Supreme Court hears arguments in major homelessness case

In a case that could drastically alter how cities in California and beyond deal with homeless encampments, U.S. Supreme Court justices today weighed whether to allow broader punishment for people camping in public spaces. “Laws like ours, they really do serve an essential purpose,” said Theane Evangelis, arguing on behalf of the city of Grants Pass, Oregon, which banned encampments. “They protect the health and safety of everyone. It is not safe to live in encampments. It’s unsanitary, we see what’s happening. And there are the harms of the encampments...