classic case of extortion. Yet for whatever reason, Trump caves to it, and he directs Michael Cohen to pay the ransom.”
Carlson did not speak either woman’s name, but for McDougal’s attorney Eric Bernstein the reference alone was slanderous.
“They know who she is," the attorney said Wednesday, referring to Fox viewers. "They know she was a Playmate model.”
Since Cohen’s prosecution was highly publicized, McDougal calls it clear that Carlson spun his false narrative intentionally. She notes that she never approached Trump, let alone threatened him — a sequence of events backed up by the federal court record in Manhattan.
McDougal’s defamation claims cannot advance without her showing that Carlson acted with actual malice.
U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil noted at Wednesday’s hearing this requires more than showing the Fox personality has bias and an agenda.
“You agree with me that malice is not the equivalent of ill-will or bias?”
“Of course,” Bernstein told the judge, a Trump appointee sworn in last year.
The lawyer added there were other reasons to suspect Carlson peddled a false narrative to advance his “symbiotic” relationship with the president.
Trump had promoted Carlson’s book “Ship of Fools” a little less than two months before the segment.
“It just went to NUMBER ONE!” Trump tweeted on Oct. 23, 2018.
Citing the presidential endorsement, Bernstein said: "That's not a typical occurrence, for anyone to get congratulatory tweets for the president concerning a book."
“Are you sure about that?” Vyskocil shot back, noting that such behavior might not be out of character for Trump.
Before the hearing began, Vyskocil disclosed a relationship with one of Fox’s attorneys, Shawn Regan, who works with the judge at the Federal Bar Council. Vyskocil serves as president of the legal organization, and Regan is its treasurer. She said that relationship would not affect her impartiality.
In trying to dismiss the lawsuit, Fox News could encounter an ironic hurdle: Sarah Palin, the folksy Alaskan politician who became a pundit for the network, sued The New York Times over its editorial tying her to a trend of partisan rhetoric fueling mass shootings.
The Second Circuit’s revival of that defamation case could now undermine Fox’s argument that Carlson’s commentary is protected opinion, if the court finds it makes false claims with reckless disregard to the facts.
Vyskocil, who pressed Fox on that new precedent, reserved decision on McDougal’s lawsuit.


courthousenews--2020-06-17--California Courts Covid Update

California Courts Covid Update

June 11 , 2020 : General order regarding implementation of emergency relief authorized by Judicial Council June 12 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ extends prior order for courthouse operation and access June 10 , 2020 : People v @ @ @ @ @ be broadcast beginning June 16 on YouTube channel due to restrictions for Covid-19 June 11 @ @ @ @ @ the Covid-19 Emergency , extended to July 15

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Top Eight

Your Wednesday night briefing from the staff of Courthouse News Top eight CNS stories for today including new polling data shows former Vice President Joe Biden increasing his lead over President Donald Trump nationally ; The pilot of the helicopter carrying Kobe Bryant and others was disoriented by thick fog when it crashed in the Santa Monica Mountains ; The Trump administration announced new sanctions against members of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ’ s regime , and more .
Sign up for CNS Top Eight , a roundup of the day ’ s top stories delivered directly to your email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New polling data released Wednesday shows former Vice President Joe Biden increasing his lead over President Donald Trump nationally as more Americans say they disapprove of the president ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic and the nationwide police brutality protests .
2 . )
Senate Republicans unveiled a police-reform package on Wednesday that would encourage state and local authorities to ban chokeholds and to increase reporting on officers ’ use of force and no-knock warrants .
3 . )
The pilot of the helicopter carrying Kobe Bryant , his daughter Gianna and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and misreported the craft ’ s pitch when it crashed in the Santa Monica Mountains , killing all passengers on board , according to a preliminary report by federal investigators released Wednesday .
4 . )
The Senate voted 73-25 Wednesday to approve bipartisan legislation that permanently vests $ 900 million annually into a fund preserving national parks and pours $ 9.5 billion over the next five years into federal lands maintenance long backlogged from years of neglect .
5 . )
As the pandemic proves durable in California , the wineries will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . )
The former Atlanta police officer who shot and killed Rayshard Brooks in a Wendy ’ s parking lot Friday night will face 11 charges , including felony murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon , prosecutors said Wednesday .
7 . )
The decision to sanction employees at The Hague-based court is just the United States ’ latest provocative measure targeting the global judicial body investigating possible war crimes in Afghanistan .
8 . )
President Donald Trump ’ s administration announced new sanctions Wednesday against members of Syrian President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to “ stop their needless , brutal war against the Syrian people .
”

