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☆ Here’s why a SCOTUS ruling on social media rules matters to so many people
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

It’s obvious enough that the legislation would affect those social media giants, who are challenging the laws’ constitutionality through industry trade associations. But in scrutinizing the laws’ scope and First Amendment impacts, justices from both sides of the ideological spectrum worried Monday that the legislation’s effects could spill far beyond major social media platforms. “We’re talking about the classic social media platforms, but it looks to me like it could cover Uber. Social media applications are seen on an iPhone in this photo illustration taken on 10 November, 2023 in Warsaw, Poland. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty ImagesThat law permits social media users to try to sue platforms for violations.

Persons: CNN — Uber, —, Henry Whitaker, “, ”, Amy Coney Barrett, Sonia Sotomayor, Whitaker, Jaap Arriens, ” Whitaker, Sotomayor, Ketanji Brown Jackson, “ I’m, ” Jackson, Uber, Aaron Nielson, Barrett, ” Sotomayor, ” Nielson, ” Chris Marchese, ANDREW CABALLERO, REYNOLDS, Andrew Caballero, Reynolds, Neilson, ” Barrett, you’ve, Elena Kagan, you’re, Kagan Organizations: CNN, Facebook, YouTube, Web, LinkedIn, NetChoice Litigation, AFP, Getty, Texans, PayPal Locations: Texas, Florida, Warsaw, Poland, ” Texas, ”, Washington , DC, AFP, El Paso

Supporters of the state laws say they foster free speech, giving the public access to all points of view. One contrarian brief, from liberal professors, urged the justices to uphold the key provision of the Texas law despite the harm they said it would cause. “Social media platforms exercise editorial judgment that is inherently expressive,” Judge Kevin C. Newsom wrote for the panel. To the surprise of many, some prominent liberal professors filed a brief urging the justices to uphold a key provision of the Texas law. In the second case, Miami Herald v. Tornillo, the Supreme Court in 1974 struck down a Florida law that would have allowed politicians a “right to reply” to newspaper articles critical of them.

Persons: Samuel A, Alito Jr, ”, Scott Wilkens, Ron DeSantis, John Tully, Donald J, Trump, Greg Abbott of, —, Ken Paxton, “, Andrew S, Oldham, Kevin C, Newsom, Lawrence Lessig, Tim Wu of, Teachout, Mandel Ngan, Richard L, “ Florida’s, Moody, Paxton, Robins, William H, Rehnquist, Pat L, Tornillo, Warren E, Burger Organizations: Facebook, YouTube, Columbia University, Big Tech, The New York Times, Gov, Republican, Computer & Communications Industry, New York Times, Fox News, U.S ., Appeals, Fifth Circuit, ISIS, Harvard, Tim Wu of Columbia, Zephyr, Fordham, Twitter, Manchester Union, Citizens United, Agence France, University of California, Miami Herald, Florida, Representatives, Constitution Locations: Florida, Texas, Greg Abbott of Texas, Ukraine, Los Angeles, Campbell , Calif

☆ Supreme Court weighs free speech challenges to GOP-backed social media restrictions
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Lawrence Hurley | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A stop sign as seen on traffic light near a statue at the Supreme Court in Washington, DC, February 26, 2024 as Justices are set to make a decision on landmark cases over social media content moderation. WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday questioned laws in Florida and Texas that seek to impose restrictions on the ability of social media companies to moderate content based on the assumption that they disfavor conservative speech. Various other tech companies that routinely moderate user content oppose the laws, including Reddit, Discord and Yelp. After the first of two oral arguments concerning the Florida law, it appeared a majority of the justices had concerns that the measure violates the free speech rights of big social media companies by prohibiting them from limiting the speech of some problematic users. The arguments over Texas' law were ongoing Monday afternoon.

