Cheryl Wetzstein
Articles by Cheryl Wetzstein
Despite Roe v. Wade, abortion issue still not decided in U.S.
As the nation marks the 41st anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion ruling this week — and huge numbers of weather-hardy pro-life activists gather in Washington for Wednesday's annual March for Life — abortion supporters and opponents remain fully engaged on a broad number of policy and legal fronts, including whether the nation leans more pro-life or pro-choice. Published January 21, 2014
Supreme Court battle over what child pornography viewer owes victim
The Supreme Court will delve into the sordid world of child pornography this week with a case that could break legal ground in the fight to curb juvenile porn — whether victims can seek full damages not only from their abusers but also from the people who produce, distribute and possess the illegal images. Published January 20, 2014
Studies shine light on dark world of child porn
What is online child pornography and who looks at it? A 2011 study of criminal cases offered some answers. Published January 20, 2014
Justices’ questions appear unsympathetic to abortion clinic ‘buffer zone’ law
The Supreme Court's justices on Wednesday challenged attorneys on the history, impact and motivation for the 2007 Massachusetts public safety law that established clearly marked, 35-foot buffer zones around entrances and driveways of abortion clinics. Published January 15, 2014
Supreme Court won’t hear case on Arizona abortion ban
The Supreme Court cleared the way Monday for an Arizona abortion ban to be struck down, but the decision does not immediately impact other states that also seek to prohibit most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Published January 13, 2014
Supreme Court won’t hear case on Arizona abortion ban
The Supreme Court cleared the way Monday for an Arizona abortion ban to be struck down, but the decision does not immediately impact other states that also seek to prohibit most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Published January 13, 2014
Holder accused of meddling after Supreme Court’s gay marriage ruling
Utah's battle over gay marriage seems unlikely to end soon with both sides getting reinforcements from Washington as the courts struggle to get ahead of the political battle. Published January 12, 2014
NO BUFFER: Free speech, abortion rights to clash at Supreme Court this week
Claims to free speech will clash with abortion rights Wednesday when the Supreme Court takes up a closely watched case on the constitutionality of "buffer zones" around abortion clinics. Published January 12, 2014
Sexually-transmitted diseases spread in 2012
Gonorrhea rates rose for the third year in a row in 2012, and syphilis rates rose a “dramatic” 11 percent, due to new infections in men, according to the latest report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Published January 8, 2014
California transgender ‘bathroom law’ one step closer to ballot
The effort to put California’s transgender “bathroom law” before the voters passed an official hurdle Wednesday and is now in the next qualifying stage. Published January 8, 2014
Utah governor puts gay marriage on hold
Gay marriages will neither be recognized nor performed in Utah while a federal case is being litigated, Gov. Gary Richard Herbert’s office said Wednesday in an email to Cabinet officials. Published January 8, 2014
Supreme Court puts gay marriage on hold in Utah
Gay marriage is on hold in Utah, stemming a tide of same-sex unions in the overwhelmingly Mormon state, at least until a federal appellate court decides whether to strike down for good a voter-passed constitutional marriage amendment. Published January 6, 2014
Shades of Terri Schiavo in case of girl left brain-dead after bizarre tonsil surgery mishap
The legal fight between a California hospital and the family of a teen who has been declared brain dead has reignited a debate about life, death and when medical technologies should be ended for a patient. Published January 5, 2014
70 provisions passed nationwide to restrict abortions
State lawmakers passed 70 provisions restricting abortions in 2013, the second-highest tally on record, the Guttmacher Institute said Thursday. Published January 2, 2014
Lawyers for hospital, brain-dead teen ordered to court Friday
Lawyers for a California hospital and a 13-year-old girl declared clinically dead after surgery to remove her tonsils have been ordered to meet with a federal magistrate judge on Friday. Published January 2, 2014
California transgender student law could quickly face challenge
A first-of-its-kind California law on transgender students goes into effect Wednesday, but its authority could end in a week if state officials find that enough registered voters want to challenge it in November. Published December 31, 2013
Gay marriage makes a world of differences in a defining year
The sharp divisions among the states on gay marriage in the U.S. are being repeated on the global stage, with some countries rushing ahead to approve such unions but others — including India, Russia, Australia and Uganda — moving in the opposite direction. Published December 25, 2013
Adoption reform activists buoyed by Ohio’s new birth certificate access law
Adoption reform activists are hoping a newly enacted Ohio law giving adult adoptees access to their original birth records will inspire other states to follow suit. Published December 25, 2013
Even in Utah: Judge strikes down state gay marriage ban
In one of the most socially conservative states in the country, a federal judge in Utah on Friday struck down a voter-passed ban on same-sex marriage, saying it was unconstitutional. Published December 20, 2013
Huge backlash mounts over suspension of ‘Duck Dynasty’ star Phil Robertson
For a few hours, it looked like Americans would quietly accept the suspension of popular "Duck Dynasty" star Phil Robertson for his unfiltered opinions about sin, sex, gays and blacks in a magazine interview. Published December 19, 2013