Reform
Group moves forward with citizen-only voting issue in Michigan
LANSING, Michigan – A group has submitted language to the Michigan Board of Canvassers for a ballot initiative that would amend the state constitution to ensure only American citizens can vote in all state and local elections.Americans for Citizen Voting – Michigan submitted the language April 30.
Legislation
Policy Consultant at ACLU of Colorado on HB25-1291: 'Data privacy is also a paramount concern of ours from this legislation'
Climate Change
Climate change cases complicated: Trump goes to court to prevent states from suing
Legislation
Georgia changes evidence law, but some states still tell plaintiffs 'no seatbelt, no problem'
With the passage of a wide-ranging tort-reform bill last month, Georgia became the latest state to repeal what Mickus calls “absolutely anachronistic” statutes that prevent civil juries from learning whether the plaintiffs in car-crash lawsuits were wearing seatbelts.
Lawsuits
Texans for Lawsuit Reform warns of explosion of nuclear verdicts
Texans for Lawsuit Reform announced on their X profile that nuclear verdicts are threatening the state’s economy and driving up business costs.
From Southwest Texas Record
One of the most complicated tort trials in history continues to unfold in a Texas bankruptcy court.
From WV Record
TOPDOG Legal Marketing Named Finalist of 2024 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics in Greater Arizona
Better Business Bureau Serving the Pacific Southwest (BBB) has named TOPDOG Legal Marketing, LLC as a finalist for the 2024 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics, sponsored by Desert Financial Credit Union. The program raises awareness in marketplace ethics and honors businesses that operate with integrity.
Arizona Estate Law Firm Unveils New Brand, Website
Chandler, Arizona (AZ) attorney Bernard M. Strass is excited to announce fresh branding and a new website for his AZ estate law firm, Desert Rose Estate and Elder Law. The law firm’s new name reflects a full concentration on estate and life planning that enables Strass to provide focused and dedicated legal services for these matters. It also honors Strass’s father, Luke, who owned Desert Draperies and Interiors in Phoenix for many years and Strass’s mother’s family, the Roses.
State Supreme Court
17th Judicial District introduces competency docket to address restoration needs
On May 1, 2025, the 17th Judicial District announced the launch of a new Competency Docket and Competency Diversion Program aimed at addressing the growing need for competency restoration services among criminal defendants.
State AG
8th Circuit upholds North Dakota district court ruling in dispute involving Continental Resources
The United States Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit has upheld the district court’s decision in a legal case involving Continental Resources, Inc. against the United States.
Attorneys & Judges
Baton Rouge man sentenced to 10 years for firearm possession
Acting United States Attorney April M. Leon announced that Ledale Deanthony Sawyer, 35, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison.
Attorneys & Judges
Indiana Congressional candidate sentenced for falsifying campaign finance records
Gabriel Whitley, a former Congressional candidate from Indianapolis, has been sentenced to three months in federal prison for falsifying campaign finance records.
State AG
Idaho AG Labrador announces sentencing of three men in child exploitation cases
Attorney General Raúl Labrador has reported the sentencing of three men from Idaho for the sexual exploitation of children.
Attorneys & Judges
Florida man given federal sentence for assault at DFW Airport
A Florida resident has been sentenced to four months in federal prison for assaulting a gate agent at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, as announced by Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Chad E. Meacham.
State AG
Maine and USDA resolve legal dispute over funding
Attorney General Aaron Frey delivered a statement regarding a settlement between Maine and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Attorneys & Judges
Florida woman sentenced to five years for PPP loan fraud scheme
Raisha Kelly, a 44-year-old resident of Loxahatchee, Florida, has been sentenced to five years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
Attorneys & Judges
Mexican citizen convicted of illegally re-entering the US
Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, Andrew Birge, announced that Eduardo Lopez-Escarrega, a Mexican citizen, has been convicted of Aggravated Felon Reentry by a federal jury.
Bally’s revises IPO for Chicago casino, eliminating race and gender requirements
Today, Bally’s Corporation announced changes to the public offering for its Chicago casino project, eliminating race and gender-based requirements.
