Judge fines San Francisco public defender after finding him in contempt for refusing new cases

SAN FRANCISCO — A judge has fined San Francisco’s public defender $26,000 for ignoring a January order to stop rejecting cases — a pattern that critics say is straining the city’s justice system. Public Defender Mano Raju began declining to represent some defendants in new felony and misdemeanor cases last May, citing a crushing workload … Read more

Judge strikes down restrictive Pentagon press policy, finding it violates First Amendment

A federal judge has struck down some of the Defense Department’s strict controls on how journalists with access to the Pentagon are allowed to report — ending a policy that caused many news outlets to leave the Pentagon. U.S. District Judge Paul L. Friedman sided with the New York Times and a reporter at the … Read more

They have a nose for finding people. Bloodhounds and their low-tech sniffers help police track

FARGO, N.D. — The North Dakota Highway Patrol’s newest recruit has floppy ears, four legs and an amazing knack for finding people. Beau, a 12-week-old puppy, is joining a band of bloodhounds who are in demand for difficult cases across the upper Midwest. They trail missing children, people with dementia and criminal suspects. The agency … Read more

California woman shares struggle finding estrogen patch for menopause amid shortage, supply chain issues

A nationwide surge in demand for hormone replacement therapy is fueling shortages of estrogen patches, leaving some women scrambling to manage symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Since 2021, there has been a 72% increase in women using hormone replacement therapy, according to a study by Epic Research. Manufacturers of estradiol patches have struggled to keep … Read more

Finding the right pillow can help with acid reflux — here’s what experts recommend

If you’re one of the many people with acid reflux, then you know the irritation that comes with symptoms like heart burn and chest pain, and how much they affect everyday tasks like eating and sleeping. In fact, when you go to bed, you probably notice those symptoms become even more apparent, which is why … Read more

Russia is finding post-START arms control a harder, multipolar project

The Kremlin is at odds with the West over the war in Ukraine, Europe is in the midst of a rapid conventional rearmament campaign, and U.S. President Donald Trump is threatening to field more atomic weapons – and even revive the long-dormant practice of testing nuclear arms. So New START, the last nuclear arms control … Read more