Bill would revise Tennessee’s decades-old law targeting HIV-positive people convicted of sex work

Bill would revise Tennessee’s decades-old law targeting HIV-positive people convicted of sex work

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee would no longer be the only U.S. state to impose a lifetime registration as a “violent sex offender” on anyone convicted of engaging in sex work while living with HIV under a proposal that advanced Tuesday in the legislature. The controversial statute still on the books is being challenged in federal … Read more

North Dakota judge won’t temporarily block part of abortion law for doctors

North Dakota judge won’t temporarily block part of abortion law for doctors

BISMARCK, N.D. — A North Dakota judge on Tuesday denied a temporary block on a part of the state’s revised abortion laws so that doctors can perform the procedure to save a patient’s life or health. State District Judge Bruce Romanick said the request for a preliminary injunction “is not appropriate and the Plaintiffs have … Read more

Abortion rights supporters launch campaign for Maryland constitutional amendment

Abortion rights supporters launch campaign for Maryland constitutional amendment

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Abortion rights supporters in Maryland launched a campaign on Monday — the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade — to enshrine the right for women to end their pregnancies in the Maryland Constitution in November. Members of the Freedom in Reproduction Maryland ballot committee announced the effort in front of the state … Read more

Maine Democrats who expanded abortion access now want to enshrine it in the state constitution

Maine Democrats who expanded abortion access now want to enshrine it in the state constitution

AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine Gov. Janet Mills and other leading Democrats are pressing to end future legislative debate over abortions by amending the state constitution to enshrine the right to reproductive health care, just six months after lawmakers expanded access to abortions. Maine is seeking to join four other states that have amended their constitutions … Read more

Woman charged with killing Hollywood consultant Michael Latt pleads not guilty

Woman charged with killing Hollywood consultant Michael Latt pleads not guilty

LOS ANGELES — A woman charged with killing a high-profile marketing consultant and social justice advocate in film pleaded not guilty Monday. Jameelah Elena Michl, 36, entered the plea in Los Angeles Superior Court to charges of murder and burglary, with additional allegations that she used a firearm to commit the felonies. Prosecutors say she … Read more

Former gang leader charged with killing Tupac Shakur gets new lawyer who points to ‘historic’ trial

Former gang leader charged with killing Tupac Shakur gets new lawyer who points to ‘historic’ trial

LAS VEGAS — A former Los Angeles-area gang leader jailed in Las Vegas in the 1996 killing of hip-hop music icon Tupac Shakur has hired a private attorney who pointed Monday to what he expects will be a historic murder trial. Duane “Keffe D” Davis dismissed court-appointed lawyers and hired veteran criminal defense lawyer Carl … Read more

What to know about abortion rulings, bills and campaigns as the US marks Roe anniversary

What to know about abortion rulings, bills and campaigns as the US marks Roe anniversary

Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade ruling on Jan. 22, 1973, the time around the anniversary has always been marked by rallies, protests and political pledges. This time, after the 2022 ruling that overturned the nationwide right to abortion that Roe provided, there’s a flurry of activity as state policy gets decided by … Read more

2 New Mexico Republican lawmakers seek to impeach Democratic governor over gun restrictions

2 New Mexico Republican lawmakers seek to impeach Democratic governor over gun restrictions

SANTA FE, N.M. — Two Republican legislators filed a resolution Wednesday aimed at initiating impeachment proceedings against Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham over her emergency public health orders suspending the right to carry firearms in some public places in greater Albuquerque, such as parks and playgrounds. The resolution from Reps. Stefani Lord of Sandia Park … Read more

Democrats believe abortion will motivate voters in 2024. Will it be enough?

Democrats believe abortion will motivate voters in 2024. Will it be enough?

WASHINGTON — When Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump said recently that he was “proud” to have a hand in overturning the abortion protections enshrined in Roe v. Wade, Democratic pollster Celinda Lake took it as a political gift, thinking to herself, “Oh my God, we just won the election.” It may not be that simple, … Read more

2 artworks returned to heirs of Holocaust victim. Another is tied up in court

2 artworks returned to heirs of Holocaust victim. Another is tied up in court

NEW YORK — New York prosecutors on Friday returned two pieces of art they say were stolen by Nazis from a Jewish performer and collector murdered in the Holocaust. The artworks were surrendered by museums in Pittsburgh and Ohio, but prosecutors are still fighting in court to recover third artwork by the same artist, Austrian … Read more