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Inside MDC: A Year With Luigi Mangione Before Sentencing
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Texas lifts decades-old gun-tax limits on short-barrel firearms and silencers after court ruling
A federal judge’s order lifting the transfer and making taxes under the National Firearms Act on short-barrel firearms and silencers took effect in Texas after the Trump administration declined to file an emergency appeal. The change follows the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill that ended the NFA tax on these items, and its impact applies to states that joined the lawsuit; supporters call it a major Second Amendment win, while gun-control groups warn it could reduce public safety. The DOJ could still appeal within 60 days.
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Dallas birth sparks cross-state surrogacy rights showdown
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Texas hemp sector fights back against broad THC ban
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Anthony seeks fresh trial with new judge in Metcalf murder appeal
Karmelo Anthony’s lawyers filed motions in his appeal of the 2025 Frisco murder conviction, urging a do-over with a different judge on claims of public-access violations and that he was prevented from testifying; if granted, the case would move to new post-trial proceedings. Anthony, 19 at the time, was sentenced to 35 years for fatally stabbing Austin Metcalf, and his high-profile, pro bono defense team is seeking to overturn the verdict.
Utah prosecutors press case in Charlie Kirk killing as preliminary hearing proceeds
Prosecutors in Utah opened a five-day preliminary hearing to determine if Tyler Robinson should stand trial for the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, presenting what they call a confession note, admissions in texts, and a roommate’s video testimony, plus a police witness; ballistics tests remain inconclusive. Robinson has not entered a plea, the defense has unsuccessfully sought to block the death penalty, and the case has drawn national political attention given Kirk’s Turning Point USA ties and remarks from President Trump.
Louisiana Supreme Court pauses AG Murrill indictment amid grand-jury controversy
The Louisiana Supreme Court issued a stay halting Attorney General Liz Murrill’s indictment, blasting irregularities in the grand jury process and conflicts of interest surrounding the special prosecutor and the closed courthouse proceedings. The order pauses the 16-count charges and does not rule on the merits, as the court notes extraordinary procedural defects; the ruling comes amid a broader political feud between state officials and New Orleans leaders, with Murrill vowing to seek dismissal and Gov. Landry signaling a potential pardon if convicted.
TI and Tiny Lose Punitive Damages in OMG Girlz IP Trial
In the latest chapter of their multi-year IP battle with MGA Entertainment over the OMG Girlz name and likeness, TI and Tiny were not awarded any punitive damages, keeping their total recovery at $17.9 million in compensatory damages. The jury ruled MGA did not act with malice, after a prior verdict and court rulings had involved a separate, larger punitive damages dispute related to the L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. dolls and a 2024 $71.5 million verdict that was partially dismissed by a judge. The case continues to hinge on alleged misappropriation of the OMG Girlz brand.
Utah judge disciplines prosecutors for public remarks in Charlie Kirk murder case
A Utah judge held Deputy Utah County Attorney Christopher Ballard in contempt for public comments to the media about the Charlie Kirk murder case, saying the remarks violated a publicity order; the death penalty was not removed as a sanction, with the judge suggesting juror screening rather than punitive punishment to address potential prejudice amid disputed ballistics evidence and misinformation.
SCOTUS blocks Rastafarian inmate's bid to sue over shaved dreadlocks
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a Rastafarian inmate cannot sue prison staff for religious-liberty violations under RLUIPA, holding that individual employees aren’t liable under the statute because they did not consent to be subject to it; the decision upholds a lower-court ruling that prisoners cannot seek monetary damages from staff even when rights are violated, with dissents arguing RLUIPA should protect prisoners’ rights against officials.
Supreme Court expands gun rights to marijuana users in unanimous ruling
In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the federal ban on gun ownership by individuals who illegally use drugs violates the Second Amendment, siding with Ali Danial Hemani, a Texas man who challenged the law; the ruling signals a broader expansion of gun rights amid evolving cannabis laws.
Two Convicted in UK PM-Targeting Arson Plot Tied to Suspected Russian Handler
A London court convicted Ukrainian Roman Lavrynovych and Romanian Stanislav Carpiuc of conspiracy to commit arson for five attacks on properties linked to Prime Minister Keir Starmer; a third man, Petro Pochynok, was acquitted. Prosecutors said Lavrynovych acted for about $4,000 in cryptocurrency at the direction of a Russian-speaking online handler named El Money, who sought to cause unrest. There is no proven link to an official Russian state, though a BBC investigation linked the act to a broader Russian sabotage campaign, which Russia denies.
Court Blocks Most of Texas SB4 as Immigration Law Nears Activation
A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking four core provisions of Texas Senate Bill 4, delaying most of the 2023 immigration law just before it was set to take effect, while allowing the provision permitting police to arrest people suspected of illegal entry to proceed. Civil rights groups argued the measures infringe on federal immigration authority and could lead to racial profiling, while Texas officials contend SB4 mirrors federal policy and defends state borders; the ruling follows prior appellate actions and ongoing litigation over the law.
Texas Supreme Court Narrows Abbott’s Bid to Oust Wu Over Redistricting Quorum
The Texas Supreme Court rejected Gov. Greg Abbott’s effort to remove Rep. Gene Wu for his role in a quorum-break over a mid-decade redistricting map, ruling the Legislature could restore a quorum without court intervention and leaving the door open to future judicial involvement only if internal remedies fail.