News from October 2024
Attorney General investigates Seymour and South Bend police over immigration policy compliance
Amid concerns from community members and officials, Attorney General Todd Rokita has issued civil investigative demands (CID) to the Seymour and South Bend police departments. The investigation seeks to determine if their immigration policies comply with state law.
Louisiana sues DHS over tuberculosis case involving illegal immigrant
In a legal move, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following the entry of a Chinese national with a rare, aggressive, and drug-resistant form of tuberculosis into the...
Ohio Supreme Court rules stray animals protected under felony cruelty laws
A state law in Ohio that elevates animal cruelty to a felony now includes protections for all dogs and cats, including strays.
State attorneys general address antisemitism concerns at Columbia University
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has co-led a coalition of 25 state attorneys general in addressing Columbia University regarding concerns over antisemitism on its campus. The group sent a letter to the university, urging it not to yield to calls for divestment from Israel.
State AGs express concerns over antisemitism at Columbia University
Attorney General Tim Griffin of Arkansas, along with South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, has addressed a letter to Columbia University on behalf of 23 other state attorneys general. The letter expresses concern over rising antisemitism on the university's campus linked to groups promoting boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) against Israel.
Coalition urges Columbia University to maintain stance against Israel divestment
Attorney General Raúl Labrador has aligned with a coalition of 25 attorneys general in expressing concerns about antisemitism at Columbia University. The coalition sent a letter urging the university to resist demands for divestment from Israel.
Vermont Supreme Court advisory committee meets virtually for family proceedings updates
The Vermont Supreme Court's Advisory Committee on Rules for Family Proceedings is set to convene virtually via TEAMS on October 25, 2024. The meeting will take place from 1:30 to 3:00 pm and will address a range of topics concerning family court rules.
Coalition fights Idaho's restrictive abortion ban citing risk to patient health
New York Attorney General Letitia James and California Attorney General Rob Bonta have spearheaded a coalition of 24 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in the case U.S. v. Idaho. The brief seeks to maintain access to emergency abortion care in Idaho by urging the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to uphold a lower court's preliminary injunction against Idaho’s restrictive abortion ban, which lacks an exception for emergencies.
George West fined $9.5 million for unlicensed cannabis sales
New York Attorney General Letitia James has secured a $9.5 million judgment against George West, the owner of an unlicensed cannabis dispensary in Ontario County. The judgment follows West's non-compliance with a June 2023 order from the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) to cease operations without a license. Jaydega 7.0, the dispensary owned by West, was shut down by judicial order in November 2023.
Oklahoma man sentenced to life in prison for ordering murder from jail
An Osage County judge has sentenced Zachary Millard to life in prison for orchestrating the 2021 murder of fellow Irish mob member Mitchell Roberts. The Oklahoma Attorney General's Office, along with partner agencies, managed the case against Millard, who was found guilty earlier this month for the crime committed in Tulsa.
West Columbia man charged with child sexual exploitation offenses
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has announced the arrest of Joshua Washington Shoulders, a 29-year-old resident of West Columbia, South Carolina. Shoulders faces three charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors. The arrest was carried out by investigators from the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force within the Lexington County Sheriff's Department. Additional support in the investigation came from the Attorney General's Office and the University of South Carolina Police Department.
Hilo hosts first law & justice academy engaging high school students
HILO, Hawaiʻi – Over the recent fall break, 20 high school students from various schools on Hawaiʻi Island participated in the first Hilo Law & Justice Academy. The three-day program was held at Hale Kaulike (Hilo courthouse) and ended with a mock trial exercise.
Former Assistant U.S. Attorney and Michigan Assistant Attorney General Alison A. Furtaw Joins Dykema’s Bloomfield Hills Office
Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of Alison Furtaw as a Senior Counsel in its Government Investigations and Corporate Compliance Practice in the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office.
Office of Special Prosecutions Completes Review of Officer-Involved Shooting in Gambell
The Office of Special Prosecutions has completed its review of an officer-involved shooting from Aug. 16, 2024, involving Alaska State Troopers Jayson Christner and Colten Buie and Court Services Officer Sawyer Munson’s use of force against Vaughn Walunga, 46, in Gambell.
Another loss, another possible penalty for prolific class action lawyer
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - Ricola wants the class action lawyer who sued it and lost to fork over $60,000 because he allegedly continued to pursue claims over ingredients in the lozenges he knew were wrong.
Attorney General Brown Joins Multistate Coalition to Support Ending Needless Barriers to Mifepristone Access in North Carolina
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a coalition of 18 attorneys general in opposing needless barriers to mifepristone access imposed by the state of North Carolina.
Attorney General's Office Sues Grafton Company, Feedback Earth, Inc., To Stop Public Nuisance Odors
The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (AGO) announced that it has filed a lawsuit in Suffolk Superior Court against a Grafton company, Feedback Earth, Inc., over claims that it has been emitting noxious odors for months that impact residents in several surrounding communities.
Drummond asks Supreme Court to review Title X referral overreach case
Attorney General Gentner Drummond on Tuesday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review an appellate court’s decision upholding the Biden Administration’s suspension of a family planning grant that Oklahoma has received for more than 40 years.
Attorney General Mike Hilgers Announces Satellite Office in Ogallala, Nebraska
Attorney General Mike Hilgers is pleased to announce the upcoming addition of a satellite location of the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office in Ogallala, Nebraska.
Greenberg Traurig Launches Immigration Insights Podcast Miniseries
Kate Kalmykov, co-chair of the Global Immigration & Compliance Practice of law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP, is set to host Immigration Insights, a podcast series in which she interviews Greenberg Traurig attorneys and outside guests on various immigration topics, as a part of the firm’s Big Law Redefined podcast.