Supreme Court Archives

States can cut off Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood, the Supreme Court rules

WASHINGTON (AP) — A divided Supreme Court is allowing states to cut off Medicaid money for Planned Parenthood amid a wider Republican-backed push to defund the organization, the country’s largest abortion provider. The 6-3 ruling was handed down Thursday. The case centers on funding for other health care services Planned Parenthood provides in South Carolina, but the ruling could have broader implications for Medicaid patients. South Carolina argued no public money should go to the high-profile abortion provider, even if it it’s not paying for abortions. Planned Parenthood says patients go there for things like contraception and cancer screenings, in part because it can be hard to find a doctor who takes the publicly funded insurance.… Continue Reading

Supporters rally for Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs amid legal battle

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – Supporters of Democratic Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs held a rally near the Legislative Building to criticize the ongoing legal effort to overturn Riggs’ less than 800 vote lead over Jefferson Griffin. Riggs spoke at the rally, criticizing the ongoing legal battle over overseas and military votes. The justices ruled that about 5,000 military and overseas voters must prove their identity within 30 days or risk having their ballots invalidated. A vast majority of 60,000 votes were allowed to stand. Riggs says she will take the issue to Federal Court.… Continue Reading

Legal challenge over extremely close North Carolina election stays in state court for now

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — An appeals court has agreed that a federal trial judge acted properly last month in declining to rule on the eligibility of voters in an unresolved North Carolina Supreme Court election. The federal judge returned the matter to the state court. But the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday also gave Associate Justice Allison Riggs the ability to return to federal court if appeals in state court result in challenger Jefferson Griffin overtaking her in their extremely close race. Riggs leads Griffin by fewer than 750 votes from the November election. Griffin has challenged roughly 66,000 ballots. Riggs’ allies say Griffin’s trying to overturn the results by disenfranchising lawful voters.… Continue Reading

Tight race for the North Carolina Supreme Court is heading to another recount

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A very close election for a North Carolina Supreme Court seat heads next to a hand recount. That comes after a machine recount of well over 5 million ballots resulted in no margin change between the candidates. Democratic Associate Justice Allison Riggs has a 734-vote lead over Republican challenger and Court of Appeals Judge Jefferson Griffin. Griffin already had asked for a partial hand recount that will begin in some counties on Wednesday. Riggs is one of two Democrats on the seven-member Supreme Court. This race and two General Assembly races have yet to be called by The Associated Press.… Continue Reading

Is ‘Judge Judy’ on the Supreme Court? Lack of civics knowledge leads to colleges filling the gap

BLUFFTON, South Carolina (AP) — Surveys show that a third of American adults can’t name the three branches of the federal government. One found that 10% of college graduates think TV’s “Judge Judy” serves on the U.S. Supreme Court. Many people think it’s time for a new push for civics instruction in college. Advocates say civics _ the study of citizens’ rights and responsibilities _ fosters a sense of unity and an ability to deal with disagreement. It empowers citizens, and maybe it can heal America’s divisions. But there’s an ongoing debate over whether legislatures should impose these mandates or it should be left up to academics to decide how to fit this into their curricula.… Continue Reading