GUEST COLUMNS
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Despite efforts by Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley Weber to overturn Huntington Beach's voter identification law, the city may prevail due to its authority as a charter city to manage its own elections.
When representing a client while accepting payment from a third party, CRPC Rule 1.8.6 requires informed written consent, preservation of confidentiality, and unwavering commitment to the client's best interests to avoid ethical pitfalls and ensure compliance.
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Before Jan. 7, Southern California's idyllic neighborhoods were beloved for their beauty and charm, but the recent wildfires have turned these once serene landscapes into hellscapes, leaving behind ashes and memories.
The Los Angeles wildfires mark the first large-scale test of recently enacted California insurance regulations designed to protect homeowners, expedite claims, and ensure fair treatment for wildfire victims during recovery efforts.
Friday, January 17, 2025
In the aftermath of recent fires, disaster victims face a flood of lawyer advertisements and events, highlighting both the vital role attorneys play in pursuing justice and the need for ethical, transparent, and well-resourced legal representation to truly prioritize victims' interests.
Jimmy Carter's legacy blends groundbreaking humanitarian efforts, like the Camp David Accords, with controversial positions on Israel, creating complex impact.
Thursday, January 16, 2025
The IRS and California FTB have extended tax deadlines and Section 1031 exchange periods to October 15, 2025, providing relief to Los Angeles County residents and businesses impacted by devastating wildfires.
Aerial firefighting, combining air tankers, helicopters, and tactical aircraft, is a critical yet dangerous endeavor often disrupted by illegal drone activity, which jeopardizes firefighting efforts, endangers lives, and underscores the importance of strict adherence to FAA regulations.
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
In the wake of the Southern California wildfires, property owners filing insurance claims should know California laws offer expanded coverage options, including combined dwelling/structure limits, relaxed personal property documentation, extended loss-of-use benefits, and protection against policy cancellations, with state and federal aid available for those uninsured or underinsured.
With financial fraud on the rise, consumers and legislators are expecting more from banks.
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
The U.S. Supreme Court heard L.W. v. Skrmetti on
Dec. 4, challenging Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming hormone therapy for
minors, part of a broader wave of anti-transgender laws since 2021 aiming to
restrict trans rights.
In the recent cases of Shayan and Saraye,
California courts addressed the application of laches and statute of
limitations in family law, clarifying that while money judgments for attorney
fees are enforceable without renewal, laches may apply to child support
reimbursements if pursued too late.
Monday, January 13, 2025
In 2024, the California Supreme Court clarified key insurance law issues, rejecting COVID-19 property damage claims, addressing continuous injury coverage, and reinforcing rules on ambiguity and policyholder expectations.
Friday, January 10, 2025
The California Court of Appeal's Leeper
decision empowers employers to compel arbitration of individual PAGA claims,
even in cases seeking only non-individual penalties, streamlining PAGA
litigation.
The Supreme Court's denial of petitions keeps the California Clean Air Act waiver intact, but California's vehicle regulation journey is about to get bumpier.
Thursday, January 9, 2025
Proposition 65 updates, which went into effect Jan. 1, require naming chemicals in warnings, clarifying online and food labeling, add vehicle parts guidelines, and give businesses three years to comply.
California's Senate Bill 940 expands arbitration discovery rights, requires more consumer protections, and may reduce the cost-effectiveness of arbitration, prompting businesses to reconsider its use for dispute resolution.
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
California's new 2025 legislation reforms summary judgment deadlines, unlawful detainer procedures, and triple net expense protections for "qualified commercial tenants."
When California state Sen. Scott Wiener introduced the nation's most ambitious AI safety bill last year, it became a flashpoint in the debate over how to govern artificial intelligence.
In Hernandez v. City of Stockton, the
California Court of Appeal ruled that a pedestrian's lawsuit was barred because
his government claim, which cited an "uplifted sidewalk," did not match the
actual condition--a hole from an empty tree well--highlighting the need for
precise claims against public entities.
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Taking a cue from Edward Bulwer-Lytton's much maligned opening sentence, your columnist is on the hunt for legal submissions that stand out for all the wrong reasons, with prizes for the best submissions.
As we advance college athletes' compensation rights, we must protect our players from exploitative pay-for-play schemes that threaten their careers in this evolving NIL landscape.
