Supreme Court’s Final Week: Six Critical Cases Await Decision
Friday, June 26, is the Supreme Court’s final day of issuing opinions on the merits docket for the 2024-25 term. The court has six cases left to decide, on topics ranging from the constitutionality of Louisiana’s congressional map to the power of federal district judges to issue nationwide injunctions.
The remaining cases address some of the most contentious issues in American law today. Among the most significant is Trump v. CASA, which examines whether federal district courts can issue nationwide injunctions that block government policies across the country. This case could fundamentally reshape how lower courts interact with federal executive power.
Another pivotal case, Mahmoud v. Taylor, centers on whether Maryland public schools can require children to participate in LGBTQ-themed instruction despite parents’ religious objections. The case involves Muslim, Catholic, and Ukrainian Orthodox families seeking opt-out provisions for their children.
The Court is also set to rule on Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, challenging Texas’s law requiring age verification for pornography websites. The law applies to any website whose content is one-third or more “harmful to minors.” This decision could significantly impact online speech regulations and digital privacy rights.
SCOTUSblog Ownership Change Creates Industry Buzz
In a major development for Supreme Court journalism, The Dispatch — a self-described conservative publication — sees a need for deeper judicial coverage. That’s why CEO and editor Steve Hayes said the outlet acquired SCOTUSblog in late April. This acquisition has raised questions about the future editorial direction of the nation’s premier Supreme Court news source.
SCOTUSblog, founded by Amy Howe and Tom Goldstein, has long been considered the gold standard for Supreme Court reporting, providing non-partisan analysis and real-time coverage of Court proceedings. The transition to The Dispatch’s ownership marks a significant shift in the legal journalism landscape.
Court Expands 2025-26 Docket with New Cases
The Supreme Court on Monday added two new cases to its docket for the 2025-26 term, both involving efforts to litigate disputes and The justices added four new cases, involving issues such as federal sentencing, the death penalty showing the Court’s continued engagement with critical legal issues across multiple areas of law.
These additions signal another potentially consequential term ahead, with the Court positioning itself to address fundamental questions about federal authority, criminal justice, and constitutional interpretation.
What This Means for Legal News Coverage
The combination of SCOTUSblog’s ownership change and the Court’s active docket creates a unique moment in Supreme Court journalism. Legal practitioners, scholars, and the public rely heavily on SCOTUSblog’s comprehensive coverage, from live-blogging oral arguments to providing detailed case analyses.
The upcoming term promises to deliver landmark decisions that could reshape American law across multiple domains. With six major cases still pending from the current term and an expanding docket for next year, the Supreme Court continues to position itself at the center of the nation’s most pressing legal and constitutional debates.
As the Court approaches its summer recess, all eyes remain on these final decisions and how they will influence American jurisprudence for years to come. The legal community and general public alike await these crucial rulings that will undoubtedly shape the landscape of constitutional law.