Chris Dickerson News
Federal judge issues injunction against Biden administration's oil lease ban
MONROE, Louisiana – A federal judge has issued a nationwide preliminary injunction against the Biden administration’s moratorium on oil leases on public lands, including offshore lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico.
Drug distributors, former DEA official point fingers everywhere at opioid trial
CHARLESTON — Fingers were pointed and blame was thrown all around a federal courtroom as a retired Drug Enforcement Administration official and attorneys for three drug distributors butted heads for a second full day of testimony.
Unions claim new law altering dues collection is unconstitutional, retaliatory
CHARLESTON – A group of a dozen public employee unions have filed a petition claiming a new state law that keeps employers from automatically deducting union dues from paychecks is retaliatory.
Federal judge says W.Va. can't enforce law that would restrict lawyer advertising
WHEELING – A federal judge has ruled West Virginia can’t enforce a law passed in 2020 restricting lawyer advertising.
With vested interest, Morrisey keeping watch on 'Big Three' federal opioid trial
CHARLESTON — The state Attorney General's office isn't a party to the landmark federal trial regarding the "Big Three" opioid distributors taking place just blocks from his state Capitol office, but Patrick Morrisey is keeping a close eye on the proceedings.
UPDATE: Federal judge denies more motions from opioid manufacturers as trial start looms
CHARLESTON – As the trial date looms next week, a federal judge again has denied motions for summary judgment from the defendant opioid distributors.
W.Va. governor signs legislation changing how asbestos cases are filed
CHARLESTON – Gov. Jim Justice has signed House Bill 2495, which requires plaintiffs in asbestos cases to file a sworn information form that specifies evidentiary basis for each claim and provide supporting documentation.
Federal judge denies summary judgment, opioid trials set to begin next month
HUNTINGTON — A federal judge has denied a motion for summary judgement by three large drug distributors, meaning the opioid cases filed by Cabell County and Huntington likely will begin next month.
Morrisey, other AGs fight unlawful sales of fake COVID vaccination cards
CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and other AGs are calling on Twitter, eBay and Shopify to act immediately to prevent people from selling fraudulent vaccination cards on their platforms.
Coalition of AGs sue U.S. Treasury over tax cut provision in COVID relief package
CHARLESTON – West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is part of a 13-state coalition that has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Treasury regarding states’ ability to cut taxes despite a provision in the most recent COVID-19 release package.
Amended intermediate court bill passes W.Va. House, heads back to Senate
CHARLESTON – An amended bill that would create a new intermediate appellate court has passed the House of Delegates and now heads back to the state Senate.
W.Va. AG isn't sure he'll sign off on Purdue Pharma $7 billion bankruptcy plan
CHARLESTON -- West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey says he wants to do what’s best for the state, and he doesn’t know if that means signing off on Purdue Pharma’s $7 billion bankruptcy plan.
Tort reform groups applaud W.Va. lawmakers' work on COVID immunity legislation
CHARLESTON – National and statewide tort reform groups are praising West Virginia lawmakers for work on the COVID-19 immunity legislation that could be on the governor’s desk soon.
Morrisey sends letter to U.S. Senate opposing McCabe's EPA nomination
CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has sent a letter to the leadership of the U.S. Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee opposing the nomination of Janet Gaven McCabe as deputy administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
W.Va. House bill would limit defendants being named in asbestos lawsuits
CHARLESTON – A bill introduced in the House of Delegates would make major changes to how asbestos lawsuits are filed in West Virginia.
EPA takes another step toward newer, more stringent guidelines for PFAS
WASHINGTON – The Environmental Protection Agency is moving closer to issuing new regulations on polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS.
COVID liability immunity bill passes state Senate, heads to House of Delegates
CHARLESTON — The state Senate has passed a bill that would provide immunity from civil litigation regarding COVID-19 matters.
Drug companies say Cabell, Huntington should be limited by statute of limitations
BLUEFIELD – A one-year statute of limitations should limit the damages Cabell County and the City of Huntington can seek from three large drug distributors, according to attorneys for the companies.
West Virginia newspaper company accuses Google, Facebook of digital advertising antitrust violations
HUNTINGTON – The state’s largest newspaper company has filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against Google and Facebook alleging the tech giants have monopolized the digital advertising market.
Capito, other senators introduce bill to block Biden plan to block energy moves
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito joined some Senate colleagues to introduce a bill that would prevent the president and other officials from blocking energy or mineral leasing and permitting on federal lands and waters without Congressional approval.