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Federal Judge Dismisses DOJ Lawsuit Challenging California's Transgender Athlete Policies

Federal Judge Dismisses DOJ Lawsuit Challenging California's Transgender Athlete Policies

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Justice Department that challenged California's policies allowing transgender athletes to compete on school sports teams aligning with their gender identity. U.S. District Judge Cynthia Valenzuela ruled that a recent Supreme Court decision, which permitted states to limit girls' sports to biological females, did not render more inclusive policies illegal or compel California to alter its existing regulations. The Justice Department had argued that Title IX, a 1972 federal law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs, required sports eligibility and facilities access to be based on biological sex, not gender identity. However, Judge Valenzuela found that Title IX does not mandate such an exclusion and that the Supreme Court's ruling did not require every school to adopt the same rule. The Justice Department had threatened to cut $44.3 billion in federal funding from the California Department of Education if the stat...

Ventura County Star, Camarillo

California rocket launches are booming. How you can shape what's next

California rocket launches are booming. How you can shape what's next

Want a say in the future of rocket launches in California and across the US? Here's how you can weigh in on the Trump administration's objectives.

Immigrant rights group seeks to block use of federal databases it says could purge legal voters

Immigrant rights group seeks to block use of federal databases it says could purge legal voters

An immigrant rights group has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to block the Department of Homeland Security from using federal databases that the group alleges are being used to target naturalized citizens who are eligible to register to vote

The Latest: ICE officer charged with lying about shooting of Venezuelan man, AP source says

The Latest: ICE officer charged with lying about shooting of Venezuelan man, AP source says

According to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity, federal prosecutors have charged a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer with lying to investigators about the events leading up to the nonfatal shooting of a Venezuelan man during the Minneapolis immigration crackdown earlier this year

US judge bars EPA effort to send California vehicle emissions rules to Congress

US judge bars EPA effort to send California vehicle emissions rules to Congress

By David Shepardson WASHINGTON, Sept 2 (Reuters) - A judge in Washington on Wednesday blocked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from sending landmark California vehicle emissions rules for a potential repeal to the Republican-controlled Congress.

California Attorney General and Energy Commission Challenge Trump Administration's Offshore Wind Lease Buyout

California Attorney General and Energy Commission Challenge Trump Administration's Offshore Wind Lease Buyout

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the California Energy Commission (CEC) have issued a Notice of Intent to Sue the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and RWE U.S. Offshore. This action challenges an agreement where the DOI would reallocate $1.22 billion in federal taxpayer dollars to RWE to cancel three offshore wind energy leases off the coasts of California, Louisiana, and New York. In exchange, RWE would be required to invest the same amount in out-of-state fossil-fuel projects. Attorney General Bonta and CEC Chair David Hochschild assert that this agreement is an unlawful attempt by the Trump administration to undermine California's offshore wind energy development and divert public funds to fossil fuel projects, some reportedly linked to President Trump's donors. California has invested over $100 million in its offshore wind infrastructure and aims to develop 25 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2045.

Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Review Military Policy on Transgender Service Members

Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Review Military Policy on Transgender Service Members

The Trump administration has formally requested the U.S. Supreme Court to assess the legality of its policy that effectively restricts transgender-identifying individuals from serving in the military. The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a petition asking the high court to determine if the War Department’s rule, which generally disqualifies individuals with gender dysphoria, a history of the condition, or related interventions, violates the equal-protection component of the Fifth Amendment’s due process clause. This policy stems from a February 2025 Pentagon memo, which itself was a directive to comply with President Trump’s January 2025 executive order. That order mandated War Secretary Pete Hegseth to revise military policy regarding gender dysphoric individuals within 60 days. The request to the Supreme Court follows a series of legal challenges, including a preliminary injunction issued by D.C. District Judge Ana Reyes in March 2025, which was later partially upheld by a D.C. Circuit panel in June 202...

Justice Department sues Kansas school system over policies on transgender students

Justice Department sues Kansas school system over policies on transgender students

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the school system in Kansas City, Kansas, over its policies on transgender students

Chevron expanding in Venezuela as Trump deal claims more oil reserves

Chevron expanding in Venezuela as Trump deal claims more oil reserves

Oil giant Chevron is expanding its operations in Venezuela as some details emerge about President Donald Trump's separate deal for a U.S.-controlled joint venture to develop more of the nation's proven reserves

Rob Bonta’s Dogged Pursuit of Paramount Case Reflects Broader Mission: ‘I Believe in Fairness’

Rob Bonta’s Dogged Pursuit of Paramount Case Reflects Broader Mission: ‘I Believe in Fairness’

Rob Bonta was less than a year into the job of California attorney general when he found himself at odds with one of the state’s most affluent communities. To get around a requirement to build more housing, Woodside had declared that the entire town was a mountain lion habitat. Bonta fired off a letter accusing […]

Department of Justice Blocks New York's Climate Superfund Act, Citing Unconstitutionality

Department of Justice Blocks New York's Climate Superfund Act, Citing Unconstitutionality

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York has ruled against the State of New York's 'Climate Change Superfund Act,' preventing its enforcement. This act, enacted in 2024, aimed to impose billions of dollars in liability on domestic and foreign energy companies involved in fossil fuel extraction or crude oil refining for their alleged contributions to global greenhouse gas emissions. A coalition of states and trade organizations challenged the law, arguing it was preempted by the federal Clean Air Act and federal foreign affairs power, and violated the U.S. Constitution. The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a statement of interest and presented oral arguments supporting the plaintiffs, aligning with President Trump's directive to protect American energy from state overreach. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Energy and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) stated that the law would have expropriated $75 billion from energy companies, defy...

Ventura County Star, Camarillo

SpaceX rocket launch to light up California skies tonight

SpaceX rocket launch to light up California skies tonight

Get ready, California: SpaceX is planning the first rocket launch of September late tonight at the Vandenberg Space Force Base.