In Florida, A Clash Over Exhuming Bodies At Reform School
A forensic anthropologist and her team want permission to exhume dozens of bodies they found in unmarked graves, but are meeting resistance from state officials.
Law
Where Do Drugs For Lethal Injections Come From? Few Know
Georgia, like many other states, protects the identity of companies that make drugs used in executions. The lawyer of a death row inmate says not being able to verify the effectiveness of the drug violates his client's right "to be free from cruel and unusual punishment."
Senate Passes Student Loan Legislation To Lower Interest Rates
After much drama, the Senate finally voted on a student loan bill that would tie the borrower's rate to the 10-year Treasury note on Wednesday. The proposal is a bipartisan compromise and similar both to a House plan and one offered by President Obama.
Laws Tightening Abortion Rules Gain Traction In States
Texas is one of several states that have passed laws tightening standards for clinics and doctors who provide abortions. Proponents say the laws make the procedure safer. But abortion rights advocates say the tightened requirements are unnecessary and driven by ideology, not safety concerns.
U.K. Cracking Down On Porn, Blocking It Unless Users Opt In
The British prime minister says a plan to outlaw "violent" porn and block certain search terms is designed to protect children. Will a crackdown result in less child abuse?
State Laws Limiting Abortion May Face Challenges On 20-Week Limit
States are setting an abortion limit at 20 weeks after fertilization, but that may clash with established standards for calculating the viability of a pregnancy. It could also open the new laws up to constitutional challenges.
The Voting Rights Act: Hard-Won Gains, An Uncertain Future
The Supreme Court overturned a key provision of the civil rights-era legislation in June. Free of past restrictions, some states acted quickly to change their voting laws, and it is now up to Congress to figure out where the act goes from here and how to continue to protect voters from discrimination.
Flying High And Low In 'Full Upright And Locked Position'
In a new book, aviation consultant Mark Gerchick writes that "the magic of air travel has morphed into an uncomfortable, crowded and utterly soulless ordeal." He talks about how it's gotten so bad, why there are so many hidden fees and if there actually is less leg room than there used to be.
Florida Governor Stands Firm On 'Stand Your Ground' Law
Since the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the killing of Trayvon Marton, there's been a renewed call to repeal Florida's stand your ground self-defense law. But despite some talk of boycotts that could hurt Florida's economy, Gov. Rick Scott says he won't ask the Legislature to revisit the law.
Federal Judge Green Lights Suit Against Private Equity Firms
The investor lawsuit claims the companies, including Blackstone, Carlyle and Bain Capital, colluded to drive down prices on hundreds of billions of dollars in takeovers.