Federal judge rules cuts to humanities grants were 'unlawful' The ruling deems the government's termination of grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities "unlawful" and allows a lawsuit brought by humanities groups to move forward. Elizabeth Blair
Video shows Department of Justice official urging Jan. 6 rioters to 'kill' cops The Department of Justice hired a former Jan. 6 defendant who was caught on tape urging rioters to "kill" police. The department calls him a "valued member" of the administration. Tom Dreisbach
60 years later, Voting Rights Act protections for minority voters face new threats Sixty years after the Voting Rights Act became a landmark law against racial discrimination, legal challenges heading to the Supreme Court could curtail its remaining protections for minority voters. Hansi Lo Wang
A new law firm challenges Trump's executive powers A new law firm formed this week with a mission to challenge President Trump's executive power. NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with James Pearce, one of the firm's top lawyers, about the legal void it intends to fill. Leila Fadel
Sean Combs denied bail, will remain in custody until sentencing Combs was convicted on July 2 of two counts of transportation for prostitution. The music mogul had filed a request to be released on bail before his sentencing, which is scheduled for Oct. 3. Isabella Gomez Sarmiento
Hurricane Katrina was a catalyst for change in New Orleans' public defender office Hurricane Katrina exposed longstanding flaws in the New Orleans criminal justice system. In the 20 years since, there has been dramatic change in the public defender office. Ari Shapiro
Public defenders in Massachusetts and other states demand a pay raise Dozens of criminal cases are being dismissed in Massachusetts and other states as public defenders refuse to take on new cases until they get a pay raise. Deborah Becker
Tennessee readies for execution of man with working implanted defibrillator Gov. Bill Lee declined to grant a reprieve Monday amid uncertainty about whether the implantable defibrillator will shock Byron Black's heart when the lethal drug takes effect. The Associated Press
Texas Democrats block GOP redistricting plan by fleeing the state The Texas House failed to reach the quorum needed to vote on a new congressional map that could have given Republicans five new seats, after House Democrats forced a legislative standstill. Liz Baker
Federal judges facing threats after ruling against the Trump administration speak out Federal judges rarely speak outside of their rulings in court. But now many are publicly warning about threats they face this year after ruling against the Trump administration. Carrie Johnson