Kalamzoo Shooting: 5 things we know

A press conference was held by the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor to announce what is known about the Kalamazoo County shooter, Jason Dalton.

Article here (via mlive)

From the article:

Here's what we know about Dalton:
• The father of two children, Dalton has been married since 1995.
• Neighbors said Dalton was an insurance adjuster.
• There is no known criminal history or mental illness, authorities said.
• Dalton was an Uber driver, apparently taking fares between shootings.
• He was a "car-guy" who liked to tinker with old vehicles.

Possible Supreme Court nominees - to replace Justice Scalia

My thought was that President Obama would have announced a few nominees at this point. Since the weekend is a slow news time, I assumed he was waiting for Monday or Tuesday to announce with a press conference.

But he hasn't yet.

No matter, I am sure he has a short list waiting to be announced to the public (if I were Prez, I'd have a list for appointments ready to go for lots of positions as the number one rule in Political Science is that "people die.")

This article (via ABA Journal) covers who might be nominated.

"To Kill a Mockingbird" to be adapted for Broadway (the Consider this Fair Warning department)

Scott Rudin, producer,  said the Atticus Finch in the Broadway play will be the principled character in Mockingbird, rather than the racist man portrayed in Harper Lee’s novel released last year, Go Set a Watchman.

Writer Aaron Sorkin, however, will take some liberties with Mockingbird by including new dialogue and scenes that aren’t fully depicted in the book.

 le Sigh!

Article here (via aba journal).

In case you missed it: Supreme Court Justice Scalia has died

Justice Antonin Scalia, an influential advocate for an originalist view of the Constitution, died on Saturday at the age of 79.

The New York Times describes Scalia as “leader of a conservative intellectual renaissance” due to his “transformative legal theories, vivid writing and outsize personality.” He was nearing his 30th year on the court and was its longest serving current member, the National Law Journal (sub. req.) reports.

Article here (via aba journal). 

Flint water: Link to miscarriages?

Has the lead levels in water been responsible for higher level of miscarriages?

Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, of Flint's Hurley Medical Center, and the state Department of Health and Human Services confirmed their work researching a link between lead and miscarriages is already underway, but each said it is premature to draw any conclusions.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says too much lead in a pregnant woman's body puts her at risk for miscarriage, as well as increasing the risk of a baby to be born too early or too small.
That's because lead can cross the placental barrier, exposing both mother and unborn child to the toxin.

Article here (via mlive). 

Michigan lawmaker leads "hate group," says Southern Poverty Law Center

A civil rights group based in Alabama is calling an organization led in Michigan by state Rep. Gary Glenn a "hate group" once again.

Article here (via mlive).

The accusation targeting the American Family Association is part of a new report by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Glenn, (R- Larkin Township) who represents parts of Midland and Bay counties, declined to comment on the group's accusation. He is a freshman in the Michigan house of Representatives, and has long served as president of the American Family Association, which is based in Mississippi.

Lawsuit claims "scarlet letter" passports for sex offenders are unconstitutional

A bill that President Obama signed into law on Monday requires that passports used by registered sex offenders carry a "conspicuous" mark to ensure the bearers are properly scrutinized, shunned, harassed, and stigmatized wherever they might travel.

A federal lawsuit filed yesterday in San Francisco argues that the so-called International Megan's Law (IML), which passed both houses of Congress on voice votes without any real debate, violates the First Amendment, the Fifth Amendment, and the Ex Post Facto Clause.

Article here.