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

  • C.A. Affirms Dismissal of School Districts’ Social Media Suits

    Metropolitan News-Enterprise
    November 9, 2026

    Div. Two of this district’s Court of Appeal has affirmed a defense judgment entered in favor of Meta Platforms Inc. and a slew of other social media companies after San Diego Unified School District, and three other out-of-state educational systems, filed complaints alleging that the companies’ platforms utilized addictive design features that have led to a mental health crisis among students, draining the educational institutions’ resources.

  • ‘Family is not defined by shared DNA’: 10 adoptions celebrated in San Francisco

    Local News Matters
    November 6, 2026

    While thousands celebrated the Golden State Valkyries during a parade in San Francisco on Wednesday, another celebration was taking place at the Civic Center Courthouse as 10 children were adopted. The family court rotunda was alive with laughter, children squealing, food, balloons and a festive dragon draped along the ceiling as more than 100 family members and friends waited for their time in the courtroom, where Juvenile Court Judge Roger Chan would finalize the adoptions.

  • Gov. Newsom Names Trump-Ousted Federal Prosecutor to Sacramento Judgeship

    The Recorder
    November 5, 2026

    (Subscription required) Michele Beckwith, the acting U.S. attorney ousted last year after running afoul of the Trump administration, has been named a judge of the Sacramento County Superior Court.

    Related: The Sacramento Bee, Metropolitan News-Enterprise, San Francisco Chronicle

  • 'The Pitt' must face claims it violated 'ER' spinoff agreement, court rules

    Daily Journal
    November 5, 2026

    (Subscription required) A state appeals court ruled Warner Bros. Television must defend claims that "The Pitt" is a derivative of "ER," allowing Michael Crichton's widow to pursue breach-of-contract and implied covenant claims while dismissing interference claims against the show's producers and star Noah Wyle.

    Related: Associated Press