LEGAL NEWSLINE

The Ohio Supreme Court has ordered the state tax commissioner to recalculate the tax rates for wooded areas near farmland. This decision comes after a unanimous ruling that found the current agricultural use values (CAUVs) for woodlands from 2015 to 2020 were not based on accurate, reliable, and practical data, as required by the Ohio Administrative Code.

Acadia Healthcare Company Inc., a Delaware corporation based in Franklin, Tennessee, has agreed to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act and related state statutes. The company is accused of billing for medically unnecessary inpatient behavioral health services or services that did not meet federal and state regulations.

The Second Annual Mental Health and the Courts Summit will be held on September 26, 2024, at the Vermont Statehouse and via Zoom. Information with program details, including which portions will be livestreamed, can be found on the Vermont Judiciary Commission on Mental Health and the Courts webpage.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has called on Texas Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn to support bipartisan legislation aimed at addressing an IRS policy that complicates state child support programs. The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Strengthening State and Tribal Child Support Act, with similar legislation now pending in the Senate.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul has joined 22 other attorneys general in supporting a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) rule aimed at curbing illegal gun trafficking. The coalition filed an amicus brief in Texas v. ATF, arguing that the rule is necessary to protect public safety by preventing domestic abusers and other dangerous individuals from obtaining guns illegally.

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has approved settlements in rate increase requests from the Michigan Gas Utilities Corporation (MGUC) and Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO), as announced by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. The settlements result in significant reductions in the requested rate hikes, partially due to the Attorney General's intervention.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated a multistate lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Biden Administration officials. The suit aims to block a new rule that redefines "gender dysphoria" as a disability under federal law.

Following the close of a two-week collective effort, Attorney General Charity Clark, the Vermont Bar Association (VBA), the Vermont Paralegal Organization (VPO), and the Vermont Foodbank announced the positive impact of the Vermont Legal Community Fighting Hunger Food Drive. For the past eight years, legal professionals across the state have come together to run the food drive during 'Hunger Action Month' in September. With economic hardships such as inflation and high housing costs, as well as multiple flooding events, it has been difficult for many households to keep food...

On September 26, 2024, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Justice Department announced findings from an investigation into civil rights violations by the Lexington, Mississippi Police Department and the City of Lexington. Clarke was joined by Todd W. Gee, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi.

A job announcement has been made for a temporary law clerk position in Bismarck, ND. The role is full-time, non-exempt, and does not include benefits. The salary is set at $20.79 per hour, Grade 4. Applications are due by May 1, 2025.

Today, in Dakota County District Court, Jason Jones, 44, was found guilty of the first-degree murders of Michele Ebeling and Gene, Janet, and Dana Twiford on August 4, 2022, in Laurel, Nebraska. Jones was also convicted of two counts of second-degree arson and four counts of use of a weapon to commit a felony.

Attorney General Tim Griffin announced the arrest of Charlotte Dedmon, 48, of Little Rock, on a felony charge of Medicaid fraud. In his statement, Griffin said, "I congratulate my office’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for securing the arrest of someone stealing from the hardworking taxpayers of Arkansas. A caregiver cannot marry a Medicaid beneficiary and then bill the state for services."

Attorney General Gentner Drummond commented today on the execution of Emmanuel Littlejohn, who was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of Kenny Meers during a convenience store robbery in June 1992.

The Arkansas Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit challenging the state's emergency rule on driver’s license gender identification. The order was issued in the case of Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration v. Gallagher.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul has charged a Cook County man for allegedly using stolen personal identification information to acquire over $620,000 in vehicles from dealers across Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. The vehicles were later sold on Facebook Marketplace.

Nine individuals have applied for the position of County Court Judge in Nebraska's 10th Judicial District. The applicants are Cassie L. Baldwin from Hastings, Melodie L. Bellamy from Kearney, Sara J. Bockstadter from Kenesaw, Patrick J. Calkins from Alma, Jaclyn N. Daake from Alma, Natalie G. Nelsen-Pacey from Holdrege, Kane M. Ramsey from Kearney, John A. Sauder from Holdrege, and Henry C. Schenker from Hildreth.

Retired Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Marcus R. Clark passed away on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, in Gainesville, Georgia. He was 68 years old.

The court has released new opinions on September 26, 2024, covering various appeals and disciplinary actions.

America First Legal (AFL) has initiated legal proceedings against the Cherry Creek School District and several of its senior administrative officials. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, alleges that the district retaliated against an employee for expressing his views on race during a mandatory diversity training session, thus violating his First Amendment rights.

The Justice Department has announced several measures aimed at improving firearm background checks and reducing gun violence. The Department is releasing model legislation and information to help states share juvenile criminal history and mental health records with the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) for firearm background checks. Additionally, over $200 million in new grant funding for gun violence prevention has been unveiled, along with new resources for law enforcement, including training and funding guidance.