Top eight CNS stories for today including new polling data shows former Vice President Joe Biden increasing his lead over President Donald Trump nationally; The pilot of the helicopter carrying Kobe Bryant and others was disoriented by thick fog when it crashed in the Santa Monica Mountains; The Trump administration announced new sanctions against members of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, and more.
Your Wednesday night briefing from the staff of Courthouse News
Top eight CNS stories for today including new polling data shows former Vice President Joe Biden increasing his lead over President Donald Trump nationally; The pilot of the helicopter carrying Kobe Bryant and others was disoriented by thick fog when it crashed in the Santa Monica Mountains; The Trump administration announced new sanctions against members of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, and more.
Sign up for CNS Top Eight, a roundup of the day’s top stories delivered directly to your email Monday through Friday.
National
1.) New polling data released Wednesday shows former Vice President Joe Biden increasing his lead over President Donald Trump nationally as more Americans say they disapprove of the president’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and the nationwide police brutality protests.
Democratic presidential candidate, former Vice President Joe Biden speaks in Philadelphia, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
2.) Senate Republicans unveiled a police-reform package on Wednesday that would encourage state and local authorities to ban chokeholds and to increase reporting on officers’ use of force and no-knock warrants.
Protesters march, Saturday, June 13, 2020, in Palmdale, Calif. People marched to demand an investigation into the death of 24-year-old Robert Fuller, who was found hanging from a tree early Wednesday near City Hall. The protesters marched from where the body was found to a sheriff's station, with many carrying signs that said "Justice for Robert Fuller." (Francisco Lozano via AP)
3.) The pilot of the helicopter carrying Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others was disoriented by thick fog and misreported the craft’s pitch when it crashed in the Santa Monica Mountains, killing all passengers on board, according to a preliminary report by federal investigators released Wednesday.
FILE - This Feb. 26, 2018 file photo shows Vanessa Bryant, from left, Kobe Bryant, Natalia Bryant and Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant at the world premiere of "A Wrinkle in Time" in Los Angeles. Bryant, a five-time NBA champion and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, died in a helicopter crash in California on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. He was 41. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)
4.) The Senate voted 73-25 Wednesday to approve bipartisan legislation that permanently vests $900 million annually into a fund preserving national parks and pours $9.5 billion over the next five years into federal lands maintenance long backlogged from years of neglect.
FILE - In this May 18, 2020 photo, visitors watch as Old Faithful erupts on the day the park partially reopened after a two-month shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, at Yellowstone National Park, Wyo. Lawmakers have reached bipartisan agreement on an election-year deal to double spending on a popular conservation program and devote nearly $2 billion a year to improve and maintain national parks. (Ryan Dorgan/Jackson Hole News & Guide via AP, File)
Regional
5.) As the pandemic proves durable in California, the wineries will have to be as well.
Mike Hendry, manager of the Hendry Ranch Winery vineyard, thins the Chardonnay grapevines to give the fruit enough light and air to flourish. (Courthouse News Service photo/Matthew Renda)
6.) The former Atlanta police officer who shot and killed Rayshard Brooks in a Wendy’s parking lot Friday night will face 11 charges, including felony murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, prosecutors said Wednesday.
Children take in the burned Wendy's location in Atlanta on Monday, June 15, 2020, outside which Rayshard Brooks, a 27-year-old black man, was fatally shot by a white Atlanta police officer Friday night. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
International
7.) The decision to sanction employees at The Hague-based court is just the United States’ latest provocative measure targeting the global judicial body investigating possible war crimes in Afghanistan.
FILE- In this Nov. 7, 2019 file photo, the International Criminal Court, or ICC, is seen in The Hague, Netherlands. President Donald Trump has lobbed a broadside attack against the International Criminal Court. He's authorizing economic sanctions and travel restrictions against court workers directly involved in investigating American troops and intelligence officials for possible war crimes in Afghanistan without U.S. consent. The executive order Trump signed on Thursday marks his administration’s latest attack against international organizations, treaties and agreements that do not hew to its policies. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
8.) President Donald Trump’s administration announced new sanctions Wednesday against members of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in an effort to “stop their needless, brutal war against the Syrian people.”


courthousenews--2020-06-18--Google & YouTube Accused of Racial Profiling

SAN JOSE ( CN ) — Several black content creators filed a federal class action Wednesday accusing YouTube and Google of using racial profiling in algorithms and artificial intelligence that filter and censor their video content so it reaches fewer viewers , similar to improper censorship of LGBTQ+ content creators the tech giants said was fixed years ago .
In the 103-page lawsuit , with 136 pages of attachments , four content creators — Kimberly Carleste Newman , Lisa Cabrera , Catherine Jones and Denotra Nicole Lewis — claim YouTube ’ s content restrictions “ are not the result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the rules.
” The women — whose YouTube channels have recorded millions of views — say the same “ triggers ” used by YouTube to profile its users and their viewpoints came under scrutiny in 2017 , when LGBTQ+ content creators were censored via the “ restricted mode ” filtering tool based on the identity and orientation of the creator rather than the content posted .
YouTube and Google were sued in the Northern District of California over their censorship of LGBTQ+ content in 2019 .
In the lawsuit filed Tuesday and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ YouTube never fixed its “ targeting ” of minority content creators and restricts access to their content because it competes with sponsored content and “ click per minute ” ( CPM ) advertising revenue .
“ Instead of ‘ fixing ’ the digital racism that pervades the filtering , restricting , and blocking of user content and access on YouTube , defendants have decided to double down and continue their racist and identity based practices because they are profitable , ” the plaintiffs ’ attorney Peter Obstler wrote , with Browne George Ross @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their unilateral control over 95 % of the world ’ s public video content , defendants unlawfully misappropriate viewers , CPM , advertising , and other revenues that belong to , or would otherwise be available to , plaintiffs and other third-party users , but for the discriminatory restrictions that unlawfully restrict and block plaintiffs ’ content and access to YouTube services , ” the complaint states .
The lawsuit comes a week after YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki said the company was creating a $ 100 million fund “ dedicated to amplifying and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ artists and their stories ” after George Floyd ’ s death and subsequent protests .
But the plaintiffs say they “ would prefer that defendants spend their money to stop the racist practices that pervade the YouTube platform ” including restrictions on videos which refer current events such as “ Black Lives Matter , ” “ police brutality ” and the names of people killed by law enforcement .
They say the restrictions placed on their videos prevent them from generating revenue .
They also say their accounts are “ shadow banned ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They say YouTube also removes accounts based on unconfirmed complaints , interferes with livestream broadcasts , excludes plaintiffs from “ Trending ” and “ Up Next ” recommendations , freezes analytic information on subscribers and viewers and fails to remove hate speech or process the plaintiffs ’ appeals .
“ Plaintiffs can no longer wait for defendants to implement the ‘ fix ’ they promised years ago .
Nor should they have to .
Whether defendants ’ ‘ motive ’ for refusing to do so is based on profit , ideology , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the knowing use of a person ’ s , race , skin color or some other immutable personal trait or viewpoint to filter and review access to YouTube , is digital racial profiling , redlining , and discrimination .
It is illegal , ” the women say .
They say YouTube has claimed immunity from liability for its content filtering and alleged discrimination based on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 .
In addition to claims for breach of contract , race discrimination , unfair business practices and First Amendment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Section 230 does not shield online platforms from liability for race discrimination .
Sections 230 immunity is under attack elsewhere .
The lawsuit was released the same day the Justice Department issued recommendations to reform Section 230 so online platforms are not immune from being held accountable for illicit content posted by third parties on their sites .
Facebook took steps Wednesday to reduce hate speech online by removing 900 social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram tied to the Proud Boys and American Guard , two hate groups already banned by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussed plans to bring weapons to protests of police killings of black people .
YouTube did not immediately return an emailed request for comment sent after office hours Wednesday .

