Top eight today

Top eight stories for today including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing a leadership crisis; California employers added 45,700 payroll jobs; Former Minnesota police officer Kim Potter testified in her manslaughter trial, and more.

National

How the Supreme Court may become its own worst enemy

In 1803 the Supreme Court made a landmark ruling establishing judicial review. Over 200 years later its chief justice asks what happens when the majority of the court is willing to throw away that basic principle.

The Supreme Court is seen in Washington on Sept. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

US judge in Austin rejects clerk’s defense in Courthouse News action

In federal court in Austin, U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel rejected the Austin court clerk’s motion to dismiss, on the grounds of “abstention,” a First Amendment complaint brought by Courthouse News.

The U.S. Courthouse in Austin, Texas. (Billy Hathorn via Wikipedia)

Capitol rioter heading to prison for over 5 years in longest sentence yet

A federal judge handed down the longest sentence yet to a Capitol rioter on Friday: over five years behind bars for a man who violently assaulted police.

The government used this screenshot of Robert Palmer throwing a fire extinguisher at law enforcement officers on Jan. 6 in their case against him. (Image via Courthouse News)

Pfizer delays coronavirus vaccine data for young children to test third dose

Studies of coronavirus vaccine efficacy on younger children hit a speedbump Friday, as Pfizer and BioNTech announced they will alter their clinical trial to include a third shot for children aged 6 months to 5 years after the two-dose regimen failed to live up to expectations.

An 8-year-old child receives a second dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine at Northwest Community Church in Chicago on Dec. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Regional

California unemployment rate dips to 6.9%

Employers in the Golden State added 45,700 payroll jobs in November, helping to drop California’s unemployment rate to 6.9% — a welcome change from October’s 7.3%.

Kim Potter gives tearful testimony in manslaughter trial

Defense attorneys for former Minnesota police officer Kim Potter rested their case Friday after their client delivered tense testimony about her career and the shooting of Daunte Wright in a Twin Cities suburb this spring.

Former Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter becomes emotional as she testifies on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis, Minn. (Court TV, via AP, Pool)

International

Boris Johnson clings to power following damaging election loss

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing a leadership crisis following his Conservative Party's shock defeat in a special election.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson steps out of 10 Downing Street to welcome the Sultan of Oman, Haitham Bin Tarik Al Said, in London on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

Argentine president hires two lawyers in ‘Fiesta in Olivos’ scandal

With shades of the French Laundry scandal that dogged California Governor Gavin Newsom well into the failed bid to recall him, Argentine president Alberto Fernández has hired two lawyers to represent him after he attended a birthday party with 10 other guests at the official presidential residence despite strict lockdown measures forbidding social gatherings.

Categories / Closing Arguments

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.