The Republican-led Ohio Senate has approved a bill banning transgender students from using bathrooms that fit their gender identities.

Missouri officials struck back at one of the clinics that unsuccessfully challenged new state restrictions on gender affirming care by filing a new lawsuit accusing the clinic of failing to provide proper care for transgender minors even before the new law took effect last month.

A Texas judge has blocked the state’s upcoming ban on gender-affirming medical care for minors, the latest move in a legal fight over transgender rights.

A federal judge has temporarily blocked Arkansas from enforcing a law that would have allowed criminal charges against librarians and booksellers for providing “harmful” materials to minors.

Young people are confined to cells the size of parking spaces up to 23 hours per day alone, with fluorescent lights that never turn off, at Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center in Benton, Illinois.

The future of a Pride event that included a drag show in a small Massachusetts town remains up in the air after town officials held another vote on whether to allow the event.

Missouri’s attorney general announced new restrictions Thursday on transgender care for adults in addition to minors in a move that is believed to be a first nationally and has advocacy groups threatening to sue.

The Supreme Court has declined to revive an ACLU lawsuit challenging a portion of the National Security Agency’s warrantless surveillance of Americans’ international email and phone communications.

The clock ticking on running water for tens of thousands of Detroiters as the deadling approaches for early pandemic moratorium on water shutoffs coming to an end on New Year’s Eve.

A decision being weighed in Oakland County Wednesday is if the 1931 Michigan law that criminalizes abortion goes into effect. As of right now, there is an injunction in place preventing that law from going into effect.

The event is free and open to the public.

On Tuesday, the 36th District Court, judges, leaders like Wayne County Sheriff Raphael Washington, former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, and civil rights advocates announced a historic agreement for major reform to the cash bail system to level the playing field for working-class Detroiters.

Michigan’s largest district court and bail reform advocates have settled a class-action lawsuit against bail practices in Detroit, where hundreds of defendants are jailed for no other reason than their inability to afford court-imposed bail.

Supporters of a petition to make access to abortion a part of the Michigan constitution submit a record number of signatures Monday. The group submitted 753,000 signatures, well above the threshold, to get the issue on the November ballot.

Groups seeking to codify the right to abortion care in Michigan have submitted a record number of signatures in favor of a ballot initiative that would put the vote up to Michiganders this fall. Watch them speak live.

A push to add a proposal to the November ballot on the right to an abortion in Michigan is nearing approval after a record-breaking haul of signatures were submitted on Monday.

A push to add a proposal to the November ballot on the right to an abortion in Michigan is nearing its signature goal.

On Malcolm X’s birthday, the Coalition of Police Transparency and Accountability announced that they wanted the federal government to step in and investigate the Detroit Police Department for misconduct and excessive force.

Enforcement of Michigan’s nearly century-old law banning abortions has been blocked by the state’s Court of Claims Tuesday, siding with a lawsuit that claims the ban is “unconstitutional.”

A new crime-fighting tool in Ypsilanti Township has some people concerned about privacy. The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office is presenting a plan to use license plate readers to help fight crime.

Two separate lawsuits were filed Thursday in an effort to secure abortion rights in the state of Michigan, should the federal Roe v. Wade ruling be revoked and leave abortion rules up to individual states.

Two separate lawsuits were filed Thursday in an effort to secure abortion rights in the state of Michigan, should the federal Roe v. Wade ruling be revoked and leave abortion rules up to individual states.

With the future of abortion rights uncertain amid an impending Supreme Court ruling, Planned Parenthood of Michigan and an abortion provider are filing a lawsuit in an effort to protect abortion access in the state.

Read forbidden books as part of Booksweet’s new Banned Book Club.

The Ohio Supreme Court has rejected newly drawn district maps that retained Republican supermajorities in both state legislative chambers.

The ACLU is not looking for any criminal charges to be filed, but they do want a higher power to take a look into the Taylor Police Department.

A lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Louisiana is alleging sheriff's deputies in that state beat a Black man so brutally in 2019 that they broke his nose and left eye socket.

A divided federal appeals court has upheld the dismissal of an ACLU lawsuit challenging a portion of the National Security Agency’s warrantless surveillance of Americans’ international email and phone communications.

In its new report, the Michigan ACLU accuses the Michigan Branch of Customs and Border Protection of “blatant racial profiling” and making people of Latino or Hispanic descent a “primary suspect.”

The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan (ACLU) is asking the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) to intervene in a “potentially racially hostile education environment” in Brighton schools.

Cannabis has become a multi-million dollar business in Michigan, but there is still a double standard when it comes to social equity in the industry. The Michigan company Pleasantrees is known for its cannabis products, but they’re also working to make the marijuana industry more equitable for everyone. “Social equity has basically become a term of art in the cannabis industry,” said Jerome Crawford with Pleasantrees. The Michigan company is hiring more minorities like Crawford, an attorney who now oversees legal operations and social equity for Pleasantrees. AdYou can learn more about Pleasantrees’ social equity plan on their website here.