Several black content creators filed a federal class action Wednesday accusing YouTube and Google of using racial profiling in algorithms and artificial intelligence that filter and censor their video content so it reaches fewer viewers, similar to improper censorship of LGBTQ+ content creators the tech giants said was fixed years ago.
SAN JOSE (CN) — Several black content creators filed a federal class action Wednesday accusing YouTube and Google of using racial profiling in algorithms and artificial intelligence that filter and censor their video content so it reaches fewer viewers, similar to improper censorship of LGBTQ+ content creators the tech giants said was fixed years ago.
In the 103-page lawsuit, with 136 pages of attachments, four content creators — Kimberly Carleste Newman, Lisa Cabrera, Catherine Jones and Denotra Nicole Lewis — claim YouTube’s content restrictions “are not the result of an identity and viewpoint-blind review and application of the rules.”
The women — whose YouTube channels have recorded millions of views — say the same “triggers” used by YouTube to profile its users and their viewpoints came under scrutiny in 2017, when LGBTQ+ content creators were censored via the “restricted mode” filtering tool based on the identity and orientation of the creator rather than the content posted.
YouTube and Google were sued in the Northern District of California over their censorship of LGBTQ+ content in 2019.
In the lawsuit filed Tuesday and made available Wednesday, the plaintiff say YouTube never fixed its “targeting” of minority content creators and restricts access to their content because it competes with sponsored content and “click per minute” (CPM) advertising revenue.
“Instead of ‘fixing’ the digital racism that pervades the filtering, restricting, and blocking of user content and access on YouTube, defendants have decided to double down and continue their racist and identity based practices because they are profitable,” the plaintiffs’ attorney Peter Obstler wrote, with Browne George Ross of San Francisco.
“By utilizing their unilateral control over 95% of the world’s public video content, defendants unlawfully misappropriate viewers, CPM, advertising, and other revenues that belong to, or would otherwise be available to, plaintiffs and other third-party users, but for the discriminatory restrictions that unlawfully restrict and block plaintiffs’ content and access to YouTube services,” the complaint states.
The lawsuit comes a week after YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki said the company was creating a $100 million fund “dedicated to amplifying and developing the voices of black creators and artists and their stories” after George Floyd’s death and subsequent protests.
But the plaintiffs say they “would prefer that defendants spend their money to stop the racist practices that pervade the YouTube platform” including restrictions on videos which refer current events such as “Black Lives Matter,” “police brutality” and the names of people killed by law enforcement.
They say the restrictions placed on their videos prevent them from generating revenue. They also say their accounts are “shadow banned” by not appearing in YouTube searches.
They say YouTube also removes accounts based on unconfirmed complaints, interferes with livestream broadcasts, excludes plaintiffs from “Trending” and “Up Next” recommendations, freezes analytic information on subscribers and viewers and fails to remove hate speech or process the plaintiffs’ appeals.
“Plaintiffs can no longer wait for defendants to implement the ‘fix’ they promised years ago. Nor should they have to. Whether defendants’ ‘motive’ for refusing to do so is based on profit, ideology, or ‘no reason at all,’ the knowing use of a person’s, race, skin color or some other immutable personal trait or viewpoint to filter and review access to YouTube, is digital racial profiling, redlining, and discrimination. It is illegal,” the women say.
They say YouTube has claimed immunity from liability for its content filtering and alleged discrimination based on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996. In addition to claims for breach of contract, race discrimination, unfair business practices and First Amendment violations, they seek declaratory judgment that Section 230 does not shield online platforms from liability for race discrimination.
Sections 230 immunity is under attack elsewhere. The lawsuit was released the same day the Justice Department issued recommendations to reform Section 230 so online platforms are not immune from being held accountable for illicit content posted by third parties on their sites.
Facebook took steps Wednesday to reduce hate speech online by removing 900 social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram tied to the Proud Boys and American Guard, two hate groups already banned by the platforms.
People associated with the groups discussed plans to bring weapons to protests of police killings of black people.
YouTube did not immediately return an emailed request for comment sent after office hours Wednesday.


courthousenews--2020-06-18--Arizona Governor Retracts Ban on City Face-Mask Orders

TUCSON ( CN ) — Arizona Governor Doug Ducey relented to pressure from several directions Wednesday when he retracted a statewide ban on local mask requirements amid a sharp spike in cases with some hospitals struggling to find beds for Covid-19 patients .
Everyone in Arizona should make “ responsible ” decisions to protect the most vulnerable among us , Ducey said in announcing a new executive order that allows local governments to require masks .
“ You are most safe at home .
If you can ’ t stay home , you are most safe when you physically distance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , wear a mask , ” Ducey said .
“ It ’ s the smart thing to do.
” Tucson Mayor Regina Romero , who has lobbied against Ducey ’ s March 30 order preventing local governments from enacting stricter measures than the state , had already announced in a tweet Wednesday that she would amend the city ’ s Covid-19 emergency order to require masks in public , despite the state ban .
After the news conference , Romero tweeted that she will sign the proclamation Thursday .
“ This will save @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city of roughly 1 million tweeted .
Arizona has seen a swift uptick in Covid-19 cases in the weeks since Ducey began allowing businesses to reopen in late April .
The state Department of Health Services reported 1,827 new cases and 20 deaths Wednesday , bringing state totals to 40,924 cases and 1,239 deaths .
Dr. Cara Christ , director of the state Department of Health Services , joined Ducey at the news conference .
Neither wore a mask , though they were seated several feet apart .
The Centers for Disease Control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consider the relative risk of activities as they return to normal life , Christ said .
Outdoors is less risky than indoors , fewer people is safer than more people , and people to whom you have not been exposed are more risky than those already in your close sphere , she said .
“ People may not look sick , they may not feel sick , and so that ’ s why it ’ s so important that everyone wear a cloth face covering when they are out , ” she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spend around other people counts , she said , defining “ close contact ” as being closer than 6 feet for more than 10 minutes .
Christ said Arizona is working to test every inmate in the state prison system and that prisoners who test positive are being isolated alone or with other inmates who test positive .
They are testing all prisoners at one facility each week , she said .
A class action about Covid-19 in Arizona prisons was filed this week .
Ducey called Arizona ’ s trend toward fewer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and said the state ’ s testing “ blitz ” will continue .
On Wednesday , the state surpassed 500,000 virus tests , with 7.3 % positive , the state health department reported .
Also Wednesday , 83 % percent of the state ’ s intensive-care beds and 85 % of normal beds were full , and a statewide “ surge line ” was allowed hospitals to transfer patients to hospitals that can accommodate them .
Ducey ordered businesses to adopt guidelines from his previous orders , including social distancing , intensified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time adding that enforcement would be conducted by a combination of law enforcement and regulatory agencies .
Wednesday ’ s order came after weeks of pressure from local governments , health care professionals and residents who had urged Ducey to keep his stay-at-home order in effect beyond its April 30 expiration .
Instead , he gradually allowed business and other activity to resume in stages starting with retail on April 29 and ending with dine-in restaurant and bar services May 11 .
Enforcement should focus first on education promoting best practices to mitigate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violators a chance to comply before taking any action , the order states .
In a video message Monday , Romero tied the use of masks to economic recovery , an area where Ducey said the state ’ s approach has been a lighter touch toward restrictions .
“ The most important thing we can do for our economy to recover is to slow the spread and rebuild consumer confidence , ” Romero said .
“ That will not happen if Covid-19 goes unmitigated , and people do not feel safe out in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to create a statewide tracking system , including contact tracing , announcing a $ 37 million allocation for contact tracing with help from 300 National Guard troops , who will be spread among Arizona ’ s 15 counties to help with contact tracing , said Maj. Gen. Michael McGuire , commander of the Arizona National Guard and director of the state Department of Emergency and Military affairs .
Allowing municipalities to restrict businesses beyond mandatory masks is not off the table , Ducey said during the news conference , but he dodged a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be needed .
He urged Arizonans to stick to guidelines from the CDC .
“ Physically distancing , cloth face coverings , washing your hands and staying home when sick sound like such fundamentals , but they really are the biggest difference makers we can have to slow the spread and to contain ( the virus ) , ” Ducey said .

