Verdict . News

State Court

•California appeals court ruled cities don't need site-specific environmental reviews for housing sites without proposed projects

California appeals court

California Appeals Court Eases Environmental Review Rules for Housing Plans

The California First Appellate District ruled that local governments don't need to conduct site-specific environmental reviews for housing sites in their general plans when no actual housing projects are proposed. The unanimous decision in a case involving the town of Tiburon will affect how cities statewide handle their housing obligations under the California Environmental Quality Act.

•Decision overturned lower court ruling in Tiburon case and will affect CEQA obligations statewide

•Three Palestinian women allege Israeli troops blindfolded, handcuffed and interrogated them for hours at Rafah crossing

Palestinian Women Allege Mistreatment by Israeli Forces at Gaza Crossing

Three Palestinian women who were among the first returnees to enter Gaza through the recently reopened Rafah crossing have accused Israeli troops of blindfolding, handcuffing, and interrogating them for hours in what they describe as humiliating treatment. The Israeli military denies knowledge of any inappropriate conduct.

•Israeli military denies knowledge of any inappropriate conduct or mistreatment incidents

•House approved spending package 217-214, ending partial government shutdown that began over the weekend

House Passes Budget Package, Ending Brief Shutdown and Teeing Up DHS Fight

The House narrowly passed a spending package Tuesday to fund government programs through fiscal year 2026, ending a weekend partial shutdown. However, lawmakers froze Department of Homeland Security funding for two weeks as Democrats demand immigration enforcement reforms following a controversial shooting in Minneapolis.

•DHS funding frozen for two weeks via continuing resolution as Democrats demand immigration enforcement reforms

Regulatory

•ICE arrests in Virginia increased to 4,264 in first seven months of 2025, nearly tripling 2024 totals

Virginia Advocates Push for ICE Restrictions as Arrests Triple

The Virginia Coalition of Immigrant Organizations is urging state lawmakers to pass legislation restricting ICE enforcement following a surge in immigration arrests. ICE arrests in Virginia have nearly tripled in the first seven months of 2025 compared to 2024.

•Virginia Coalition of Immigrant Organizations leading push for state legislation to restrict ICE enforcement

•Instacart lost its second attempt to block NYC's $21.44 minimum wage law for grocery delivery drivers

U.S. District Court

Instacart Loses Second Bid to Block NYC Driver Wage Law

Grocery delivery giant Instacart has suffered another legal setback in its fight against New York City's new minimum wage law for delivery drivers. U.S. District Judge John Koeltl denied the company's request for an injunction pending appeal, ruling that Instacart failed to demonstrate a substantial likelihood of success in overturning the wage requirements.

•Judge John Koeltl ruled the company failed to show substantial possibility of success on appeal to the Second Circuit

Minnesota's district courts

Federal Judge Documents 96 Court Order Violations by Current Administration

Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz of Minnesota's federal district court published a list documenting 96 court orders that the current administration has allegedly violated or ignored. The unprecedented compilation has drawn attention to concerns about executive compliance with judicial authority.

•Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz documented 96 court order violations by the current administration

•The administration labeled the federal judge an "activist" following publication of the violations list

Federal Circuit

•Arizona officials claim Biden's Grand Canyon monument designation violates the Antiquities Act and will cost $180 million in lost mining revenue

Ninth Circuit

Ninth Circuit Hears Arizona Challenge to Grand Canyon Monument

Arizona state officials asked the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Tuesday to allow them to sue the federal government over President Biden's 2023 designation of the Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument. The state argues the monument designation illegally blocks uranium mining and will cost Arizona $180 million in lost tax revenue.

•The monument protects 900,000 acres from uranium mining that was set to become legal in 2032

•Supreme Court heard arguments in Idaho and West Virginia cases challenging transgender sports bans

Supreme Court Trans Sports Cases Reveal Legal Strategy Flaws

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two cases challenging state laws banning transgender girls from sports teams. Legal scholars argue both sides' reliance on biological and statistical evidence is fundamentally flawed for constitutional analysis.

•Both sides agreed the laws are sex-based classifications requiring intermediate constitutional scrutiny

•Supreme Court issued seven decisions by mid-January 2025, breaking recent pattern of delaying decisions until June

Supreme Court Issues Seven January Decisions, Breaking Recent Pattern

The Supreme Court has issued seven decisions by mid-January 2025, marking a departure from recent years when the court pushed nearly all decisions to June. Analysis of over 1,700 cases since 2000 reveals this term represents a potential return to earlier patterns.

•Historical data shows court routinely issued 15-30% of decisions before February from 2000-2016