New York says helping your neighbors understand a court form is a crime
In New York, a debt collector can sue you for money you don't owe—and win, if you don't respond. These debt-collection lawsuits aren't uncommon; they make up roughly a quarter of all cases filed in New York state courts, and defendants fail to appear in up to 90% of them. They can result in financial ruin, even when claims lack merit. Reverend ...
Parents challenge Boston’s tier-based school admissions as unconstitutional
This week, PLF brought its challenge to a Boston public school's admissions system before the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. PLF senior attorney Chris Kieser delivered oral arguments, advocating on behalf of parents who argue the admissions process is discriminatory. The case, brought by the Boston Parent Coalition for Ac ...
Public school teacher asks Supreme Court to protect off-campus speech
Jeanne Hedgepeth spent 20 years teaching social studies at Palatine High School outside Chicago. During her tenure, she was actively involved in creating an inclusive environment at school; she sponsored the gay-straight alliance, participated in anti-bullying initiatives, and produced a school-wide video to promote diversity. Then, in June 2020 ...
Court lets surf school’s First Amendment challenge ride
Helina Beck has been trying to teach surf lessons on California's public beaches for years. On Tuesday, a federal court said her fight can continue, denying California's motion to dismiss her case and handing her a meaningful early victory in a fight over who gets to teach on shorelines that belong to all Californians. The ruling, issued Februar ...
Anchorage Daily News : The day the music lived
On a summer evening in Alaska, it's not unusual to want a drink while enjoying some entertainment — a local musician, maybe a screening of a classic summer movie like "The Goonies" or "Jaws." If you walk into a bar, you might be in luck. But until recently, if you walked into a brewery or winery, chances are you'd be out of luck. Not because t ...
Increased access to Certified Nurse Midwives improves maternal and prenatal health
For Hope Lindstrom, the question of where and how to give birth is deeply personal. As a devout Christian and licensed pastor, she views childbirth as a sacred experience—one that centers her as an active, empowered participant in her care. Her preference is also guided by stories from her mother and grandmother, both of whom endured traumatic ...
Ohio entrepreneur seeks Supreme Court ruling on right to share information
When Mike Yoder started flying drones, he wasn't trying to make a statement. He was trying to solve a problem common among hunters in his area: Game sometimes runs off after being shot, and hunters have a hard time locating it. Using drones equipped with thermal imaging technology, Mike's company, Drone Deer Recovery, helps hunters locate downed ...
The Tennessean : Repealing these laws can improve healthcare access in TN
Congress's new Rural Healthcare Transformation (RHT) Program promises $50 billion to areas in danger of losing local hospitals. But the money isn't guaranteed, as states must apply for a grant. Each application is scored not only by need but also on whether the state enforces anticompetitive laws in healthcare. Chief among these bad policies are ce ...
CON Quarterly : Happy New Year
Welcome to the first CON Quarterly in 2026— Happy New Year, Readers. As a reminder, in markets where the government requires a certificate of need or CON, those who wish to offer a new service or expand an existing service must first prove to a regulator that the service is needed. As the name suggests, the regulator's primary task is toâ ...