In a surprising move, the judge overseeing the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan instructed the jury on Monday to disregard all testimony from Illinois state Rep. Bob Rita, D-Blue Island. Judge John Robert Blakey gave no explanation for the decision, despite Rita’s brief testimony on October 24.
Beginning January 1, 2025, California public libraries will be prohibited from banning books addressing topics such as race, gender identity, or sexual orientation under the Freedom to Read Act (AB 1825).
President Joe Biden assured Vice President Kamala Harris of her continued importance to the Democratic Party during remarks at the Democratic National Committee’s holiday party on Sunday. Turning to Harris, Biden declared, “You’re not going anywhere,” while praising her integrity and purpose throughout her career.
President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to push for the elimination of daylight saving time (DST), describing it as “inconvenient and very costly to our Nation.” In a statement shared on social media Friday, Trump confirmed that the Republican Party would work to end the twice-yearly clock changes that have sparked growing debate nationwide.
Every Republican member of the Michigan House of Representatives walked out of session on Friday, protesting the Democrats’ refusal to address concerns over upcoming changes to the state’s tipped minimum wage system.
Georgia lawmakers plan to introduce legislation in the 2025 session to prohibit transgender students from competing on sports teams or using locker rooms that align with their gender identity.
The Brazilian Chamber of Deputies has passed a controversial bill that includes provisions for the chemical castration of individuals convicted of pedophilia.
Former California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) expressed concern on Thursday that the state has exceeded the original intent of the sanctuary law he signed during his tenure. In an interview with Sacramento’s ABC10, Brown remarked that cities like San Francisco have taken sanctuary policies to an extreme, creating a near-complete separation between state and federal immigration enforcement.