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey relented to pressure from several directions Wednesday when he retracted a statewide ban on local mask requirements amid a sharp spike in cases with some hospitals struggling to find beds for Covid-19 patients.
TUCSON (CN) — Arizona Governor Doug Ducey relented to pressure from several directions Wednesday when he retracted a statewide ban on local mask requirements amid a sharp spike in cases with some hospitals struggling to find beds for Covid-19 patients.
Everyone in Arizona should make “responsible” decisions to protect the most vulnerable among us, Ducey said in announcing a new executive order that allows local governments to require masks.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey talks to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington following an April 3, 2019, meeting with President Donald Trump. It's not just Democratic-leaning states at risk of losing federal money and clout in Congress if the Supreme Court says the upcoming census can include a citizenship question. Fast-growing Arizona, Florida and Texas all have large groups of immigrants, especially Hispanics, who might choose to sit out the census, but are led by Republicans who seem unconcerned about the potential for an undercount and the resulting loss of representation in Congress. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
“You are most safe at home. If you can’t stay home, you are most safe when you physically distance. And if you do go out, wear a mask,” Ducey said. “It’s the smart thing to do.”
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, who has lobbied against Ducey’s March 30 order preventing local governments from enacting stricter measures than the state, had already announced in a tweet Wednesday that she would amend the city’s Covid-19 emergency order to require masks in public, despite the state ban.
After the news conference, Romero tweeted that she will sign the proclamation Thursday.
“This will save lives,” the mayor of the city of roughly 1 million tweeted.
Arizona has seen a swift uptick in Covid-19 cases in the weeks since Ducey began allowing businesses to reopen in late April. The state Department of Health Services reported 1,827 new cases and 20 deaths Wednesday, bringing state totals to 40,924 cases and 1,239 deaths.
Dr. Cara Christ, director of the state Department of Health Services, joined Ducey at the news conference. Neither wore a mask, though they were seated several feet apart.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week urged people to consider the relative risk of activities as they return to normal life, Christ said.
Outdoors is less risky than indoors, fewer people is safer than more people, and people to whom you have not been exposed are more risky than those already in your close sphere, she said.
Christ reminded people that asymptomatic people can spread Covid-19.
“People may not look sick, they may not feel sick, and so that’s why it’s so important that everyone wear a cloth face covering when they are out,” she said.
Even the amount of time you spend around other people counts, she said, defining “close contact” as being closer than 6 feet for more than 10 minutes.
Christ said Arizona is working to test every inmate in the state prison system and that prisoners who test positive are being isolated alone or with other inmates who test positive. They are testing all prisoners at one facility each week, she said. A class action about Covid-19 in Arizona prisons was filed this week.
Ducey called Arizona’s trend toward fewer available beds and increasing cases “concerning” and said the state’s testing “blitz” will continue. On Wednesday, the state surpassed 500,000 virus tests, with 7.3% positive, the state health department reported.
Also Wednesday, 83% percent of the state’s intensive-care beds and 85% of normal beds were full, and a statewide “surge line” was allowed hospitals to transfer patients to hospitals that can accommodate them.
Ducey ordered businesses to adopt guidelines from his previous orders, including social distancing, intensified cleaning and monitoring for sickness, this time adding that enforcement would be conducted by a combination of law enforcement and regulatory agencies.
Wednesday’s order came after weeks of pressure from local governments, health care professionals and residents who had urged Ducey to keep his stay-at-home order in effect beyond its April 30 expiration.
Instead, he gradually allowed business and other activity to resume in stages starting with retail on April 29 and ending with dine-in restaurant and bar services May 11. Enforcement should focus first on education promoting best practices to mitigate the virus, and authorities must give violators a chance to comply before taking any action, the order states.
In a video message Monday, Romero tied the use of masks to economic recovery, an area where Ducey said the state’s approach has been a lighter touch toward restrictions.
“The most important thing we can do for our economy to recover is to slow the spread and rebuild consumer confidence,” Romero said. “That will not happen if Covid-19 goes unmitigated, and people do not feel safe out in public.”
Ducey ordered the health department to create a statewide tracking system, including contact tracing, announcing a $37 million allocation for contact tracing with help from 300 National Guard troops, who will be spread among Arizona’s 15 counties to help with contact tracing, said Maj. Gen. Michael McGuire, commander of the Arizona National Guard and director of the state Department of Emergency and Military affairs.
Allowing municipalities to restrict businesses beyond mandatory masks is not off the table, Ducey said during the news conference, but he dodged a question about whether another stay-at-home order might be needed.
He urged Arizonans to stick to guidelines from the CDC.
“Physically distancing, cloth face coverings, washing your hands and staying home when sick sound like such fundamentals, but they really are the biggest difference makers we can have to slow the spread and to contain (the virus),” Ducey said.


courthousenews--2020-06-18--Federal Judge Overrules DeVos’s Restriction on Covid-19 Relief

