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A display table promoted the Satanic Temple’s after-school Satan clubs, an alternative to traditional religious clubs, at the Temple's Boston conference on April 28, 2023. Thomas F. Harrison / Courthouse News Service
Seventh Circuit sours on Satanic Temple’s challenge
By DAVID WELLS, Contributing Writer
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (CN)—A three-judge panel of the Seventh Circuit seemed unimpressed with the Satanic Temple’s challenge to Indiana abortion law during oral arguments held at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law on Thursday, Oct. 24.
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The Satanic Temple, an organization whose mission statement includes championing benevolence and empathy, asked the panel to reverse a lower court ruling that found the group lacked standing to challenge Indiana’s near-total abortion ban.
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The law, which Indiana’s Supreme Court has upheld, criminalizes the medical procedure except when the mother’s health is at serious risk, when a lethal fetal anomaly is present, or in cases of rape or incest. The Satanic Temple argues that the organization’s goal of providing telemedicine abortion care, including abortion drugs sometimes referred to as abortifacients, is unfairly blocked by Indiana’s law.
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James Mac Naughton, the New Jersey-based attorney representing the group, said: “When the appellants filed this lawsuit, they had a very specific and concrete intention to provide abortifacients to its members nationwide. As I stand here before the court today, it has implemented that plan.”
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US Circuit Judge Frank Easterbrook, a Ronald Reagan appointee, immediately interrupted to ask the question that would dominate most of the roughly 30-minute hearing about Indiana's law.
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“If a federal court were to hold that law unconstitutional, would that provide any relief at all to the Satanic Temple? Easterbrook said.
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Mac Naughton replied: “It would be able to provide abortifacients to its members in Indiana.”
Easterbrook responded, "No, they would not. There are other statutes on the books in Indiana requiring these drugs to be approved personally by a physician after at least one in-person visit.”
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The back-and-forth continued, with Mac Naughton saying the Satanic Temple is only asking the panel for relief from the threat of criminal prosecution. As to civil penalties or sanctions, the organization will “cross that bridge when we get to it," he said.
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The judges tried to clarify how blocking the challenged law would provide any benefit, as other laws would still prevent abortion care via telemedicine.
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“You are not saying anything relevant, that’s my problem,” Easterbrook said. “I’ll let you go on, but you have to understand that unless you can answer the question as I pose it, you have no hope.”
US Circuit Judge Thomas Kirsch, a Donald Trump appointee, asked Mac Naughton about the group's original claims in its complaint that the Indiana abortion law violated members' religious freedoms. Mac Naughton said the organization was no longer pressing that argument.
Indiana Deputy Solicitor General Jenna Lorence reiterated the state’s position that the organization lacks the right to challenge the law.
“Plaintiffs bear the burden of showing that they have standing at every stage of a case. The Satanic Temple has failed to do that here, despite opportunities to do so,” Lorence said.
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She echoed the judges' statements that even if the Satanic Temple was granted relief in the case, other laws would still prevent them from administering telemedicine abortion care to Indiana residents.
Joining the panel was US Circuit Judge Doris Pryor, a Joe Biden appointee.
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The judges did not indicate when they would issue a ruling.
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Categories / Appeals, First Amendment, Health
Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley, who died Aug. 16, 1977.
Missouri woman charged with plot to steal Graceland
Prosecutors say Lisa Jeanine Findley falsely claimed that Elvis Presley's daughter borrowed $3.8 million, used the singer's iconic mansion as collateral and then failed to repay the debt.
By JOE HARRIS, Contributing Writer
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​ST. LOUIS (CN) — A Missouri woman was arrested Friday on federal charges after authorities say she tried to defraud Elvis Presley’s family out of millions.
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As part of the scheme, authorities say the woman tried to take ownership of Presley's former home: the iconic Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tennessee.
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Lisa Jeanine Findley, 53, has been charged with aggravated identity theft and mail fraud. The criminal complaint against her, filed in federal court in Tennessee, was unsealed after her arrest.
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“Defendant orchestrated a scheme to conduct a fraudulent sale of Graceland, falsely claiming that Elvis Presley’s daughter had pledged the historic landmark as collateral for a loan that she failed to repay before her death,” Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, said in a statement.
“As part of the brazen scheme, we allege that the defendant created numerous false documents and sought to extort a settlement from the Presley family,” Argentieri said.
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The criminal complaint lists several aliases for Findley, including Lisa Holden, Lisa Howell, Gregory Naussany, Kurt Naussany, Lisa Jeanine Sullins and Carolyn Williams. Authorities say she posed as three different people, all of them affiliated with a fictitious private lending company, Naussany Investments & Private Lending LLC.
According to authorities, Findley falsely claimed that Lisa Marie Presley — a singer-songwriter in her own right who died in 2023 — borrowed $3.8 million from Naussany Investments in 2018. Although the criminal complaint does not explicitly name Presley, she was Elvis' only daughter, and the complaint names the victim as "L.M.P."
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Authorities say Findley also falsely claimed that Presley used Graceland as collateral for the loan and then failed to repay the debt. To settle his fake debt, they say she sought $2.85 million from Elvis Presley's estate.
