The decision rejected a challenge from Texas voters that could have diluted the voting power of urban Democrats, to the benefit of rural Republicans. In Texas, and other states with large immigrant populations, urban districts include many more people who are too young, not yet citizens, in the country illegally or otherwise ineligible to vote. Civil rights groups said forcing states to change their method of constructing districts would have damaged Latino political influence.   read more

While SeaWorld's decision last month to end its orca breeding program delighted animal rights activists, it disappointed many marine scientists, who say they will gradually lose vital opportunities to learn things that could help killer whales in the wild. As SeaWorld's orca population dwindles, researchers will lose chances to collect health data and make other observations, such as drawing blood, measuring their heart rates and lung capacity, and documenting their diets and their growth.   read more

The Innocence Project, a legal group that advocates for the wrongfully convicted, examined 660 cases of prosecutorial error or misconduct in five states and found that only one prosecutor was disciplined. Convictions were thrown out in 133 of the cases. "There are almost no adequate systems in place to keep prosecutorial error and misconduct in check and, in fact, prosecutors are rarely held accountable even for intentional misconduct," according to the report.   read more

"There are countless issues that may be legitimately important to many customers, and the courts are not suited to determine which should occupy the limited surface area of a chocolate wrapper," Judge Spero wrote. More than 4,000 children work at forced-labor plantations in Ivory Coast to produce cocoa. Some children are sold by their parents to traffickers, while others are kidnapped. The children are threatened with beatings and forced to work long hours, according to the complaints.   read more

The aim of soda tax has been to reduce consumption of sugary drinks, said to cause increases in obesity and diabetes. But the message has been a tough political sell. Soda tax proposals, fought by the soda industry as nanny-state excess, have failed. This new soda tax pitch isn’t for the nanny state; it’s for the needy state. Governments are starting to think of soda taxes as the next sin tax — an untapped source of revenue that could help with other things.   read more

Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington are among the states with active "Fight for $15" efforts, and even economic experts who oppose the increased rate see it gaining momentum. "In the beginning, it looked impossible," said Alvin Major, a fast-food worker and leader of the Fight for $15 campaign. But now, "what happened in New York, in California, it's going to spread around the country."   read more

When the three officials who oversee the Texas Railroad Commission were searching for a new executive director, they turned to a former oil and gas executive. And when they needed a new chief lawyer, they selected a former coal company counsel. The moves typify a well-worn path from the oil and gas industry to the highest levels of the Commission. Many former agency employees are even advocating for companies they once regulated. Not surprisingly perhaps, the ties are mirrored in policy.   read more

The highest-ranking naval official charged in a bribery scandal has been sentenced to 46 months in prison for sharing classified information in return for prostitutes and luxury gifts. "[Dusek's] betrayal is the most distressing because the Navy placed so much trust, power and authority in his hands. This is a fitting sentence for a man who was so valuable that his conspirators labeled him their 'golden asset,'" said attorney Duffy. The judge said he "potentially jeopardized national security."   read more

The federal inquiry began in 2011 after allegations of police brutality and false arrests. Three years later, the Justice Dept issued a blistering 49-page report documenting findings including that 75% of pedestrian stops weren't justified and that minorities were stopped more often than whites. Additionally, the use of force by officers was underreported and revealed a pattern of theft of citizens’ property by officers in the narcotics, gangs and prisoner processing units.   read more

The North Carolina governor's race has suddenly become a referendum on discrimination. Both campaigns are already using the law in fundraising pleas, and their supporters are reminding the public of each candidate's stand. With litigation expected to last months during this presidential election year, the fight is sure to rage on through November, touching on cultural and economic disputes as well as the pocketbooks of the swing state's voters.   read more

Some of the country’s best-known corporations are nervously grappling with what role they should play at the Republican National Convention, given the likely nomination of Donald Trump, whose divisive candidacy has alienated many women, African-Americans and Hispanics. “I have talked to several people at companies who have said, ‘This year... we’re not going to sponsor any of the events going on,’” said Carla Eudy, a longtime Republican fundraising consultant.   read more

Many doctors in Utah and across the country worry that the requirement could increase the health risks to women by giving them unnecessary heavy sedation to protect a fetus from pain that it may or may not feel. Dr. Sean Esplin said anesthesia would need to go through the woman in order to reach the fetus. Doctors could give a woman general anesthesia, which would make her unconscious and likely require a breathing tube, or a heavy dose of narcotics.   read more

Mike Glasgow,says he asked district engineer Mike Prysby how often staffers would need to check the water for proper levels of phosphate, a chemical to prevent lead corrosion from the pipes. Prysby's response: "You don't need to monitor phosphate because you're not required to add it." Glasgow said he was taken aback by the remark; treating drinking water was routine practice. "That one meeting was the difference between this city being poisoned and not being poisoned," said Lee-Anne Walters.   read more

Parts of Oklahoma now match northern California for the nation's most shake prone. Overall, 7 million people live in areas where the risk has dramatically jumped for earthquakes caused by disposal of wastewater, a byproduct of drilling for oil and gas. In a first-of-its-kind effort, the U.S. Geological Survey on Monday released a map for risks of damaging quakes in the current year. Past efforts looked at 50-year risks and didn't include man-made quakes.   read more

Advertising by Ascension Health will urge veterans to call about Veterans Choice, the cornerstone of the VA overhaul. Vets are wary of proposals to privatize the VA health system and fear that draining off patients and dollars could hurt the VA. Ascension estimates its efforts could lead to 24,000 veterans a year getting care, helping the VA reduce its backlog of cases. Some veterans groups are skeptical, however, about whether Ascension can live up to its marketing.   read more

The FTC's action is the latest blow to VW, which also faces more than $20 billion in potential fines for violating U.S. clean air regulations. "For years Volkswagen's ads touted the company's 'Clean Diesel' cars even though it now appears Volkswagen rigged the cars with devices designed to defeat emissions tests," said FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez. "Our lawsuit seeks compensation for the consumers who bought affected cars based on Volkswagen's deceptive and unfair practices."   read more