Politics

How politics and law intersect, with coverage of legislation, policy debates, and court rulings shaping our rights and freedoms.

Supreme Court LGBTQ ruling leaves many battles still to be fought

Gerald Bostock won a historic victory at the U.S. Supreme Court for gay and transgender people across the United States. After a champagne celebration, Bostock says he’s girding for more battles that still lie ahead.

By Elaine Silvestrini

/ 17 Jun 2020

Protestors outside the Supreme Court holding a sign that reads 'Equality for LGBTQ People: No More, No Less.

Trying the George Floyd case is no simple matter

As the world follows the aftermath of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis, questions arise about how this extremely high profile case will play out in court. Will a plea agreement keep it from even going to trial? How will a judge seat a jury of 12 fair and unbiased jurors? What tactics will the pro

By Katherine Snow Smith

/ 16 Jun 2020

Delayed by coronavirus, NY's plastic bag law kicks in as state reopens

New York state’s plastic bag reduction law, postponed twice already due to a lawsuit and the COVID-19 pandemic, is beginning to be enforced this week as the state reopens.

By Sarah Enelow-Snyder

/ 16 Jun 2020

Racial profiling: Protests bring new attention to an old issue

The issues of police brutality and racial profiling are not new, but have gained traction in recent weeks following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis by a police officer who put him in a choke hold for the better part of nine minutes. That officer, Dennis Chauvin, has been charged with seco

By Yvette C. Hammett

/ 16 Jun 2020

Police officer wearing a face mask addressing a group of people.