From A Declaration of Independence to International Dependence

"July 4, 1776-The founding fathers of the United States met in Independence Hall and signed a document declaring America’s independence from oppressive British rule. But today America is again dependent, surviving on imports, debt and income from the sale of our best...

Fair Housing Organizations File Federal Lawsuit against AG Spanos Companies f...

"The National Fair Housing Alliance and four of its member fair housing organizations today filed a housing discrimination lawsuit against AG Spanos Companies, a builder and developer of multifamily housing and commercial properties in at least 16 states."

East Kentucky Power Cooperative to pay a $750,000 penalty to resolve violatio...

"East Kentucky Power Cooperative, a coal-fired electric utility based in Winchester, Ky., will spend approximately $650 million on pollution controls and pay a $750,000 penalty to resolve violations of the Clean Air Act at its three plants, the Department of Justice and the...

Tribes' trespass measure is stalled

"The development was welcomed by John Gomez, a former Pechanga member who was among more than 250 people tossed out of the wealthy gaming tribe in 2004. Hundreds of others have been removed from tribes in the past decade as casino gambling has brought wealth and controversy...

ID Water rights owners may get shut-off order

"State water officials warned the owners of 83 water rights on the Snake River this week that the state may order them to stop diverting their water to ensure Idaho Power Co. gets the water it owns this summer."

Galatoire's Faces Federal Civil Rights Suit

"A former cook at the well-known French Quarter restaurant Galatoire's has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit claiming that the business discriminated against black employees."

AZ Property rights vs. public improvements

"A new state law billed as a property rights safeguard has dealt a blow to residents and city leaders who want to save old neighborhoods, create shopping districts or influence what is built in their communities."

MA man pleads guilty to civil-rights charges

"A 39-year-old Billerica man has pleaded guilty to civil-rights charges after he admitted shouting ethnic slurs during an assault on the Indian owner of a Billerica store when an ATM failed to dispense cash last year."

Need tips to hide pot? Ex-cop has some for sale

"Frederick Moss, a law professor at Southern Methodist University, said Cooper appears to be protected by the First Amendment and probably cannot be charged with conspiracy or aiding and abetting because he has no direct relationship with the customers he counsels in how to...

Video store: 'Boro ordinance violates free speech rights

"Bohannon filed a countersuit in Rutherford County Circuit Court on May 1, claiming a law restricting adult bookstores is unconstitutional and that even if it were not, his store should be grandfathered in because it was opened before the city changed its law."

Judge tosses Brooklyn mob case against FBI agent's co-defendant

"Justice Gustin Riechbach found that prosecutors violated the rights of John Sinagra by letting more than 15 years pass before bringing charges against him. Authorities bungled the case through a "failure of both oversight and direction," the Brooklyn judge wrote."

Virginia Introduces the $3550 Speeding Ticket

"Driving as little as 15 MPH over the limit on an interstate highway now brings six license demerit points, a fine of up to $2500, up to one year in jail, and a new mandatory $1050 tax. The law also imposes an additional annual fee of up to $100 if a prior conviction leaves...

Bill of rights for utility users

"Since National Grid has bought out the New England Gas Co. in Rhode Island and is buying out Keyspan in New York, ordinary consumers in Rhode Island need to know their utility rights when negotiating with a large corporation."

Candidate says firing violated free speech rights

"While he wants to get back his job and back pay, he and his attorney, Robert S. Mirin, say a larger issue is at stake. The bank's action, they said, violated Rebarchak's constitutionally protected rights to free speech and restricted a citizen's right to be involved in the...

Abbreviated trial revealed details on inner workings of VT diocese

"Leaders for two national groups monitoring clergy abuse cases said Tuesday that the lawsuit filed by James Turner against Vermont's Roman Catholic diocese helped shed light on the church's inner workings, even if the case ended in a mistrial. "