Law & Court
Faculty, students sue Christian school over LGBTQ hiring ban
By David Crary — September 12, 2022
(AP) – A group of 16 students, faculty and staff at the Christian Seattle Pacific University sued the leaders of the school's board of trustees for an employment policy barring people in same-sex relationships from full-time jobs.
Indiana abortion ban challenged under religious freedom law
By Tom Davies — September 9, 2022
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A lawsuit filed on Thursday by the ACLU of Indiana argues that the abortion ban set to take effect next week violates a state religious-freedom law that was approved by Republican lawmakers in 2015.
Chaplain who sexually abused inmates gets 7 years in prison
By Michael R. Sisak and Michael Balsamo — September 1, 2022
(AP) – A chaplain at a California federal women's prison was sentenced to seven years in jail for "egregious" sexual abuse against inmates. He is one of the five workers at the prison charged in the last 14 months for the same crime.
Religious schools shun state funding despite Maine victory
By David Sharp — August 30, 2022
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Only one of the Maine religious high schools that stood to benefit from the most recent Supreme Court ruling on state tuition reimbursements has signed up to participate this fall.
Afghan refugee enters not guilty plea in Muslim slayings
By Susan Montoya Bryan — August 29, 2022
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The Afghan refugee with a "violent history" pleaded not guilty on Friday for three counts of murder against Muslim men in New Mexico.
Turkish pop star jailed over joke about religious schools
By Associated Press — August 26, 2022
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) – Turkish singer and songwriter Gulsen was arrested on Thursday on charges of “inciting hatred and enmity” for a joke she made at an Istanbul concert in April, sparking outrage on social media.
Oz’s Senate bid could be a Muslim first but is ‘complicated’
By Marc Levy — August 25, 2022
(AP) – Dr. Mehmet Oz, who calls himself a “secular Muslim," would be the first of his faith to ever serve in the U.S. Senate chamber if elected this fall.
Judge limits privilege defense in AZ Mormon sex abuse case
By Michael Rezendes — August 19, 2022
(AP) - The church has filed a legal motion asking Cardinal to delay implementing her order until it contests her findings with the Arizona Court of Appeals.
Suspect in New Mexico Muslim killings detained pending trial
By Susan Montoya Bryan — August 18, 2022
(AP) – The primary suspect in the New Mexico shooting deaths of two Muslim men is being held without bond pending trial as prosecutors say he is a danger to his own family and the greater community.
Clergy, social workers fear fallout from Okla. abortion laws
By Sean Murphy — August 15, 2022
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Clergy members, social workers and even librarians have raised concerns about being exposed to criminal or civil liability for just discussing the topic.
Iran denies involvement but justifies Salman Rushdie attack
By Jon Gambrell — August 15, 2022
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Rushdie was attacked Friday as he was about to give a lecture in western New York.
Synagogue of judge who approved Trump’s search warrant cancels Shabbat service
By Yonat Shimron — August 12, 2022
(RNS) — The vitriol against Reinhart is part of an escalation of antisemitic animus propelled by Trump's fervent supporters.
Albuquerque Muslims help bid to keep killings suspect jailed
By Susan Montoya Bryan — August 12, 2022
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Syed was arrested late Monday more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) from his Albuquerque home.
Iraq Shiite cleric behind parliament sit-in steps up demands
By Samya Kullab — August 10, 2022
BAGHDAD (AP) — Al-Sadr's political rivals in the Coordination Framework, an alliance of Iran-backed parties, said earlier that the parliament would have to convene to dissolve itself.
Amy Spitalnick, who took on neo-Nazis in Charlottesville, is moving to Bend the Arc
By Yonat Shimron — August 9, 2022
(RNS) — In November, Spitalnick will become CEO of the left-leaning organization that blends community organizing, political advocacy and leadership training.
