Verdict . News

4d ago•4 min read

•Supreme Court will release opinions Tuesday, February 24 in argued cases from current term

Supreme Court Set to Release Major Opinions Tuesday

The Supreme Court will release opinions in one or more argued cases from the current term on Tuesday, February 24. SCOTUSblog will provide live coverage of the announcements as the justices reveal their decisions in cases under deliberation.

•SCOTUSblog providing live coverage and real-time analysis of opinion announcements

4d ago•4 min read

•Supreme Court oral arguments scheduled for April 1 on Trump's birthright citizenship challenge

Supreme Court to Hear Trump Birthright Citizenship Challenge April 1

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on April 1 regarding President Trump's executive order challenging birthright citizenship guaranteed by the 14th Amendment. The case has attracted 18 amicus briefs supporting the administration's interpretation that children of temporary residents are not "subject to the jurisdiction" of the United States.

•18 amicus briefs support administration's narrow interpretation of 14th Amendment jurisdiction clause

4d ago•4 min read

•Northwestern University's Oyez project is using AI to create realistic video avatars of Supreme Court justices paired with historical audio recordings

Northwestern Professor Uses AI to Bring Supreme Court History to Life

Northwestern University's Oyez project, which has provided Supreme Court audio archives since the 1990s, is now using artificial intelligence to create realistic digital avatars of justices that pair historical audio recordings with lifelike video representations.

•The technology analyzes photos and videos to replicate authentic mannerisms, gestures, and courtroom presence of individual justices

State Court

•Nebraska Supreme Court establishes that mootness determinations receive the same standard of review as other jurisdictional questions

Nebraska Supreme Court

Nebraska Supreme Court Clarifies Mootness Standards in Healthcare Case

The Nebraska Supreme Court issued a decision February 13, 2026 in Saint Joseph Tower Assisted Living Community v. Jayne Royce, establishing clear jurisdictional standards for how appellate courts must review mootness determinations and other jurisdictional questions.

•Court clarifies that cases are moot when underlying facts change such that issues are no longer alive

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Denies Habeas Petition in Florida Murder Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit denied Winston Calder's federal habeas corpus petition challenging his 2015 first-degree murder conviction and life sentence. The appeal centered on claims of ineffective assistance of counsel related to a confession used to impeach his testimony at trial.

•Winston Calder was convicted of first-degree murder in Broward County, Florida on Feb. 17, 2015, and sentenced to life in prison

•The Eleventh Circuit denied his federal habeas corpus petition claiming ineffective assistance of counsel under the Strickland standard

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Sportsmen's Alliance Challenges CDC in Federal Appeals Court

The United States Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation has appealed a district court decision in their case against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Department of Health and Human Services. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments in December 2025 and issued its decision in February 2026.

•Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals issued published opinion in case challenging CDC and HHS actions

•United States Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation and individual plaintiffs appealed unfavorable district court ruling

First Circuit Court of Appeals

First Circuit Upholds Rhode Island Dam Water Flow Order Against Developer

The First Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's dismissal of federal constitutional claims brought by Soscia Holdings, LLC against Rhode Island's Department of Environmental Management over a 2022 dam water flow order. The appeals court rejected the company's Section 1983 civil rights lawsuit challenging state environmental officials' regulatory actions.

•First Circuit affirmed dismissal of Section 1983 civil rights lawsuit against Rhode Island environmental officials

•Case involved July 2022 order requiring dam operator to reduce water flow to maintain pond levels

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

4th Circuit Revives Models' Image Rights Case Against SC Nightclub

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated and remanded a district court's dismissal of a lawsuit by nine professional female models against Acuarius Night Club LLC. The models alleged the South Carolina nightclub misappropriated their social media images for promotional purposes without consent or compensation.

•Fourth Circuit unanimously vacated district court's dismissal of lawsuit by nine professional models against South Carolina nightclub

•Models alleged Acuarius Night Club misappropriated their social media images for promotional use without consent or compensation

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

4th Circuit: Child Gains Citizenship Despite Paternity Questions

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Mario Rene Lopez automatically became a U.S. citizen when his mother naturalized because his paternity had not been established by legitimation under a now-repealed federal statute. The court vacated the Board of Immigration Appeals decision and remanded the case with instructions.

•Fourth Circuit ruled Mario Lopez automatically became U.S. citizen when his mother naturalized

•Court found Lopez's paternity had not been established by legitimation under repealed 1952 statute