Federal Court to Hear Birmingham Minimum Wage Case
A federal appeals court in Atlanta is scheduled to hear arguments Friday in a case over Birmingham’s attempt to increase the minimum wage in the city to $10.10 an hour.
The Birmingham City Council approved a phased-in plan to boost the minimum wage in 2015. Then in 2016, the Alabama Legislature passed a law that voided the increase by prohibiting cities from setting their own minimum wage.
Fast food workers and other low-wage employees, the NAACP and other groups contested the legislature’s action in court. They said lawmakers’ actions were racially motivated because the Alabama legislature overturned the actions of a predominately black city council. At issue is whether the legislature violated the Voting Rights Act and the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection clause.
Lawyers say it could be several months before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals issues a ruling.
In hearings, McMahon faces questions about the shrinking federal role in schools and colleges
In separate hearings on Capitol Hill this week, the Education Secretary answered questions about a range of issues, from student loans to mental health programs.
Judge blocks deportation of Boulder attacker’s family
A federal judge on Wednesday ordered the government to immediately halt deportation proceedings against the wife and five children of a man charged in the firebombing attack in Boulder, Colorado, responding to what the judge called an urgent situation to ensure the protection of the family's constitutional rights.
The Trump administration is working on a plan for time limits on rental aid
A housing agency rule would also allow work requirements. Supporters say a time limit would help spread limited funds to more people, but critics warn it would leave some homeless.
President Trump is attending the musical ‘Les Mis’ – why is this a big deal?
Since Trump abruptly ousted Kennedy Center leadership and became its board chair, artists have canceled shows and subscription sales are down.
A new satellite TV channel allows Alexei Navalny’s videos to reach Russian audiences
The Russia's Future channel, launched by Navalny's widow Yulia Navalnaya and Reporters Without Borders, began broadcasting Wednesday, on what would have been the late Russian activist's 49th birthday.
Darfur: bearing the brunt of over two years of civil war in Sudan
An attack on what would have been the first aid delivery to the beseiged city of El Fasher in over a year has dealt a major blow in the Darfur region. The assault comes as humanitarian groups warn that collapsing healthcare, unrelenting violence, and a paralyzed aid effort are pushing civilians to breaking point.
