The Latest: Trump says he may maintain some Russia sanctions

President-elect Donald Trump says he will probably maintain some of the Obama administration's recent sanctions against Russia, although he adds that he might do away with them if Russia works with the U.S. on battling terrorists and achieving other goals. Trump tells The Wall Street Journal in an interview published Friday night that "if Russia is really helping us, why would anybody have sanctions?" The Journal also asked Trump if he is committed to the "One China" policy, in which the U.S. doesn't officially recognize Taiwan's breakaway government.

U.S. Supreme Court to hear case on special education

The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments Wednesday in a dispute over the level of education that public schools must provide to millions of children with disabilities, a case advocates describe as the most significant special-education issue to reach the high court in more than three decades. The question is whether public schools owe disabled children "some" educational benefit - which courts have determined to mean just-above-trivial progress - or whether they legally deserve something more: a substantial, "meaningful" benefit.

Legion updates flag publications

The American Legion recently updated its "Let's Be Right on Flag Etiquette" booklet in an effort to increase public knowledge of the proper display and respect for the U.S. flag. The 32-page booklet outlines the Flag Code; features visuals on how to properly display and fold the flag; highlights the Top 10 flag myths; answers frequently asked questions; and much more.

US Supreme Court rules in 2011 NM police shooting

The U.S. Supreme Court says a New Mexico State Police officer did not violate clearly established law when he shot and killed an armed man without first calling out a warning. US Supreme Court rules in 2011 NM police shooting SANTA FE - The U.S. Supreme Court says a New Mexico State Police officer did not violate clearly established law when he shot and killed an armed man without first calling out a warning.

Attorneys asks U.S. Supreme Court to rule on cellphone ban in Saginaw courtrooms

An attorney is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in on a cellphone ban in Saginaw County courtrooms, which could establish the way phones are treated in courthouses across the country. Attorney Philip Ellison, on behalf of Tuscola County resident Robert W. McKay, filed a petition to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to hear an appeal of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld a cellphone ban in Saginaw County courtrooms.

Central Texas rancher challenges some habitat protections

Walk quickly by and you might miss the coffin-sized fissure on John Yearwood's sprawling Williamson County ranch, now ground zero in the newest effort to gut the Endangered Species Act. The Austin American-Statesman reports the small limestone cave is home, maybe, to a seldom-seen, spider-like creature with a scary-movie name: the Bone Cave harvestman.

Chris Suprun’s eventful year in voting

The self-described "voting addict" was an apparent casualty of the confusion amid legal wrangling over the state's 2011 voter ID law. "Pick a course and run with it," he urged U.S. District Court Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos, of Corpus Christi, in a letter dated Dec. 21. "I write this because after not being able to cast a ballot I was disheartened," the letter said.

Advocates of hate crimes law prepared to try again

When advocates for a hate-crimes bill took their case to the Legislature last year, their cause was quickly overshadowed by a separate effort to expand the state's civil rights law to include LGBT protections. The latter measure, which ultimately failed, became known derisively as the "bathroom bill" with opponents who claimed, falsely, that it would allow predatory men to sneak into women's restrooms.

Chuck Schumer Issues Warning to Trump

On Wednesday, the top Democrat in the Senate, New York Senator Chuck Schumer issued a warning to President-elect Donald Trump about his eventual Supreme Court choice. In an interview, Schumer said that Trump if Trump does not name a "mainstream" nominee, Democrats will oppose the individual "with everything we have."

Author lays out free speech strategies

A protester holds a copy of the Bible outside of the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington June 15. The court June 18, 2015, ruled that a town in Arizona violated a local church's free speech rights by preventing it from posting signs notifying the public of its worship services. FREE SPEECH: TEN PRINCIPLES FOR A CONNECTED WORLD By Timothy Garton Ash Published by Yale University Press, 504 pages, $30 Timothy Garton Ash, an Oxford professor and director of freespeechdebate.com , presents a tall order in Free Speech: Ten Principles for a Connected World .

Obama could appoint Merrick Garland to Supreme Court today, but experts say don’t count on it

Progressives' last-ditch effort to install Merrick Garland on the Supreme Court before Donald Trump enters the White House could end on Tuesday if President Obama does not attempt a recess appointment. Just before noon, the 114th Congress will gavel out of session before the 115th Congress begins.