News from April 2008
No dice for "Deal or No Deal" suit
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) - Those who unsuccessfully text-messaged the NBC game show "Deal or No Deal" can now consider themselves two-time losers, thanks to the Georgia Supreme Court.
Conn. SC decides what makes a person
Rogers HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Playing Blue Fairy to the State of Connecticut's Pinocchio, the state Supreme Court has decided that a public entity will not be legally referred to as a real person.
Louisiana AG says he inherited an 'albatross'
James "Buddy" Caldwell BATON ROUGE, La. (Legal Newsline)-Louisiana Attorney General James "Buddy" Caldwell said since he took office January 14, he has spent "an inordinate amount of time" trying to restore credibility to the office that critics say became politicized under his predecessor.
Harris Poll ranks West Virginia worst legal climate; Delaware best
Thomas Donohue WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-Delaware has the nation's best legal climate, while courts in West Virginia ranked at the bottom, according to a survey of corporate attorneys released Wednesday.
U.S. Supreme Court to hear key disability case
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday morning is scheduled to hear arguments in a case involving conflicts of interest for ERISA plan administrators.
Tennessee lawmakers consider barring advertising to drunken driving defendants
Robert Cooper Jr. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Legal Newsline)-Tennessee Attorney General Robert Cooper Jr. will be asked to weigh in on a controversial bill that would bar defense attorneys from advertising their expertise with drunken driving cases.
Group questions McDaniel's 'impartiality' to review immigration initiative
Dustin McDaniel LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline)- Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel has raked in campaign cash from a group opposed to a plan to require state agencies to verify that those seeking government programs are legal U.S. residents, one of the proposal's backers says.
Missouri AG vows to pursue those who hire undocumented workers
Attorney General Jay Nixon JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline)-Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon vowed Tuesday to continue pursuing companies that hire illegal immigrants in his remaining days as attorney general, and afterwards if he is elected governor of the Show Me State.
Brown decries new federal fuel standard
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-California Attorney General Jerry Brown on Tuesday called the federal government's new fuel economy "a covert assault" on California's greenhouse gas regulations.
Once-reduced judgment will stand, U.S. justices decide
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday stopped the carving of a punitive damages award against Exxon Mobil Corp., but a much more costly decision remains.
Nixon draws ranchers' praise for opposing meat-packing deal
Jay Nixon KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline)-Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon is drawing praise for his opposition to a Brazilian company's planned acquisition of some of the largest meat-packing companies in the United States.
Report: Gov't subprime rescue efforts fall short
Terry Goddard PHOENIX, Ariz. (Legal Newsline)-Government efforts to stem the tide of housing foreclosures are falling woefully short of what's needed, Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard said Tuesday.
Milgram supports former AG's choice of legal advisor
Milgram TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram is defending the State's decision to hire a prominent law firm to assist in Gov. Jon Corzine's toll road plan.
AG Brown may see his $184K salary shrink
Jerry Brown SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-California Attorney General Jerry Brown will see his $184,301 annual salary cut if the leader of a citizens committee that sets state officials' pay and benefits has his way.
Abbott calls for 'one strike' law for strip clubs
Greg Abbott DALLAS (Legal Newsline)-Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott on Tuesday called for a "one strike and you're out" law for sexually oriented businesses, including adult bookstores and strip clubs.
Blumenthal gripes to state lawmakers about pharmaceutical industry
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - In formal testimony before the state's Legislature Monday, Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal asked for help against influence wielded by prescription drug makers.
Hood will pursue wiretap authority again
Hood JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - Following the Mississippi Legislature's decision not to pass a bill that would give wiretap authority to his office, state Attorney General Jim Hood said he will try again next year.
Brown asked for opinion on synthetic turf warnings
Jerry Brown SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-California Attorney General Jerry Brown was asked Monday to determine whether artificial turf fields should have lead warning signs to comply with a state law.
Washington SC will hear challenge to tax-increase limits
Sen. Lisa Brown OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline)-The Washington state Supreme Court will hear a legislator's challenge of voter-approved tax increase limits, an official said.
Edmondson opposes term-limits legislation
Attorney General Drew Edmondson OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline)-Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson is urging state lawmakers to reject a term-limits bill that would block him from seeking re-election.