By a 3-2 vote, the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission elected Timmons Group, a firm with a history of drawing districts that Democrats say disadvantaged Latino voters, as its mapping consultant. Read more»

A federal judge in Arizona on Thursday said she’ll deny a request from state Attorney General Mark Brnovich to issue a preliminary injunction prohibiting the federal government from enforcing a temporary pause on deportations. Read more»

The Department of Justice will distribute model “red flag” legislation to states so they can enact laws that would allow courts to temporarily remove a firearm from an individual who is distressed, according to senior Biden administration officials. Read more»

President Joe Biden claims the 10-year assault weapons ban that he helped shepherd through the Senate as part of the 1994 crime bill “brought down these mass killings.” But the raw numbers, when adjusted for population and other factors, aren’t so clear on that. There is, however, growing evidence that bans on large-capacity magazines, in particular, might reduce the number of those killed and injured in mass public shootings. Read more»

The government’s strategy of awarding contracts before acquiring titles to land in Texas has led to millions of dollars in costs for delays. Things could get even more complicated if President-elect Joe Biden stops border wall construction. Read more»

It was business as usual Monday on the Migrant Protection Protocols docket in federal immigration courts, and groups that work in them are raising concerns about the risk to migrants and court staff. Read more»

As Texas readies for a battle against the Department of Justice over the state’s voter ID law, Latinos — who opponents of the law say will be most affected — have the potential to increase the state’s voter rolls by more than 2 million people. Read more»

As the U.S. Supreme Court weighs whether to uphold certain provisions of SB 1070, a recent ruling has opened the door for opponents of the law to make new arguments against it no matter what the court rules. Read more»

Shares in the retailing behemoth Wal-Mart have continued to slide as the likelihood appears to grow that the company will face legal recompense for its alleged actions in Mexico. Read more»

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed criminal charges alleging that a former BP employee destroyed critical evidence in the early days of the Gulf oil spill. Read more»

A proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution would give victims the right to speak at any plea or sentencing hearing, to be given reasonable notice of the release or escape of the person who harmed them and to restitution. Read more» 1

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments this week in State of Arizona v. United States, which challenges the authority of a state to enact its own immigration enforcement laws. Read more»

Beer and wine wholesalers have pumped substantial cash into the campaigns of several American Legislative Exchange Council politicians who have sponsored voter ID bills in their states. Read more»

The Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple and five major book publishers Wednesday, alleging that they colluded over e-book pricing, according to The Washington Post. Read more»

If the Supreme Court gives its blessing to SB 1070, the nation will return to a time of deep division, likely cleaved once again along regional lines. Read more» 7