News from July 2008
Calif. court ruling favors employers in meal break dispute
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-In what workers' rights advocates are calling a blow to employees throughout California, an appellate court ruling from last week blocks a class-action lawsuit against Dallas-based Brinker Restaurant Corp.
Blumenthal revives pursuit for sunscreen rules
Richard Blumenthal (D) HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline)-Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is calling on federal regulators to clamp down on what he says are "dangerously misleading claims" in sunscreen advertising and labeling.
Oklahoma AG says water should be the No. 1 issue
W.A. Drew Edmondson (D) NORMAN, Okla. (Legal Newsline) - Oklahoma Attorney General W.A. Drew Edmondson says water issues ought to be the No. 1 issue on the state's agenda.
Missouri AG candidates notch newspaper endorsements
Jeff Harris (D) JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri (Legal Newsline)--Democrats Jeff Harris and Margaret Donnelly each picked up endorsements from Missouri's major metro newspapers this week in their race for attorney general.
Former S.C. magistrate barred from the bench
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - A South Carolina judge has been banned from the bench after admitting to saying that crack cocaine addiction is a "black man's disease" in commenting on a warrant, the state Supreme Court said in an order Monday.
Fifty applicants for two seats on Fla. Supreme Court
Florida Supreme Court building TALLAHASSEE, Florida (Legal Newsline)--Fifty candidates have applied to fill two upcoming vacancies on Florida's Supreme Court.
Massey foe wants U.S. Supreme Court to put W. Va. Justice off case
Brent Benjamin WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-- The extent of the influence of Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship's money soon may be determined by the U.S. Supreme Court.
AG approves ban on coyote sales
Steve Carter (R) INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Legal Newsline)-Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter has approved an Administrative Rule that will ban the sale of live coyotes captured outside of Indiana's hunting and trapping season.
Sunmart stations accused of cheating customers
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline)-Sunmart gas stations around Texas have cheated motorists by providing less gas than what customers paid for, and the attorney general could pursue charges, officials said.
Nixon gives kudos to the Democratic AG candidates
Jay Nixon (D) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline)-A Democratic candidate for Missouri attorney general has begun running an ad that some say suggests that outgoing Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon backs his candidacy.
Web site spotlights trial lawyer 'earmarks'
Lisa Rickard WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)---A bevy of provisions that would expand liability laws for businesses and ordinary Americans have been worked into key pieces of legislation by the nation's trial lawyers, a group said Monday.
Nixon targets mortgage scams; files seven lawsuits
Jay Nixon (D) Jefferson City, Mo. (Legal Newsline)-Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon on Monday began a special legal campaign targeting mortgage fraud.
FCC heeds Goddard's advice against Qwest deregulation
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-Siding with Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, the Federal Communications Commission has denied Qwest Communications Inc. the ability to charge higher rates to companies that use its lines to provide their own telephone service.
AG says funeral home mishandled bodies
Jay Nixon (D) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - The Missouri attorney general's office has accused a Columbia, Mo., funeral home of improperly handling bodies.
Schwarzenegger's pay-cut plan sparks legal controversy
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-The California state Legislature's non-partisan legal adviser says state Controller John Chiang cannot be forced to implement Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan to cut state workers to the federal minimum wage of $6.55 an hour.
Feds: Bruning lacks standing in casino lawsuit
Jon Bruning (R) OMAHA, Neb. (Legal Newsline)-Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning lacks standing to bring a lawsuit to block construction of a casino in Carter Lake, Iowa, federal officials said in court papers.
Lynch rails against LNG project extension
Patrick Lynch (D) PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline)-Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch said Friday he objects a five-year extension of time for completion of the liquefied natural gas facility proposed in Fall River, Mass.
Gas company receives bad news from Conn. DPUC
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Natural Gas may be ordered to return more than $15 million in alleged overearnings, partly thanks to the efforts of state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal.
Nevada ruling blocks some officials from re-election
Catherine Cortez Masto (D) CARSON CITY, Nev. (Legal Newsline)-The Nevada Supreme Court ruled that 21 officials have completed 12 years in office, and cannot run for re-election, in a decision that sides with Attorney General Catherine Masto Cortez.
Illinois court 'within rights' to deny master roll of attorneys, reformer says
Ed Murnane SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline)--The Illinois Supreme Court was within its rights to deny giving a list of attorneys to an Internet site that allows clients to rate their lawyer's performance, a leading court reform advocate told Legal Newsline.