Cory Dodds
@corydodds.bsky.social
Assistant law professor studying food, poverty, and place. Posts/likes/etc. ≠ endorsements.
www.corydodds.com
www.corydodds.com
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Cory Dodds
@corydodds.bsky.social
· Jul 7
Legal Deserts Over Time
Legal deserts—counties with exceptionally low attorney availability—shape housing stability, personal safety, health outcomes, and economic security in rural communities. Yet, national scholarship ha...
digitalcommons.mainelaw.maine.edu
My article Legal Deserts Over Time was recently published in vol. 78 of the Maine L. Rev. In short, once a county becomes a legal desert, it is likely to remain a legal desert. It was a pleasure to work with the team & keynote their Rural Law Conf. digitalcommons.mainelaw.maine.edu/mlr/vol78/is...
Pleased to join family and children’s law scholars as amici in A.A. v. Mast. We urge SCOTUS to protect kin caregivers’ right to notice & hearing before adoption severs the family bond—a vital issue for the 2.65 mil. U.S. children being raised by kin. Full brief: www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/26...
www.supremecourt.gov
September 17, 2026 at 9:06 PM
Pleased to join family and children’s law scholars as amici in A.A. v. Mast. We urge SCOTUS to protect kin caregivers’ right to notice & hearing before adoption severs the family bond—a vital issue for the 2.65 mil. U.S. children being raised by kin. Full brief: www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/26...
Reposted by Cory Dodds
John Cheves of the Herald-Leader on Comment on Ky: “It’s popular in some quarters to sneer and mock newspapers or to greet with apathy the demise of newspapers. But I can assure you—you’re gonna miss us when we are gone.”
September 13, 2026 at 12:13 PM
John Cheves of the Herald-Leader on Comment on Ky: “It’s popular in some quarters to sneer and mock newspapers or to greet with apathy the demise of newspapers. But I can assure you—you’re gonna miss us when we are gone.”
Reposted by Cory Dodds
Last week, Maine Supreme Court finally held that the "best interest of the child" standard is not supplanted by parental religious rights, and affirmed lower court award of religious decision-making to father (due to mother's church/pastor openly disparaging him). www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/k3arb...
Dropbox
www.dropbox.com
September 11, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Last week, Maine Supreme Court finally held that the "best interest of the child" standard is not supplanted by parental religious rights, and affirmed lower court award of religious decision-making to father (due to mother's church/pastor openly disparaging him). www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/k3arb...
The SEC filing its federal suit at the close of my subject matter jurisdiction unit is a wonderfully random happenstance. Lots to discuss in Civil Procedure on Monday.
Anyone tailgating outside the federal courthouse before tomorrow's SEC v LSU hearing?
September 10, 2026 at 1:33 PM
The SEC filing its federal suit at the close of my subject matter jurisdiction unit is a wonderfully random happenstance. Lots to discuss in Civil Procedure on Monday.
Reposted by Cory Dodds
Our latest digest explores research by Kirk J. Stark on how population density and electoral systems influence redistributive taxation at the state and national levels.
Stark: Taxation, Redistribution, and the Urban-Rural Divide — The Rural Reconciliation Project
In Taxation, Redistribution, and the Urban-Rural Divide, author Kirk J. Stark (UCLA School of Law) considers how population density in urban and rural areas influences subnational and nation tax pol...
www.ruralreconcile.org
September 8, 2026 at 1:59 PM
Our latest digest explores research by Kirk J. Stark on how population density and electoral systems influence redistributive taxation at the state and national levels.
Reposted by Cory Dodds
Warrants for Flock searches? Kentucky lawmakers may add more rules for public cameras
From @mckennahorsley.bsky.social
kentuckylantern.com/2026/09/03/w...
From @mckennahorsley.bsky.social
kentuckylantern.com/2026/09/03/w...