Persons: WASHINGTON —, Elena Kagan, Neil Gorsuch, Donald Trump Organizations: Facebook, YouTube, Computer and Communications Industry Association, Republican, Twitter, U.S, Capitol Locations: Washington , DC, WASHINGTON, Florida, Texas

Here are the key takeaways from the courtroom:How far does the First Amendment reach when it comes to social media? Online platforms engage in censorship when they silence certain users’ speech, the states argued to the court. In fact, the tech industry argued, government requirements that social media not moderate content would violate the platforms’ own First Amendment freedoms from government meddling. Section 230 features prominently in argumentsOne question kept coming up during the arguments, just as it has in lower courts: What these state laws could mean for Americans’ overall ability to sue social media companies over content moderation. The state laws explicitly allow users to sue tech platforms for alleged censorship.

Persons: Donald Trump, Samuel Alito, Biden, ” Alito, Brett Kavanaugh, ’, ” Kavanaugh, Elena Kagan, Elon Musk, ” Kagan, –, – that’s, Kagan, Uber, you’re, Amy Coney Barrett, ” Organizations: CNN, Meta, ”, X, Elon, YouTube, Communications Locations: Texas, Florida

☆ Supreme Court hears landmark cases that could upend what we see on social media
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

More than a dozen Republican attorneys general have argued to the court that social media should be treated like traditional utilities such as the landline telephone network. The tech industry, meanwhile, argues that social media companies have First Amendment rights to make editorial decisions about what to show. Whitaker said Florida’s law is limited by its definition of social media companies, which focuses on large platforms. “We’re talking about the classic social media platforms, but it looks to me like it could cover Uber. Whitaker said social media platforms had opaque algorithms that prevent users from fully understanding how content curation happens.

Persons: “, Blair Levin, ” Levin, Henry Whitaker, Sonia Sotomayor, Sotomayor, Whitaker, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Amy Coney Barrett, ” Barrett, Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh zeroed, Kavanaugh Organizations: Washington CNN, Facebook, YouTube, New, Research, LinkedIn, Web Locations: Texas, Florida

☆ US Supreme Court prepares to hear landmark social media cases
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-25 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Monday’s Supreme Court showdown in NetChoice v. Paxton and Moody v. NetChoice will determine whether states can forbid social media companies from blocking or removing user content that goes against platform rules. The Florida and Texas laws are broadly written, but officials from both states say the laws will keep social media sites from unfairly silencing conservatives. Social media platforms have insisted for years that they don’t discriminate against right-wing speech. It also allows individual social media users to sue platforms if they believe they have been unfairly censored or “deplatformed.”Florida Gov. The NetChoice cases reflect a deep divide in how many people see social media.

Persons: Paxton, Moody, Ron DeSantis, Florida’s, Carl Juste, Greg Abbott, Donald Trump, Biden, David Paul Morris, “, ”, ” David Greene Organizations: Washington CNN, Facebook, YouTube, Social, Gov, Florida Gov, Miami Herald, Texas ’, Circuit, Republican, Texas, Bloomberg, Getty, Frontier Foundation, EFF, CNN, Freedom, Press Locations: Texas, Florida, . Texas, NetChoice, Miami, Walnut Creek , California

☆ Lab-Made Meat? Florida Lawmakers Don’t Like the Sound of It.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Dionne Searcey | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Start-up companies around the world are competing to develop technologies for producing chicken, beef, salmon and other options without the need to raise and slaughter animals. Now, a measure in Florida that would ban sales of laboratory-grown meat has gained widespread attention beyond state borders. The bill, which is advancing through the Florida Legislature, would make the sale or manufacture of lab-grown meat a misdemeanor with a fine of $1,000. It’s one of a half-dozen similar measures in Arizona, Tennessee, West Virginia and elsewhere. Opponents of lab-grown meat include beef and poultry associations worried that laboratory-made hamburgers or chicken nuggets could cut into their business.