( CN ) — A federal judge Wednesday blocked Education Secretary Betsy DeVos ’ s attempt to withhold federal pandemic funds from students who did not qualify for financial aid .
The $ 1.8 trillion Covid-19 relief package , known as the CARES Act , set aside $ 12.6 billion in emergency aid for community colleges nationwide .
The education fund was to be doled out at the discretion of the schools until Devos added provisions requiring that all the money must go to students who are eligible for financial aid under Title IV of the Higher Education Act .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ chancellor of California community colleges , claimed that Congress never intended to include the restrictions from financial aid imposed by DeVos .
“ There is no provision of the CARES Act that imposes eligibility requirements on the students who may receive HEERF [ Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund ] Assistance .
Moreover , Congress did explicitly limit eligibility for other forms of assistance in the CARES Act , while not doing the same for HEERF Assistance , ” the complaint states .
U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers granted a preliminary injunction to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colleges who argued that DeVos was “ arbitrarily placing eligibility restrictions on emergency relief funds.
” Judge Gonzalez Rogers was not persuaded by DeVos ’ s argument that “ these purported harms are attributable to the pandemic itself and to plaintiffs ’ own decisions about how to allocate funding , not Department of Education ’ s guidance.
” Rogers wrote : “ Plaintiffs have demonstrated an immediate threatened injury arising out of the Department of Education ’ s interpretation of the CARES Act .
The institutions of higher education face irreparable injury arising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for violation of their certifications , as well as budget uncertainty and harm to their ability to carry out their institutional missions.
” Colleges were directed under the CARES Act to use emergency grants to pay for expenses such as rent , child care , technology and groceries due to disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic .
Students who do not qualify for financial aid are largely made up of undocumented , international and DACA recipient students in addition to those with poor grades and previously defaulted student loans .
U.S. District Judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruling in the Eastern District of Washington on June 12 .

A federal judge Wednesday blocked Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’s attempt to withhold federal pandemic funds from students who did not qualify for financial aid.
(CN) — A federal judge Wednesday blocked Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ attempt to withhold federal pandemic funds from students who did not qualify for financial aid.
The $1.8 trillion Covid-19 relief package, known as the CARES Act, set aside $12.6 billion in emergency aid for community colleges nationwide. The education fund was to be doled out at the discretion of the schools until Devos added provisions requiring that all the money must go to students who are eligible for financial aid under Title IV of the Higher Education Act.
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos waits to testify before a House Committee on Appropriation subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Lead plaintiff Eloy Ortiz Oakley, the chancellor of California community colleges, claimed that Congress never intended to include the restrictions from financial aid imposed by DeVos.
“There is no provision of the CARES Act that imposes eligibility requirements on the students who may receive HEERF [Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund] Assistance. Moreover, Congress did explicitly limit eligibility for other forms of assistance in the CARES Act, while not doing the same for HEERF Assistance,” the complaint states.
U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers granted a preliminary injunction to Oakley and a number of California community colleges who argued that DeVos was “arbitrarily placing eligibility restrictions on emergency relief funds.”
Judge Gonzalez Rogers was not persuaded by DeVos’s argument that “these purported harms are attributable to the pandemic itself and to plaintiffs’ own decisions about how to allocate funding, not Department of Education’s guidance.”
Rogers wrote: “Plaintiffs have demonstrated an immediate threatened injury arising out of the Department of Education’s interpretation of the CARES Act. The institutions of higher education face irreparable injury arising from the loss of future federal funding for violation of their certifications, as well as budget uncertainty and harm to their ability to carry out their institutional missions.”
Colleges were directed under the CARES Act to use emergency grants to pay for expenses such as rent, child care, technology and groceries due to disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Students who do not qualify for financial aid are largely made up of undocumented, international and DACA recipient students in addition to those with poor grades and previously defaulted student loans.
U.S. District Judge Thomas O. Rice issued a similar ruling in the Eastern District of Washington on June 12.


Dinosaur Fossils

SAN FRANCISCO — The Ninth Circuit affirmed a ruling in favor of ranch owners , finding they are the sole @ @ @ @ @ on their property .
The Montana Supreme Court answered a certified question concluding that dinosaur @ @ @ @ @ mineral ” and belonged to the surface estate , and that decision requires a ruling @ @ @ @ @ .


Cruise Ship Accident

ATLANTA — The Eleventh Circuit reversed a ruling in favor of Carnival Cruise Lines in a negligence case brought by @ @ @ @ @ who suffered head injuries on a ship after falling from Deck 14 onto Deck 12 @ @ @ @ @ find the company had notice of the danger of climbable railings .


courthousenews--2020-06-18--Legal Services in Detention

Legal Services in Detention

WASHINGTON — A federal court in Washington granted a preliminary injunction to the Southern Poverty Law Center , ordering Immigration @ @ @ @ @ provide detainees telephone access so they can communicate with legal representatives , who are not @ @ @ @ @ because of Covid-19 .
The facilities must also ensure attorney-client confidentiality is maintained .


courthousenews--2020-06-19--California and EPA Tussle Over Water Quality Protections

