Federal Judge Rejects Union Plea Against Mass Layoffs, Directs Grievances to Labor Authority

Washington, D.C. – In a significant development, District Judge Christopher Cooper has ruled against a plea from several government employee unions who sought to block the recent mass dismissals instituted by President Trump’s administration. The ruling suggested that the unions had chosen an improper venue for their complaints, instead directing them to approach the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA). The unions, including the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), faced a setback when Judge Cooper indicated that arguments for retaining the jobs of federal employees should be presented to the FLRA, a federal agency that handles … Read more

Jury Trial Set for Suspect in Harrisonburg Shooting After Declining Plea Deal

Harrisonburg, VA — A jury trial is set for Alexander Ramos Perez, the man accused of a North Main Street shooting in Harrisonburg that occurred last year. Initially expected to enter a plea on Tuesday, the proceedings instead were postponed, and a new trial date was scheduled for July 1 in Rockingham County Circuit Court. Ramos Perez, 22, is facing three felony charges, including malicious wounding. The charges stem from an incident during the early morning hours of March 31, where a 19-year-old Rockingham County woman was severely injured and required hospitalization. The forthcoming trial, … Read more

Federal Judge Rejects Alabama Inmate’s Plea to Alter Nitrogen Gas Execution Protocol

Montgomery, Alabama—A federal judge on Friday declined a request by an Alabama death row inmate for a preliminary injunction to change the method of his upcoming execution, set to occur later this week using nitrogen gas. The decision was made amid contentious debates over the constitutionality of execution methods. The inmate, Demetrius Frazier, faces execution for the 1991 crimes of rape and murder of Pauline Brown. U.S. District Court Judge Emily C. Marks determined that Frazier did not successfully demonstrate the substantial legal standards required to justify a preliminary injunction against the state’s planned method. … Read more

Anchorage Man Enters Not Guilty Plea in Lawyer Shooting Case

Anchorage, Alaska — A local man has entered a plea of not guilty in connection with the shooting of an Anchorage attorney, according to officials. The incident, which has captivated local attention, took place earlier this month and has raised questions about safety and security within the professional community in Alaska’s largest city. The accused, identified as Matthew Willhite, 47, was arraigned on charges stemming from the shooting, which occurred in a downtown parking lot in Anchorage. The victim, a lawyer who has been part of the Anchorage legal community for several years, sustained injuries … Read more