Author: Lindsay Whitehurst, Associated Press

The Supreme Court rejected Missouri’s attempt to lift a gag order in Donald Trump’s hush-money case and delay his sentencing in New York. Missouri’s attorney general sought to sue New York but was denied by the justices. Justices Thomas and Alito would have allowed a suit to proceed but not to lift the gag order or delay sentencing. Trump’s attorney argued that the gag order limited his ability to campaign freely. New York contended that the order allowed Trump to discuss key issues and his sentence may not affect his movements. The case was framed as a conflict between states,…

The Justice Department has made a historic decision to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, recognizing its medical uses and lower potential for abuse compared to other substances. This move, approved by Attorney General Merrick Garland, does not legalize recreational use of marijuana but shifts it to Schedule III alongside ketamine and anabolic steroids. After a recommendation from the Health and Human Services Department, President Joe Biden urged the review of marijuana’s status, leading to this significant change. Biden has also pardoned thousands of individuals convicted of marijuana possession and called for the erasure of such convictions at state…