News from May 2008
Abbott files first lawsuit againt pre-paid calling company
Greg Abbott AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott on Friday filed the state's first lawsuit against a prepaid calling card company.
Calif. justices reject timber challenge
Kathryn Werdegar SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline)-The California Supreme Court on Thursday rejected challenges to a timber company's plans to harvest trees on about 1,400 acres of private land in the Sierra Nevada foothills.
Oregon lawmakers to consider tort overhaul
SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline)-Democratic legislative leaders in Oregon on Thursday named a special bipartisan panel to examine the Beaver State's tort laws.
Cuomo invites public input on pension probe
Cuomo FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's latest quest continued Thursday as he invited testimony from those who feel private attorneys are ripping off the state's public pension systems.
Litigation tax heads to Tennessee governor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Legal Newsline)-A $25 litigation tax on Tennessee residents involved in civil and criminal court proceedings would be allowed under legislation heading to Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen.
Court: Texas had no right to take polygamists' kids
Judge Barbara Walther AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline)--A Texas appeals court ruled Thursday that a San Angelo judge exceeded her discretion when she ordered the state to take custody of more than 460 children from a polygamous sect.
Justices tell Six to justify abortion records lawsuit
Steve Six TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline)-Kansas Attorney General Steve Six must justify a lawsuit he has filed against a district judge over abortion records, the state Supreme Court said Thursday.
Former Pa. Chief Justice negotiated raise with lawmakers, suit claims
Castille HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - Pennsylvania's former and current Supreme Court Chief Justices recently decided to fire back against a lawsuit alleging misconduct on the Court.
McGraw settles DirecTV collection case again
McGraw CHARLESTON, W. Va. (Legal Newsline) - Nearly 300 West Virginia consumers received a collection letter from Riddle & Associates, threatening to add attorneys fees and collection costs unless their DirecTV accounts were promptly paid in full.
Madigan pushes nursing home measure
Lisa Madigan SPRINGFIELD, Ill (Legal Newsline)-Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is pushing legislation aimed at helping families considering long-term care for a loved one.
Ohio GOP searches for attorney general candidate
Bob Bennett COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline)- The Ohio Republican Party is gearing up to search for the ideal candidate to run for state attorney general, following embattled Attorney General Marc Dann's resignation last week.
Shurtleff calls on lenders and lawmakers to 'step up' on subprime crisis
Mark Shurtleff SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (Legal Newsline)-Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said Wednesday that the state is doing what it can to help struggling homebuyers caught in the subprime mortgage crisis that has gripped communities across the Beehive State and the nation.
Alaska AG to challenge polar bear listing
Talis Colberg ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Legal Newsline) - Alaska Attorney General Talis Colberg will challenge the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's decision to list polar bears as a threatened species, Gov. Sarah Palin said Wednesday.
Coakley blames power company for layoffs, not former AG
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - In response to criticism of her predecessor, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley on Wednesday showed her disapproval of Western Massachusetts Electric Co.'s actions last year.
Cuomo: Settlement protects private data
Cuomo NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo says he has protected the personal information of consumers around the country from being spread.
Louisiana justices: Policyholders not always entitled to full value
NEW ORLEANS, La. (Legal Newsline)-The Louisiana Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. is not required to pay the full value of the homeowners insurance policy to a home lost in Hurricane Rita in 2005.
Brown, Schwarzenegger rally behind homeschoolers
Jerry Brown SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-California Attorney General Jerry Brown is urging a state appeals court to reconsider a ruling that parents must hold teaching credentials to homeschool their children.
McDaniel files suit against AstraZeneca
Dustin McDaniel LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) - Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel has filed a lawsuit against AstraZeneca over its marketing of anti-psychotic medications.
Florida Supreme Court says voters should fill judicial vacancy, not governor
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – Florida's Supreme Court has sided with the Leon County Elections Supervisor Ion Sancho who believes citizens should decide who fills a state court vacancy, not the governor.
Kroger: Oregon's next attorney general
John Kroger SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline)-John Kroger, a law school professor and former federal prosecutor, will almost certainly be Oregon's next attorney general, after beating out a veteran state legislator in the state's Democratic primary Tuesday.