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New Chapter in Ward County: Steven Lautt Takes Oath as North Central District Court Judge

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MINOT, N.D. — The Ward County Courthouse witnessed a significant transition on August 22 as District Judge Steven Lautt was officially sworn into office. The ceremony marked the end of one judicial chapter with the retirement of Judge Douglas Mattson, while ushering in Lautt’s new role within the North Central District Court. Lautt, a native of Minot, brings over a decade of legal experience from his work as an attorney at the local law firm Pringle and Herigstad. Since 2012, he has handled various civil cases and served as legal counsel for regional cooperatives and … Read more

FTC Drops Lawsuit Against Grand Canyon Education, Clearing Path for University Amid Ongoing Civil Suit

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Phoenix, Arizona — The Federal Trade Commission has dropped its lawsuit against Grand Canyon Education related to the university’s doctoral programs. This decision comes after the agency faced setbacks in previous motions to dismiss during a case initiated under the Biden Administration. The FTC’s dismissal arrived shortly after the U.S. Department of Education canceled a significant $37.7 million fine levied against Grand Canyon University in 2023. This fine had been a focal point of the litigation against the university. In a notable judicial victory for Grand Canyon Education, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the … Read more

Trial Set to Begin for Man Accused of Killing Prominent Radio Host Gaby Ramos in Domestic Violence Case

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SALT LAKE CITY — A trial is set to begin next year for a man accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend, Gabriela Sifuentes Castilla, who was a prominent Hispanic radio host known publicly as Gaby Ramos. Manuel Omar Burciaga-Perea, 38, is scheduled to stand trial over a four-day period starting May 5, 2026. Prosecutors allege that Burciaga-Perea shot and killed Sifuentes Castilla, 38, at her home on October 17, 2021. Charges were brought against him in November 2021, but his first court appearance did not occur until June 2023 due to his arrest in Mexico and … Read more

Johnson & Johnson’s Talc Troubles: Bankruptcy Court Ruling Signals Shift in Tort Liability Battles

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Johnson & Johnson faces significant challenges following a recent court decision that rejected the company’s bankruptcy restructuring plan. The ruling, handed down late last week, is a blow to J&J as it attempts to address thousands of lawsuits linked to allegations that its talc-based products caused cancer. The case reflects broader issues within the U.S. legal system, particularly concerning multidistrict litigation and the handling of large-scale tort claims. The decision from the bankruptcy court in North Carolina marked a critical moment in the ongoing legal battle for the multinational corporation. J&J had sought to establish … Read more