Warrants for Flock searches? Kentucky lawmakers may add more rules for public cameras • Kentucky Lantern
Kentucky lawmakers may consider legislation to require law enforcement officers to get a warrant before searching Flock cameras in the future.
kentuckylantern.com
September 3, 2026 at 7:26 PM
Warrants for Flock searches? Kentucky lawmakers may add more rules for public cameras
From @mckennahorsley.bsky.social
kentuckylantern.com/2026/09/03/w...
From @mckennahorsley.bsky.social
kentuckylantern.com/2026/09/03/w...
Reposted by Cory Dodds
Breaking news: The Trump administration is threatening to cut off executive agencies’ cooperation with the Smithsonian. An Interior Dept. letter threatened the institution “under current leadership” with loss of support for sourcing artifacts and more.
Trump administration threatens to cut off agencies’ ties to Smithsonian
Echoing White House attacks, an Interior Department letter threatened the institution “under current leadership” with loss of support for sourcing artifacts and more.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 2, 2026 at 11:09 PM
Breaking news: The Trump administration is threatening to cut off executive agencies’ cooperation with the Smithsonian. An Interior Dept. letter threatened the institution “under current leadership” with loss of support for sourcing artifacts and more.
A few weeks ago, I remarked there was a hint of fall on the air in Kentucky. I regret tempting fate.
Outdoor activities are canceled for Fayette elementary and middle schools Thursday, and postponed until 6 p.m. for high schools.
Excessive heat restrictions continue Thursday for Fayette County schools
Outdoor activities are canceled for Fayette elementary and middle schools Thursday, and postponed until 6 p.m. for high schools.
bit.ly
September 2, 2026 at 9:14 PM
A few weeks ago, I remarked there was a hint of fall on the air in Kentucky. I regret tempting fate.
A good use of eminent domain appears?
A proposed $12 billion hyperscale data center in Northeastern Kentucky could threaten a critical component of a nearby city’s drinking-water system, prompting officials to consider seizing part of the development site through eminent domain to protect the vital access to the Ohio River.
KY city may seize land to protect drinking water supply from massive data center
Ashland officials say a proposed $12 billion data center could complicate access to the Ohio River intake that supplies its water.
www.kentucky.com
September 2, 2026 at 7:33 PM
A good use of eminent domain appears?
Reposted by Cory Dodds
Wendell Berry championed small farms, agrarianism and conservation for decades.
‘Another great light gone out.’ Kentucky author, activist Wendell Berry dies at 92.
Wendell Berry championed small farms, agrarianism and conservation for decades.
bit.ly
September 1, 2026 at 1:40 AM
Wendell Berry championed small farms, agrarianism and conservation for decades.
“Young lovers see a vision of the world redeemed by love. That is the truest thing they ever see, for without it life is death.”
Kentuckian Wendell Berry has died at age 92
September 1, 2026 at 1:21 AM
“Young lovers see a vision of the world redeemed by love. That is the truest thing they ever see, for without it life is death.”
Reposted by Cory Dodds
An officer with the Shively Police Department is suspended without pay and facing criminal charges for allegedly using the department’s Flock camera system to conduct more than 2,000 searches on the license plate of a woman he tracked and harassed in Kentucky and Indiana.
Shively Police officer arrested for using license plate readers to track woman
The arrest came after the officer ran thousands of unauthorized searches.
www.lpm.org
August 26, 2026 at 5:34 PM
An officer with the Shively Police Department is suspended without pay and facing criminal charges for allegedly using the department’s Flock camera system to conduct more than 2,000 searches on the license plate of a woman he tracked and harassed in Kentucky and Indiana.
@propublica.org recently wrote about how faith and child abuse & neglect intersect. I’m a strong proponent of children’s rights. At what point should a child’s right to care trump their parents’ rights? At some point before the child dies or has a lasting injury.
www.propublica.org/article/fait...
www.propublica.org/article/fait...
These Children’s Deaths Were Preventable. Their Parents Prayed Instead of Seeking Medical Care.
