Investigative journalism has always been a cornerstone of the freedom of the American press. And, in 2012, an Idaho animal-rights activist investigated an Idaho dairy farm by getting a job there and then filming animal abuse that they witnessed. Soon thereafter, the state enacted and enforced an “Ag-Gag” law (formally titled the Interference with Agriculture… Read More Idaho’s Ag-Gag Law Violates the First Amendment
Like other religiously affiliated non-profits, Catholic Health Initiatives (a Colorado-based health care provider) offers its employees a retirement plan which is exempt from the requirements of the federal law known as ERISA (which stands for Early Retirement Income Security Act). ERISA sets minimum standards for private-sector pension plans and information for plans’ beneficiaries. Janeen Medina,… Read More Okay for Church Retirement Plans to Be Exempt from Federal Regulatory Law
Medford, Oregon, about 30 miles from the California border, was the site in May 2012 of a planned teachers’ strike that ended up lasting 9 days. During the strike, some high school students even took to the streets as a show of support for their teachers. About a week before the strike—knowing that it was coming—the school… Read More Unconstitutional for Oregon School District to Ban Picketing & Signs During Teachers’ Strike
Michael Fowler and his company Epona, LLC (of which he is the sole member) own a 40-acre piece of land located in Ventura County, in southwest California. Though the land is zoned for agricultural use, Fowler built a garden on the property he wanted to use to host weddings and related events. A county ordinance… Read More California Permitting Scheme for Commercial Weddings Held Unconstitutional
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