Top CNS stories for today including the Supreme Court grappling with whether voting districts in North Carolina and Virginia were gerrymandered for racial or political reasons; a mistrial declared in the case of a white former South Carolina police officer charged with killing an unarmed black motorist; the Army Corps of Engineers blocks the Dakota Access Pipeline, and more.
Sign up for CNS Nightly Brief, a roundup of the day's top stories delivered directly to your email Monday through Friday.
1.) Justices Scan Southern District Lines for Racial Gerrymandering
The Supreme Court grappled Monday with whether voting districts in North Carolina and Virginia were gerrymandered for racial or political reasons.
2.) Corps of Engineers Blocks Dakota Access Pipeline
The Standing Rock Sioux and their supporters across the nation celebrated Sunday when the Army Corps of Engineers said it would not issue the final permit needed to drill the Dakota Access oil pipeline near tribal land, but would look for another route.
3.) High Court to Say If Patent Rights Extend Abroad
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a closely watched patent case that will determine whether someone can import into the United States and resell a U.S.-patented article purchased abroad.
4.) Justices to Rule on Religious Hospital’s Pension Exemption
The Supreme Court said it will decide whether a federal pension law’s exemption for church retirement plans applies if the plan was not initially established by a church.
5.) High Court Takes Up Case of Shot Homeless Couple
The Supreme Court has agreed to resolve whether police were at fault for shooting a California homeless couple during a warrantless search, while the woman was pregnant.
6.) Mistrial Declared in S.C. Police Murder Trial
A mistrial has been declared in the trial of a white former South Carolina police officer charged with the murder of an unarmed black motorist.
7.) EU Ponies Up $480M for 2020 Mission to Mars
The European Space Agency has secured the additional funding that it needs to land its first rover on Mars and continue its ExoMars program.
8.) Feds Back Off Pollution Rule for Texas Plants
The Environmental Protection Agency said it plans to withdraw a mandate that Texas coal-fired power plants reduce their pollution, but also found five counties have dangerous levels of toxic gas linked to coal plants.
Subscribe to Closing Arguments
Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.
