SCOTUS to consider immunity of police on joint state-federal task forces in bungled sex-trafficking prosecution

Later this month, the Supreme Court will consider a case arising out of a botched sex-trafficking investigation about whether state and local police officers enjoy immunity from lawsuits when they are federally cross-deputized as members of joint state-federal task forces. … Continue reading SCOTUS to consider immunity of police on joint state-federal task forces in bungled sex-trafficking prosecution

Biden sparks confusion by saying Supreme Court will end national COVID-19 emergency

President Joe Biden caused confusion on Jan. 31 when he told a reporter the Supreme Court would “end” national COVID-19 emergency policies, after telling Congress the day before that his administration would terminate the emergencies on May 11. In response … Continue reading Biden sparks confusion by saying Supreme Court will end national COVID-19 emergency

Bill Ayers should avoid “drinking the Kool-aid”

I just stumbled upon an old American Spectator column of mine that I thought had been lost in the sands of time. Someone at San Diego State University posted it in an article titled “Drinking the Kool-Aid: A (Partial) 2009 Directory.” It’s not bad, so I’ve reposted it below: Bill Ayers Should Avoid “Drinking the Kool-Aid” by Matthew Vadum, American Spectator, 19 May 2009 Retired terrorist Bill Ayers, a kind of folk hero among today’s left, had a run-in with Washington Times editorial staffer Kerry Picket. Picket’s encounter with the would-be mass murderer who plotted to bomb a crowded dance hall at Fort Dix, … Continue reading Bill Ayers should avoid “drinking the Kool-aid”

Documentary exposes rise of the unaccountable fourth branch of government, rule by experts

A new documentary film attempting to throw light on the rise of government power wielded by unelected experts–known today as the fourth branch of government, or the administrative state—launched online Jan. 27. This unaccountable administrative state, which is reined in at … Continue reading Documentary exposes rise of the unaccountable fourth branch of government, rule by experts

Colorado appeals court rules against baker in case over gender-transition cake

A baker who won a U.S. Supreme Court case over religious freedom violated a state anti-discrimination law when he refused to make a cake celebrating a gender transition, the Colorado Court of Appeals ruled on Jan. 26. Lawyers for the baker, Jack Phillips of … Continue reading Colorado appeals court rules against baker in case over gender-transition cake

Disabled Navy veteran sues Small Business Administration over racially discriminatory contracting program

A disabled Navy veteran who owns a small business is suing the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in federal court over a contracting program that excludes nonminorities from participating. Marty Hierholzer filed suit (pdf) recently in the U.S. District Court … Continue reading Disabled Navy veteran sues Small Business Administration over racially discriminatory contracting program

Supreme Court won’t stop $2 Million IRS penalty against grandmother whose family fled Nazis

The Supreme Court turned away an appeal on Jan. 23 over a $2.1 million penalty the IRS assessed against a grandmother whose family fled Nazi persecution, for failing to report a foreign bank account. The decision came as the U.S. … Continue reading Supreme Court won’t stop $2 Million IRS penalty against grandmother whose family fled Nazis

Deaf student neglected by Michigan schools should be able to sue under anti-discrimination law, SCOTUS hears

A public school system in Michigan wronged a deaf student by failing to properly educate him, and the student was justified in suing the system under two federal laws, the Supreme Court heard on Jan. 18. The hearing came as parents nationwide have become … Continue reading Deaf student neglected by Michigan schools should be able to sue under anti-discrimination law, SCOTUS hears

Supreme Court turns away appeal about states using COVID-19 relief funds for tax cuts

The Supreme Court refused on Jan. 17 to take up an appeal by Missouri challenging a ban on states using federal pandemic-relief funds to offset state revenue reductions, such as those attributed to tax cuts or other policy changes. The decision is … Continue reading Supreme Court turns away appeal about states using COVID-19 relief funds for tax cuts

Midwives sue Iowa over law allowing hospitals to veto new childbirth facilities

Two longtime midwives are suing Iowa over a state law that they say unconstitutionally discriminates against their profession, preventing them from opening a freestanding birth center that would compete against local hospitals. The midwives claim that the state’s certificate of need (CON) … Continue reading Midwives sue Iowa over law allowing hospitals to veto new childbirth facilities

Supreme Court will hear pharma fraud cases against SuperValu and Safeway

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a whistleblower-initiated case that pharmacy operators SuperValu and Safeway submitted false Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement claims for prescription drugs. The case is considered to be important because it could have an impact on the government’s ability to … Continue reading Supreme Court will hear pharma fraud cases against SuperValu and Safeway

Supreme Court agrees to hear claim of 94-year-old Minnesota homeowner that county unconstitutionally seized her home equity

The Supreme Court decided late on Jan. 13 to hear the appeal of a 94-year-old homeowner who is challenging the constitutionality of laws that allow local governments to take the full value of a home as payment for much smaller … Continue reading Supreme Court agrees to hear claim of 94-year-old Minnesota homeowner that county unconstitutionally seized her home equity