Monday, January 6, 2025
Seasoned attorneys can bring out the best in their baby lawyers with these tips for understanding and guiding them through that overwhelming first year.
California law offers military and mental health diversion programs to help veterans accused of crimes access rehabilitation instead of prosecution, with recent expansions allowing felony-level military diversion starting Jan. 1, 2025.
Friday, January 3, 2025
Under President Joe Biden, the U.S. and Turkey, both seasoned practitioners of "back channel" diplomacy, achieved a remarkable diplomatic feat with the release of American hostages held in Russia. Yet, it seems the world remains largely unaware--or indifferent--to the achievement.
Thursday, January 2, 2025
California's Racial Justice Act aims to eliminate racism from criminal courts, but recent judicial bias cases reveal the need for stronger oversight and accountability measures.
When attorneys scored a complete victory against Elon Musk's $56 billion Tesla pay package, Chancellor McCormick faced a novel challenge: how to award fees that would reward the win while avoiding an unprecedented windfall.
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Starting Jan. 1, 2025, California's SB 399 will ban employers from penalizing workers for skipping meetings on political or religious views, expanding protections beyond union discussions to prevent coercion and safeguard workers' rights.
As Trump eyes extending his 2017 tax cuts, a $35 trillion national debt and mounting social costs pose critical challenges, creating a tension between his tax reduction goals and our nation's pressing needs.
Monday, December 30, 2024
A Trump-Musk administration may end federal EV tax credits and emission regulations while California imposes stricter oversight of autonomous vehicles, creating jurisdictional conflicts over electric car policy in 2025.
California's new Corporate Climate Data Accountability Act mandates large businesses to report Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 2027, pushing companies toward greater environmental transparency and supply chain collaboration.
Friday, December 27, 2024
The federal government often avoids taking
responsibility for actions that affect property owners, leading to prolonged
litigation. A recent case, Ideker Farms, LLC. v. United States,
highlights this issue
President-elect Donald Trump's recent interest in purchasing Greenland, met with mockery and Denmark's refusal to sell, has spurred speculation about possible U.S. annexation, with legal experts citing historical precedents and military considerations as potential justification despite anticipated legal and cultural challenges.
Thursday, December 26, 2024
The 2024-2025 Supreme Court term will tackle key intellectual property cases, including issues of personal jurisdiction in patent disputes, trademark infringement damages, regulatory safe harbor for patented activities, and Federal Circuit procedures.
The 5th Circuit found that the diversity rules were not a disclosure requirement but a public-shaming penalty, and concluded that the rules were unrelated to the purposes of the Exchange Act.
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
The California Court of Appeals upheld a summary judgment in favor of a shopping center and its janitorial service, ruling that their regular inspections, including one just 8-9 minutes before the incident, were sufficient to meet their duty of care and there was no evidence of notice of the hazard.
Year-end is a stressful period with significant tax considerations, especially for law firms and individuals operating on a calendar year basis.
The wreckage of the Marquez Charter Elementary School, destroyed by the Palisades fire, in Los Angeles on Thursday. (New York Times News Service)
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NEWS
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General News
Wednesday, January 22, 2025 |
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| President Donald Trump is moving to restructure the nation's energy future to block any transition away from fossil fuels. And he is testing the boundaries of presidential power to do it. | |
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General News
Wednesday, January 22, 2025 |
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| Trump and Republicans in Congress say they plan to eliminate most of the federal aid for electric cars and trucks and reverse emissions rules, raising doubts about the future of such vehicles and the billions of dollars that automakers have invested to design and build them. | |
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General News
Wednesday, January 22, 2025 |
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| The lawsuits claim negligence - wrongful death and survival action; and violation of Public Utilities Code Sec. 2106. Both say the utility's corporate culture puts profits over safety. No cause of the fire has been determined yet. | |
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General News
Tuesday, January 21, 2025 |
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| The election of Donald Trump, who embraced bitcoin on the campaign trail, galvanized the crypto industry and sent prices skyrocketing. | |
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General News
Tuesday, January 21, 2025 |
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| The Federal Trade Commission on Thursday filed a lawsuit against the largest apartment landlord in the United States, Greystar Real Estate Partners, accusing it of charging tenants hundreds of millions of dollars in hidden fees. | |
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General News
Tuesday, January 21, 2025 |
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| Defending against an $81 million copyright lawsuit, attorneys for Apple and M. Night Shyamalan have accused opposing counsel of using inflammatory tactics to prejudice the jury. At issue is whether the Apple TV+ series Servant unlawfully copied essential elements from Francesca Gregorini's 2013 film The Truth About Emanuel. | |
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General News
Friday, January 17, 2025 |
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| As much of Los Angeles smolders, wind warnings return and fire crews stand guard, scientists say almost unprecedented climatic conditions throughout Southern California led up to the disaster. | |
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General News
Friday, January 17, 2025 |
