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WASHINGTON (AP) — Alabama lawmakers have passed legislation that would strictly define male and female as being based on biology.  The bill, which Republican Governor Kay Ivey has promised to sign, will also limit gender to male and female only.  Nine states have similar laws on the books already and several others may pass legislation of their own this year.  The action in Alabama follows President Trump’s executive order declaring that for the purposes of the federal government, there are only two sexes.  The order also rejects the notion that people can transition from one gender to another. 

More than two-dozen liberal religious groups have filed a federal lawsuit challenging a Trump administration move giving immigration agents more leeway to make arrests at houses of worship. The plaintiffs range from the Mennonites and Unitarian Universalists to the Union for Reform Judaism.  The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, contends that the new policy is spreading fear of raids, thus lowering attendance at worship services. The plaintiffs claim that this infringes on their religious freedom and their ability to minister to illegal immigrants. 

Billionaire mega-donors are opening their wallets to influence the high-stakes race for control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which could decide the future of abortion in the state. The winner of the April 1st election will determine whether the court in the battleground state remains under liberal control or flips to a conservative majority. Cases affecting abortion, contraception and congressional redistricting will be taken up by the court this year.  Liberal billionaire George Soros has given one million dollars in campaign contributions so far. Two students challenging New Hampshire’s ban on boys playing on girls’ sports teams will also fight President Trump’s executive order to that effect.  A judge has given the boys permission to update their lawsuit.  This is the first time that the constitutionality of Mr. Trump’s order is being challenged in court. Last fall, a federal judge in New Hampshire ruled that the two boys can try out for and play on girls school sports teams while they challenge the state ban.  Similar legal battles over transgenderism are playing out in several states.