For decades, Idaho laws have allowed parents who belong to the Followers of Christ and other faith-healing sects to pray rather than seek medical care. Since 2015, at least 15 children have died of tr...
www.propublica.org
August 27, 2026 at 12:05 PM
@propublica.org recently wrote about how faith and child abuse & neglect intersect. I’m a strong proponent of children’s rights. At what point should a child’s right to care trump their parents’ rights? At some point before the child dies or has a lasting injury.
www.propublica.org/article/fait...
www.propublica.org/article/fait...
Forgive those of us in the South. We will be in mourning for a while. Dolly was a real one. She used her success to invest in her home community in east TN and in children’s literacy nationwide.
www.knoxnews.com/story/entert...
www.knoxnews.com/story/entert...
Dolly threw her heart and soul into Dollywood: 'I'm real proud of Tennessee'
Dollywood is wildly more popular than anyone could have imaged in 1986. Dolly's business sense transformed an entire community.
www.knoxnews.com
August 25, 2026 at 11:31 PM
Forgive those of us in the South. We will be in mourning for a while. Dolly was a real one. She used her success to invest in her home community in east TN and in children’s literacy nationwide.
www.knoxnews.com/story/entert...
www.knoxnews.com/story/entert...
Reposted by Cory Dodds
A federal judge has dismissed the bankruptcy case of an Eastern Kentucky coal operator, leaving a lawsuit by hundreds of workers seeking to recover 60 days of unpaid wages and benefits unresolved.
From @tatecurtis.bsky.social at @weku.bsky.social
From @tatecurtis.bsky.social at @weku.bsky.social
Judge dismisses Pike County coal operator's bankruptcy case, leaving workers in limbo
About 300 former employees sued in March, seeking to recover 60 days of wages and benefits they say Clintwood JOD LLC should have paid them under federal labor law.
www.weku.org
August 24, 2026 at 2:11 PM
A federal judge has dismissed the bankruptcy case of an Eastern Kentucky coal operator, leaving a lawsuit by hundreds of workers seeking to recover 60 days of unpaid wages and benefits unresolved.
From @tatecurtis.bsky.social at @weku.bsky.social
From @tatecurtis.bsky.social at @weku.bsky.social
This thoughtful commentary is worth a read. I particularly liked: “Good stewardship means maximizing federal dollars, examining other appropriate funding sources and using community partnerships where they make sense. But sometimes, after doing all of that, we have to write the check.”
Commentary: Stay with the child: Kentucky must rethink how it serves vulnerable children. kentuckylantern.com/2026/08/25/s...
Stay with the child: Kentucky must rethink how it serves vulnerable children. • Kentucky Lantern
Stay with the child. It sounds simple, but it may be the most important principle Kentucky can bring to serving vulnerable children and families.
kentuckylantern.com
August 25, 2026 at 12:38 PM
This thoughtful commentary is worth a read. I particularly liked: “Good stewardship means maximizing federal dollars, examining other appropriate funding sources and using community partnerships where they make sense. But sometimes, after doing all of that, we have to write the check.”
Reposted by Cory Dodds
“A 1-year-old baby appeared in immigration court without legal representation in Arizona and received an instruction: File an asylum application before the next hearing or face deportation.”
Judge to Baby: File an Asylum Application
The 1-year-old is one of the migrant children who advocates say appeared in immigration court without legal representation.
www.notus.org
August 22, 2026 at 9:36 PM
“A 1-year-old baby appeared in immigration court without legal representation in Arizona and received an instruction: File an asylum application before the next hearing or face deportation.”
Reposted by Cory Dodds
A U.S. Appeals Court has ruled that Indiana doctors can have conversations about abortions with minors. That includes referrals to out-of-state abortion providers.
Indiana doctors can refer patients to out-of-state abortions, court finds
A U.S. Appeals Court has ruled that Indiana doctors can have conversations about abortions with minors. That includes referrals to out-of-state abortion providers.
www.lpm.org
August 21, 2026 at 1:51 PM
A U.S. Appeals Court has ruled that Indiana doctors can have conversations about abortions with minors. That includes referrals to out-of-state abortion providers.