Organizations: Department of Agriculture, Florida Legislature Locations: China, United States, Florida, Arizona , Tennessee, West Virginia

☆ Rep. Matt Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend subpoenaed by House Ethics Committee and is expected to plead the Fifth later this month
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Paula Reid | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —The House Ethics Committee investigating Rep. Matt Gaetz has subpoenaed his ex-girlfriend who was a key witness in the federal investigation into the Florida lawmaker, according to her lawyer Tim Jansen. A spokesperson for the House Ethics Committee declined to comment on the matter. The ex-girlfriend was granted immunity in the federal criminal probe and testified before a grand jury in January 2022. That federal probe concluded in 2023 with no charges brought against the congressman. Gaetz has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, including ever having sex with a minor or paying for sex.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, Tim Jansen, Jansen, Gaetz Organizations: CNN, Capitol Hill, ABC News Locations: Florida

☆ Hundreds of Adobe employees protest the company moving its MAX conference to Florida. Ron DeSantis thinks it's a 'stunt.'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Eugene Kim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

A group of Adobe employees are upset over the company’s decision to host its MAX annual conference in Florida, citing the state’s “hostile” laws against marginalized groups. Earlier this month, more than 500 Adobe employees signed an internal petition demanding the company reconsider the location of the annual conference, scheduled to take place in Miami later this year. As company leaders reiterated their commitment to Miami for this year’s event, some Adobe employees took to the Slack channel to express their dismay. “I’m shocked and disappointed at the lack of consideration in that call,” one of the employees wrote in the internal Slack channel. "Adobe MAX is a celebration of our community and a platform to showcase the incredible impact that creativity has around the world.

Persons: ”, Shantanu Narayen, David Wadhwani, “, “ I’m, Ron DeSantis’s “, DeSantis, Jeremy Redfern, Ron DeSantis, Charlie Neibergall ‘, ’, Adobe’s, Erica Warren, ” Warren, Slack, Amy White, “ It’s, ” White Organizations: Adobe, Business, Disney, MAX, ”, AP, National Association for, Advancement of Colored People, Human Rights, Las, ” Adobe Locations: Florida, Miami, America, Los Angeles, London, Berlin, Tokyo, LA, San Diego, Las Vegas, ‘ Florida, “

Johnson isn't buying arguments from the bill's Republican backers that she didn't inspire the proposed change to a longstanding law. Republican state lawmakers who favor the ban have argued that winning twice often means abandoning the lower office, creating a costly special election. Johnson narrowly escaped expulsion last year for her role in a pro-gun control protest inside the Tennessee House chamber. Republican lawmakers are considering changes that target Jones and Pearson, too. In California, a judge ruled Republican state Assemblymember Vince Fong could run for Congress and reelection to his state seat at the same time.

Persons: Johnson, David Hawk, Republican Sen, Marsha Blackburn, “ That’s, Ron DeSantis, Rand Paul, Paul, Sen, Cory Booker, Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney's, Joe Lieberman, Al Gore's, Blackburn, Gloria Johnson, ”, Abigail Sigler, Blackburn's, she’s, Randy McNally, Justin Pearson, Justin Jones, Pearson, Jones, Vince Fong, State Shirley Weber, Marc Levy, Adam Beam, Sean Murphy, Amy Beth Hanson, John Hanna Organizations: Republican, National Conference of State Legislatures, Republican Gov, Republican U.S, Sen, Kentucky GOP, Democratic, Former U.S . Rep, statehouse, Covenant, Tennessee, Congress, State, Democrats, Associated Press Locations: Tennessee, Knoxville, Kentucky, Montana , Kansas, Oklahoma, Arizona , Florida, Hawaii, Georgia, Texas, Florida, New Jersey, Wisconsin, U.S, Connecticut, Washington, California, Pennsylvania, Harrisburg , Pennsylvania, Sacramento , California, Oklahoma City, Helena , Montana, Topeka , Kansas

☆ Court blocks Florida law barring Chinese citizens from owning property
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A U.S. appeals court has blocked Florida from enforcing a ban on Chinese citizens owning homes or land in the state against two Chinese nationals who were in the process of buying property when the law was adopted. Circuit Court of Appeals said on Thursday the individuals were likely to prevail on claims that Florida's ban violates a federal law governing real estate purchases by foreign nationals. A Florida federal judge in August had declined to block the law, prompting an appeal by the plaintiffs. Lawmakers in several Republican-led states including Texas, Louisiana and Alabama are considering similar restrictions on Chinese citizens owning property. It also bars most citizens of Cuba, Venezuela, Syria, Iran, Russia and North Korea from owning property near military installations and infrastructure such as power plants and airports.

