NewsLinks is a collection of recent news items relating primarily to the California judicial branch. NewsLinks does not verify or endorse the accuracy or fairness of the news items, and the views expressed in opinions, editorials, and commentaries are those of the writers only. Some news articles linked from this page may require a subscription or be behind a paywall.

NewsLinks

  • California Supreme Court strikes down Huntington Beach voter ID law

    San Francisco Chronicle
    January 28, 2026

    The California Supreme Court refused Wednesday to allow a city to require voters to show photo identification at the polls, striking down a law that had taken effect after the city’s voters approved it nearly two years ago. But the issue may soon be before voters statewide.

    Related: Office of Attorney General Rob Bonta

  • California Supreme Court Lets Decision Stand Scrubbing Hastings' Name From UC Law School

    The Recorder
    January 28, 2026

    (Subscription required) The court without comment let stand a First District Court of Appeal ruling last year that rejected claims by alumni and descendants of namesake Serranus Hastings that the Legislature and the school’s board of directors had no authority to remove Hastings’ name. The unanimous appellate panel also found that the state was not bound by an 1878 law requiring the school to provide a seat on the board to the Hastings family in perpetuity.

  • Judicial Profile: Santa Clara County Judge Julia Alloggiamento

    Daily Journal
    January 29, 2026

    (Subscription required) In an era when skepticism of the judiciary is peaking as politicians and interest groups criticize the basis and fairness of court decisions, Santa Clara County Judge Julia Alloggiamento pushes hard the other way.

  • Bellwether trial set in federal social media addiction litigation

    Daily Journal
    January 29, 2026

    (Subscription required) School districts claim Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube and their parent companies included features in their platforms they knew would lead children to become addicted.

  • Judicial Profile: Los Angeles County Judge Sally Espinoza

    Daily Journal
    January 28, 2026

    (Subscription required) From interpreter to judge, Sally Espinoza's focus is understanding in the courtroom.

  • No Copyrights for AI Works, US Government Tells Supreme Court

    National Law Journal
    January 27, 2026

    (Subscription required) "[U]nder the Copyright Act, only a human being can be the 'author' of a copyrightable work," U.S. Solicitor General D.

  • Judicial Profile: Sacramento County Judge Myrlys Stockdale Coleman

    Daily Journal
    January 27, 2026

    (Subscription required) Even after reaching the bench, Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Myrlys Stockdale Coleman continues to reinvent herself- teaching law, studying criminal practice and selling stock photography online. 

  • ByteDance settles minors' social media addiction case

    Daily Journal
    January 27, 2026

    (Subscription required) On the night before the jury selection began Tuesday in the first minors' social media addiction trial in Los Angeles, ByteDance for Tik Tok defendants settled on undisclosed terms, a plaintiffs' attorney said. It is the second settlement in the case in the past week as Snap Inc. reached an undisclosed agreement with a teen identified as K.G.M. days before a final status conference Monday.