News from 2009
Palin to resign as Alaska governor
Sarah Palin (R) WASILLA, Alaska (Legal Newsline)-Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, announced Friday she will step down in a matter of weeks.
Republican announces run for Illinois AG
Joseph Birkett (R) SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline)-The first Republican has thrown his hat into the 2010 race for Illinois attorney general.
Five lead plaintiffs named in Bank of America class action
Richard Cordray (D) COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Five pension funds in a securities class action lawsuit on behalf of investors in Bank of America over untrue statements and failure to disclose information about its Merrill Lynch acquisition were granted lead plaintiff status.
Federal appeals court judge rebuked over his explicit Internet files
Alex Kozinski WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-A panel of federal judges has admonished Alex Kozinski, chief judge of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, for placing sexually explicit photos and videos on an Internet server that could be accessed by the public.
Hollywood opens checkbooks for Calif. AG hopeful Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris (D) SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline)-California attorney general candidate San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris has attracted the support of a handful of Hollywood heavyweights.
States join FTC in targeting business opportunity fraud
Bill McCollum (R) TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline)- The Federal Trade Commission and an alliance of 15 state law enforcement authorities are teaming up to combat debt relief scams, Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum said.
State AGs reach tentative agreement with General Motors
Jon Bruning (R) LINCOLN, Neb. (Legal Newsline)-Thirty states have reached a tentative agreement with General Motors Corp. over concerns the troubled automaker's bankruptcy plan would trample state laws, Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning announced Thursday.
Miss. jury awards $7M in lead paint case
FAYETTE, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - A Jefferson County, Miss., jury has awarded $7 million to the plaintiffs in a lead paint suit against Sherwin-Williams Co.
Pa. SC will rule on Gov. Rendell's contract with plaintiffs firm
Rendell HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has agreed to hear the appeal of a pharmaceuticals company that says a major plaintiffs firm hired by Gov. Ed Rendell should not be allowed to sue it.
Alabama chief justice decides against gubernatorial run
Sue Bell Cobb (D) MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline)-Alabama Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb says she will remain on the state's high court rather than run for governor in 2010.
Another agrees to Cuomo's pension fund reform
Cuomo NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - A third company has signed New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's code of conduct designed to reform public pension systems.
Obama says Supreme Court 'moving the ball' on affirmative action
Barack Obama (D) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-President Barack Obama on Thursday praised this week's U.S. Supreme Court decision favoring white firefighters in New Haven, Conn.
Poultry producers seek to delay trial
Drew Edmondson (D) TULSA, Okla. (Legal Newsline)-A group of large-scale poultry companies being sued by Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson have asked a federal judge to delay the Sept. 21 trial date.
Hawaii governor vetoes online tax bill
Linda Lingle (R) HONOLULU, Hawaii (Legal Newsline) - Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle this week vetoed legislation that would have taxed retailers that have affiliate relationships with online companies such as Amazon and Overstock.
Mich. AG opposes Blue Cross Blue Shield rate increase
Mike Cox (R) LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline)-Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox has asked the state insurance commissioner to deny an application for an interim rate request from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
Blumenthal: DPUC agrees to cuts
Richard Blumenthal (D) HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline)- The Connecticut Department of Utility Control has agreed to reject a rate increase by Connecticut Natural Gas, state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said.
Arbitrator says Nebraska owes Kansas $10k for water usage
Jon Bruning (R) LINCOLN, Neb. (Legal Newsline)-The arbitrator appointed to resolve a multistate water fight among Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska says Nebraska has violated a U.S. Supreme Court decree.
N.J. reaches settlement with seventh moving and storage company this year‏
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - A moving company in New Jersey's Passaic County has settled allegations it operated without a license.
Coakley reaches settlement with Merrill Lynch
Martha Coakley (D) BOSTON (Legal Newsline)- Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley has reached a settlement with Merrill Lynch over claims the company misled the city of Springfield into unlawfully investing into auction-rate securities.
New Calif. law overhauls digital discovery procedures
Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed into law legislation this week that is aimed improving discovery practices for attorneys on both sides of cases.