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Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals

7th Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Satanic Temple's Indiana Abortion Challenge

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit by the Satanic Temple challenging Indiana's prohibition on telehealth abortion services. The court ruled the Massachusetts-based religious organization lacked standing to challenge the state's criminal penalties for administering abortion medication.

•Seventh Circuit affirmed dismissal of Satanic Temple's challenge to Indiana telehealth abortion restrictions

•Court ruled the Massachusetts religious organization lacked standing to sue on behalf of its members

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

Jan 6, 2026•2 min read

Pa. Supreme Court Dismisses Environmental Regulation Appeals as Moot

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court dismissed multiple consolidated appeals challenging the state's environmental regulation process on January 6, 2026, after the Department of Environmental Protection and Legislative Reference Bureau resolved their dispute. The cases, which had drawn intervention requests from energy companies including Constellation Energy, were ruled moot following regulatory changes.

•Pennsylvania Supreme Court dismissed consolidated environmental regulation appeals as moot on January 6, 2026

•Cases between DEP and Legislative Reference Bureau were resolved through regulatory changes before Supreme Court decision

•Eighth Circuit dismissed employment discrimination appeal for missing 30-day filing deadline

8th Circuit Dismisses Worker's Bias Suit Over Late Appeal Filing

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed Darran Farmer's employment discrimination lawsuit against FilmTec Corporation and DuPont after he failed to file his appeal within the required 30-day deadline. The court rejected Farmer's argument that his request for reconsideration extended the filing deadline.

•Former FilmTec employee's request for reconsideration did not extend appeal deadline

•State court granted motions to suppress evidence and dismissed all criminal charges

8th Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment for Iowa Officers in Civil Rights Case

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's summary judgment in favor of Iowa police officers and municipalities in a Section 1983 civil rights lawsuit. Plaintiffs Rene Valdivia and Alexis Free had successfully suppressed evidence and obtained dismissal of all criminal charges in state court before filing their federal civil rights claims.

•Eighth Circuit affirmed district court's summary judgment for all defendants

•Eighth Circuit reversed district court's Armed Career Criminal Act enhancement determination

8th Circuit Reverses Armed Career Criminal Act Enhancement for Ferguson

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit vacated the sentence of Darrick Ferguson, who was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, after determining the district court incorrectly applied an Armed Career Criminal Act enhancement. The appeals court remanded the case for resentencing.

•Ferguson was convicted of felon in possession of firearm under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)

Connecticut Supreme Court

Connecticut Supreme Court Rules in Orlando v. Liburd Auto Insurance Case

The Connecticut Supreme Court issued a decision in Orlando v. Liburd, a case involving automobile insurance coverage disputes and third-party claims following a motor vehicle accident. The ruling addresses complex issues of insurer liability and damages claims between multiple parties.

•Connecticut Supreme Court issued decision in Orlando v. Liburd automobile insurance dispute case

•Case involved claims for vehicle diminution of value and loss of use damages following motor vehicle accident

•Jordan Payne told mental health provider he wouldn't kill himself in jail but couldn't guarantee his actions after release

8th Circuit Reviews Mental Health Provider Liability in Jail Suicide Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit is reviewing a case where parents are suing a mental health services provider after their son Jordan Payne committed suicide in the Madison County Jail in Iowa. The case centers on whether Eyerly-Ball Community Mental Health Services and its employee adequately responded to clear signs of mental health crisis during a meeting with Payne on the day he took his own life.

•Provider failed to fully communicate Jordan's concerning statements to jail staff, leading to inadequate suicide prevention measures

Supreme Court of New Jersey

N.J. Supreme Court Reviews Jury Instructions in Murder Case

The New Jersey Supreme Court issued a per curiam decision in State v. Michael Owens, examining whether trial courts must instruct juries on passion/provocation manslaughter as a lesser-included offense without defense counsel's request and whether domestic assault evidence should be separated from murder charges.

•New Jersey Supreme Court reviewed whether trial courts must give passion/provocation manslaughter jury instructions without defense counsel's request

•Appellate Division ruled evidence must "jump off the proverbial page" to require sua sponte lesser-included offense instructions

•Georgia Supreme Court affirmed Jikevious Scott's conviction for felony murder and child cruelty in death of his child Jayce Bell

Jan 5, 2026•4 min read

Georgia Supreme Court

Georgia Supreme Court Upholds Child Murder Conviction After Miranda Challenge

The Georgia Supreme Court rejected Jikevious Scott's appeal of his life sentence for felony murder and child cruelty in the death of his child Jayce Bell. Scott had argued his statements to police should have been suppressed due to Miranda rights violations.

•Scott's appeal argued police statements should have been suppressed due to Miranda rights violations