Civil Liberties
Politicians Want To Ban Gambling Ads To Stop Youth Addiction. What Do the Data Say About Teens and Betting?
Colorado lawmakers are considering a bill that would make it illegal to broadcast sports betting ads between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Ex-Law-Student's Defamation Claim Against Howard University Can Proceed in Part
His breach of contract and race discrimination claims, however, are dismissed.
A Lawsuit Settlement Highlights Trump's Hypocrisy on Government Meddling With Social Media
Despite its rejection of the Biden administration's interference, the Trump administration is still asserting authority over online speech.
A Jury Hit Meta With a $375 Million Verdict. The Open Internet May Pay the Price.
Meta's loss in a New Mexico "product design" case could also be a blow against Section 230, free speech, and online privacy.
Facebook Guilty
Plus: Trump declares victory over Iran again, Afroman trial reflections, and more...
Don't Legislate Morality: Most Americans Can't Agree on What's Immoral
Most matters enjoy too little moral agreement to make fertile ground for government intervention.
Arresting a Reporter for Asking Questions Was a 'Blatant First Amendment Violation,' Sonia Sotomayor Says
The justice dissented from the Supreme Court's denial of a petition from a Texas journalist who was charged with felonies for practicing journalism.
Court Dismisses Suit Against N.Y. Times & Serial Productions over The Idiot Podcast
The podcast is M. Gessen’s story about cousin Allen Gessen (who is the plaintiff in this case) and his murder-for-hire conviction. Extra juicy tidbit in this case: Venue!
Miami Beach Woman Visited by Detectives Over a Facebook Comment Files Free Speech Lawsuit
The lawsuit alleges that the city has a history of silencing pro-Palestine speech.
Court Rejects Women Inmates' Objections to California Law Related to Housing of "Transgender, Nonbinary, or Intersex" Inmates
The court's reasoning mostly turns on a conclusion that much of the prison behavior that plaintiffs complained about wasn't dictated by that particular law.
It's Time To Abolish the TSA
Plus: the real legacy of Cesar Chavez, blue state tax policies are driving out wealth, and a jury clears Afroman in a free speech case.
Justice Sotomayor on the Freedom of the Press and the Right to Ask Questions
The Justice largely agrees with Fifth Circuit Judge James Ho's dissenting opinion below, but writes alone in dissenting from the Supreme Court's decision not to consider the case.
Court Refuses to Block Continued Distribution of DOGE Witness Deposition Videos
"[T]he materials at issue concern the conduct of public officials acting in their official capacities, which substantially diminishes any cognizable privacy interest and weighs against restriction."
4chan Sends Hilarious, Hamster-Filled Reminder That U.S. Companies Need Not Follow British Speech Regulations
"We are not in the mood to discuss the matter further, and have not been in the mood for 250 years."
Parents Aren't Required to "Unquestioningly Accept and Support Their Minor Children's Claims of Transsexual Identity or Preferred Pronouns"
From a termination of parental rights decision by the Ohio Court of Appeals.
Markwayne Mullin Says Agents Don't Need a Warrant If They're Pursuing a Suspect. Here's What the Law Says.
“Officers don’t have the blanket authority to arrest anyone who runs from them,” says an attorney from the Institute for Justice.
Judge Blocks Lawyer's Distribution of Animation That Allegedly Shows "Uncommanded Discharge" of Sig Sauer Pistol
"This Animation is literally false as a factual matter," the judge concludes, issuing a permanent injunction against the use of the animation for advertising purposes.
My New Liberalism.Org Article on How "Immigration Restrictions Restrict Americans' Liberties"
Liberalism.Org is a new initiative established by the Institute for Humane Studies.
Section 230's Legal Protections for Internet Speech Face New Challenge
This week, senators heard testimony over the foundation for modern online conversations.
3D-Printed Guns Are Getting Good
If I can build a functional, unregistered handgun in less than two hours, so can you.
Jury Clears Afroman of Defamation for Mocking Cops Who Raided His House
Ohio sheriff's deputies raided Afroman's house in 2022 based on a bogus tip, then sued the rapper after he released music videos mocking the deputies.
The Feds Are Investing in Wearable Health Trackers. That Could Put Your Private Data at Risk.
Government-backed biowearables could generate vast streams of personal health data with few legal safeguards.
Department of Homeland Security
Markwayne Mullin's History of Condoning Murder and Resisting Transparency Makes Him Ill-Suited To Run DHS
The Oklahoma senator, nominated to replace Kristi Noem, is blasé about the use of deadly force.
ICE Is Bringing Military Occupation and Recruitment Tactics to America
“We did this overseas, and it’s come home in every conceivable way.”
No Contempt Sanctions for Laura Loomer's Comments About CAIR, Magistrate Judge Recommends
Loomer had entered into a non-disparagement agreement to settle an earlier case, and the agreement had been adopted as a court order, but it also had an exception for statements responding to CAIR's statements about her.
TV Station News Managers Fired for Allegedly Anti-Gay Memo Can Go on with Their Defamation Suit Against Nexstar Media
"Often, two true statements can be juxtaposed in such a way that they imply an idea that is false, which, under Michigan law, gives rise to a cause of action for defamation."
Brendan Carr's Crusade To Reshape TV Journalism Is Blatantly Unconstitutional
The First Amendment does not allow the FCC chairman to police news coverage.
Prairieland Verdict: Texas Man Found Guilty of Transporting Constitutionally Protected Pamphlets
Eight others were convicted on vague "terrorism" charges—causing serious concern among First Amendment advocates.
Court Backs First-Grader in Suit Over School Reaction to 'Any Life' Matters Drawing
Yes, 6-year-old students have First Amendment rights, the 9th Circuit says.
"Stalking-Type Behavior"/"Coercive Control" of Minor Stepdaughter, or "Salutary" "Parental" Behavior?
"[T]he trial court identified only two actions that purportedly constituted 'coercive control': the first was 'coordinating with someone Mia thought was her friend to deliver her' to her parents, and the second was an 'unreasonable level of monitoring a nearly grown woman,' which the trial court stated 'is concerning.'"