Persons: Ashley Moody, Bethany Li, Li, Ron DeSantis Organizations: Circuit, Appeals, Republican, Constitution, Asian American Legal Defense, Education Fund, Republican Gov, Chinese Communist Party Locations: Miami , Florida, U.S, Florida, Atlanta, Texas , Louisiana, Alabama, China, Cuba, Venezuela, Syria, Iran, Russia, North Korea

☆ US Court Blocks Florida Law Barring Chinese Citizens From Owning Property
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Daniel Wiessner(Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court has blocked Florida from enforcing a ban on Chinese citizens owning homes or land in the state against two Chinese nationals who were in the process of buying property when the law was adopted. Circuit Court of Appeals said on Thursday the individuals were likely to prevail on claims that Florida's ban violates a federal law governing real estate purchases by foreign nationals. A Florida federal judge in August had declined to block the law, prompting an appeal by the plaintiffs. Lawmakers in several Republican-led states including Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama are considering similar restrictions on Chinese citizens owning property. It also bars most citizens of Cuba, Venezuela, Syria, Iran, Russia and North Korea from owning property near military installations and infrastructure such as power plants and airports.

Persons: Daniel Wiessner, Ashley Moody, Bethany Li, Li, Ron DeSantis, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Circuit, Appeals, Republican, Constitution, Asian American Legal Defense, Education Fund, Chinese Communist Party Locations: Florida, Atlanta, Texas , Louisiana, Alabama, China, Cuba, Venezuela, Syria, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Albany , New York

The hefty sum underscores the legal jeopardy Trump faces as he marches toward securing the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. The Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment on the legal spending. Trump’s campaign paid Atlanta attorney Steven Sadow $1.5 million in the second half of 2023. Campaign money was also used to pay attorneys who have represented co-defendants and potential witnesses in the Trump cases. The New York attorney general’s case against Trump centers on his business financial statements.

Persons: — Donald Trump’s, Eli Bartov, Bartov, Arthur Engoron, Trump, Richard Briffault, ” Briffault, he’s, Alina Habba, Jean Carroll, Carroll, “, ” Trump, schemed, Chris Kise, Foley, Lardner, Kise, Steven Sadow, Sadow, Brand, Walt Nauta, He’d, Engoron, he’d Organizations: WASHINGTON, New York University, Trump’s, New, Associated Press, Columbia Law School, White, Trump, America, New York, Continental, Atlanta, Brand Woodward Law, Save America Locations: New York, New Jersey, Carroll, York, Largo, Florida, Georgia, New York City, Washington, Trump’s, Lago

☆ House Ethics Committee reached out to Rep. Matt Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend amid ongoing investigation
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Paula Reid | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The House Ethics Committee investigating Rep. Matt Gaetz has reached out to an ex-girlfriend who was a key witness in the federal investigation into the Florida lawmaker, according to a source familiar with the ethics probe. Gaetz said in a statement to CNN that the Ethics Committee investigation is “payback” for Gaetz’s efforts to oust Kevin McCarthy, the former speaker of the house, and that he sees “through this sham and the American people will too.” The Ethics Committee declined to comment. That federal probe concluded in 2023 with no charges brought against the congressman. She is not expected to voluntarily cooperate with the Ethics probe. But McCarthy has repeatedly denounced those accusations and has said Gaetz worked to oust the former speaker because of the ethics probe.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, ” McCarthy, “, ”, Annie Grayer Organizations: GOP, Florida Republican, CNN, Capitol Hill, Justice Department Locations: Florida, California

☆ Moneyball-Plus: What Happens When Investors Treat Athletes Like Startups
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Joseph Bien-Kahn | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +27 min

What if athletes could sell a percentage of their future earnings to investors, the same way tech entrepreneurs offer a stake in their promising new ideas in return for venture capital? "We look at the game very, very differently than everyone else," Schwimer tells the pitcher. Finlete is launching a fund that allows fans to buy shares in a prospect's future earnings. What if you could sell a share of your future earnings, he asked, for $10,000? Today, he says, more than 80% of the players BLA has invested in are outside the league's top 300 prospects.

