Jan 7th, 2009 · Senate Democratic leaders are changing course and it looks as if the Senate will seat Roland Burris as the junior senator from Illinois once all legal obstacles are overcome. Senate leaders Harry Reid and Dick Durbin both have said they have no problem with Burris.
Jan 7th, 2009 · The fighting in Gaza has killed more than 600 Palestinians — many of them civilians. Colonel Jim Hellis is chairman of the department of national security and strategy at the U.S. Army War College. He talks with Ari Shapiro about how the U.S. military factors in civilian casualties in assessments of war strategy. Hellis says it's a balance between legal, ethical and political concerns.
Jan 3rd, 2009 · The past eight years were a good time to be in the Federalist Society. Members of that conservative legal group occupied every level of the Bush administration. Now that the Democrats are ascending, a different group may find similar influence in Washington.
Jan 2nd, 2009 · Chances are you've seen a blind person accompanied by a guide dog. But what about a guide horse or a monkey trained to help an agoraphobic? Non-traditional service animals help many people with disabilities, but a new proposal would ban them.
Dec 19th, 2008 · A woman was caught running around wearing a pumpkin on her head and nothing else. She's one of a dozen people cited for the Naked Pumpkin Run in Boulder, Colo. Participants drink beer, carve pumpkins and set off. The first person cited has taken a plea deal for charges of disorderly conduct. Natalie Ziemba will have to do community service, six months' probation and pay $27 in court costs.
Dec 18th, 2008 · The Illinois Supreme Court has denied an effort to remove Governor Rod Blagojech, rejecting what could have been the quickest way to force the Democrat from office. The court, without comment, refused to hear state Attorney General Lisa Madigan's legal challenge to the governor's fitness to serve.
Dec 17th, 2008 · The Illinois Supreme Court has refused to hear a challenge to Gov. Rod Blagojevich's fitness to hold office. Attorney General Lisa Madigan had argued Blagojevich's legal and political troubles are keeping him from performing his duties.
Dec 17th, 2008 · Afghanistan's courts are too slow and corrupt to get the job done, many say. Those Afghans turn instead to local jirgas, or tribal councils, to solve legal disputes. Efforts are being made to fix the official system and teach residents their rights, but the impact has been negligible outside of major cities and provincial centers.