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Today’s edition of quick hits.
* A closely watched case: “The Supreme Court on Thursday blew up the massive bankruptcy reorganization of opioid maker Purdue Pharma, finding that the settlement inappropriately included legal protections for the Sackler family, meaning that billions of dollars secured for victims is now threatened. The court on a 5-4 vote on nonideological lines ruled that the bankruptcy court did not have the authority to release the Sackler family members from legal claims made by opioid victims.”
* We knew this was coming, but it’s still notable: “The Supreme Court on Thursday sidestepped a ruling on whether Idaho’s strict abortion law conflicts with a federal law that requires stabilizing care for emergency room patients, including pregnant women suffering complications who may require abortions. The court dismissed an appeal brought by Idaho officials, meaning a lower court ruling that allows doctors in the state to perform abortions in emergency situations remains in effect for now.”
* Republican-appointed justices don’t like the administrative state, Part I: “The Supreme Court on Thursday blocked a Biden administration environmental regulation aimed at curbing harmful air pollution that crosses from one state to another and contributes to the formation of smog.”
* Republican-appointed justices don’t like the administrative state, Part II: “The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected one of the primary ways the Securities and Exchange Commission enforces rules against securities fraud, likely also making it harder for other regulatory agencies to bring enforcement actions.”
* In the classified docs case: “U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon did something normal Thursday when she denied one of former President Donald Trump’s motions that never stood much of a chance of success. But she also continued her practice of ordering hearings that will at least further put off a trial in the classified documents case, which still has no trial date but plenty of other unresolved issues.”
* On the Korean Peninsula: “North Korea has successfully conducted an important test aimed at developing missiles carrying multiple warheads, state news agency KCNA said Thursday, a claim rejected by South Korea as ‘deception’ to mask a failed launch.”
* The latest Jan. 6 arrest: “A man known for publicly harassing police officers who testified in Jan. 6 cases has been arrested in connection with his own involvement with the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Tommy Tatum, who has also provided trial testimony on behalf of a Jan. 6 defendant, was arrested in Mississippi on Wednesday, according to court records.”
* Donald Trump’s pal in Buenos Aires: “Argentina entered a recession in the first quarter of the year as President Javier Milei’s brutal spending cuts sent consumption and activity plummeting.”
See you tomorrow.