The defamation trial of conspiracy monger Alex Jones turned emotional Tuesday In a courtroom in Austin, Texas, conspiracy theorist Alex Jones faced the parents of a child killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting. Jones had repeatedly claimed the shooting was a hoax. John Burnett
Samuel Alito, a workhorse on the Supreme Court, shapes its conservative path The justice has played a key role on the court, often leading the charge not just on abortion, but for expanded religious rights, against LGBTQ rights, against expanded voting rights, and more Nina Totenberg
An Idaho abortion law draws a Justice Department lawsuit The DOJ argues that a restrictive new ban conflicts with a federal law that requires doctors to give pregnant women appropriate medical care, including abortion when necessary. The Associated Press
A Capitol rioter has received the most severe punishment to date Texas oil worker Guy Reffitt has been sentenced to more than seven years in prison for his role at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. The judge declined to add more punishment for domestic terrorism. Carrie Johnson
The next battle over abortion rights is taking place in Kansas Kansans vote Tuesday on a state constitutional amendment that could tighten abortion laws. It's the first voter contest over abortion since Roe v. Wade was overturned. Danielle Kurtzleben
Seattle crime diversion group says FBI is investigating former employee for misuse of funds Community Passageways said the FBI notified them in May that it was investigating one of the group’s employees for suspected misuse of what may be “a significant amount of money.” Amy Radil
Clarence Thomas drops out of teaching a law class after students protested Following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the George Washington University law school received calls to drop Thomas and cancel the seminar he taught. Ayana Archie
FBI opens settlement talks with gymnasts who survived abuse by Larry Nassar Justice Department officials met with key Senators in Washington to explain why they won't prosecute two former FBI agents who botched the sexual assault investigation. Carrie Johnson
With Manchin deal, talk of Biden's climate emergency declaration may be dead Some legal experts and environmentalists think such a declaration wouldn't have been that useful and would have exposed the president's climate agenda to further judicial and legislative scrutiny. Scott Neuman
A new Georgia voting law reduced ballot drop box access in places that used them most Georgia lawmakers changed voting laws after 2020, including eliminating drop boxes in certain counties, making it harder for many voters in cities and suburbs, often people of color, to access them. Stephen Fowler
