Free Talk Live

The American Civil Liberties Union has sued a Utah city in federal court over a "free-speech zone" ordinance, saying the Orwellian-named measure unconstitutionally requires a permit for almost any form of public expression. "Under this ordinance, you would arguably have to apply for a permit to engage in nearly any speech in the city," he said.

The Alameda City Council has approved a new ordinance that aims to protect people from secondhand smoke by effectively banning smoking in all outdoor public places.

Smokers could run afoul of the new law -- most of which will go into effect Jan. 1 -- if they light up at a bus stop, ATM or even on a balcony of a multiunit rental complex.

A language battle is now brewing in one city in Minnesota. Monday night, Lino Lakes passed an English-only ordinance

It's getting dangerous to rob and terrorize people in Chicago, despite Mayor Daley's best efforts. We've already talked about the armed career thug who got the (last) surprise of his life when he broke into the home of an 80-year-old Korean War veteran, who in defiance of Chicago's handgun ban, was prepared to defend himself--and did.

“The goal is to start managing the homeless population within our city,” said Chief James Wickham. Wickham asked council members to pass a no-camping ordinance. “It just basically means you can’t set up a tent. You can’t live in your vehicle. You can’t live in the woods in Nevada City,” he said. That is unless you have a permit.

MCLOUD, OK -- Several residents in McLoud are upset after the city announced a $17 water bill for residents who use a well. According to City Manager Larry Dillon, the small fee will help pay for emergency services such as police officers and fire fighters. Because of an old city ordinance, rural residents with in 100-yards of a water line didn't have to pay for those services; but because of a struggling economy, every dollar counts.

This also reads well if you substitute "Government" for people feeding animals, and "Government Handouts" for food... Berkeley Lake city leaders have proposed an ordinance that would impose fines up to $1,000 for willfully feeding wildlife, from chipmunks to vultures. The exceptions: fish and songbirds.

The new ordinance prohibits people from feeding the animals at urban parks and sets out fines for violators. Nobody can "feed, touch, tease, frighten, hunt, kill, wound or intentionally disturb wildlife in any city park," without authorization, the ordinance states.

Anyone caught running afoul of the law, however well-meaning his or her intentions, faces fines of up to $750 and jail time...

Earl Stein's "Organic Pharmacy" is one of more than 400 medical-marijuana dispensaries the City Council aimed to shut down with an ordinance that took effect recently. But he hasn't closed up shop completely. He has merely removed his marijuana inventory for now, and hopes discrimination lawsuits filed against the city by himself and other dispensary operators will force officials to let him resume the trade....