Afternoon Briefs: Judge blocks postal changes; bedroom backdrop for SCOTUS justice's Constitution Day remarks
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Federal judge blocks US Postal Service changes
Ruling from the bench Thursday, U.S. District Judge Stanley Bastian of Yakima, Washington, blocked U.S. Postal Service changes that slowed mail delivery. Ruling in a suit by 14 states, Bastian said the plaintiffs have shown a politically motivated attack on the efficiency of the U.S. Postal Service that has harmed states’ ability to process mailed ballots. (The Washington Post, the Associated Press)
Justice Breyer appears to give Constitution Day remarks from his bedroom
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer encouraged young people to get involved in civic life during online Constitution Day remarks Thursday. Breyer appeared to be speaking from his bedroom during his remarks to law students at George Washington University. Justice Neil M. Gorsuch also made a Zoom appearance in a National Constitution Center event, telling K-12 students that they should study the U.S. Constitution, so they can preserve and defend it. In a Constitution Day video, ABA President Patricia Lee Refo called on lawyers and law students to promote the ideals of the Constitution by voting and completing the census. (Law.com, Education Week, ABA press release, George Washington University Facebook page)
Judge OKs $440K settlement for forced catheterizations
U.S. District Judge Roberto Lange of Pierre, South Dakota, has approved a $440,000 settlement in a lawsuit alleging that forced catheterizations violated the Fourth Amendment. The plaintiffs were catheterized after police obtained search warrants to detect the presence of drugs. (The Associated Press, the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota press release)
SCOTUS will host October arguments by teleconference
The U.S. Supreme Court will host oral arguments in October via teleconference, continuing the practice that it adopted in May. The court will monitor public health guidance in determining plans for November and December arguments, according to a Supreme Court press release. (The National Law Journal, Reuters, U.S. Supreme Court press release)
