Travel ban case likely to end up before Supreme Court in 2018

The Supreme Court already has heard major cases on gay and First Amendment rights and police searches, and the justices are likely to add a momentous case about presidential power to their list early in the new year. With President Trump's travel ban policy once again before the high court, legal analysts predict the justices will agree to speed the case onto their docket in 2018, setting up a ruling by the end of June.

Early Resolution of FCA Civil Damages Under the Eighth Amendment’s…

The False Claims Act authorizes civil penalties between $10,781 to $21,563 per false claim, as well as three times the amount of damages which the government sustains . The Eighth Amendment provides that "[e]xcessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed , nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted."

Appeal denied for death row inmate convicted of killing wife

A federal appeals court has denied an Arizona death row inmate's appeal convicted of killing his wife, overturning a lower court's ruling that the man received ineffective assistance of counsel. A ruling Thursday by a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals says Michael Apelt's defense was deficient but that Arizona courts' findings that the deficiency didn't harm Apelt's defense weren't unreasonable.

Ninth Circuit Tells EPA To Crack Down On Lead Paint

A panel of three judges from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that the Environmental Protection Agency needs to modernize regulations governing the use of lead paint quickly after new information on its dangers was revealed. Before the decision, the EPA told the panel that updated regulations taking into account the new data would be developed within six years.

Government seeks change to order lifting Trump refugee ban

Lawyers with the Department of Justice have asked a federal judge to change his order that partially lifted a Trump administration refugee ban. Just before Christmas, U.S. District Judge James Robart in Seattle imposed a nationwide injunction that blocks restrictions on reuniting refugee families and partially lifted a ban on refugees from 11 mostly Muslim countries.

Ukraine, separatist rebels agree on major prisoner exchange

Hundreds of volunteers have been on the phones at an Air Force base in Colorado, answering questions from eager kids who want to know where Santa is on his storybook Christmas Eve travels. Hundreds of volunteers have been on the phones at an Air Force base in Colorado, answering questions from eager kids who want to know where Santa is on his storybook Christmas Eve travels.

Former Texas Congressman says he was abused at boys ranch

A presidential adviser says Donald Trump has full confidence in his new FBI director despite a series of attacks on the impartiality of his soon-to-retire deputy. A presidential adviser says Donald Trump has full confidence in his new FBI director despite a series of attacks on the impartiality of his soon-to-retire deputy.

The Latest: Official says 37 feared dead in Philippine mall

The fire which still raging for hours now have trapped an undetermined number of people, fire officials said. . In this photo provided by Special Assistant to the President Christopher Bong Go, a fire rages at shopping mall in Davao city, the hometown of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, on... .

Judge partially lifts Trump administration ban on refugees

The top leadership of the Miss America Organization has resigned, sweeping out officials implicated in an email scandal that targeted past pageant winners for abuse based on their appearance, intellect and sex lives. The top leadership of the Miss America Organization has resigned, sweeping out officials implicated in an email scandal that targeted past pageant winners for abuse based on their appearance, intellect and sex lives.

Miss America leadership resigns in email shaming scandal

FILE - In this Jan. 12, 2013 file photo, Miss New York Mallory Hytes Hagan reacts as she is crowned Miss America 2013 in Las Vegas. Some former Miss Americas shamed in emails from the pageant's CEO are calling on him and... The worst appears to be over for a massive wildfire that plagued a wide swath of the Southern California coast for 2 A1 2 weeks.