Here are some important law-and-religion news stories from around the web:
- The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral argument in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, in which the 3rd Circuit upheld against 1st Amendment challenges the City of Philadelphia’s policy of refusing to contract with foster care agencies, such as Catholic Social Services, that will not place children with same-sex married couples.
- The 10th Circuit Court dismissed for lack of standing a mother’s lawsuit challenging Kansas’ vaccination law, which requires school children to be vaccinated, but allows religious exemptions.
- An Indiana federal district court refused to stay its final judgment pending appeal in a case challenging the annual display of a creche on the county courthouse lawn.
- Suit was filed in a Mississippi federal district court challenging the policy of a Mississippi elementary school that prohibits display of religious (as well as political and sexual) messages on masks worn during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- A New York federal district court refused to enjoin New York’s Cluster Action Initiative begun in early October that targets specific areas for enhanced COVID-19 restrictions.
- A Michigan federal district court dismissed, primarily for lack of standing, parents’ challenge to a school district’s policies that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.