Supreme Court hears case on religious charter schools and state exclusion policies
On April 30, the U.S. Supreme Court conducted oral arguments in the case of Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond.
Liberty Justice Center supports Florida parents in gender identity school policy case
On April 30, 2025, the Liberty Justice Center, the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL), and Dr. Erica Anderson filed an amici brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Texans for Lawsuit Reform warns of explosion of nuclear verdicts
Texans for Lawsuit Reform announced on their X profile that nuclear verdicts are threatening the state’s economy and driving up business costs.
America First Legal files complaint against NY Attorney General Letitia James
America First Legal (AFL) has filed a complaint with the Committee on Professional Standards against New York Attorney General Letitia James.
'A glaring loophole': PREP Act doesn't stop lawsuit from N.C. teen vaxxed against his will
RALEIGH, N.C. (Legal Newsline) - The North Carolina Supreme Court won't stop the parents of a then-14-year-old vaccinated against COVID-19 against his will, despite a federal law that shields defendants from liability during health emergencies.
Missouri AG asks DOGE to investigate $5B Grain Belt Express project
JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has called for an immediate investigation into a nearly $5 billion federal loan guarantee supporting the Grain Belt Express project, which he describes as "one of the most egregious abuses of taxpayer dollars in recent memory."
'This ends today:' DOJ asks court to block IL, Chicago from using 'Sanctuary' laws to hinder deportation of criminals
Federal lawsuit from the Trump administration asserts the state of Illinois, city of Chicago and Cook County are unconstitutionally using state laws and local ordinances to shield illegal immigrants - and particularly, illegal immigrants who have been convicted of other, violent crimes - from being removed from the U.S.
Bonus for railroad workers to get COVID vax could be 'coercive'
HELENA, Mont. (Legal Newsline) - Federal law preempts a Montana statute barring discrimination against unvaccinated workers but BNSF employees can still pursue claims a $300 bonus for getting vaccinated was “coercive.”
Former LAP board member: Clerkship accountability project has messaging problem
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A former board member at the Legal Accountability Project (LAP) is not surprised that Yale Law School has barred the use of student organization funds to subscribe to LAP's "Centralized Clerkships Database.”
Baton Rouge man sentenced to 10 years for firearm possession
Acting United States Attorney April M. Leon announced that Ledale Deanthony Sawyer, 35, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison.
Push for citizen-only voting amendments continues to grow
At least two more states will have amendments that would ensure citizen-only voting on ballots next year, and more are likely.
Policy Consultant at ACLU of Colorado on HB25-1291: 'Data privacy is also a paramount concern of ours from this legislation'
Natasha Burke, a policy consultant with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Colorado, expressed concerns regarding House Bill 25-1291.
J&J: New evidence shows key asbestos witness is a liar
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - Johnson & Johnson has renewed its legal assault on a doctor who helped kickstart litigation over talcum powder by publishing a study that falsely claimed 33 cancer patients had no exposure to asbestos other than talc.
'Pillsbury Doughboy' loses talc case; No one ever tested his house for asbestos
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - A California jury recently rejected claims Johnson’s Baby Powder caused a man’s cancer, despite hair-raising testimony that talc is contaminated with deadly asbestos fibers and the plaintiff’s mother covered him with so much of it that “he would look like the Pillsbury Doughboy.”
Hawaiʻi Supreme Court engages students in judicial system with community program
The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court held an oral argument session at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s Performing Arts Center as a part of the Courts in the Community initiative.
Bayer petitions USSC for review of Roundup case
Bayer has filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court to review a $1.25 million ruling in a Roundup weed killer after the Missouri Supreme Court already refused to overturn the verdict.
Republican Montana lawmaker is first to oppose citizen-only voting
A Montana legislator has become the first Republican to vote against a citizen-only voting amendment in a floor vote.Rep. Sherry Essmann (R-Billings) cast her vote April 18 against Senate Bill 185.