Kirsch confirmed to 7th Circuit
Thomas Kirsch II has been confirmed to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on a 51-44 vote in the U.S. Senate. Kirsch succeeds Amy Coney Barrett after her confirmation to the United States Supreme Court.
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Trump loses Wisconsin case backed by Indiana lawyers; justice blasts state suit
President Donald Trump lost a federal lawsuit argued by Indianapolis attorneys while his attorney was arguing his case before a skeptical Wisconsin Supreme Court in another lawsuit that liberal justices said “smacks of racism” and would disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of voters only in the state’s most diverse counties.
Judging future jurists: Kirsch grilled in 7th Circuit bid while diversity calls grow and Flaum takes senior status
With two vacancies now on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, President Donald Trump’s nominee for an Indiana seat faced tough questioning on Capitol Hill while bar and civil rights groups called for change on the Chicago-based court, the only all-white federal appeals bench in the nation.
Coalition enlists public for ‘shadow redistricting’
A coalition of activist groups has announced a new push against what it calls partisan gerrymandering by Indiana’s Republican-dominated Legislature. The organization All IN for Democracy is creating an Indiana Citizens Redistricting Commission to shadow the Indiana General Assembly as it redraws the congressional and legislative maps next year using 2020 census data.
Trump loves to win but keeps losing election lawsuits
For a man obsessed with winning, President Donald Trump is losing a lot. He’s managed to lose not just once to Democrat Joe Biden at the ballot box but over and over again in courts across the country in a futile attempt to stay in power.
Lawyers, lawmaker, former AG join Rokita transition team
Indiana Attorney General-elect Todd Rokita has announced the members of his transition team, working with longtime lawyers, politicians and a former attorney general as he prepares to take the helm of the Office of the Attorney General in January.
Disputing Trump, Barr says no widespread election fraud
Disputing President Donald Trump’s persistent, baseless claims, Attorney General William Barr declared the U.S. Justice Department has uncovered no evidence of widespread voter fraud that could change the outcome of the 2020 election.
Minority groups highlight need for diversity on all-white 7th Circuit
The lack of diversity on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals – which would remain unchanged if nominee Thomas Kirsch II is confirmed to fill the current vacancy – is prompting minority groups to speak out and call upon elected officials and the judiciary to appoint judges from different racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Critics look to pressure GOP over Indiana redistricting
A coalition of activist groups announced a new push Monday against what it called partisan gerrymandering by Indiana’s Republican-dominated Legislature. Efforts will include a “shadow” redistricting process with greater public input into redrawing the state House and Senate districts.
High court takes up census case as other count issues loom
President Donald Trump’s attempt to exclude people living in the country illegally from the population count used to divvy up congressional seats is headed for a post-Thanksgiving Supreme Court showdown.
Indiana lawmaker quitting weeks after winning reelection
A northern Indiana lawmaker announced Tuesday she was resigning from her legislative seat just three weeks after winning reelection.
More than 10 in Indiana gaming investigation; new casinos at risk
An investigation stemming from allegations of illegal political contributions by a longtime Indiana casino executive could snarl the future of multimillion-dollar projects for new casinos in Gary and Terre Haute.
Proposal would recognize Indian orders in state court
The history of Native American culture is rooted deep in the Hoosier State — after all, the name “Indiana” translates to “land of the Indians.” The Indiana General Assembly is considering taking another step to recognize that heritage through legislation that would uphold the validity of tribal court judgments.
After criticism, Feinstein to step down as top Senate Judiciary Democrat
California Sen. Dianne Feinstein said Monday she will step down from her role as the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, giving up the powerful spot after public criticism of her bipartisan outreach and her handling of Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation hearings.
Kirsch pressed on originalism at 7th Circuit confirmation hearing
As many judicial nominees before him have done, Thomas Kirsch II told the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee that he would apply the law as written but his explanations of how he would interpret statutes brought intense scrutiny from senators on both sides of aisle.
Student told to remove shirt protesting racism sues school
A Wabash County student is suing his high school after an incident earlier this year when he was told by school officials to remove his shirt protesting systemic racism.
Trump’s legal team cried vote fraud, but courts found none
The Trump campaign legal strategy to overturn the results of the election may have played well in front of television cameras and on talk radio to Trump’s supporters, but it has proved a disaster in court. Judges uniformly rejected claims of vote fraud and found the campaign’s legal work amateurish.
Sentencing set for ex-Whiting mayor over campaign fund misuse
A former northwestern Indiana mayor faces a January sentencing after pleading guilty to charges that he illegally used public campaign donations to cover gambling losses.
Holcomb names adviser Jenner first Indiana education secretary
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has tapped his senior education adviser to serve as the state’s first secretary of education, marking the first time in more than a century the state schools superintendent position isn’t decided by voters.
Michigan leaders head to DC as Trump bids to subvert election
Two Michigan state legislators headed to the White House on Friday as President Donald Trump made an extraordinary and sure-to-be futile attempt to block Joe Biden’s victory in the battleground state and subvert the results of the 2020 presidential election.