Verdict . News

•Montana Supreme Court affirmed denial of Mark Kapps's postconviction relief petition

Dec 23, 2025•4 min read

Montana Supreme Court

Montana Supreme Court Denies Postconviction Relief in Kapps Case

The Montana Supreme Court affirmed a Fallon County District Court's denial of Mark Kapps's petition for postconviction relief, rejecting his claims of ineffective assistance of counsel. Justice Ingrid Gustafson delivered the court's opinion on December 23, 2025.

•Kapps claimed ineffective assistance of counsel in his underlying criminal case

•Idaho Supreme Court reversed district court's summary judgment against buyers seeking specific performance of real estate contract

Dec 23, 2025•4 min read

Idaho Supreme Court

Idaho Supreme Court Reverses Summary Judgment in Real Estate Contract Dispute

The Idaho Supreme Court reversed a district court's summary judgment ruling in favor of sellers who attempted to back out of a signed residential real estate purchase agreement. The high court ruled that buyers Patrick and Meghan McLaughlin can pursue specific performance against sellers Sharelynn and Jason Moore.

•Sellers attempted to withdraw from signed purchase agreement after agreeing on price with buyers

•Idaho Supreme Court reversed trial court dismissals and ordered complete case remand

Dec 23, 2025•4 min read

Idaho Supreme Court

Idaho Supreme Court Reverses Family Business Dispute Dismissals

The Idaho Supreme Court vacated lower court judgments and ordered a complete remand in a sibling dispute over their father's business interests and estate administration. The December 23, 2025 ruling reversed dismissals of claims brought by Ryan Monson against his sister Nancy J. Monson and the family business Tautphaus Park Storage LLC.

•Dispute involves siblings fighting over father's business ownership and estate administration

•Idaho Supreme Court reversed district court's summary judgment denying specific performance in real estate contract dispute

Dec 23, 2025•2 min read

Idaho Supreme Court

Idaho Supreme Court Reverses Summary Judgment in Real Estate Contract Case

The Idaho Supreme Court reversed a district court's summary judgment ruling in McLaughlin v. Moore, a real estate contract dispute involving a condominium sale. The sellers attempted to withdraw from the deal after signing the purchase agreement.

•Court affirmed dismissal of statute of frauds defense, finding property description adequate under Idaho Code 55-1526

•Pham served as Acting Chairman for nearly 11 months after Trump's inauguration in January 2025

CFTC Acting Chairman Caroline Pham Announces Departure

Commodity Futures Trading Commission Acting Chairman Caroline D. Pham announced her departure from the agency on December 22, 2025, ending nearly a year-long tenure that began following President Trump's inauguration. Pham led the CFTC during a period focused on digital asset regulation and market innovation.

•Her departure comes as CFTC prepares for expanded oversight of digital assets, crypto, and prediction markets

•SEC filed charges against three crypto trading platforms and four investment clubs for alleged fraud

SEC Charges Seven Crypto Entities in Social Media Investment Fraud Scheme

The Securities and Exchange Commission filed charges against three cryptocurrency trading platforms and four investment clubs for allegedly orchestrating a fraudulent scheme that targeted retail investors through social media platforms.

•The scheme specifically targeted retail investors through social media platforms

•Troemner Family Farm voluntarily recalled 6 oz and 12 oz Pfeffernusse cookie packages due to undeclared allergens

Michigan Cookie Company Recalls Pfeffernusse Products Over Undeclared Allergens

Troemner Farm of Atlantic Mine, Michigan has issued a voluntary recall of its Pfeffernusse cookies after discovering the products contain undeclared milk, wheat, and soy allergens. The FDA warns that consumers with allergies or severe sensitivities to these ingredients face the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions.

•Products contain milk, wheat, and soy that are not listed on ingredient labels

•FDA testing revealed lead levels up to 11,100 parts per million in Rheumacare Capsules

FDA Finds Dangerous Lead Levels in Rheumacare Capsules, Prompts Recall

Handelnine Global Limited, operating as Navafresh, has issued a voluntary nationwide recall of specific lots of Rheumacare Capsules after FDA testing revealed dangerous lead contamination levels up to 11,100 parts per million. The recall affects products manufactured by Virgo UAP Pharma Pvt. Ltd.

•Voluntary recall affects specific lot numbers CAM040 and CALO79-N distributed nationwide

•Nearly 65,000 rental scams reported since 2020, costing consumers $65 million total

FTC: Rental Scams Cost Americans $65 Million Since 2020

A new Federal Trade Commission analysis reveals that consumers have reported nearly 65,000 rental scams since 2020, resulting in approximately $65 million in losses. Half of recent rental scam reports originated from fake Facebook advertisements, with young adults aged 18-29 being three times more likely to lose money to these schemes.

•Facebook accounts for 50% of rental scam reports in the 12 months ending June 2025