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| In response to devastating wildfires across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, law enforcement officials have unveiled two critical initiatives: a Joint Regional Fire Crimes Task Force and proposed legislation to strengthen penalties for looting and disaster-related crimes. With 25 lives lost and over 12,000 structures destroyed, authorities aim to hold offenders accountable and restore trust within impacted communities. | |
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General News
Friday, January 17, 2025 |
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| Bankers traditionally cloak themselves as a risk-averse bunch, and given the questions about the future for interest rates, deal making and the geopolitical world, their optimism about what's ahead is noteworthy. | |
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General News
Friday, January 17, 2025 |
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| As multiple wildfires continue to incinerate homes and displace tens of thousands of people in Los Angeles County, experts worry about the long-term effects the fires will have on the state's already dire homelessness crisis. | |
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General News
Friday, January 17, 2025 |
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| An eight-year federal investigation into constitutional violations in Orange County's custodial informant practices concludes with a settlement between the DOJ and the District Attorney's Office. | |
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General News
Thursday, January 16, 2025 |
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| California Attorney General Rob Bonta is appealing an Orange County judge's ruling that upheld Huntington Beach's voter ID measure, arguing it conflicts with state election laws. The legal battle over voter ID requirements continues, raising questions about municipal authority and voter access. | |
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General News
Thursday, January 16, 2025 |
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| In the aftermath of devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County, several attorneys affected by the destruction are spearheading legal efforts to help their neighbors and communities recover. | |
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General News
Thursday, January 16, 2025 |
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| The steps nominees and prospective nominees take after a president-elect chooses them for a post and before they can be confirmed. | |
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General News
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 |
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| An eviction moratorium like that enacted during the Covid-19 pandemic is one of the measures being suggested as reports emerge of rental price gouging in the week following the fires. | |
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General News
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 |
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| Ex-Mayor Constance Boardman and former Planning Commissioner Mark Bixby want to nullify a controversial settlement between Huntington Beach and Pacific Airshow LLC, alleging it constitutes an unlawful gift of public funds. | |
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General News
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 |
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| At the stroke of midnight on Dec. 31, Earth finished up its hottest year in recorded history, scientists said. | |
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General News
Tuesday, January 14, 2025 |
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| The firm, which entered the market just last year, has already grown to a team of 15 lawyers and recently secured a new office in Irvine, designed to accommodate up to 30. | |
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General News
Tuesday, January 14, 2025 |
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| Attorneys say the approach in AB 226 might represent the best choice among a set of bad options. | |
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General News
Tuesday, January 14, 2025 |
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| When a crisis most tests our faith and confidence, do we trust bonds of community, and can we rely on the arms of government to protect us? | |
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General News
Monday, January 13, 2025 |
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| Common Living, which paired up roommates, filed for bankruptcy protection following the pandemic. | |
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General News
Monday, January 13, 2025 |
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| Personal finance courses, offered mostly as electives, are sprouting up at public and private colleges nationwide and getting a boost from a new initiative by Stanford University. | |
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General News
Monday, January 13, 2025 |
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| U.S. District Judge Michelle Williams Court scheduled the hearing for Jan. 17. | |
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General News
Friday, January 10, 2025 |
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| Vaughn joined Procopio from Stowell, Zeilenga, Ruth, Vaughn & Treiger LLP, where he was a founding partner. | |
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General News
Friday, January 10, 2025 |
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| A Los Angeles judge dismissed privacy invasion claims against Hill, Farrer & Burrill LLP for a 2022 data breach, citing lack of evidence of intentional disclosure or special relationship. | |
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General News
Thursday, January 9, 2025 |
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| Just a week into 2025, the media industry got its first consequential transaction: The Walt Disney Co. is buying 70% of Fubo, the video service that had sued to block the media giant's plan to create Venu, a sports streaming joint venture with Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery. | |
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General News
Thursday, January 9, 2025 |
