Supreme Court to weigh Puerto Rico access to US aid
The Supreme Court agreed Monday to decide whether it is unconstitutional to exclude people living in Puerto Rico from Supplemental Social Security Income.
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Democratic voting bill would make biggest changes in decades
As Congress begins debate this week on sweeping voting and ethics legislation, Democrats and Republicans can agree on one thing: If signed into law, it would usher in the biggest overhaul of U.S. elections law in at least a generation.
St. Joseph JNC accepting new applications as lawsuit, legislation persist
As litigation and legislation that could change the structure of judicial selection in St. Joseph County proceeds, the St. Joseph County Judicial Nominating Commission is accepting applications to fill a vacancy that will occur in the spring.
Supreme Court could put new limits on voting rights lawsuits
Eight years after carving the heart out of a landmark voting rights law, the Supreme Court is looking at putting new limits on efforts to combat racial discrimination in voting.
Group asks SCOTUS to ban use of race in college admissions
A group claiming Harvard University discriminates against Asian American applicants is asking the United States Supreme Court to ban the consideration of race in college admissions nationwide.
Justices reverse, find for Bloomington in ex-IU frat house spat
The Indiana Supreme Court on Tuesday reversed lower court decisions against the city of Bloomington, upholding zoning orders requiring residents to vacate a fraternity house that Indiana University no longer recognized. Justices noted the ruling may apply in college and university towns throughout the state.
Finalists for St. Joseph Superior Court resubmitted to Holcomb
Gov. Eric Holcomb has been presented a second time with the same slate of nominees to fill a vacancy on the St. Joseph Superior Court, potentially curing an injunction that had blocked the governor’s appointment after a local commission member sued, claiming two fellow members were ineligible.
High court won’t revive Stormy Daniels’ defamation suit against Trump
The United States Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal from porn star Stormy Daniels, who sought to revive a defamation lawsuit she filed against former President Donald Trump.
SCOTUS won’t halt Trump tax record turnover
In a significant defeat for former President Donald Trump, the Supreme Court is declining to step in to halt the turnover of his tax records to a New York state prosecutor. The court’s action Monday is the apparent culmination of a lengthy legal battle that had already reached the high court once before.
Governor signs bill for Indiana COVID-19 lawsuit shield
Indiana businesses and others now have broad protections from lawsuits by people blaming them for contracting COVID-19 under a new state law signed by Gov. Eric Holcomb.
Justices take up disputes over teachers contracts, online user data
Members of the state’s highest court last week turned away nine cases on petition for transfer but agreed to hear arguments in three cases, including disputes over the legality of teacher contracts and two media companies’ litigation over the use of consumer data.
AG Rokita swings back after Twitter slap
After Twitter flagged his Valentine’s Day tweet alleging election fraud, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is doubling down, repeating his claims while offering no proof, asserting the tech giant is censoring his freedom of speech and voicing his support for legislation that would give the Statehouse more power in changing the state’s election laws.
Interrupted coverage: In tangle over insurance terms, businesses’ and nonprofits’ COVID interruption claims being denied
Since the COVID-19 public health emergency began in March 2020, businesses and nonprofits nationwide have had business interruption claims denied. The COVID Coverage Litigation Tracker at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School reported 1,099 federal lawsuits seeking insurance coverage because of the pandemic had been filed as of Jan. 25. To date, courts have granted insurers’ motions to dismiss in 147 cases and insurers motions for summary judgment in seven lawsuits, according to CCLT. Policyholders have scored a few victories with the courts denying the motions to dismiss in 29 lawsuits and granting the plaintiffs’ motions for summary judgment in five cases.
Wagner: Policy endorsements may unlock COVID-19 coverage
When restaurants forced to close due to COVID-19 turned to their insurers to offset their losses because they were unable to use their property as intended, many of us thought the prospects for coverage were good, especially under policies that did not have virus exclusions. But the insurance industry response was fierce.
Indiana panels back tighter abortion law, ending gun permits
Indiana legislators advanced two measures Monday that join Republican-led drives across the country to tighten abortion laws and loosen gun restrictions.
COVID-19 lawsuit immunity bill heads to Holcomb
Legislation that aims to protect businesses from COVID-19-related lawsuits is heading to Gov. Eric Holcomb’s desk.
Splenda maker sues Speedway chain over knockoff sweetener
The Carmel-based maker of Splenda sweetener is suing the convenience store chain Speedway LLC for trademark infringement, alleging the retailer offers its customers a knockoff sweetener in yellow packets that look too much like Splenda’s packaging.
Voting company files $2.7B suit against Fox, Giuliani over election fraud claims
A voting technology company is suing Fox News, three of its hosts and two former lawyers for former President Donald Trump — Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell — for $2.7 billion, charging that the defendants conspired to spread false claims that the company helped “steal” the U.S. presidential election.
SCOTUS sides with Germany in Nazi-era art dispute
The United States Supreme Court’s ruling Wednesday in a multimillion-dollar dispute over a collection of religious artworks will make it harder for some lawsuits to be tried in U.S. courts over claims that property was taken from Jews during the Nazi era.
Remote advantage: Business attorneys have discovered some unexpected benefits to virtual hearings
While the jury is still out on how increased use of remote technology will impact litigation in the future, business lawyers have seen a decrease in expenses and an increase in efficiency that is likely to benefit clients and productivity.