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Texas SB4 is now in effect

Posted 7/19/26

Texas Border Wall – Under Trump (2025 – )

On 5/29/26 the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals lifted the injunction against Texas' SB4. case name: LML v. Martin

I've been following this case for a while and this is a big surprise to me as these cases tend to take several more years before they can go into effect if ever. This case will continue to play out in the courts, but for now, it is in effect.

TAGS: 5th circuit, border wall, texas

Marriage News

Oregon Court of Appeals hears oral arguments in Sweet Cakes by Melissa case
3/13/24 Oregon Court of Appeals hears oral arguments in Sweet Cakes by Melissa case on 1/30/24. The case revolves around the bakers refusal to make a custom cake celebrating a same sex wedding in 2013.

This is the third time that the case has been heard before the Oregon Court of Appeals.

03/02/17: The court ruled three months later that the Kleins must pay $135,000 for refusing to bake a cake for a same sex wedding. The U.S. Supreme Court later ordered the lower courts to rehear the case in . . . [more]

Cathy Miller wins in California Superior Court
10/23/22 On Friday, 10/21/22, California Superior Court Judge Eric Bradshaw ruled that DFEH was prohibited from compelling Cathy Miller to violate the 1st Amendment by forcing her to support something which she does not agree.

Worded differently, the law cannot be used to compel someone to say something that they do not want to say as this violates the 1st Amendment. ref, pdf

See also: Hot cases to watch part 3

Updates in three First Amendment cases
10/20/22 OREGON: Sweet Cakes by Melissa

07/12/22: BOLI declines to issue a new hearing and reduces the $135,000 fine to $30,000. ref

09/02/22: First Liberty appeals to U.S. Supreme Court. ref

COLORADO: Phillip's Masterpiece Cakeshop Autumn Scardina vs. Masterpiece Cakeshop and Jack Phillips

10/04/22: Colorado Court of Appeals hears oral arguments. Watch here or on youtube.

This is an update on the status of the third and ongoing case against Jack Phillips who has been active . . . [more]

Recent developments in three same sex marriage cases
2/5/22 OREGON: Sweet Cakes by Melissa

01/26/22: The Oregon Court of Appeals admits states that Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) acted with bias against the bakers' religion, however they sent the case back to BOLI to render further judgement against the Kleins.  The Kleins plan to appeal the decision to the Oregon Supreme Court next. ref

This is bad news for the Kleins and upsetting to hear.  The persecution against the Kleins for their Christian faith for the past 9 years needs . . . [more]

Colorado District Court rules against Jack Phillips
6/16/21
6/15/21: Colorado District Court rules that Jack Phillips violated Colorado's Anti Discrimination Act when he declined to make a custom cake that celebrated a gender transition. ref

ADF has said they will appeal the decision. ref  ADF says the Barronelle Stutzman is still pending appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court.

see also: Hot cases to watch part 3

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Social Issues

Texas SB4 is now in effect
7/19/26 Texas Border Wall – Under Trump (2025 – )

On 5/29/26 the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals lifted the injunction against Texas' SB4.  case name: LML v. Martin

I've been following this case for a while and this is a big surprise to me as these cases tend to take several more years before they can go into effect if ever.  This case will continue to play out in the courts, but for now, it is in effect.

The Body of the Last Israeli Hostage Has Been Recovered
1/26/26 The body of the last Israeli hostage, St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili has been returned to Israel today, 1/26/26.  This is the first time in 10 years that no hostages are in Gaza.

What's next?

Next is the complete disarmament of Hamas which is to take place immediately either voluntarily or by force.  If it is to be done by force, it won't be pretty, but it will happen.

Four Israeli hostages yet to be returned
11/9/25 Four deceased Israeli hostages and one Thai national, Sudthisak Rinthalak, remain in Gaza and are yet to be returned to their families.  Of the recently returned hostages, the most notable was Lt. Hadar Goldin who was held in Gaza for 11 years.

Meanwhile, the IDF continues to destroy Hamas infrastructure, weapons caches, and tunnels that are located in the Gaza territory that Israel now controls and has been taken from Gaza.  ref

It is unclear what will happen next.  Will the remaining 4 h . . . [more]

Operational Update on Gideon's Chariots
8/20/25 The IDF recently posted a useful progress report on Israel's Operation Gideon's Chariots as it begins the next stage of the fighting in the Gaza Strip called Operation Gideon's Chariots II in which the IDF will take over Gaza City which is no small undertaking.

Results of Operation Gideon's Chariots II:

The IDF has achieved operational control of about 75% of the Gaza Strip.

About 18.5 miles of terror tunnels have been destroyed.

Around 2,000 terrorists have been eliminated. . . . [more]

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