ANN ARBOR – Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit announced Tuesday the launch of the “Prosecutor Transparency Project” in partnership with University of Michigan’s Law School and the ACLU of Michigan. The project, which begins immediately, aims to uncover possible racial inequities by analyzing data surrounding decision-making by the prosecutor’s office. “We know systemic racism exists in all facets of society, and the Prosecutor’s Office is no exception. Finally, in consultation with researchers, the Prosecutor’s Office will identify metrics to track to ensure equitable treatment. He has spent years compiling and analyzing data from Michigan’s criminal justice system, was the data consultant for the CREW report and has served as Data Administrator for Michigan’s Criminal Justice Policy Commission.

LANSING, Mich. – The Legislature approved changes last week to Michigan’s sex offender registry after federal courts declared the current policy unconstitutional. In 2006, the state prohibited those on the registry from living or loitering within 1,000 feet of school property. In 2011, the state approved a requirement for registrants to immediately report changes in addresses, vehicles and phone numbers. Since the judge's February decision, officers were advised not to take enforcement action for certain violations involving the registry and school safety zones, said Michigan State Police spokeswoman Shanon Banner. The legislation would require offenders to report changes in phone numbers and vehicles to authorities.

– Two women who were detained in northern Montana by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents for speaking Spanish while shopping at a convenience store have reached an undisclosed monetary settlement in their lawsuit against the agency, the ACLU of Montana announced Tuesday. “Ma’am, the reason I asked you for your ID is because I came in here and I saw that you guys are speaking Spanish, which is very unheard of up here,” O’Neill said in the video. “We stood up to the government because speaking Spanish is not a reason to be racially profile and harassed,” Suda said in a statement provided by the ACLU. In gathering information for the lawsuit, the ACLU said Customs and Border Protection agents in northern Montana acknowledged they routinely profiled non-white people. “If there's somebody speaking Spanish down there it's like all of a sudden you've got five agents swarming in, ‘What’s going on?'

LANSING, Mich. – “We are, so excited about this coalition, and we’re excited about these reforms. They prove that when people work together, they make genuine real process in Lansing,” said Kimberly Buddin. Thursday, several organizations -- like Americans for Prosperity, the ACLU of Michigan, Safe and Just Michigan and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy -- presented the Justice Reform Package to the State House and Senate. They addressed key and important issues like driver’s license suspensions, mandatory minimum sentencing, case initiation, sentencing, probation, racial justice and fairness. The State House approved the package, now they move on to the Senate.

DETROIT – After a long and hard fought deportation battle West Bloomfield resident Sam Hamama became a US citizen on Friday. When the deportations of Iraqi nationals started the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan fought in defense of those who were detained including Hamama. After a long legal battle, Sam is here to stay as a US citizen!”Hamama’s wife and children were at the forefront of the fight. On Friday they witnessed him being sworn in as a US citizen at the Detroit based Department of Homeland Security immigration offices. Previous coverage on deportations of Iraqi nationals

Proposal N -- on the Nov. General Election ballot for Detroit voters -- aims to eradicate blight and dilapidation across the city. Proposal N would allow the city of Detroit to sell $250 million in “Neighborhood Improvement Bonds” that will be used to save 8,000 vacant homes and demolish 8,000 others that can’t be saved. Those behind Proposal N are hoping to make real headway without hurting Detroiters. The fight against Prop N isn’t about money, but rather how the city has previously spent money. Election Day for the U.S. presidential election is on Nov. 3.

In addition to the races for office in the November election, Michigan voters should prepare to vote on a few proposals that would change the state’s constitution. Proposition 2, also known as Prop 2, would prohibit unreasonable searches or seizures of electronic data and communication by law enforcement. For years police have used technology, such as Stingray or Hailstorm, to collect broad data from cell phones. The measure has also been backed by the Michigan State Police, but some are concerned that the proposal could impede the work of law enforcement. If the proposal is passed this election, it would...Election Day for the U.S. presidential election is on November 3.

DETROIT – Michigan Gov. Before Wednesday’s update, the seven-day moving average for new cases in Michigan was at 1,670 -- the highest ever. WATCH Local 4 News at 11Metro Detroit weather: 2 more rounds of rain before weekendOur pattern of getting wet after sunset continues. For the last 11 years the Detroit Public Schools Community District has been under the auspices of some type of state supervision -- but in five days that will change. For the first time since 2009, the Detroit public schools system is poised to be released from state supervision.

DETROIT – The battle over foreclosures in Wayne County took a new turn Thursday in Detroit. The American Civil Liberties Union wants the county to protect many from foreclosure for years to come. The county has taken action to protect those struggling by suspending all foreclosures through the end of the year. Now the ACLU wants to take it a step further protecting those from foreclosure for years to come. Local 4 reached out to the Wayne County Treasurer’s Office but calls have not been returned.

DETROIT – This Hispanic Heritage Month, one Detroit artist is using his talent to urge minorities to vote ahead of the November election. The young artist from southwest Detroit has an impressive following on social media, but his mural projects are about more than garnering likes. “(It) would be amazing if I could use my platform for something positive.”The first-generation Mexican American has never registered to vote before. Freddy picked a spot in Southwest Detroit for his mural, at the corner of Joy Road and Piedmont Street, to reach other minority and first-time voters. You can vote from home, and it doesn’t have to be on November 2 or 3 -- you can vote early,” Diaz said.