Persons: They're, Michael Schwimer, —, Schwimer, BLA, haven't, Fernando Tatis Jr, We've, it's, Daniil, David Liberman, Garrett Broshuis, he'd, He'd, Houdini, Christian Petersen, Erik Kratz, Kratz, Cole Hamels, Hamels, Sean M, Marvin Bush, George W, Bush, Paul DePodesta, bankroll BLA's, Bill Miller, Miller, HBO's, Michael, Jeff Bezos, Bezos, I'd, I'm, Steven Duncker, Goldman Sachs, Elly De La Cruz, Dylan Buell, phenom, Scott Boras, Yermín Mercedes, Francisco Mejía, countersue Mejia, Gervon Dexter, they're, Dexter, Wharton, He's, he'll, isn't, scoffing, he's Organizations: Philadelphia Phillies, Big League, San Diego Padres, Benchmark Capital, Sports, Wharton Sports Business, MLB, University of Virginia, Partners, Phillies, Getty, AAA, Arizona Fall League, Ritz Carlton, Cleveland Browns, Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, Big League Advance, Chicago Bears, University of Florida, Huntsman, NCAA Locations: Maryland, Philadelphia, United States, baseball's, Latin America, America, Dominican Republic, Cleveland, Florida

☆ A middle school has removed bathroom mirrors saying students were taking up to 9 breaks a day to film TikToks, according to local report
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Andrew Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewA North Carolina middle school has removed mirrors from its bathrooms, saying students were taking regular, lengthy breaks to make social media videos, according to local reports. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. An update sent to students' families last week, which was seen by Business Insider, read, "On average students visit the restroom 3 to 4 times a day. Since removing the mirrors, the school has seen a "drastic decrease" in students making restroom requests, according to the statement sent to parents. The middle school has also implemented a new "digital hall pass system" to help track the general whereabouts of students throughout the day.

Persons: —, Les Atkins, Atkins Organizations: Service, Business, CBS, Burlington School System, ABC Locations: Carolina, Alamance, Burlington, Florida

☆ A middle school reportedly removed bathroom mirrors after students were taking up to 9 breaks a day to film TikToks
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Andrew Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Persons: —, Les Atkins, Atkins Organizations: Service, Business, CBS, Burlington School System, ABC Locations: Carolina, Alamance, Burlington, Florida

☆ A Florida GOP leader was cleared of rape allegations. But he could still face charges that he illegally recorded the sexual encounter.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Terry Spencer | Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

However, police said the woman told investigators that she never consented to be video recorded and was unaware it had occurred. Court records show that his wife, Bridget Ziegler, told detectives the three had engaged in sex once more than a year ago. AdvertisementIt wasn't immediately clear what the conclusion of the rape investigation would mean for Ziegler's future with the state Republican Party. The woman told detectives that she and Ziegler have known each other for more than 20 years. AdvertisementIn a phone call, the woman told Ziegler that he had sexually assaulted her.