According to the complaint against her, Findley fabricated loan documents on which she forged the signatures of Elvis Presley’s daughter and a Florida State notary public. She then allegedly filed a false creditor’s claim with the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles, as well as a fake deed of trust with the Shelby County Register’s Office in Memphis.
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Authorities say Findley published a fraudulent foreclosure notice in the Commercial Appeal, a daily newspaper in Memphis, announcing that Naussany Investments planned to auction Graceland to the highest bidder. Finally, when Presley's family sued Naussany Investments in Tennessee to stop the sale, authorities say Findley also submitted false court filings.
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Though the scheme mostly ended there, Findley's lies didn't, authorities say. As the crime went viral, they say Findley told the media, a Tennessee court and representatives of the Presley family that a Nigerian identity thief was responsible.
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“Fame and money are magnets for criminals who look to capitalize on another person’s celebrity status,” Eric Shen, an inspector at the US Postal Inspection Service Criminal Investigations Group, said in a statement. “In this case, Ms. Findley allegedly took advantage of the very public and tragic occurrences in the Presley family as an opportunity to prey on the name and financial status of the heirs to the Graceland estate, attempting to steal what rightfully belongs to the Presley family for her personal gain.”
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Presley first bought his 13.8-acre estate in Memphis in 1957. He lived there until his death in 1977.
In 1982, the property — now known as Graceland — opened to the public, becoming one of the most visited private homes in America. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, then designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2006.
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According to the complaint against her, Findley ran her scheme out of Kimberling City, MO, about 40 miles south of Springfield. If convicted, she faces a mandatory minimum of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft, as well as a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for mail fraud.
Rep. Ilhan Omar / 55th District
Aug. 10, marked two years since the PACT Act was signed into law. I'm committed to ensuring our nation's veterans receive the high-quality, accessible care they've earned.
Last week, I had the opportunity to visit the Minneapolis VA Health
Care System alongside Rep. Mark Takano, Ranking Member of the Veterans Affairs Committee. It was a chance to see firsthand the critical work being done to support our nation's veterans and identify ways we can further strengthen the VA healthcare system.
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​Our visit began with a tour of the Tele-Critical Care Hub, where we met with subject matter experts leveraging telemedicine technology to provide high-quality, around-the-clock care. We then held a listening session with union leaders and frontline
Rep. Ilhan Omar
leaders and frontline employees. Their insights are crucial as they are the ones delivering care day-in and day-out and understand firsthand where improvements can be made.
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In 2022, the PACT Act was signed into law, providing overdue support for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances during their service. I was honored to host a PACT Act roundtable with Rep. Mark Takano, Senator Amy Klobuchar, and Senator Tina Smith. We were joined by veterans' advocates and community leaders to discuss the importance of this landmark legislation. Currently, less than 10,000 veterans out of the more than 100,000 who qualify in Minnesota have enrolled in the PACT Act program. That's why I've made it a top priority to spread awareness and ensure our veterans get the care they've earned.
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Too many of our nation's heroes face the devastating reality of homelessness after their service. But organizations like the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) are working tirelessly to change that, providing transitional and permanent supportive housing to help veterans get back on their feet. I had the privilege of visiting a supportive housing location run by the MACV alongside Rep. Mark Takano and Senator Tina Smith. It was inspiring to meet Dennis, an Air Force veteran, and his family who have found a safe, stable home through MACV's vital services.
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We had an incredible turnout at our town hall meeting on Wednesday at Nico's Tacos! I'm deeply grateful to everyone who took the time to join us, including Minneapolis City Council Member Linea Palmisano. I'm energized by the discussions we had and am looking forward to continuing this important dialogue at our next town hall. If you weren’t able to join us you can watch it here.
Shrinkflation Reduction Act Shrinkflation is corporate greed in action. Companies are sneakily reducing product sizes while raising or keeping prices the same, hoping we won't notice. That's why I've introduced the Shrinkflation Reduction Act. This bill will force companies to be transparent when they reduce product sizes without lowering prices. We deserve better. We deserve honesty in our marketplace. It's time to put people over profits and end this deceptive practice.
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Other Issues
I had an incredible conversation with Dr. Anisa Ibrahim at the Refugee Health Conference. We shared our experiences of fleeing Somalia as children. Her story of resilience and determination resonates deeply with my own journey. From refugee to physician, Dr. Ibrahim embodies the American dream and the immense contributions refugees make to our nation.
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I was thrilled to join Met Council Chair Charlie Zelle, Met Council Member Reva Chamblis, Hennepin Board Chair Irene Fernando, Robbinsdale Mayor Bill Blonigan, and Met Council and Hennepin County staff for an in-depth look at the progress being made on Southwest Light Rail and a tour of the Blue Line Extension alignment. I’m excited to see the final product of these projects. These light rail investments are crucial to supporting our growing population, connecting people with jobs and housing, and reducing climate emissions.
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Rep. Ilhan Omar is Minnesota's representative for the FIifth Congressional District.
Dem Cherelle Parker wins Philadelphia’s mayoral race
PHILADELPHIA—Democrat Cherelle Parker, a former member of the Philadelphia City Council, has been elected the city’s next mayor, NBC News reported, which makes her the first woman to hold the office.
