Indiana lawmakers step back on ‘In God We Trust’ requirement
Indiana lawmakers have rolled back a proposal to require a poster with the national motto “In God We Trust” and the American and state flags be displayed in all public school classrooms.
First Amendment
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Judge calls Notre Dame’s third try at avoiding contraceptive mandate ‘absurd’
At times describing the defendants’ argument as bordering “on the absurd” and noting the policies are already causing injury, the Northern District of Indiana has blocked another attempt by the University of Notre Dame and federal agencies to limit women students’ access to contraceptives.
Religious retaliation, accommodation claims to continue against Brownsburg schools
A federal lawsuit alleging Brownsburg schools discriminated against a former teacher who refused to address transgender students by their chosen first names will continue with claims brought under Title VII, though 11 other state and federal constitutional claims against the school district were dismissed. The judge also cautioned both sides against efforts to expand the issues in the case to nonparty students.
IU prof denied summary judgement in nurse’s abortion retaliation case
A federal judge has denied a motion for summary judgment to an IU nursing professor on a First Amendment claim brought by an associate professor who alleges she was passed over for a teaching position at the school because of her pro-life views.
Appeal set on challenge to Indiana religious objections law
Conservative religious groups are planning to appeal an Indiana judge’s ruling that canceled a trial challenging limits on the state’s religious objections law that were signed by then-Gov. Mike Pence.
Justices could limit job bias lawsuits against churches
The Supreme Court said Wednesday it will consider expanding protections for churches against job-discrimination claims.
COA: Elkhart pastor incorrectly found in contempt, ordered to jail
A years-long dispute between an Elkhart pastor and members of his congregation has resulted in a reversal from an appellate panel that determined a trial court erred in ordering the faith leader to spend one month in jail.
Lindman: Trademarks in the Supreme Court: 2019-2020
One could assume that significant issues in federal trademark law were decided long ago; yet, the Supreme Court issued two trademark decisions in 2019 that fundamentally impact trademark protection and has granted certiorari in three trademark cases for the 2019-2020 term.
Indiana legal scholars sign letter endorsing impeachment
Six faculty members from Indiana universities — including four law school professors — are among the more than 775 academics who have submitted a letter to Congress, adding their voices in support of the impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump.
Phone sex operator wins partial victory on appeal
A former phone sex operator who sued the government after she was allegedly fired from a National Guard volunteer position has won partial victory at the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, which found that a book the woman wrote about her phone sex conversations was “clearly protected speech.”
Hamilton County judge rules for 4 Indiana cities in RFRA lawsuit
Four Indiana cities sued for enacting anti-discrimination ordinances that opponents alleged violated religious rights laws have won summary judgment in a lawsuit challenging Indiana’s controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
IU says it can’t fire professor for ‘bigoted’ remarks
A professor at Indiana University who defended “racist, sexist, and homophobic” comments that he posted on his social media accounts will keep his job because his views are protected under the First Amendment, university officials announced after they were bombarded with demands to fire him.
Honoring the honorable: Marshall added, Dred Scott author removed from Southern District mural
Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, arguably best known for authoring the notorious 1857 majority opinion in Dred Scott v. Sanford, used to be featured in an Indiana Southern District Court mural. But his name was recently replaced with “Marshall,” representing longest-serving Chief Justice John Marshall and Associate Justice Thurgood Marshall, the court’s first African-American justice.
C-SPAN founder Brian Lamb honored in Indianapolis
For his work in founding and developing C-SPAN, the cable network that gives Americans a front row seat to their government, Indiana native and Purdue University alumnus Brian Lamb was honored Monday by the Benjamin Harrison President Site with the 2019 Advancing American Democracy Award.
Convicted killer’s suit alleging attack by guard proceeds
An Indiana prison inmate’s lawsuit alleging corrections officers attacked him and then marched him naked down the range at Indiana State Prison to humiliate him may proceed in large part, a federal judge has ruled.
After SCOTUS ruling, 7th Circuit denies compulsory fees refund to non-union member
Despite a Supreme Court ruling making mandatory union fees for non-member public employees illegal, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has declined to award a fee refund to the named plaintiff in a landmark labor law case.
Fired Indianapolis Catholic school counselor files lawsuit
A former guidance counselor at an Indianapolis Catholic high school who was fired for being in a same-sex marriage is suing the school and the archdiocese — the second such lawsuit filed by an employee who was fired for the same reason.
Ex-assistant principal loses rights suit in student discipline matter
A former high school assistant principal who alleged she was coerced to quit for disagreeing with the school superintendent about a student discipline issue was not denied protected speech or due process, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled.
Groups argue RFRA fix infringes on religious rights
Nearly five years after Indiana’s controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act was signed into law, a lawsuit alleging subsequent amendments to the act infringe on religious rights went before a Hamilton County judge Thursday.
Judge hearing suit over Indiana’s religious objections law
Conservative religious groups are arguing their constitutional rights were violated by limits that were placed on Indiana’s contentious religious objections law signed in 2015 by then-Gov. Mike Pence.