( CN ) — Attorneys for 18 states and 2 major cities were in federal court Thursday asking a judge to grant a preliminary injunction that would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from removing protections from temporary streams , wetlands and other minor water bodies .
U.S. District Court Judge Richard Seeborg presided over a lengthy and combative hearing that featured attorneys from the state of California making the case that the Trump-era EPA acted contrary to its fundamental mission when it exempted ephemeral streams and wetlands from protections afforded by the Clean Water Act .
“ Their explanation for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detailed evidence they had accumulated previously , ” said Timothy Hoffman , arguing on behalf of the states .
“ They are excluding waters that scientists have found necessary to protect.
” Jonathan Brightbill , arguing on behalf of the EPA , said the states were not under the threat of immediate harm and as such should not be granted a preliminary injunction .
“ They have laundered through their experts their own interpretation of the record , ” Brightbill said .
“ These are policy disagreements .
And in this area , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the agencies who are evaluating scientific evidence pertinent to their expertise.
” The central question then is whether the EPA violated administrative law when it finalized the New Navigable Waters Rule in April , or whether the agency properly evaluated the scientific record and made a policy decision that simply differs from the preferences of the plaintiffs .
The rule made water quality standards set forth in the Clean Water Act , the landmark law intended to protect drinking water for Americans , along with habitat for fish and other creators , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streams , more common in the American West , wetlands , ponds and other smaller waterways would no longer be covered under the Clean Water Act , should the Trump rulemaking survive the legal challenge .
Seeborg was only deciding whether to issue a preliminary injunction that prevented implementation of the rule , which is set to take effect on Monday .
Brightbill said the arguments being aired during the hearing were better suited for a summary judgment hearing , where both sides could delve further into the administrative record .
He also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a minuscule amount of EPA permits , a total of 2.5 % , meaning the threat of widespread harm as a result of the agency shift was infinitesimal .
“ The rule provides clarity and predictability for state and tribal jurisdictions , ” Brightbill said .
Tatiana Gaur , arguing on behalf of the plaintiffs , said if the rule is put into place , it will automatically withdraw protections from 4.8 million miles of streams and millions of acres of wetlands across the country .
“ If there is upstream pollution coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states lose the ability to regulate it , ” Gaur said .
For instance , in New Mexico , there is a significant amount of ephemeral streams , or temporary waterways that exist during the rainy season but vanish during the dry season .
If the federal government refuses to regulate the large number of such waterways in the state , New Mexico would be forced to create its own regulatory program on the fly , Gaur said .
“ The state of New Mexico completely relies on the federal government to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the selection of New Mexico was misleading , based on its high concentration of ephemeral streams , and that if Seeborg were to grant an injunction , he should tailor it to only include states that would suffer harm by the rule .
He argued California , for instance , was not downstream of any states and therefore had little standing to complain about a rule that focused on upstream pollution as the main source of irreparable harm .
“ You can ’ t just join arms with other states and find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who checks that box , ” Brightbill said .
But Hoffman noted that much of Southern California received water from the Colorado River that originates several hundred miles away and travels through several states before reaching the Golden State .
It ’ s why the EPA ’ s new rule that defers mightily to states is defective , Hoffman said .
“ Congress actually passed the ( Clean Water Act ) to remedy uneven state enforcement , ” Hoffman said .
Seeborg said he would rule on whether to grant a preliminary injunction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do , ” he said before signing off .

Attorneys for 18 states and 2 major cities were in federal court Thursday asking a judge to grant a preliminary injunction that would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from removing protections from temporary streams, wetlands and other minor water bodies.
(CN) — A federal judge denied a coalition of 18 states and 2 major cities a preliminary injunction Friday, which would have prevented the Trump administration from removing protections from temporary streams, wetlands, ponds and other small water bodies.
U.S. District Court Judge Richard Seeborg said the plaintiffs, which included the state of California, failed to show they were likely to prevail on the merits of their claims, meaning the Environmental Protection Agency is poised to update its policy regarding the enforcement of the Clean Water Act, which protects water quality, habitat and drinking water standards for millions of Americans.
Seeborg accepted the argument from the Department of Justice lawyers made during a lengthy and combative hearing on Thursday. Jonathan Brightbill, a government lawyer, argued that the EPA’s new policy did not violate the law and that California and the other states were confusing policy differences with legal transgressions.
Seeborg agreed.
“A policy change may be permissible simply because there has been a change in administrations,” Seeborg wrote in his 15-page decision. “The requirement is only that agencies must explain the basis for their change, and defendants have adequately done so here.”
Lawyers for the plaintiffs attempted to cast the EPA as violating their fundamental mission through the promulgation of the new rule and that it was arbitrarily conceived.
“Their explanation for the rule is contrary to all the detailed evidence they had accumulated previously,” said Timothy Hoffman, arguing on behalf of the states on Thursday. “They are excluding waters that scientists have found necessary to protect.”
But Seeborg disagreed.
“Plaintiffs’ arguments that the agencies disregarded the scientific evidence they previously had gathered is ultimately a policy disagreement as well,” he wrote.
Brightbill also said the states were not under the threat of immediate harm and as such should not be granted a preliminary injunction.
“They have laundered through their experts their own interpretation of the record,” Brightbill said. “These are policy disagreements. And in this area, an extreme amount of deference is owed to the agencies who are evaluating scientific evidence pertinent to their expertise.”
The central question then is whether the EPA violated administrative law when it finalized the New Navigable Waters Rule in April, or whether the agency properly evaluated the scientific record and made a policy decision that simply differs from the preferences of the plaintiffs.
The rule made water quality standards set forth in the Clean Water Act, the landmark law intended to protect drinking water for Americans, along with habitat for fish and other creators, only apply to navigable waterways.
Ephemeral streams, more common in the American West, wetlands, ponds and other smaller waterways would no longer be covered under the Clean Water Act, should the Trump rulemaking survive the legal challenge.
Seeborg was only deciding whether to issue a preliminary injunction that prevented implementation of the rule, which is set to take effect on Monday.
Brightbill said the arguments being aired during the hearing were better suited for a summary judgment hearing, where both sides could delve further into the administrative record.
He also argued the new rule would only affect a minuscule amount of EPA permits, a total of 2.5%, meaning the threat of widespread harm as a result of the agency shift was infinitesimal.
“The rule provides clarity and predictability for state and tribal jurisdictions,” Brightbill said.
Tatiana Gaur, arguing on behalf of the plaintiffs, said if the rule is put into place, it will automatically withdraw protections from 4.8 million miles of streams and millions of acres of wetlands across the country.
“If there is upstream pollution coming from one of these cites, the states lose the ability to regulate it,” Gaur said.
For instance, in New Mexico, there is a significant amount of ephemeral streams, or temporary waterways that exist during the rainy season but vanish during the dry season. If the federal government refuses to regulate the large number of such waterways in the state, New Mexico would be forced to create its own regulatory program on the fly, Gaur said.
“The state of New Mexico completely relies on the federal government to provide protection,” Gaur said.
Brightbill said the selection of New Mexico was misleading, based on its high concentration of ephemeral streams, and that if Seeborg were to grant an injunction, he should tailor it to only include states that would suffer harm by the rule.
He argued California, for instance, was not downstream of any states and therefore had little standing to complain about a rule that focused on upstream pollution as the main source of irreparable harm.
“You can’t just join arms with other states and find somebody who checks this box and somebody who checks that box,” Brightbill said.
But Hoffman noted that much of Southern California received water from the Colorado River that originates several hundred miles away and travels through several states before reaching the Golden State.
It’s why the EPA’s new rule that defers mightily to states is defective, Hoffman said.
“Congress actually passed the (Clean Water Act) to remedy uneven state enforcement,” Hoffman said.
Seeborg said he would rule on whether to grant a preliminary injunction by Monday.
“I have much to do,” he said before signing off.


courthousenews--2020-06-18--Republicans Intervene in Minnesota Absentee Ballot Provision