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| Last year, a jury found MGA infringed on $17.8 million worth of trade dress counterclaims brought by the OMG Girlz, rapper Clifford "T.I." Harris and his wife, Tameka "Tiny" Harris. | |
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General News
Thursday, January 9, 2025 |
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| Founding partner Daniel C. Girard announced he was stepping down from leadership at the consumer class action law firm. | |
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General News
Wednesday, January 8, 2025 |
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| The class action lawsuit claims the company engages in "drip pricing" and false advertising, misleading customers about delivery fees. | |
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General News
Wednesday, January 8, 2025 |
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| The court rejected the city's claims of confidentiality. | |
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General News
Tuesday, January 7, 2025 |
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| Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has plenty to be proud of in her first two years as the chief executive of the largest city in the largest state in America. | |
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General News
Tuesday, January 7, 2025 |
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| A doctor pleaded guilty to a workers' compensation fraud scheme in federal court in Orange County. The doctor has said a sitting judge conspired with him, using his name to run a medical group. | |
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General News
Tuesday, January 7, 2025 |
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| Boeing partially won its dispute with the LA Regional Water Quality Control Board over chemical discharge limits at its Ventura lab. A Los Angeles judge remanded two requirements for further evidence. | |
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General News
Monday, January 6, 2025 |
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| Following the misuse of COVID-19 relief funds by the former county supervisor, state lawmakers and county officials have introduced reforms to strengthen ethics, transparency and accountability in government contracting and discretionary fund management. | |
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General News
Wednesday, January 22, 2025 |
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| Attorneys offer practical help to fire victims, say it is not meant to attract clients. | |
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General News
Tuesday, January 21, 2025 |
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| Coastal Commission says Air Force ignored its denial of SpaceX rocket launch increases, so company wasn't harmed, and commission also can't be sued because of sovereignty. | |
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General News
Friday, January 17, 2025 |
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| Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto announced charges against two men for curfew violations in Pacific Palisades, implemented to prevent looting and protect public safety amid devastating wildfires. Additional measures include a crackdown on price gouging and the formation of a Joint Regional Fire Crimes Task Force to address wildfire-related crimes. | |
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General News
Thursday, January 16, 2025 |
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| A mass tort lawsuit accuses the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power of infrastructure mismanagement that allegedly hampered firefighting efforts during the Palisades Fire, raising critical questions about municipal liability. | |
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General News
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 |
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| The blaze in the Altadena area has destroyed thousands of structures and caused widespread devastation. | |
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General News
Tuesday, January 14, 2025 |
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| Much has changed since neighborhoods like Pacific Palisades were developed, land use attorneys warned. Rebuilding will be difficult, or in some cases impossible. | |
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General News
Monday, January 13, 2025 |
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| The blazes come after years of reform efforts meant to lessen fire damage and prop up the state's insurance markets. | |
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General News
Friday, January 10, 2025 |
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| Los Angeles successfully demurred against claims that it unlawfully approved a luxury hotel project, leading to the demolition of affordable housing. Judge Chalfant ruled the complaint was not timely served on necessary parties. | |
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General News
Thursday, January 9, 2025 |
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| The city argues in its complaint that the law prevents local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities, leading to increased crime and violating officers' oaths of office. | |
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General News
Wednesday, January 8, 2025 |
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| Amendments to the original complaint that initiated the now-consolidated civil liability action were filed on Friday. | |
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General News
Tuesday, January 7, 2025 |
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| President Joe Biden announced Monday what he called a permanent stop to new oil and gas drilling across more than 625 million acres of U.S. coastal waters, saying he was making the move because drilling posed unnecessary risks to the environment, public health and the coastal communities' economies. | |
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General News
Monday, January 6, 2025 |
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| Justin Baldoni's $250M lawsuit against the New York Times may not impact the paper but could deter smaller media, experts warn. The case stems from actress Blake Lively's harassment claims against Baldoni during the making of "It Ends With Us." | |