Justice Kagan warns Supreme Court rulings are fueling polarization and undermining democracy

The justice’s remarks came during a conversation at Catholic University’s law school with professor J. Joel Alicea, who was a law clerk to Justice Samuel Alito, a conservative. Get Starting PointA guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter EmailWhile Kagan has issued strongly worded dissents in individual election-related cases, her remarks Tuesday amounted to a global critique of how a series of choices by the court’s majority have affected democracy in the United States. Taken together, she said, the rulings have deepened political divisions and made the country’s electoral system work less well. The Supreme Court justices on Oct. 7, 2022. J. Scott Applewhite/Associated PressKagan wrote the dissent, for instance, when the court in 2019 closed the door on federal litigation challenging voting maps aimed at achieving political ends.

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MurderA man tied to murders in Kenosha and Seattle was arrested in Chicago on Tuesday evening. WLSByABC7 Chicago Digital Team Wednesday, October 21, 2026 3:29AMCHICAGO (WLS) -- A man tied to murders in Kenosha and Seattle was arrested in Chicago on Tuesday evening. Court documents say 33-year-old Michael O'Neal Fleming is charged with murder in a deadly Seattle gas station shooting that happened earlier this month. ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watchTop StoriesKenosha police said he is also a person of interest in the killings of his mother and her husband. Kenosha police said officers responded to the couple's home in the 5500-block of Washington Road for a welfare check just before 3 p.m. Monday. Rodney Brushwood, 57, and Rena O'Neal, 59, were found shot to death. The shooting investigation prompted Kenosha police to send out an alert asking the public to contact them if they see O'Neal Fleming, who they described as "a person believed to be armed, dangerous and unstable. "After his Chicago arrest, authorities said, detectives will work with the Kenosha County District Attorney's Office to initiate extradition proceedings and pursue charges in Wisconsin.

IndictmentWednesday, October 21, 2026 3:29AMA Fort Bend County constable's deputy is out of a job after being indicted on felony theft and tampering charges, according to authorities. SUGAR LAND, Texas (KTRK) -- A now-former Fort Bend County deputy constable is out of a job after being indicted on felony theft and tampering charges, according to authorities. Eric Lister, who served as a lieutenant in the Precinct 3 Constable's Office until last month, was arrested Sept. 29. Texas Commission of Law Enforcement records show his employment ended on Sept. 30. According to the indictments, Lister is accused of stealing more than $2,500 from the constable's office and writing warnings for traffic stops he never made. The date of both offenses is listed in court records as of March 15, just days after he placed fourth in the Democratic primary for Fort Bend County treasurer. According to his campaign website, Lister ran on a platform of fiscal integrity. Top StoriesThe Precinct 3 Constable's Office released the following statement:"Lt. Lister was immediately placed on administrative leave when concerns about his conduct were identified.

Deadly ShootingThree people are in custody after a boy was reportedly shot and thrown out of a car in the west suburbs on Tuesday afternoon, police said. WLSByABC7 Chicago Digital Team Wednesday, October 21, 2026 3:28AMBELLWOOD, Ill. (WLS) -- Three people are in custody after a boy was reportedly shot and thrown out of a car in the west suburbs on Tuesday afternoon, police said. Bellwood police said officers responded to 22nd Avenue and Adams Street around 3:20 p.m. There, officers found a juvenile who had been shot. ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watchThe Bellwood Fire Department transported the boy to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His name and age were not immediately released. What led up to the shooting was not immediately clear. Detectives were processing the scene on Tuesday evening, and multiple witnesses are being interviewed, police said. Additional information was not immediately available. Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.