Persons: —, Christian Ziegler, Ziegler, Derek Byrd, Byrd, Mr, Bridget Ziegler, Ron DeSantis, DeSantis, couldn't, Marco Rubio, Rick Scott, Evan Power, Angela Cox, Cox Organizations: Service, Florida Republican Party, Business, The Sarasota Police Department, Police, Sarasota County, Attorney's Office, Prosecutors, Sarasota Police Department, State, State Attorney, Liberty, Gov, Walt Disney, Disney, Republican Party of Florida, Sens, Republican Party, GOP, Sarasota Police, Google Locations: Sarasota, Florida, Sarasota County, DeSantis, U.S

However, police said the woman told investigators that she never consented to be video recorded and was unaware it had occurred. Court records show that his wife, Bridget Ziegler, told detectives the three had engaged in sex once more than a year ago. The Republican Party of Florida ousted Ziegler earlier this month as police investigated the rape accusation against him. It wasn’t immediately clear what the conclusion of the rape investigation would mean for Ziegler’s future with the state Republican Party. In a phone call, the woman told Ziegler that he had sexually assaulted her.

Persons: Christian Ziegler, Ziegler, Derek Byrd, ”, ” Byrd, Sarasota Police Department ‘, Mr, Bridget Ziegler, Ron DeSantis, DeSantis, couldn’t, Marco Rubio, Rick Scott, Evan Power, Angela Cox, “ couldn’t, Cox, “ Organizations: Florida Republican Party, Sarasota Police Department, Police, Sarasota County, Attorney's Office, Prosecutors, State, State Attorney, Liberty, Gov, Walt Disney, Disney, Republican Party of Florida, Sens, Republican Party, GOP, Sarasota Police, Google Locations: Sarasota, Florida, Sarasota County, DeSantis, U.S, ”

☆ A wave of tenured professors leaving their highly coveted positions say the DeSantis administration is the reason they're leaving Florida
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

But the political climate has led some tenured university professors to leave the state, per The Times. But for a swath of liberal-leaning professors, many of them holding highly coveted tenured positions, they've felt increasingly out of place in the Sunshine State. University of Florida law professor Danaya C. Wright told The Times that several job candidates have pulled back their interest in moving to the state. "We have seen more people pull their applications, or just say, 'no, I'm not interested — it's Florida,'" she told the newspaper. AdvertisementChristopher Rufo, a conservative activist tapped by DeSantis to become a trustee of New College of Florida, hailed the faculty departures.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, —, they've, DeSantis, Neil H, Buchanan, Sarah Lynne, Lynne, Danaya, Wright, I'm, Christopher Rufo Organizations: Florida Gov, Times, Service, Sunshine State, Republican Gov, The New York Times, University of Florida College of Law, Florida Republicans, UF, Democratic, University of, University of Florida, The Times . University of Florida, New College of Florida, Florida Locations: Florida, Toronto

☆ Florida man charged with murder after missing woman’s body found in storage unit
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Raja Razek | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The estranged husband of a woman whose body was found in a storage unit in Orange County, Florida, has been charged with her murder, authorities said. Rucker’s family reported she left her home for “an unknown destination,” possibly with her estranged husband, Cory Hill, police said at the time. Florida law enforcement officials last month said her disappearance was being investigated as a homicide after her body was found in a storage unit registered to Hill. He was charged with four counts of attempted murder after allegedly shooting at a former girlfriend and her family on November 12, according to Orange County Sheriff John Mina. “Due to procedural rules, the State is limited to filing a Second-Degree Murder charge by Information prior to presenting the case to the Orange County Grand Jury,” the statement said.

Persons: Shakeira Yvonne Rucker, Rucker’s, Cory Hill, Shakeira Rucker, “, ” Cory, Orange County Sheriff John Mina, Ms, Rucker, “ Ms, ”, Mina, Hill, CNN’s Sarah Dewberry Organizations: CNN, Winter Springs Police Department, State Attorney, Ninth, Circuit, Orange County Sheriff, Prosecutors, Orange Locations: Orange County , Florida, Florida, “, Orange, Hill, Orange County, Apopka

An advertisement promotes Tesla Autopilot at a showroom of U.S. car manufacturer Tesla in Zurich, Switzerland March 28, 2018. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/ File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Tesla Inc FollowNov 21 (Reuters) - A Florida judge found "reasonable evidence" that Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk and other managers knew the automaker's vehicles had a defective Autopilot system but still allowed the cars to be driven unsafely, according to a ruling. The ruling is a setback for Tesla after the company won two product liability trials in California earlier this year over the Autopilot driver assistant system. Banner's attorney, Lake "Trey" Lytal III, said they are "extremely proud of this result based in the evidence of punitive conduct." The judge also cited a 2016 video showing a Tesla vehicle driving without human intervention as a way to market Autopilot.

