Employers and Benefit Administrators Urge Congressional Action Against Rising Drug Costs Amid State Law Surge

As the cost of prescription drugs continues to climb, employers and benefits plan administrators across the United States are urging Congress to consider legislation that would reform the operations of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). This push is fueled by a growing body of state laws aimed at curbing PBM practices that many argue contribute to higher healthcare expenses. Industry experts highlight that while PBMs are tasked with managing prescription drug benefits on behalf of health insurers, employers, and Medicare Part D drug plans, there are increasing concerns about their role in the escalation of drug … Read more

Jury Awards Nearly $500K to Topeka Police Administrators in Landmark Sex Discrimination Case

Topeka, Kansas — A federal jury awarded almost $500,000 in total damages to two female administrators from the Topeka Police Department after they were overlooked for promotions in favor of a less qualified male colleague. The decision came following a lawsuit that accused the department of sex discrimination. Over the course of a four-day trial, which concluded after roughly three hours of jury deliberation, Colleen Stuart and Jana Harden were granted $200,000 each for emotional damages, which included suffering, humiliation, and mental anguish. Additionally, the jury allocated more than $35,000 and $11,059 in back pay … Read more

Coffee Shop Owner Triumphs in Free Speech Lawsuit Against Boise State Administrators, Awarded $4 Million in Damages

BOISE, Idaho — In a significant legal victory, Sarah Jo Fendley, the former owner of Big City Coffee, won a lawsuit against two senior Boise State University administrators for infringing on her First Amendment rights. The jury decision issued late Friday awarded Fendley $4 million in damages, concluding a nine-day trial that spotlighted the intersection of free speech and campus politics. The case originated from an incident in 2020, when Fendley alleged that her support for law enforcement led to the forced closure of her coffee shop’s campus location. The controversy centered on her public … Read more

Jury Awards $4 Million to Boise Coffee Shop Owner in First Amendment Lawsuit Against University Administrators

BOISE, Idaho — In a legal conclusion that caps off a highly publicized three-week trial, Big City Coffee won a significant victory against Boise State University administrators, securing a $3 million award for alleged violations of First Amendment rights. The controversy stemmed from the coffee shop’s display of a law enforcement support sticker, which ignited campus activism and public debate. In August 2021, Sarah Fendley, the owner of Big City Coffee, initiated a $10 million lawsuit targeting Leslie Webb, the former vice president for student affairs, and Alicia Estey, chief financial and operating officer at … Read more