St Paul , Minn. ( CN ) — Donald Trump ’ s re-election campaign and the Republican National Committee have intervened in a voting rights group ’ s attempt to prevent Minnesota ’ s secretary of state from enforcing a provision that requires a witness for absentee ballots .
The provision , which requires a signature from a notary public or another registered Minnesota voter on all absentee ballots , was waived Wednesday when Ramsey County Judge Sara Grewing approved a consent decree between Secretary of State Steve Simon and the Minnesota Alliance for Retired Americans .
The agreement stemmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sought to challenge that requirement generally , but especially in light of the pandemic ’ s potential impact on in-person voting .
Simon , a member of Minnesota ’ s Democratic Farmer Labor Party , agreed not to enforce the provision during the primary .
The decree sparked outrage among state Republicans , some of whom said the courts were being used to circumvent the state Legislature .
“ Minnesota Democrats have made it clear that their negotiations at the State Capitol are not being done in good faith , with Simon circumventing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laws .
It is beyond concerning to see what lengths the Democrats are willing to go to in order to win in November , ” Minnesota GOP chair Jennifer Carnahan said in a statement .
Simon objected to that idea , saying that the legal proceedings had nothing to do with his views on policy and that Grewing had applied all necessary scrutiny to the decree .
“ Consent decrees don ’ t just automatically happen .
Parties to a lawsuit don ’ t just agree to them , and then they spring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ A judge can only [ approve a consent decree ] if the judge is satisfied that the agreement is fair , reasonable , adequate and in the public interest , and we had a judge in Minnesota make that finding , or satisfy herself that that is the case.
” Grewing will not have the final say , however : U.S. District Court Judge Eric Tostrud , a Trump appointee , will hold a fairness hearing for another consent decree next Tuesday .
That decree , negotiated by Simon and the League @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Simon to stop enforcing the provision .
Both agreements would also allow absentee votes to be counted if received within two days of Election Day .
The hearing in that case was originally scheduled for late Thursday morning , but was moved last-minute to Tuesday after the RNC , Trump ’ s campaign and the Minnesota GOP filed an emergency motion to push it back .
The motion , filed by Richard Morgan of the Minneapolis firm Lewis Brisbois , claimed that the decree would significantly injure the Republican groups if approved .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ if Tostrud and Grewing come to different conclusions on the consent decrees .
A representative from Simon ’ s office , asked about the issue by the Minneapolis Star Tribune , said that question would be left for the court .
Voting rights groups and election officials in Minnesota have been fighting for months to make absentee voting easier , especially after election officials in states like Wisconsin and Georgia struggled to cope with under-resourced polling places and enormous numbers of absentee ballots .
“ I look at Georgia and Wisconsin as warnings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to Minnesota , as to what can happen if there are disruptions in an election , ” Simon said .
He clarified that while he saw primary elections in those states as cautionary tales , he didn ’ t lay that entirely at state officials ’ feet .
“ Some of the things that happened in those states are beyond the control of election officials .
It ’ s fashionable to question motives when that ’ s in fact not legitimate , ” he said .
“ We ’ re trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that presents a lot of extra challenges , ” he added .
Simon ’ s office has been barraged with Covid-19 related suits this year from organizations seeking to avoid long lines , raised infection risks or depressed voter turnout in Minnesota ’ s elections .
The American Civil Liberties Union and NAACP have also filed a lawsuit seeking to waive the witness requirement .
Those groups , who also requested that absentee ballots be mailed to every registered voter , have not reached an agreement with Simon .
Opponents to that idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voter fraud .
“ There is a reason a witness signature is required when voting by absentee ballot – to prevent fraud .
It is unconscionable that Secretary Simon and Governor Walz have chosen to go around the legislature – which is currently in session – to change a law that will remove these necessary safeguards , ” Carnahan said in a statement .
Minnesota convicted 11 people for voter fraud in 2016 , primarily felons who said they didn ’ t know they were not allowed to vote .
Absentee voting in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled to begin June 26 .
Simon said he ’ s confident that his office will be “ nimble and quick ” about getting out word of any changes to procedure , despite the protracted timeline .

Donald Trump’s re-election campaign and the Republican National Committee have intervened in a suit challenging Minnesota’s witness requirements for absentee ballots.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (CN) — Donald Trump’s re-election campaign and the Republican National Committee have intervened in a suit challenging Minnesota’s witness requirements for absentee ballots.
The provision, which requires a signature from a notary public or another registered Minnesota voter on all absentee ballots, was waived Wednesday when Ramsey County Judge Sara Grewing approved a consent decree between Secretary of State Steve Simon and the Minnesota Alliance for Retired Americans.
Alliance has brought a lawsuit to challenge that requirement generally, but especially in light of the pandemic’s expected impact on in-person voting.
Simon, a member of Minnesota’s Democratic Farmer Labor Party, agreed not to enforce the provision during the primary. The decree sparked outrage among state Republicans, some of whom said the courts were being used to circumvent the state Legislature.
"Minnesota Democrats have made it clear that their negotiations at the State Capitol are not being done in good faith, with Simon circumventing the legislative process to manipulate Minnesota election laws,” Minnesota GOP chair Jennifer Carnahan said in a statement. "It is beyond concerning to see what lengths the Democrats are willing to go to in order to win in November."
Simon objected to that idea, saying that the legal proceedings had nothing to do with his views on policy and that Grewing had applied all necessary scrutiny to the decree.
“Consent decrees don’t just automatically happen. Parties to a lawsuit don’t just agree to them, and then they spring to life,” he said. “A judge can only [approve a consent decree] if the judge is satisfied that the agreement is fair, reasonable, adequate and in the public interest, and we had a judge in Minnesota make that finding, or satisfy herself that that is the case.”
Grewing will not have the final say, however: U.S. District Court Judge Eric Tostrud, a Trump appointee, will hold a fairness hearing for another consent decree next Tuesday. That decree, negotiated by Simon and the League of Women Voters, would also require Simon to stop enforcing the provision. Both agreements would also allow absentee votes to be counted if received within two days of Election Day.
The hearing in that case was originally scheduled for late Thursday morning, but was moved last-minute to Tuesday after the RNC, Trump’s campaign and the Minnesota GOP filed an emergency motion to push it back. The motion, filed by Richard Morgan of the Minneapolis firm Lewis Brisbois, claimed that the decree would significantly injure the Republican groups if approved.
It’s unclear what will happen if Tostrud and Grewing come to different conclusions on the consent decrees. A representative from Simon’s office, asked about the issue by the Minneapolis Star Tribune, said that question would be left for the court.
Voting rights groups and election officials in Minnesota have been fighting for months to make absentee voting easier, especially after election officials in states like Wisconsin and Georgia struggled to cope with under-resourced polling places and enormous numbers of absentee ballots.
“I look at Georgia and Wisconsin as warnings to the rest of the country, and to Minnesota, as to what can happen if there are disruptions in an election,” Simon said.
He clarified that while he saw primary elections in those states as cautionary tales, he didn’t lay that entirely at state officials’ feet.
“Some of the things that happened in those states are beyond the control of election officials,” he said. "It’s fashionable to question motives when that’s in fact not legitimate.
“We’re trying to hold elections in a pandemic, and that presents a lot of extra challenges,” he added.
Simon’s office has been barraged with Covid-19 related suits this year from organizations seeking to avoid long lines, raised infection risks or depressed voter turnout in Minnesota’s elections.
The American Civil Liberties Union and NAACP have also filed a lawsuit seeking to waive the witness requirement. Those groups, who also requested that absentee ballots be mailed to every registered voter, have not reached an agreement with Simon.
Opponents to that idea, including Carnahan, cite concerns about voter fraud.
“There is a reason a witness signature is required when voting by absentee ballot — to prevent fraud. It is unconscionable that Secretary Simon and Governor Walz have chosen to go around the legislature — which is currently in session — to change a law that will remove these necessary safeguards,” Carnahan said in a statement.
Minnesota convicted 11 people for voter fraud in 2016, primarily felons who said they didn’t know they were not allowed to vote.
Absentee voting in Minnesota’s August 11 primaries is scheduled to begin June 26. Simon said he’s confident that his office will be “nimble and quick” about getting out word of any changes to procedure, despite the protracted timeline.


