Supreme Court strengthens protections for religious rights at work
The Supreme Court sided in part with a Sabbath-observant mail carrier who quit the U.S. Postal Service after he was forced to deliver packages on Sundays.
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Indiana attorney general part of $2.5B Medicaid fraud action
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office, through its Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, joined more than a dozen states and the federal government Wednesday in a nationwide enforcement action against 78 individuals charged with Medicaid fraud.
Supreme Court says conviction for online threats violated 1st Amendment
To guard against a chilling effect on non-threatening speech, the majority said, states must prove that a criminal defendant has acted recklessly, meaning that he “disregarded a substantial risk that his communications would be viewed as threatening violence.”
Big Supreme Court decisions coming this week
The high court has 10 opinions left to release over the next week before the justices begin their summer break. The last opinions to be released cover some of the most contentious issues.
3M reaches $10.3B settlement over contamination of water systems
The deal would compensate water providers for pollution with per- and polyfluorinated substances, known collectively as PFAS—a broad class of chemicals used in nonstick, water- and grease-resistant products such as clothing and cookware.
Gannett sues Google and Alphabet, claiming they have monopoly on digital advertising
The largest U.S. newspaper publisher by total daily circulation alleges in the suit that Google controls how publishers sell their ad slots and forces them to sell an increasing amount of ad space to Google at lower prices.
Eviction filings 50% higher than in pre-pandemic in some cities as rents rise
After a lull during the pandemic, eviction filings by landlords have come roaring back, driven by rising rents and a long-running shortage of affordable housing.
Federal judge temporarily blocks much of Indiana’s ban on gender-transition care for minors
U.S. District Court Judge James Patrick Hanlon wrote Friday that he was blocking the law from taking effect because its opponents had demonstrated potential irreparable harm to those undergoing treatment and shown “some likelihood of success” in arguments that it was unconstitutional.
Indiana’s high court to consider privacy in ‘bizarre’ Community Health case
An Indianapolis woman is suing Community Health Network after the hospital system mailed her test results to the wrong person and that person posted the information on Facebook.
Ex-Starbucks manager awarded $25.6M in suit over firing
Jurors in federal court have awarded $25.6 million to a former Starbucks regional manager who alleged that she and other white employees were unfairly punished after the high-profile arrests of two Black men at a Philadelphia location in 2018.
Judge hears bid to block Indiana’s ban on gender-transition care for minors
A federal judge in Indianapolis made no immediate ruling after hearing about 90 minutes of arguments from the Indiana attorney general’s office and the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, which is seeking a preliminary injunction.
Trump pleads not guilty to federal charges that he illegally kept classified documents
The indictment unsealed last week charged Trump with 37 felony counts—many under the Espionage Act—that accuse him of illegally storing classified documents in his bedroom, bathroom, shower and other locations at Mar-a-Lago.
Local podiatry office manager charged with Medicaid fraud
According to a federal complaint, the woman submitted $556,797 in false claims to Medicaid for portable medical devices known as oximeters and wired the money to her personal bank account.
ACLU of Indiana files suit against new law on sexuality instruction in classrooms
The federal lawsuit filed on behalf of an IPS teacher claims that, in addition to First Amendment violations, the legislation is overly broad, as neither “instruction” nor “human sexuality” is defined.
Supreme Court rules for Jack Daniel’s in trademark fight over poop-themed dog toy
In a narrow, unanimous ruling, the justices sent back to a lower court the case testing the line between trademark protections and free-speech rights.
Former Greenfield businessman gets 51 months in prison for Ponzi scheme
Investigators said Bruce Ford stole about $1.2 million from at least 10 victims, including some who were already retired or were approaching retirement and suffered substantial financial hardship.
Supreme Court affirms nursing home patient’s right to sue in case with Hoosier roots
It was a stunning loss for Marion County’s Health and Hospital Corp.—the state’s leading nursing home operator—and a surprise victory for patients, advocates and those who participate in other federal safety net programs.
U.S. crypto crackdown reaches fever pitch as SEC sues Coinbase
The Securities and Exchange Commission widened its sweeping crackdown on crypto by accusing Coinbase Global of running an illegal exchange, a move that could make it harder for the industry to operate and for U.S. citizens to trade.
Federal judge calls Indiana AG’s TikTok lawsuit largely ‘political posturing’
The fate of the Indiana attorney general’s lawsuit against the social media company TikTok appears to be in danger after a federal judge lambasted much of the case.
Corteva, two other companies reach $1.2B settlement over ‘forever chemicals’ in water
The pollutants, polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances—commonly known as PFAS—can be found in many industrial and cosmetic products and have been linked to infertility, thyroid disorders and several types of cancer.