High court blocks it; attorney general threatens doctor, hospitals — A judge’s Dec. 7 decision allowing a Dallas-area woman and her doctor to proceed with an abortion was a welcome sign of rationality in a state with strict bans. The ruling, which only applies to this case, is the first of its kind since federal abortion rights ended June, 2022. …

Just doing their jobs, they are engaged in historic challenges — Three Black women — two prosecutors and a judge — are in unenviable positions to lead former president Donald Trump and this nation in lessons on democracy, accountability and the rule of law. New York Attorney General Letitia James, Atlanta-based District Attorney Fani Willis and U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan…

Apparently, it is no longer a priority for the country — America lifted 3 million children out of poverty during 2021 by increasing the child tax credit and sending it as monthly payouts. Parents spent it on child care, rent, utilities, food and school expenses, according to the Census. Unfortunately, it was temporary support. Lawmakers worried too much aid could lead…

Women still find ways to get help, support reproductive rights — Anti-abortionists are getting so frustrated that some are pushing cities and counties — at least 50 in Texas alone — to vote to prosecute those who drive women to states that allow reproductive rights. That state’s six-week abortion ban allows any citizen to sue a person or organization that aids…

DOJ, local and state officials need to get more aggressive — In June 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice created the Election Threats Task Force to better protect election workers — those in elected and appointed positions, as well as volunteers. This month, the task force announced it has charged 14 cases and secured nine convictions. That’s not good enough. Neither…

Texas school officials show how extreme right-wing has become — A clear case of how fog-brained the “anti-woke” movement can get: A Texas school board trustee objected to a poster showing joined hands of children of different races. A child was so “traumatized” by it that the parents insisted on relocation to another classroom, said Melissa Dungan, of Conroe County…

Some have shown courage to testify; party leaders must respond — Donald Trump’s indictment for various schemes to overturn his 2020 election loss will get distorted by allegations that Democrats, President Joe Biden and “the deep state” are unfairly trying to prevent his return to the presidency. Yet in reality, Republicans provided the details of Trump actions to the House Committee…

Suppressing citizen voices part of a national strategy — Ohio voters will go to the polls Aug. 8 to decide Issue 1 — if the state should raise approval of ballot measures from 50 percent to 60 percent of the vote, making it harder to amend the state constitution. Why hold a vote in the summer — contrary even…

Right-wing partisanship more apparent after recent term — Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is the ruthless strategist who deserves to be consided the father of the current super-conservative U.S. Supreme Court. While Senate majority leader, he stalled hearings of President Barack Obama’s nominee for almost a year until the election of President Trump and his choice of Justice…