South Carolina Health Ranking Improvement

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DPH) announced an improvement in the state's health ranking to 36th in the United Health Foundation's 2025 Annual Report. This marks the state's highest ranking since the report's inception in 1990, attributed to factors like increased cancer screenings and decreased physical inactivity.

South Carolina Health Planning Committee Meeting Announcement

The South Carolina Health Planning Committee announced it will hold a meeting on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 1 p.m. The meeting will take place at the State of South Carolina Health Campus and will also be available virtually. The agenda and virtual viewing link are posted on the meeting event page.

Michigan Launches New Sickle Cell Disease Strategic Plan

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has released a new strategic plan for 2026-2030 to improve care and services for individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD). The plan focuses on reducing barriers to care for adults and builds upon previous initiatives, incorporating community input to expand access and strengthen public health surveillance.

Ninth Circuit Dismisses Immigration Review Petition

The Ninth Circuit dismissed Jose Guadalupe Navarrete Pelagio's petition for review of an immigration judge's order affirming a negative reasonable-fear determination. The court held that a petition challenging only a denial of relief under the Convention Against Torture (CAT) does not invoke jurisdiction, as such claims must be part of a review of a final order of removal.

USA v. Ferrari - Affirmance of Sentencing Enhancement

The Ninth Circuit affirmed a district court's sentencing enhancement for firearms trafficking against Christian Ferrari, who pleaded guilty to dealing firearms without a license. The court held that the enhancement applies if the defendant knew or had reason to believe the firearms would be trafficked unlawfully, regardless of whether the transferee actually possessed or used the firearm unlawfully.

Woolard v. Thurmond - First Amendment Challenge to Charter School Curricular Materials

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an amended opinion affirming the dismissal of a First Amendment lawsuit. The parents alleged that charter schools improperly rejected requests to use sectarian curricular materials, but the court found the schools' independent study programs qualified as public education and that curriculum choices constitute government speech.

Jaterron Williamson appeals firearm conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)

The Fifth Circuit affirmed Jaterron Williamson's conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). The court rejected his Second Amendment and Commerce Clause challenges, finding them foreclosed by existing circuit precedent.

Hardwick v. FAA - Pilot License Suspension

The Fifth Circuit denied a petition for review, upholding the FAA's 150-day suspension of a professional pilot's license. The pilot flew an aircraft with a tail number that did not match its registration paperwork and airworthiness certificate, leading to the enforcement action.

Hydrogen Power Generator Control Method Patent Application

The European Patent Office has published patent application EP2026027244A1 concerning a method for controlling a hydrogen power generator. The application details a control unit and a hydrogen power generator, with publication dated March 18, 2026. The designation of the inventor has not yet been filed.

Fuel Cell Cathode Loop Control Patent Application Published

The European Patent Office (EPO) has published patent application EP2026029887A1 concerning systems and methods for multi-input cathode loop control for fuel cells. The publication date is March 18, 2026. The application is classified under IPC H01M 8/04.