The federal appeals court in Atlanta has declined to overturn lower court decisions against a new sentencing hearing for Patrick Charles Hannon, condemned to die for cutting a man's throat and fatally shooting another in Tampa 18 years ago. ...more

March 21, 2009

The federal appeals court in Atlanta has declined to overturn lower court decisions against a new sentencing hearing for Patrick Charles Hannon, condemned for cutting one man's throat and fatally shooting another in Tampa 18 years ago. ...more

March 19, 2009

In May, 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its decision in the case of Ledbetter vs. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company holding that the time period for filing a discrimination claim based upon a difference in pay began to run when the pay decision was made. In the case, attorneys for Ms. Ledbetter had argued that she was discriminated against each time she was issued a paycheck at a rate less than her male counterparts. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected the argument, finding that the plaintiff's reasoning undercut the requirement to timely file a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. ...more

January 9, 2009

A group suing to add a growth management proposal to November's ballot says it is battling a Legislature that has waged "war" on the citizens petition process. ...more

June 13, 2008

The United States owes a federal shield law not only to American journalists but to journalists around the world. Passage of such a law is urgently needed. By finally allowing the media to protect the anonymity of confidential sources, Congress would do more than close a fissure in U.S. press freedoms: It would also help curtail the destructive behavior that current U.S. prosecutorial habits are inspiring globally. ...more

June 9, 2008

The answer to a cynic's question "Do elections matter?" may be partially found in the way judges have handled an Indiana voter photo ID law that requires people to prove their identity before they can vote. The Supreme Court will begin 2008 by hearing arguments in one of the most volatile political cases to come before it since Bush vs. Gore in the 2000 presidential election. ...more

January 2, 2008

State and local taxes paid by illegal immigrants fail to offset the cost of public services that state and local governments in Florida and elsewhere provide, a new study done for Congress says. ...more

December 19, 2007

The Associated Press article, "Germany Officials Call For Scientology Ban" that ran in the Tribune Dec. 10 omits the fact that the German Ministers of Interior conference Dec. 7 did not vote for a motion to instigate procedures to ban Scientology. ...more

December 18, 2007

There was interesting timing in Pasco County's decision on vested rights for the Gulf Landings project, which has been 50 years in the planning. ...more

October 31, 2007

Highlands County Teen Court provides an education that can't be found in the classroom. On top of that, it's a highly effective way to deal with misdemeanor crimes. It's a positive experience for everyone. ...more

October 24, 2007