US Supreme Court won't take challenge to Montana campaign finance law

Montana Public Radio: "Montana's 2015 campaign finance law survived its biggest test Tuesday. The U.S. Supreme Court, without comment, declined to take up a case challenging the state's Disclose Act."

Minn.: Appeals Court orders name change for sex offender

Mankato Free Press: "A patient at the Minnesota Sex Offender Program who was born a man but identifies as female should have been granted a name change, state appellate judges have decided."

North Dakota judicial budget moves ahead without requested judgeship

Bismarck Tribune: "North Dakota House lawmakers approved the state's judicial budget on Monday, but without a new judgeship requested for the district that includes Burleigh and Morton counties."

U.S.: Justice Ginsburg appears strong in first appearance at Supreme Court this year

MPR News: "Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg - the oldest, tiniest and possibly most well-known justice - returned to her perch on the bench Tuesday, asking questions in a firm and strong voice."

Pamela Alexander, first black woman judge in MN, sees gaps and opportunities

MPR News: "Retired Hennepin County Judge Pamela Alexander, 66, is a fourth-generation Minnesotan and the first black female judge in Minnesota. Her interest in law was sparked at a young age when she witnessed the rape of her best friend and testified in court."

S.D.: Lawyers giving free legal advice to veterans this week

KSFY News: "The State Bar of South Dakota and the USD School of Law are teaming up this week to host a two-day legal clinic for veterans. The event will be held at the American Legion in Watertown on Thursday and at the Sioux Falls Disabled American Veterans on Friday."

Job Announcement

A job announcement for a Case Aide for the Juvenile Court at multiple locations in N.D. has been posted.

U.S. Supreme Court opinions: Feb. 20

The United States Supreme Court has issued opinions in a case involving state taxation of federal pension benefits and in a case on whether the excessive fines clause of the Eighth Amendment applies to civil forfeitures by states.

Ernst to give lecture on Mayflower Compact Feb. 27

UND News Release: "Julia Ernst, School of Law, will present the next Faculty Lecture, 'The Mayflower Compact and the U.S. Constitution,' at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, in the Memorial Union Lecture Bowl."

Study shows just how violent Bakken became as oil drilling surged in North Dakota, Montana

Fargo Forum: "The notion that crime boomed in the Bakken as oil development took off is nothing new. But a study released this month by the Bureau of Justice Statistics offers a detailed look at the spike in Oil Patch violence."