Verdict . News

Regulatory

•FDA announces new regulatory approach for "no artificial colors" claims on food products

FDA Announces Policy Shift to Phase Out Artificial Food Colors

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced new regulatory steps to support the food industry's transition away from artificial petroleum-based colors toward natural alternatives. The policy represents a shift in how the agency approaches food coloring claims and manufacturing standards.

•Policy aims to transition food supply from petroleum-based artificial colors to natural alternatives

•Supreme Court denied California GOP's emergency request to block new electoral map without recorded dissents

Supreme Court

2w ago•5 min read

Supreme Court

Supreme Court Denies GOP Challenge to California's New Electoral Map

The Supreme Court on Thursday denied a request from California Republicans to block the state from using its newly drawn electoral map in upcoming elections. The denial came without any public dissents from the justices.

•Decision allows California to proceed with contested redistricted boundaries for 2024 elections

•1,659 investors receiving average checks of $16,462 for Sanctuary Belize and $6,346 for Kanantik properties

District Court

FTC Returns $23M to Victims of Sanctuary Belize Real Estate Fraud

The Federal Trade Commission is distributing nearly $23 million in refunds to 1,659 consumers defrauded in the Sanctuary Belize and Kanantik real estate schemes. This second round of payments brings total consumer recoveries to approximately $33 million from what prosecutors called a deceptive overseas luxury development scam.

•Second distribution following $10 million in initial refunds, bringing total recoveries to approximately $33 million

U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho

Idaho Teacher Sues Over Banned 'Everyone is Welcome' Poster

A sixth-grade teacher in Meridian, Idaho, has filed a federal lawsuit after school administrators ordered her to remove inclusivity posters from her classroom, claiming the 'everyone is welcome' message constituted a political viewpoint under new state legislation.

•Teacher Sarah Inama displayed inclusivity posters for over three years without complaints before being ordered to remove them in 2025

•School administrators classified 'everyone is welcome' message as political viewpoint under new Idaho legislation banning ideological displays

•Federal Judge John Chun denied motion to dismiss sex trafficking claims against YouTubers 'Onision' and 'Laineybot'

U.S. District Court

Federal Judge Allows Sex Trafficking Claims Against YouTuber 'Onision'

A federal judge in Seattle denied a motion to dismiss sex trafficking and grooming claims against YouTuber James Jackson, known as 'Onision,' and his spouse Lucas Jackson. Two former underage fans are pursuing allegations that the couple used their platform to exploit minors across state lines.

•Two former underage fans allege the couple used their platform to solicit explicit content and coerce sexual acts

•Puig is charged with lying to federal agents about his involvement with illegal sports betting through middleman Donny Kadokawa

Puig Defense Claims Federal Obstruction Case Built on 'Speculation'

Former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig's defense attorney told jurors that federal obstruction charges against her client are based on speculation, not evidence. Defense lawyer Keri Axel argued Wednesday that Puig simply needed more time to recall details about his 2019 sports betting activities when questioned by federal agents in 2022.

•Defense argues government based charges on speculation rather than evidence, claiming Puig needed time to remember 2019 events

State Court

•Three Riopta sisters successfully petitioned Hawaii Supreme Court for review of foreclosure case

Supreme Court of Hawaii

Hawaii Supreme Court Accepts Foreclosure Appeal by Three Sisters

The Hawaii Supreme Court has agreed to review a foreclosure case involving three sisters who are challenging an action by Wilmington Savings Fund Society acting as trustee for a mortgage acquisition trust. The court will decide the case without oral arguments.

•Wilmington Savings Fund Society acting as mortgage trust trustee brought the foreclosure action

Federal Circuit

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fifth Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment for Texas Trooper in Fatal Shooting

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed a district court's summary judgment ruling in favor of Texas State Trooper Donald Hinote in a federal civil rights lawsuit. The parents of Ronald Elizondo Jr. had sued the trooper under Section 1983 for excessive force in their son's fatal shooting.

•Fifth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Texas State Trooper Donald Hinote in Section 1983 excessive force lawsuit

•Parents of Ronald Elizondo Jr. sued trooper over their son's fatal shooting but lost at both district and appellate court levels

Federal Circuit

Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

10th Circuit Affirms Double Murder Conviction for Dakota Briscoe

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit affirmed the conviction and sentence of Dakota Don Briscoe, known as 'Outlaw,' who was found guilty of shooting two men in their car and setting the vehicle on fire in September 2020. The appellate court rejected Briscoe's appeal without oral argument.

•Tenth Circuit affirmed conviction of Dakota Don Briscoe for 2020 double murder and carjacking

•Court proceeded without oral argument, finding it unnecessary for decision