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Parker cruised past her Republican opponent, David Oh. But before she got to the general election, she had to battle through a crowded Democratic primary in May.
Former Councilmember Cherelle Parker now becomes the first woman to hold the office of Philadelphia mayor.
Parker defeated five other Democratic candidates, winning 32 percent of the primary vote. After securing the party’s nomination, Parker’s victory as the next Democratic mayor of Philadelphia was all but certain. The city hasn’t had a Republican mayor since 1952.
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Parker’s platform was rooted in her upbringing in a blue-collar majority-Black neighborhood in Philadelphia. Amid rising concerns of violence and threats to public safety, as mayor, she hopes to restore the “village” that raised her.
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“I’m uniquely prepared to make the city the safest, cleanest, greenest big city in the nation with access to economic opportunity for all,” she said.
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Current Democratic Mayor Jim Kenney did not officially endorse a candidate to succeed him, but his vote for Parker in the primary election was a signal of support for her candidacy.
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Parker was a Democratic representative in the Pennsylvania state House from 2005 until 2015 when she was elected to the Philadelphia City Council. Parker resigned in September 2022 when she launched her mayoral campaign.
Southwest Fest in Detroit, MI is a great opportunity for community members to come join in activities and share space in imagining the ways they can better their communities.
Art collaboration this weekend for Black August in Detroit
DETROIT—Communities around the country and in Michigan are celebrating Black August and promoting liberation of all diversities.
Anthony Baber, director of communications and culture for Detroit Action, said parts of the city have been forgotten and need support, adding Southwest Fest in Detroit is a great opportunity for community members to come join in activities and share space in imagining the ways they can better their communities, the ways they envision their communities, and a chance for them to bring about art and culture.
"What are the things that you envision?" Baber asked. "That art installation is just a fun chance for people to make their own description of what safety looks like. To add something as far as paint or drawing or even words; the things that come to mind when people imagine safety and abundance."
Community members can come by the Detroit Action booth at Southwest Fest this Saturday from 2-7 p.m. and contribute their art which will then be put together as one completed piece to signify what they feel means liberation joy and justice.
Black, brown and other marginalized communities in Michigan face several challenges. Detroit Action and other advocacy groups also strive for justice with the environment, utilities, over-policing and general wellness.
Baber emphasized people need to be caring about the betterment of their communities.
"That lack of security, that lack of safety and really that lack of joy within communities," Baber observed. "It puts us at a deficit where we're not able to care for ourselves or each other."
Baber acknowledged some solutions from the city council and the mayor in Detroit have been to revitalize the forgotten and ignored areas for outsiders and newcomers. However, he believes in order for the city to thrive, it has to be supported by the people who have spent generations trying to build its communities.
Research suggests Black women are often targeted by corporate grooming policies.
CROWN Act aims to end discriminatory policing of Black hairstyles
DETROIT (MNS)—Some Ohio lawmakers are following in the footsteps of federal legislators with a bill to ban the policing of hairstyles based on racial stereotypes.
Eboney Thornton, communications coordinator at the Center for Community Solutions, said some businesses or schools have policies discouraging ethnic hair types, and even prohibit styles like braids, Bantu knots, cornrows and locs and dreadlocks.
"People of color, particularly Black women and Hispanic, end up having to do something to their hair that's unnatural for them," Thornton explained. "Or they may wear wigs, they may chemically process their hair to be in compliance of that particular dress code."
The US House passed the CROWN Act in March to prohibit the denial of employment or educational opportuni- ties because of a person's hair texture or protective hairstyle. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, who voted against the measure, called it a distraction from more important issues. Shortly after, House Bill 668 was introduced at the state level.
The term CROWN in CROWN Act means "Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair." prohibits racial discrimination based on hair texture and protective hairstyles. It prohibits discrimination based on a per- son's hair texture or hairstyle if it is commonly associated with a particular race or national origin.
Currently, Civil Rights Act Title VII only offers protections for the hairstyle known as an Afro.
The CROWN Act protects students’ rights to wear or treat their hair however they desire, without the threat of racial discrimination or loss of access to school, participation in activities, and inclusion in opportunities inside and beyond typical classrooms.
Thornton pointed out often, policies intended to discriminate against certain cultures also penalize others.
"A lot of the dress codes, a lot of rules say you can't color your hair a certain way. You can't wear certain braids; you can't have your hair a certain length," Thornton outlined. "It doesn't just affect Black and brown. It affects White girls; it affects White boys who may be growing their hair out to donate."
A dozen states have passed laws prohibiting discrimination based on hair texture. Thornton argued as the world grows and changes, hair-based discrimination could drive qualified and talented workers away from Ohio, hind- ering economic progress.
"And that's kind of what Ohio is built on," Thornton contended. "We are creative, we are innovative, and we want to keep building that. So, if we stop penalizing people for how they look or how they're wearing their hair, just imagine how great that we can be."
Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland Heights and Columbus have passed similar CROWN Act laws.
Reporting by Ohio News Connection in association with Media in the Public Interest and funded in part by the George Gund Foundation.