The Bigger Picture campaign uses spoken-word poems and music videos to highlight how Type 2 diabetes impacts communities.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/14/well/live/using-art-to-tackle-obesity-and-diabetes-in-youth.html?partner=rss

In Fox v. Lee, 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 19402 (ND NY, Feb. 5, 2018), a New York federal magistrate judge recommended denying an inmate’s motion for summary judgment in his suit claiming to be an adherent of the Anuaki religion and needing to wear his hair in a Mohawk cut for religious reasons.In Blackbear v. Butler County Jail, 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 19935 (D KA, Feb. 7, 2018), a Kansas federal district court rejected an inmate’s complaint that for 3 weeks he was denied a special diet he needed for religious reasons.In Sajous v. Withers, 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20191 (SD FL, Feb. 6, 2018), a Florida federal district court adopted a magistrate’s recommendations (2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20820, Jan. 16, 2018) and dismissed an inmate’s complaint that a Haitian Flag Day ceremonial meal was canceled and that he is unable to practice his Vodoo religion.In Williams v. Paramo, 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 21191 (SD CA, Feb. 7, 2018), a California federal district court allowed an inmate to move ahead with his complaint that he was not allowed to participate in Ramadan in 2017.In Icangelo v. County of Suffolk, 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 21903 (ED NY, Feb. 8, 2018), a New York federal magistrate judge allowed an inmate to move ahead with this complaint that for 6 weeks he was not allowed to attend Jummah religious services.

Source: http://religionclause.blogspot.com/2018/02/recent-prisoner-free-exercise-cases_11.html

Yesterday a small church in Laurel, Maryland filed a federal lawsuit challenging a zoning code change that prevents it from using property it purchased for a non-profit coffee shop and house of worship.  The complaint (full text) in Redemption Community Church v. City of Laurel, Maryland, (D MD, filed 2/9/2018), alleges that the zoning changes violate its right under RLUIPA and the 1st Amendment.  It alleges in part:4. … the City changed its zoning code to ban non-profit businesses and to require small churches (those located on less than one acre) to go through an onerous, costly, and uncertain special exception process before locating in the C-V Zone.5. Churches that can afford more than an acre, and numerous secular assemblies or institutions can locate in the C-V Zone as of right….7. The City has discriminated against Redemption Community Church, treated it less favorably than similarly-situated secular organizations, substantially burdened the Church’s free exercise of religion, and infringed on the Church’s right to free speech, peaceable assembly, and equal protection in violation of the Church’s federal and constitutional rights.ADF issued a press release announcing the filing of the lawsuit.

Source: http://religionclause.blogspot.com/2018/02/small-church-challenges-zoning-changes.html

Notre Dame University on Wednesday announced another change in its policy regarding coverage for contraceptives by its employee health care plan.  Initially Notre Dame sued challenging the Obama administration’s rule which required coverage, but allowed the coverage to be provided by the insurance company or third party administrator directly rather than by the University.  When the Trump administration broadened the exemption for religious non-profits so that Notre Dame could completely opt out of contraceptive coverage, the University chose to continue with the pre-existing coverage arrangement. This led to criticism from alumni and others. (See prior posting.)  Now in a letter to faculty and staff (full text), the University has announced a different approach– one which makes a distinction between Catholic teaching regarding contraception and Church teaching regarding abortion (presumably including contraceptive drugs that prevent implantation of a fertilized ovum).  The letter from Notre Dame’s president describes the policy as follows in part:… [A]llowing the government-funded provision of drugs and services to continue through a third party administrator would provide access to contraceptives without University funding or immediate involvement. The government-funded program, however, includes the provision of abortion-inducing drugs, which are far more gravely objectionable in Catholic teaching. Stopping any access to contraceptives through our health care plan would allow the University to be free of involvement with drugs that are morally objectionable in Catholic teaching, but it would burden those who have made conscientious decisions about the use of such drugs and rely on the University for health care benefits.I have reached the conclusion that it is best that the University stop the government-funded provision of the range of drugs and services through our third party administrator. Instead, the University will provide coverage in the University’s own insurance plans for simple contraceptives (i.e., drugs designed to prevent conception). The University will also provide in its plans funding for natural family planning options—options that do not use artificial contraceptives but employ natural methods for preventing conception. The University’s insurance plans (as opposed to the government-funded program) have never covered, and will not cover, abortion-inducing drugs.In response to the new policy, Bishop Rhoades, Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend where Notre Dame is located, issued a statement yesterday (full text) welcoming parts of the new policy but strongly criticizing the University’s decision to directly fund contraception coverage. [Thanks to Marty Lederman via Religionlaw for the lead.] 

Source: http://religionclause.blogspot.com/2018/02/notre-dame-announces-another-change-in.html