News from October 2009
Kansas SC upholds ban on wind farms
Lawton Nuss TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline)- The Kansas Supreme Court ruled Friday that Wabaunsee County commissioners may bar the construction of wind farms in their community.
Brown spokesman on leave over secret tapes
Jerry Brown (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-A spokesman for California Attorney General Jerry Brown has been placed on administrative leave after admitting to recording telephone calls with journalists.
Ohio SC rejects challenge to AEP's rate hike
Janine Migden-Ostrander COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline)-The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that American Electric Power can keep proceeds from an already-imposed rate increase.
Newsom exits Calif. governor's race, leaving AG Brown
Gavin Newsom (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom on Friday exited the California governor's race, leaving yet-to-announce Democratic candidate Jerry Brown the only figure preparing for a run for his party's nomination.
Biodiesel plant agrees to settle dumping allegations
Chris Koster (D) PEMISCOT COUNTY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - A Missouri biodiesel plant has agreed to a settlement following allegations of violating the state's Hazardous Waste Management Law and Clean Water Law.
AGs sue Amgen over alleged kickback scheme
Andrew Cuomo (D) NEW YORK (Legal Newsline)--Amgen Inc. was sued on Friday by more than a dozen state attorneys general for allegedly offering kickbacks to doctors in an effort to boost sales of its anemia drug, Aranesp.
Groups plan to sue over coal dust from processing plant
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Legal Newsline)-Environmentalists in Alaska say they plan to file a lawsuit over coal-dust pollution at a plant in Seward.
GOP poised for Election Day celebrations in Va.
McDonnell RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) - A few days before Virginians go to vote, it looks increasingly like Republicans will sweep three key offices.
Wis. company ordered to pay for violations of storm water laws
Van Hollen MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - A Berlin, Wis., partnership has been ordered by Lafayette County Circuit Court Judge William D. Johnston to pay $194,271.50 for violations of storm water management laws at two construction sites.
Suit filed against Col. loan company for deceptive trade practices
Suthers DENVER (Legal Newsline) - Colorado Attorney General John Suthers has filed suit against a Colorado Springs-based loan company over alleged deceptive trade practices.
N.J. ticket resellers agree to change business practices
Milgram NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - Two New Jersey-based ticket brokers sued by state Attorney General Anne Milgram for offering concert tickets for sale before they were available to the general public have agreed to change their business practice.
Eight food manufacturers agree to drop Smart Choices logo
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - All eight food manufacturers participating in the Smart Choices logo program have agreed to Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal's request that they drop the logo from their products.
Public nuisance makes a comeback in global warming suits
Gifford WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - University of Maryland law professor Donald Gifford said Wednesday that it is time to start paying attention to public nuisance global warming lawsuits again.
Mass. settles with 20 landlords and real estate agents over discriminatory practices‏
Martha Coakley (D) BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Twenty cases against landlords and real estate agents accused of violating state anti-discrimination laws across Massachusetts have been settled by Attorney General Martha Coakley's office.
Legal analyst: Civil Gideon law could overwhelm civil courts
Ted Frank SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)- A new California law that gives lower-income residents legal representation in certain civil proceedings is raising concerns with a leading national legal observer.
Lawsuit filed against Texas man's home ownership scheme‏
Greg Abbott (R) AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has filed suit against a realty company that defrauded Hispanic home buyers.
Former Ariz. chief justice lauds merit selection process
McGregor WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The State of Arizona's process for selecting its judges was hailed as the nation's finest by the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform Wednesday at its summit, and former Chief Justice Ruth McGregor agreed.
Bush, Sessions talk tort reform at ILR Summit
Sessions WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions highlighted the speakers at the 10th U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform Summit, held Wednesday.
Hawaii SC ends ceded lands case
HONOLULU (Legal Newsline)-The Hawaii Supreme Court has ended the long-running litigation over ceded lands, dismissing claims by the remaining defendant in the case.
Plaintiffs, defendants could both use third-party financing, panel says
Beisner WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A panel of four debated just exactly who can benefit from third-party litigation financing Wednesday at the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform Summit.