Law

Environment

EPA rule that limits pollution is being challenged in the Supreme Court

5:08am February 21, 2024

by Carrie Johnson

A key environmental effort to improve air quality and protect people from downwind pollution faces a legal challenge at the U.S. Supreme Court from several states and energy companies .

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a challenge from GOP-led states and industry groups seeking to block the EPA's "good neighbor" provision, which is designed to reduce smog and air pollution.

Politics & Government

Supreme Court will hear challenge to EPA's 'good neighbor' rule that limits pollution

5:00am February 21, 2024

by Carrie Johnson

The justices will consider whether to hit pause on a federal rule designed to reduce air pollution that drifts across states and can cause health troubles.

The Alabama Supreme Court ruled, Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, that frozen embryos can be considered children under state law, a ruling critics said could have sweeping implications for fertility treatments. The decision was issued in a pair of wrongful death cases brought by three couples who had frozen embryos destroyed in an accident at a fertility clinic.

National

Alabama Supreme Court rules frozen embryos are 'children' under state law

10:58pm February 20, 2024

by The Associated Press

The Alabama Supreme Court has ruled that frozen embryos can be considered children under state law, a decision critics said could have sweeping implications for fertility treatment in the state.

Federal prosecutors say that former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov admitted to authorities that "officials associated with Russian intelligence were involved in passing a story" about President Biden's son, Hunter Biden.

Politics & Government

Ex-FBI source charged with Biden lies is tied to Russian intelligence, prosecutors say

9:07pm February 20, 2024

by Ryan Lucas

Federal prosecutors say that Alexander Smirnov admitted to authorities that "officials associated with Russian intelligence were involved in passing a story" about President Biden's son, Hunter.

National

An Alabama Supreme Court ruling may have wider implications for people seeking IVF

6:19pm February 20, 2024

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Mary Ziegler, UC Davis law professor, about the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that says frozen embryos are people and individuals can be held liable for destroying them.

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Former President Donald Trump attends a pretrial hearing Thursday for charges he faces in a New York hush money case. Two civil judgments in New York have put Trump on the hook for hundreds of millions of dollars.

Politics & Government

Trump faces some half a billion dollars in legal penalties. How will he pay them?

5:44pm February 20, 2024

by Rachel Treisman

Donald Trump owes legal penalties totaling hundreds of millions of dollars in two civil cases recently decided in New York, raising questions about how he'll pay the amount.

Former president of Honduras is on trial, facing charges that he ran a 'narco state'

5:28pm February 20, 2024

by Eyder Peralta

Once touted as a key U.S. ally in the war against drugs, former president of Honduras Juan Orlando Hernández's trial begins in New York, as he stands accused of overseeing a "narco state."

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A screenshot taken on February 19, 2024 shows a take down notice that a group of global intelligence agencies issued to a dark web site called Lockbit.

Global law enforcement effort cracks down on LockBit ransomware group

2:00pm February 20, 2024

by Jenna McLaughlin

Law enforcement officials from 11 countries have joined forces to disrupt the activities of LockBit, which is considered one of the most dreaded and most prolific team of cybercriminals.

A man named Frank sits in his tent with a river view in Portland, Ore., in 2021. A lawsuit originally filed in 2018 on behalf of homeless people in the Oregon city of Grants Pass is set to go before the U.S. Supreme Court in April.

National

How far can cities go to clear homeless camps? The U.S. Supreme Court will decide

12:47pm February 20, 2024

by Jennifer Ludden

Lower courts have said it's unconstitutional to punish people for sleeping outside if no shelter is available. Cities say these rulings have paralyzed their efforts to manage growing tent encampments.

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Politics & Government

Trump has only weeks to pay the state of New York hundreds of millions of dollars

5:09am February 20, 2024

NPR's A Martinez speaks with William & Mary Law School professor Jim Wheaton about the state of Donald Trump's finances after a $450 million civil penalty was levied against him for fraud.