Oregon's ban on same-sex marriage has been declared unconstitutional following a decision by a federal appeals judge. The judge heard a case centered on a Portland woman who claims she was denied health care benefits for her spouse, a woman whom she married in Canada. The judge found that the woman’s sexual orientation was the only reason she was denied benefits for her wife and categorized the state's action as discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Court rules against environmentalists in Oregon cattle grazing issue
The 9th U.S. Circuit Appeals Court will not grant a requested injunction that would prohibit livestock owners from allowing their cattle to graze on a 500,000 acre stretch of public land in Oregon, rejecting an environmentalist group's claims that the practice is responsible for spreading disease to a type of bird that inhabits the area. The decision marks a victory for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, which oversees the land, against the Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA) after multiple appeals. It is unclear whether the ONDA plans to continue pursuing civil litigation in order to prevent the grazing.
Oregon activists ordered to stop attacks on whalers
A three-person judge panel has ordered the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society to stop attacking Japanese whalers in the Antarctic and reinforced an injunction requiring the group to remain 500 yards away from the whalers' ships at all times. The activist group, which is registered in Oregon, is known for harassing whalers in attempt to disrupt the international whaling industry, leading to a civil litigation from a group of Japanese plaintiffs and their Oregon-based attorney.
Supreme Court prepares for important environmental decision
After several appeals, a lawsuit facing the Oregon Department of Forestry has prompted the U.S. Supreme Court to consider an environmental rule that could have a tremendous impact on logging operations in the state and elsewhere. The nation's highest court is set to determine how the Environmental Protection Agency classifies muddy runoff from logging road, possibly creating massive changes to regulations that have applied to the industry for over three decades.
No-fly list lawsuit headed back to district court
In 2010, a lawsuit was filed against the FBI on behalf of 15 Muslim men who arbitrarily were placed on a secret no-fly list. Their presence on this list means that, due to suspected terrorist affiliations, they are not allowed to fly in U.S. airspace. If they want to go visit their relatives abroad, they must take a boat.
Protestors win appeal in federal court in Oregon
A group of protesters looking to make their message known in Oregon in 2004 were recently successful with their efforts in a federal appeals court. With the win, the protestors can move forward with their civil litigation against members of the Secret Service.
Federal appeals court shoots down wolf advocates
A conservation group that raised litigation in efforts to protect the livelihood of wolves throughout the Northern Rockies was turned back when a federal appeals court shot down its lawsuit recently. The move was made to cease the hunting of these animals, located in areas that included portions of eastern Oregon, among other northwestern states.
Court reintroduces Oregon shooting case to court
A federal appeals court has overturned a decision made by a judge in a U.S. District Court ruling that the case of an Oregon teenager shot by local police be thrown out. The civil litigation has been reintroduced into a district court in Portland where a jury will decide who was at fault.