Top Eight

Your Thursday night briefing from the staff of Courthouse News Top eight CNS stories for today including the Supreme Court blocked President Donald Trump from rolling back the program that protects qualifying immigrants from deportation ; California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered the state ’ s 40 million residents to wear masks in public ; The release of vulnerable European prisoners at the start of the pandemic helped slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus , and more .
Sign up for CNS Top Eight , a roundup of the day ’ s top stories delivered directly to your email Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court blocked President Donald Trump on Thursday from rolling back the program that protects qualifying immigrants from deportation .
2 . )
Most Democrats are excited about former Vice President Joe Biden potentially picking a woman of color to be his running mate , according to a new poll released Thursday .
3 . )
In the face of firm opposition from Democrats and with less than a year of experience on the bench , Judge Justin Walker landed a seat on the nation ’ s second highest court Thursday after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D.C .
Circuit with a 51-42 vote .
4 . )
As the country rides atop a crest of Covid-19 infections , the U.S. insured unemployment rate remains an uncomfortably consistent 14 % , the U.S. Department of Labor reported Thursday .
5 . )
California Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday ordered the state ’ s 40 million residents to wear masks and face coverings when shopping , riding public transit and in other public settings .
6 . )
In-store retail is coming back to New York City next week , Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all five boroughs are on track to enter the next phase of loosened coronavirus rules .
7 . )
The European Court of Human Rights ruled Thursday that Greece must pay a Muslim widow damages for applying Islamic religious law to a dispute over inheritance from her late husband .
8 . )
The release of vulnerable European prisoners at the start of the pandemic – and limiting contact between those still locked up – helped slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus , a new report found .

Top eight CNS stories for today including the Supreme Court blocked President Donald Trump from rolling back the program that protects qualifying immigrants from deportation; California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered the state’s 40 million residents to wear masks in public; The release of vulnerable European prisoners at the start of the pandemic helped slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus, and more.
Your Thursday night briefing from the staff of Courthouse News
Top eight CNS stories for today including the Supreme Court blocked President Donald Trump from rolling back the program that protects qualifying immigrants from deportation; California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered the state’s 40 million residents to wear masks in public; The release of vulnerable European prisoners at the start of the pandemic helped slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus, and more.
Sign up for CNS Top Eight, a roundup of the day’s top stories delivered directly to your email Monday through Friday.
National
1.) The Supreme Court blocked President Donald Trump on Thursday from rolling back the program that protects qualifying immigrants from deportation.
People rally outside the Supreme Court as oral arguments are heard in the case of President Trump's decision to end the Obama-era, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA), Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, at the Supreme Court in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
2.) Most Democrats are excited about former Vice President Joe Biden potentially picking a woman of color to be his running mate, according to a new poll released Thursday.
Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden meets with attendees during a campaign event, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, in Charleston, S.C. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
3.) In the face of firm opposition from Democrats and with less than a year of experience on the bench, Judge Justin Walker landed a seat on the nation’s second highest court Thursday after the GOP-controlled Senate confirmed his nomination to the D.C. Circuit with a 51-42 vote.
In this May 6, 2020 photo, Justin Walker testifies before a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on his nomination to be a U.S. circuit judge for the District of Columbia Circuit on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Jonathan Ernst/Pool Photo via AP)
4.) As the country rides atop a crest of Covid-19 infections, the U.S. insured unemployment rate remains an uncomfortably consistent 14%, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Thursday.
Burned bricks on a modern storefront are one of the few surviving reminders of the more than 30-block historic black district in Tulsa, Okla., Monday, June 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Regional
5.) California Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday ordered the state’s 40 million residents to wear masks and face coverings when shopping, riding public transit and in other public settings.
In this June 1, 2020 photo, California Gov. Gavin Newsom takes off his face mask before news conference after meeting leaders of the African American community in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, Pool, File)
6.) In-store retail is coming back to New York City next week, Mayor de Blasio announced Thursday, certifying that all five boroughs are on track to enter the next phase of loosened coronavirus rules.
Dogs greet each other another nose-to-nose while people gather on a street in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of New York, Friday, May 29, 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic. The street has been blocked off from traffic to allow residents to gather in open spaces with some social distancing. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
International
7.) The European Court of Human Rights ruled Thursday that Greece must pay a Muslim widow damages for applying Islamic religious law to a dispute over inheritance from her late husband.
The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France. (Photo by CherryX from Wikipedia Commons via Courthouse News)
8.) The release of vulnerable European prisoners at the start of the pandemic – and limiting contact between those still locked up – helped slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus, a new report found.