Persons: Arnd, Elon Musk, Judge Reid Scott, Tesla, Stephen Banner's, Banner, Bryant Walker Smith, Smith, Scott, Banner's, Joshua Brown, Trey, Lytal, Dan Levine, Richard Chang, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Tesla, Palm, University of South, Thomson Locations: U.S, Zurich, Switzerland, Florida, Palm Beach County, California, Miami, University of South Carolina

☆ Supreme Court Refuses to Revive Florida Law Restricting Drag Shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Adam Liptak | More About Adam Liptak | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

The Supreme Court refused on Thursday to revive a Florida law that banned children from “adult live performances” such as drag shows. The court’s brief order gave no reasons, which is typical when the justices act on emergency applications, and a First Amendment challenge to the law will continue in the lower courts. Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr. and Neil M. Gorsuch dissented. Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, joined by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, issued a statement stressing that the court’s order was addressed to an issue unrelated to the constitutionality of the law. The order, he wrote, “indicates nothing about our view on whether Florida’s new law violates the First Amendment.”

Persons: Clarence Thomas, Samuel A, Alito Jr, Neil M, Gorsuch, Brett M, Kavanaugh, Justice Amy Coney Barrett, ” Organizations: Justice Locations: Florida

The suit - against DeSantis, a 2024 Republican presidential hopeful, and several state university system officials - seeks a preliminary injunction to a state order blocking SJP from receiving school funds and using campus facilities. At least two Florida universities - the University of Florida and the University of South Florida - have SJP chapters. Brandeis University has also banned SJP indefinitely, and Columbia University and George Washington University have suspended the group. The schools have cited the national organization's support for the Hamas attack and said their campus chapters violated school policies. Brian Hauss, senior staff attorney with the ACLU Speech, Privacy and Technology project and counsel in the case, said the student plaintiffs in the state university system were victims of "guilt by association" in this case.

Persons: Eduardo Munoz, Florida's, Ron DeSantis, SJP, George Washington, Florida Chancellor Ray Rodrigues, Brian Hauss, Hauss, Israel, Gabriella Borter, Colleen Jenkins, Howard Goller Organizations: Hamas, Columbia University, REUTERS, American Civil Liberties Union, Palestinian, Justice, University of Florida, University of South, U.S, ACLU, Brandeis University, George Washington University, Columbia, State University System, Florida, Technology, Students for Justice, Thomson Locations: Israel, Palestinian, New York, U.S, Florida’s, Palestine, Florida, University of South Florida, Gaza

☆ Supreme Court says Florida can’t enforce anti-drag law
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Ariane De Vogue | Devan Cole | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The Florida law that limits drag shows in the state will remain blocked, the Supreme Court said Thursday, dealing a blow to a key initiative championed by Republican Gov. Florida had asked the high court to narrow a lower court’s injunction that stopped the law from being enforced statewide. The 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals declined Florida’s emergency application for a stay of the district court’s injunction, triggering the state’s ask to the Supreme Court for relief. Since the district court temporarily blocked enforcement of the law, the restaurant has returned to normal operations. The challenge to the law continues at lower courts, and Steve Vladeck, CNN Supreme Court analyst and professor at the University of Texas School of Law, cautioned against drawing broader implications from Thursday’s order.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett, Ashley Moody, –, ”, ” Moody, Moody, Hamburger, Hamburger Mary’s, Steve Vladeck, Kavanaugh, Barrett, ” Vladeck, “ Organizations: CNN, Republican Gov, Conservative, University of Texas School of Law Locations: Florida, Ron DeSantis . Florida, ”, Orlando, “ Florida

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