Council

Lawsuit: ‘Gang of Five’ Texts, Emails Threaten the Privacy of Hundreds of Citizens

Text messages and emails between hundreds of private citizens and Cincinnati City Council members known as the “Gang of Five” remain in the city’s possession and could be given to anyone – threatening the citizens’ right to privacy, a federal lawsuit says.The texts and emails were collected as part of a battle over whether the five council members – in group text messages – had private discussions about city business that should have happened publicly.In April 2018, a local resident represented by attorney Brian Shrive sued the five council members, all Democrats, saying they had violated Ohio’s open meetings law by holding “rogue” meetings in group text messages.


Civil Rights Lawsuit Against Noor, Minneapolis Moves Forward After Conviction

The family of Justine Ruszczyk Damond last year filed a $50 million civil rights lawsuit against ex-officer Mohamed Noor, the police department and the city. At a news conference earlier in the day, Frey avoided going into specifics about the Noor verdict because of the lawsuit. “Minneapolis is an extraordinary city, and like cities throughout the nation, we also have difficulties with police …


Lawsuit Challenges Initiative That Would Ban Safe Consumption Sites

A new lawsuit seeks to stop an initiative banning safe consumption sites across King County from ever appearing on a King County ballot. Protect Public Health, a new nonprofit started by “public health experts and family members who have lost loved ones to overdose,” filed a lawsuit today arguing Initiative …


Fort Worth Considers Joining SB4 Lawsuit

Fort Worth could be the latest city to join a lawsuit against the state’s so-called “Sanctuary Cities Ban”, which takes effect Sept. 1. The City Council will discuss the matter during their meeting Tuesday night. Also known as Senate Bill 4, the law requires local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration authorities and bars cities and counties from adopting policies that prevent …


Federal Judge Dismisses Nooksack Tribe Lawsuit

A Federal judge dismissed the Nooksack Tribe’s lawsuit against the federal government. Like others before him, the judge ruled he couldn’t recognize the tribal council that filed the suit because it isn’t legitimate. The Bellingham Herald reports this is all related to the Nooksack’s attempt kick nearly 300 people out of the tribe.


Flint Leaders Mum After Settlement in Home Water Delivery Lawsuit

A settlement has been reached in a lawsuit over the potential of at-home water delivery in Flint. But leaders at a special city council meeting weren’t offering any details on what the settlement will ultimately mean for residents. City council members voted 8-0 March 23 to accept a settlement after U.S. District Judge David M. Lawson in December 2016 appointed Paul Monicatti a …


Iowa Attorney General Miller Won’t Defend State in Collective Bargaining Lawsuit

Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller announced Tuesday that he’ll not defend the state against a lawsuit from labor over Iowa’s new collective bargaining law. Miller, a Democrat last elected in 2014, said he’ll ask the Iowa Executive Council to seek outside legal help in defending the state against a challenge to the constitutionality of the law, …


Mosque Approved After Lawsuit, Rowdy Council Meeting in Sterling Heights

Sterling Heights City Council on Tuesday night voted to allow the construction of a mosque that was previously met with controversial opposition from being the community, prompting federal intervention. Mayor Michael C. Taylor called the decision the “American thing to do.” The seven-member city council voted unanimously to enter into settlement agreements with the American …


Monument Lawsuit Could Head to Supreme Court

The Bloomfield City Council may vote today to petition the U.S. Supreme Court to review the lawsuit over the Ten Commandments monument on the lawn of City Hall. Councilors are set to enter a closed session during their meeting Monday and could vote to file a petition for a writ of certiorari, according to the agenda for the meeting. A writ of certiorari asks the Supreme Court to order a lower court to produce its record of the case for the high court to review. The closed session will allow councilors to …


Portland Moves ‘no-Cause Eviction’ Lawsuit to Federal Court

The City of Portland moved the lawsuit seeking to block its new requirement that landlords pay moving costs of tenants evicted for “no-cause” to federal court late Thursday. An attorney representing two landlords had originally filed the suit in Multnomah County Circuit Court, claiming the new policy unanimously approved by the City Council last Thursday …