Author: Olive Metuge

Cases and Controversies is a recurring series by Carolyn Shapiro, primarily focusing on the effects of the Supreme Court’s rulings, opinions, and procedures on the law, on other institutions, and on our constitutional democracy more generally. Please note that the views of outside contributors do not reflect the official opinions of SCOTUSblog or its staff. Their names do not appear in the caption of Prigg v. Pennsylvania, but Margaret and Jerry Morgan were at the center of the case. In 1837, the Morgans lived with their children in York County, Pennsylvania. Jerry was a free Black man, and Margaret had always…

Home Daily News Mentions of Justice Scalia surge at conservative-dominated… U.S. Supreme Court Mentions of Justice Scalia surge at conservative-dominated court during oral arguments By John O’Brien December 23, 2025, 10:51 am CST The late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s official portrait. References to the late Justice Antonin Scalia spiked during U.S. Supreme Court oral arguments this year, according to a Bloomberg Law analysis. Scalia’s name was invoked by justices and attorneys nearly three dozen times since the current term began in October, about the same amount of references that he’s received in most full calendar years since he…

Don’t put away your fancy winter jackets just yet…We’re just days away from New Year’s Eve, and if you’re already feeling smug about having your dining plans in Dubai locked in to welcome 2026, there’s just one final thing to check: the weather.After December’s downpours washed away mid-month plans, it’s only natural to wonder whether the rain might make a repeat appearance and threaten your NYE celebrations too.While the forecast can still change, here’s what we know so far.The weather forecast for the last few days of 2025 Friday, December 26: High 25°C, Low 18°C | Hazy day and clear…

As the Connecticut legislature overhauled the state’s towing laws last spring, lawmakers came up with a hopeful idea: gather towing companies, consumer advocates and state officials to hammer out a few arcane details that could have big implications for some Connecticut drivers whose cars are towed. The ambitions of the task force, convened in response to a Connecticut Mirror and ProPublica investigation, grew quickly as it began to meet in September to come up with recommendations for the legislature. Perhaps they could make it easier for low-income people to get their towed cars back or prevent them from being towed…

Pope Leo has urged Ukraine and Russia to find the “courage” to hold direct talks to end the war during his first Christmas remarks to crowds in St Peter’s square.He called for an end to conflicts around the world during his Urbi et Orbi address, which is traditionally delivered by the pontiff on Christmas Day to worshippers gathered in Vatican City. Speaking about Ukraine, the Pope said: “May the clamour of weapons cease, and may the parties involved, with the support and commitment of the international community, find the courage to engage in sincere, direct and respectful dialogue.”His plea comes…

Listen to this articleEstimated 5 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.Since the U.S. government started releasing files about Jeffrey Epstein on Friday, Democratic legislators, victims of Epstein and their lawyers have complained about the number of redactions. Among the thousands of documents, many portions of them or whole pages are blacked out. But now, some internet sleuths have figured out ways to uncover some of that information. Indeed, some sleuths have taken to social media to give step-by-step instructions…

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate it! SCOTUStoday will be back in your inboxes on Monday, Dec. 29. We’ll be sending abridged editions from Monday to Wednesday, Dec. 31, and then taking that Thursday and Friday off. We will resume our regularly scheduled programming on Monday, Jan. 5. SCOTUS Quick Hits The Supreme Court on Tuesday left in place a ruling by a federal judge in Chicago that bars the Trump administration from deploying the National Guard in Illinois. For more on the decision, see the On Site section below. Morning Reads The Supreme Court hasn’t ruled on Louisiana’s redistricting.…

Home Daily News Could Trump’s judicial appointments slow… Judiciary Could Trump’s judicial appointments slow in the new year? By Amanda Robert December 23, 2025, 11:16 am CST Despite his early success, President Donald Trump could face challenges in appointing judges to the bench in 2026. (Image from Shutterstock) Despite his early success, President Donald Trump could face challenges in appointing judges to the bench in 2026. This year, the U.S. Senate confirmed 26 of Trump’s federal judicial nominees, which is significantly more than the 17 the Senate confirmed at this point during the president’s first term in 2017, Bloomberg Law…

Will your Christmas Day plans be visited by the Grinch?After we were blessed with rain last week, you might be curious about the weather on Christmas Day in Dubai – especially if your plans are outdoors.According to several forecasting platforms, the worst of the rainfall now appears to be over (for a while). While the skies are now clear, a cold front has moved in behind the storm system, bringing noticeably cooler temperatures to Dubai.Here’s the weather forecast for the upcoming week in Dubai Monday, December 22: High of 25°C, low of 16°C Tuesday, December 23: High of 25°C, low…

A Minnesota senator wants to strengthen state laws meant to hold adults entrusted with children’s safety accountable for failing to report suspected child abuse, after an investigation by the Minnesota Star Tribune and ProPublica found that the leadership of a church in Duluth for years protected a child sex predator. Sen. Erin Maye Quade, a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party from suburban Minneapolis, said she’s focused on situations where such an adult has concrete knowledge that a specific person is abusing children and nonetheless stays silent, allowing the abuse to continue. “If you know an adult who is committing child…