Cities

High-Speed Chase in Rochester Ends in Conviction for Twin Cities Woman

by

Rochester, MN — A woman from the Twin Cities area has been convicted on a felony charge after leading police on a high-speed chase in Rochester nearly two years ago. The incident, which endangered local residents, culminated in a guilty verdict for 31-year-old Mickela Joy Vrendenburg. The police pursuit began in September 2022, when Rochester officers, intending to serve Vrendenburg a felony arrest warrant, noticed her leaving a known address in a vehicle with a malfunctioning taillight. Despite attempts by an officer to stop her, Vrendenburg accelerated her vehicle to about 50 mph through a … Read more

Ohio Cities File Lawsuit Challenging State Law Stripping Local Tobacco Regulations

by

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Filing a lawsuit on Wednesday, Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein is leading a legal challenge against a recently passed state law that aims to strip away the authority of cities in Ohio to regulate the sale of tobacco products at the local level. This lawsuit is supported by 13 other Ohio cities, including Bexley, Cincinnati, and Cleveland. The ban, which is scheduled to take effect on April 23, was approved after lawmakers overrode the governor’s veto of the legislation earlier this year. Under the newly enacted law, Ohio cities would no longer … Read more

Federal Judge Approves Lawsuit by Gaetz and Greene Against California Cities Over Political Event Cancellations

by

Anaheim, California – A federal judge has ruled that Republican representatives Matt Gaetz of Florida and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia can proceed with their lawsuit against two California cities that canceled their political events. The decision by U.S. District Judge Hernán Vera allows the lawmakers to move forward with their suit, which alleges that the cities discriminated against them based on their political views. However, Judge Vera stated that Gaetz and Greene’s attempt to blame civil rights organizations was misguided. In 2021, three California venues that were scheduled to host “Put America First” rallies … Read more

Federal Judge Allows Lawsuit by GOP Firebrands Gaetz and Greene Against California Cities to Proceed

by

ANAHEIM and RIVERSIDE, California – Republican Representatives Matt Gaetz from Florida and Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia have been granted permission to proceed with their lawsuit against two cities in California. Judge Hernan Vera, a Biden appointee, ruled that there is sufficient evidence to suggest that the GOP lawmakers have a valid claim against Anaheim and Riverside officials for canceling their planned rallies in 2021. The judge did, however, criticize Gaetz and Greene for their allegations of collusion between liberal nonprofits and the cities to violate their free speech rights. The lawsuit, which was filed … Read more