Lawsuit Against State Utility Rule Continues as Plaintiffs Shift Focus to City of Gainesville

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – A lawsuit challenging a new state law that restructured the municipal utility in the Gainesville area is moving forward, despite the dismissal of Gov. Ron DeSantis as a defendant last month. The group Gainesville Residents United and six individual plaintiffs are now seeking to include the city of Gainesville as a defendant in the case. The law, which was passed during the previous legislative session, established the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority as a replacement for the longstanding Gainesville Regional Utilities agency. Under the new law, the governor has the power to … Read more

New Jersey Court Overturns $223M Award in Landmark J&J Talc Case, Pivotal Legal Battle Continues

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — An appeals court in New Jersey has overturned a $223 million jury award in a talc case against Johnson & Johnson. The court ruled that the company did not breach any legal duties in manufacturing the product. The case involved a man who claimed that he developed mesothelioma, a cancer linked to asbestos, due to his use of Johnson & Johnson’s talc products. The jury initially awarded him $117 million in compensatory damages and $100 million in punitive damages. However, the appeals court found that there was insufficient evidence to support … Read more

Ardra L. Bey Primed for the State Court of Fulton County: An Atlanta Judge’s Pursuit of Justice Continues

Atlanta, Georgia – After dedicating eight years of service to the Atlanta Municipal Court, Judge Ardra L. Bey is now setting her sights on a higher position. A native of Atlanta, Bey has recently announced her intention to run for election to the State Court of Fulton County. This move comes as multiple seats on the bench are up for grabs in the upcoming May 2024 nonpartisan primary election. With a strong commitment to public service, Bey believes her experience and dedication make her well-suited for the State Court of Fulton County. Having served as … Read more

Tucson Judge Denies Request for Jury in Transgender Sports Ban Case, Prolonged Legal Battle Continues

Tucson, Arizona – Republican Tom Horne’s efforts to limit transgender girls’ participation in school sports teams faced another setback last week. A Tucson judge denied his request for a jury trial. Horne, the state’s public schools chief, had asked federal Judge Jennifer Zipps to allow a jury for the case. He argued that regular Arizonans would not make the same mistake as Zipps, who had temporarily blocked a 2022 law prohibiting trans girls from playing on teams that align with their gender identity. In response to Horne’s petition, Zipps concluded that the case did not … Read more