The launch of SCOTUStoday on SCOTUSblog has entered its second month, providing daily insights into the workings of the U.S. Supreme Court. Readers are encouraged to provide feedback regarding the platform’s content and structure, which includes sections like Morning Reads, SCOTUS Quick Hits, and Closer Look. Input from the legal community is sought on topics ranging from the length of article descriptions to desired court-related event coverage. SCOTUStoday continues to be an essential resource for keeping up to date with the High Court’s activities.
Among the issues currently under the Supreme Court’s purview is the reassessment of historical precedents in light of contemporary legal challenges. For example, a two-century-old precedent, Martin v. Mott, is being revisited as the Court deliberates on the Trump administration’s request to deploy the National Guard in Illinois. The precedent vests the President with exclusive authority to decide on state militia exigencies—a point of contention in contemporary legal debates.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor recently voiced her concerns about the current state of American politics during a speaking engagement at the University of Vermont. As reported by VTDigger, she urged vigilance against fundament shifts in the republican government amid political uncertainty and emphasized the value of dissenting opinions in highlighting legal ambiguities.
Corporate legal battles continue to unfold in the judiciary. In a case with significant implications for climate change litigation, oil companies Suncor Energy and Exxon Mobil are petitioning the Court following tort claims by cities regarding greenhouse-gas emissions. The National Review highlights this ongoing legal struggle, as the companies argue that states can’t grant relief for injuries from out-of-state pollution.
Additionally, Purdue Pharma’s proposed $7.4 billion settlement over opioid-related claims received overwhelming creditor support, as noted by Reuters. This comes after last year’s Supreme Court action blocking a previous plan over accountability concerns involving the Sackler family.
On matters of technological regulation, Google has been given an additional week to implement changes to its in-app purchase rules after an agreement with Epic Games, awaiting compliance by October 29, as reported by The Verge.
As election-related concerns reach the Court’s docket, the case of Bost v. Illinois State Board of Elections questions the standing of federal candidates challenging state election rules. The Court’s decision, expected by mid-2024, may set pivotal precedents for electoral law. Further discussion on this topic is available on SCOTUSblog.
The ongoing deliberation of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration facing legal challenges also raises substantial questions about presidential authority in trade, with small businesses and states pressing the Court to uphold rulings against such tariffs. Amy Howe provides a detailed analysis of these arguments on SCOTUSblog.