Verdict . News

•Former Alabama basketball player Kai Spears sued The New York Times for defamation after being wrongly identified in connection with a 2023 murder case

federal court

Alabama Supreme Court to Define Reporter Shield Law in NYT Case

A defamation lawsuit filed by former Alabama basketball player Kai Spears against The New York Times has prompted the Alabama Supreme Court to clarify the scope of the state's 1936 reporter shield law. The case stems from the Times' mistaken identification of Spears in connection with a 2023 Tuscaloosa murder.

•The Times invoked Alabama's 1936 reporter shield law to protect confidential sources, prompting a federal judge to seek state Supreme Court guidance

Eastern District of Louisiana

Trump Nominee Defends Forced Arbitration for Sexual Assault Cases

Anna St. John, President Trump's nominee for the Eastern District of Louisiana federal bench, faced sharp questioning from Senate Democrats over her 2021 testimony defending forced arbitration in sexual harassment and assault cases. The nominee contended her statements should not be misconstrued as minimizing victims' experiences.

•Anna St. John defended forced arbitration in sexual harassment cases during 2021 House testimony

•Democratic senators questioned whether her views would affect judicial decision-making

State Court

Colorado Court of Appeals

Colorado Paramedic Appeals Convictions in Elijah McClain Death Case

A former Aurora, Colorado, paramedic convicted of criminally negligent homicide and assault in the 2019 death of Elijah McClain is appealing his convictions to the Colorado Court of Appeals. Peter Cichuniec argues the jury's verdict was inconsistent, convicting him for drug administration while acquitting his co-defendant who actually administered the fatal ketamine dose.

•Peter Cichuniec appeals convictions for criminally negligent homicide and assault in Elijah McClain's 2019 death

•Defense argues jury verdict was inconsistent by convicting Cichuniec while acquitting co-defendant who administered ketamine

Federal Circuit

•Jessica Combs alleges Netflix maintained a sexually hostile work environment including inappropriate staircase design

Ninth Circuit

Ex-Netflix Employee Challenges Arbitration in 9th Circuit Harassment Case

A former Netflix employee is asking the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to allow her sexual harassment lawsuit to proceed in federal court rather than private arbitration. The case centers on whether the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021 applies to claims that originated before the law's effective date.

•The dispute hinges on when Combs' legal claims officially arose - before or after March 3, 2022

Bexar County District Court

Texas AG Paxton Sues Bexar County Over Immigration Defense Fund

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Bexar County Wednesday, challenging the county's Immigration Legal Services fund that provides over $1 million in taxpayer money to nonprofits representing immigrants in deportation proceedings. Paxton argues the program violates the state constitution's gift clause.

•Bexar County allocated $566,181 to American Gateways nonprofit, with total program funding potentially exceeding $1 million

•Paxton claims the program violates Texas Constitution's gift clause requiring public benefit and government control over funds

U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

Conservation Groups Sue Trump Administration Over Utah Highway Project

A coalition of conservation groups filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday challenging the Trump administration's decision to approve construction of a four-lane highway through Utah's Red Cliffs National Conservation Area. The project would bisect protected habitat for the threatened Mojave desert tortoise.

•Conservation coalition files federal lawsuit challenging Trump administration's approval of Utah highway project

•Proposed 4.3-mile highway would bisect Red Cliffs National Conservation Area and threatened tortoise habitat

•Operation PARRIS targets 5,600 Minnesota refugees who haven't transitioned to permanent residency after one year

U.S. District Court

Federal Court Weighs Challenge to Minnesota Refugee Detention Sweep

The Justice Department and human rights advocates clashed in federal court Wednesday over Operation PARRIS, a federal initiative targeting 5,600 refugees in Minnesota for detention. U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim questioned the government's interpretation of federal law that would require arrest of refugees who haven't gained permanent residency after one year.

•Federal judge questions government's interpretation of law requiring refugee 'inspection' as justification for detention

Regulatory

•Express Scripts agreed to end practices that artificially inflated prescription drug prices, potentially saving consumers $7 billion over 10 years

FTC Secures $7B Settlement with Express Scripts Over Drug Pricing

The Federal Trade Commission announced a settlement with Express Scripts that could lower prescription drug prices by up to $7 billion over the next decade. The pharmacy benefit manager agreed to end business practices that artificially inflated drug costs for American consumers.

•The company controls 80% of the prescription drug market with two competitors and accounts for 23% of total prescriptions

•Fulton County filed sealed federal court motion demanding return of seized election materials

Atlanta federal court

Fulton County Seeks Court Order for Return of FBI-Seized Election Records

Fulton County officials filed a sealed federal court motion Wednesday seeking the return of 2020 ballots and election records seized by the FBI last week. County Chairman Robb Pitts expressed concerns about federal election interference and vowed to fight what he described as attempts to take over local election operations.

•FBI raided county election hub and seized 2020 ballots and records with DNI Tulsi Gabbard present