We may reasonably disagree on the ABA’s accreditation policies. However, the administration’s move reduces the independence of the judiciary and legal profession. State bars and judiciaries are self-regulating, in part, to insulate from partisan political influence.
Trump Administration Attacks Bar Association’s Power to Accredit Law Schools www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...
Exclusive | Trump Administration Attacks Bar Association’s Power to Accredit Law Schools
The move escalates a feud with the nation’s premier legal organization.
www.wsj.com
August 21, 2026 at 2:30 PM
We may reasonably disagree on the ABA’s accreditation policies. However, the administration’s move reduces the independence of the judiciary and legal profession. State bars and judiciaries are self-regulating, in part, to insulate from partisan political influence.
Reposted by Cory Dodds
The Trump regime is looking for immigrant detention camps big enough to hold up to 3,000 children. At an industry roundtable discussion, officials wouldn't say exactly where or when they need them, only that they’re expecting a “surge.” New from me in @prospect.org.
Judge Orders Monitors for Child Detention as Trump Administration Plans Expansion - The American Prospect
The order came the same day that the Office of Refugee Resettlement held an industry roundtable to discuss new detention facilities for thousands of children.
prospect.org
August 20, 2026 at 12:29 PM
The Trump regime is looking for immigrant detention camps big enough to hold up to 3,000 children. At an industry roundtable discussion, officials wouldn't say exactly where or when they need them, only that they’re expecting a “surge.” New from me in @prospect.org.
How can I choose?
🚨 Kentucky has announced the finalists in its "I Voted" sticker contest. 🚨
Per the Secretary of State: Kentuckians can vote for their favorite sticker at the SOS's booth at the State Fair from August 20-30.
Per the Secretary of State: Kentuckians can vote for their favorite sticker at the SOS's booth at the State Fair from August 20-30.
August 20, 2026 at 9:10 PM
How can I choose?
Dance like no one is watching; text like it will be read in a deposition.
Incredible stuff.
August 20, 2026 at 10:02 AM
Dance like no one is watching; text like it will be read in a deposition.
Reposted by Cory Dodds
BREAKING: It made the final cut. Congratulations, Michigan, you might have the best voting sticker of 2026.
I am obsessed with this finalist in this year's Michigan “I voted” sticker design contest
August 18, 2026 at 10:02 PM
BREAKING: It made the final cut. Congratulations, Michigan, you might have the best voting sticker of 2026.
My city experienced a tragic shooting over the weekend. A tragedy that may have been avoided with sensible gun control. The alleged shooter was born in 2008, the same year SCOTUS ignored the plain text of the 2nd Amend. to create an individual right to gun ownership for the first time. (DC v Heller)
What we know so far about the shooting and what has happened since.
What we know so far about the deadly shooting at a Lexington park
What we know so far about the shooting and what has happened since.
bit.ly
August 18, 2026 at 12:25 AM
My city experienced a tragic shooting over the weekend. A tragedy that may have been avoided with sensible gun control. The alleged shooter was born in 2008, the same year SCOTUS ignored the plain text of the 2nd Amend. to create an individual right to gun ownership for the first time. (DC v Heller)
Reposted by Cory Dodds
Under discussed line in the vaccine EO:
“States’ obligations to provide religious and medical exemptions from childhood & adolescent immunization requirement.”
Religious exemptions put large #s of unvaxed kids in the same school. This led to the South Carolina measles outbreak. 1/2
“States’ obligations to provide religious and medical exemptions from childhood & adolescent immunization requirement.”
Religious exemptions put large #s of unvaxed kids in the same school. This led to the South Carolina measles outbreak. 1/2
August 11, 2026 at 12:32 PM
Under discussed line in the vaccine EO:
“States’ obligations to provide religious and medical exemptions from childhood & adolescent immunization requirement.”
Religious exemptions put large #s of unvaxed kids in the same school. This led to the South Carolina measles outbreak. 1/2
“States’ obligations to provide religious and medical exemptions from childhood & adolescent immunization requirement.”
Religious exemptions put large #s of unvaxed kids in the same school. This led to the South Carolina measles outbreak. 1/2