DETROIT – The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic shouldn’t stop you from voting. Engage Michigan is teaming up with the ACLU and many other organizations to create MichiganVoting.org, a website that provides information for voters. The website is expected to have information on how to get to the polls on election day. Watch the video above for the full report

DETROIT Police Chief James Craig apologized Thursday after a Farmington Hill man was arrested at his home for a crime he didnt commit. Williams was arrested after facial recognition software identified the wrong man. Craig said hes considering disciplinary action against his investigators who used facial recognition software to arrest Williams after someone else stole watches from a Shinola store. Craig said a 2019 triple-shooting at an LGTBQ+ party suspect was taken into custody using facial recognition software. RELATED: Facial recognition technology: Rep. Tlaib raises concerns during tour with Detroit police chief

DETROIT The controversy over the use of facial recognition technology continues after a Farmington Hill man was arrested at his home for a crime he didnt commit. They claim he was arrested based off of facial recognition software. READ: A closer look at facial recognition technologyAll of the photos had two things in common, said Williams Attorney, Victoria Burton-Harris. They were all Black faces and men.Once the cops identified Mr. Williams using facial recognition technology, said Phil Mayor with the ACLU of Michigan. The family is demanding a public apology and for the DPD to scrap its use of facial recognition software.

DETROIT Wayne County prosecutor Kym Worthy spoke to Local 4 Defenders after a Farmington Hill man was arrested at his home for a crime he didnt commit. He was arrested after facial recognition software identified the wrong man. She said the case brought by Detroit police was based only on the departments use of facial recognition technology. I am 100% sure they arrested the wrong person.It was issued by a prosecutor that shouldnt have, Worthy said. RELATED: Facial recognition technology: Rep. Tlaib raises concerns during tour with Detroit police chiefThis never should have happened.

PAW PAW, Mich. – The leader of a school district in southwestern Michigan said he will recommend that the Redskins nickname be dropped. Paw Paw Superintendent Rick Reo said he will take his message to the school board on March 9. “Our nickname is preventing us from realizing our true potential as a school that welcomes, celebrates, supports and challenges all students,” Reo said in a district newsletter. The Paw Paw board voted in 2017 to keep the nickname and mascot. Reo said he believes the district originally chose Redskins to "celebrate the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans."

DETROIT - The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a case involving a Detroit funeral home. The owners said they believed she could no longer effectively deal with grieving families as a funeral director. Supporters for Stephens marched at the U.S. Supreme Court as the justices heard the case. "ACLU is using my grandfather's business to achieve a political goal," Harris Funeral Homes director Tom Rost said. The funeral home's attorney argued that the ACLU is trying to change existing sex discrimination laws that the company didn't violate.

After marrying an American citizen and becoming an assistant professor at the University of North Dakota, Ostadhassan applied for a green card. A month later, he applied for a green card. "That has not been the case for any other marriage-based green card interview I have ever sat in on. He later amended his green card application after hiring Balgamwalla, who told him to include all of his past associations. It was another rejection of Ostadhassan's green card application, citing the previous rejection.

DETROIT - The latest blow to Detroit police Chief James Craig's fight to use facial recognition technology comes from one of his most vocal opponents: Rep. Rashida Tlaib. The Detroit Police Department has been using facial recognition for nearly two years, but the ACLU and other civil rights groups argue DPD has been using the technology without specific policies in place. They said using facial recognition technology puts the civil liberties of Detroit residents in jeopardy. "Facial recognition is only used on a still photograph and it is only used where there is a violent crime," Monts said. Tlaib told Craig during the tour that she feels the department should only employ black analysts as part of the facial recognition team.

Dogs enjoy a dip at the annual Dog Swim at Buhr Park Pool on Sept. 5, 2019. - Meredith (@meredith_A4)What's been happening: Two people were arrested after flying a drone above Michigan Stadium Saturday night during the third quarter of the Wolverines' home opener against Middle Tennessee State. The University of Michigan has a strict no-fly zone policy and drones are prohibited within three miles of the stadium. (A4) With school officially in session, the Ann Arbor Police Department released these safety reminders for pedestrians, motorists and cyclists. All About Ann Arbor is powered by ClickOnDetroit/WDIV.

- When Ramon Torres was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, he produced his Louisiana driver's license, social security card, and U.S. passport, but the ACLU says the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office refused to release him until an ICE official confirmed his immigration status. When Torres asked his jailers why he was being held and why his citizenship was in question, Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office deputies told Torres that every Hispanic person was automatically held for a immigration review, according to a new lawsuit the ACLU of Louisiana has filed against the sheriff's office. "Ramon Torres was held in jail for four days simply because he has brown skin and a Latino name," ACLU of Louisiana legal director Katie Schwartzmann said. Not doing so violated Torres' constitutional rights under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments, according to the ACLU. "The increasing national rhetoric of fear and racism around immigration is tearing apart our local communities," Schwartzmann said.