ACLU expresses disappointment with court decision on pregnant inmates

AFP

The ACLU of Virginia expressed disappointment with a federal court decision that dismissed a complaint filed by a pregnant inmate against the Rappahannock Regional Jail Authority. The plaintiff in the case, Tiarra Fain, claimed that jail officials violated her Eighth Amendment right against cruel and unusual punishment by keeping her restrained while she was in labor and after childbirth.

Longwood athletics scores high on APR report

Chris Graham

Longwood University Athletics stood out once again with several high quality scores in the most recent Academic Progress Rate (APR) report released by the NCAA. The multi-year APR is based on data submitted by every NCAA Division I member for the four-year period of inclusion for the 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 academic years.

U.S. Supreme Court invalidates patents on cancer genes

AFP

The U.S. Supreme Court handed down a unanimous decision today that invalidated patents on two genes associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. The decision came in response to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Public Patent Foundation on behalf of researchers, genetic counselors, patients, breast cancer and women’s health groups, and medical professional associations representing 150,000 geneticists, pathologists, and laboratory professionals.

Ralph Northam, Mark Herring win Democratic nominations

AFP

State Sens. Ralph Northam and Mark Herring will complete the Democratic Party ticket for the 2013 state elections. Northam, D-Norfolk, defeated Aneesh Chopra for the lieutenant governor nomination, with 54.3 percent of the more than 140,000 votes cast. Herring, D-Leesburg, won a tighter battle with former federal prosecutor Justin Fairfax for the attorney general nomination, with 51.6 percent of the votes going to Herring.

ACLU of Virginia marks 50th anniversary of Equal Pay Act

AFP

The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia marked the 50th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act today with a call for Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act. Passed in 1963, the Equal Pay Act was a landmark piece of anti-discrimination legislation meant to be a first step on the path toward gender pay equality, but since its enactment, loopholes and weak remedies have watered down its effectiveness.