Courthouse News
Independent news service covering civil litigation, federal courts, and government affairs.
Articles from Courthouse News
Supreme Court to Clarify Title IX Protections for University Employees
The U.S. Supreme Court will decide if university employees can bring sex discrimination claims under Title IX, clarifying protections for staff nationwide.
OpenAI Cleared of Liability in Musk-Altman Trust Dispute
A federal jury found OpenAI not liable in Elon Musk's $134B lawsuit, clarifying fiduciary boundaries for AI organizations amid high-profile leadership disputes.
Supreme Court Blocks Virginia Democrats’ Map Before Midterms
The Supreme Court denied Virginia Democrats' emergency bid to reinstate a new congressional map, ensuring the current district lines remain for the 2026 midterms.
San Diego Pays $450K to Settle Street Performer “Bubble” Lawsuit
San Diego settles lawsuit with street performer Sandy Snakenberg for $450,000 after a citation for liquid littering during a bubble show, raising questions on public space enforcement.
Arizona Judge Lets Groundwater Lawsuit Against Fondomonte Move Forward
An Arizona judge ruled a lawsuit over Fondomonte's groundwater usage can proceed, setting precedent for water rights enforcement and environmental compliance in arid U.S. states.
Disney Secures $1.6M in Fees After Winning 'Moana' Trade Secret Suit
A federal judge awarded Disney $1.6M in attorney fees after dismissing forged trade secret claims over 'Moana,' underscoring court intolerance for bad-faith IP litigation.
Colorado Governor Commutes Tina Peters’ Sentence in Voting Machine Case
Governor Jared Polis has commuted Tina Peters' sentence for a Colorado voting machine breach, reducing her prison term and reigniting debate on election security and sentencing.
Class Action Targets 'Sterile' Labeling on Eye Drops Amid Safety Concerns
A new class action alleges major eye drop makers misled consumers by labeling products as 'sterile' despite contamination risks, raising legal and regulatory questions for pharma companies.
New Global Data Shows Rivers Losing Oxygen—Regulatory Gaps Exposed
A landmark global study finds rivers losing critical oxygen due to climate change, challenging water law and environmental regulations as aquatic ecosystems face mounting risks.
Federal Judge Blocks Texas From Deporting Immigrants Under New Law
A federal judge blocks Texas from arresting and deporting immigrants under SB 4, but allows criminalization of illegal entry. This impacts ongoing immigration litigation and federal-state authority.
Hawaii High Court Reviews Blame Split in Tobacco Addiction Case
The Hawaii Supreme Court reviews whether Philip Morris can limit damages in a lung cancer case by arguing the smoker's responsibility, potentially reshaping future product liability litigation.
GOP Urges Supreme Court to Uphold Virginia Redistricting Ruling
Virginia GOP legislators petition the U.S. Supreme Court to maintain the state’s redistricting process ruling, with implications for electoral procedure nationwide.
Environmental groups sue EPA over Iowa river delisting dispute
Environmental advocates sue the EPA for removing seven Iowa rivers from the impaired waters list, raising Clean Water Act and regulatory compliance concerns.
California Federal Court Dismisses Offshore Drilling Lawsuit, May 14 Ruling
A California federal judge dismissed environmental nonprofits’ offshore drilling challenge for lack of standing, potentially curbing future legal actions on BOEM projects.
Missouri AG, Counselors Appeal Local Conversion Therapy Bans to Eighth Circuit
Missouri's attorney general and two counselors are challenging local conversion therapy bans as unconstitutional, with the Eighth Circuit set to hear the case in May 2026.
Judge Invalidates Wildlife Agency's Malathion Ruling Over Flawed Data
A federal judge tossed out the Fish and Wildlife Service's 2022 decision clearing malathion pesticide risks, citing reliance on outdated, unreliable data.
Ninth Circuit Orders EPA to Redo DecaBDE Rule After Tribal, Environmental Challenge
The Ninth Circuit ordered the EPA to redo its DecaBDE flame retardant rule, siding with the Yurok Tribe and environmental groups. The decision may delay regulation and affect manufacturers.
Ex-Kings County Judge Arrested in $5M Wire Fraud Conspiracy
Former Kings County Supreme Court Justice Edward Harold King was arrested and charged with wire fraud conspiracy after resigning amid misconduct investigation.
Miami Residents Sue Trump Over $300M Land Gift for Library Skyscraper
Miami residents are suing to block Donald Trump's development of valuable downtown land gifted for his presidential library, citing constitutional and property law concerns.
Judge Signals Texas Immigration Law Faces Major Constitutional Hurdles
Judge David Alan Ezra questioned the constitutionality of Texas SB 4 on May 13, 2026, raising major compliance questions for legal teams and policy watchers.