Local

Electricians Boss Dougherty Hit With Racketeering Lawsuit

A nonunion electrical contractor who traded punches with labor leader John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty in January filed a federal lawsuit Monday against him and his local, accusing them of racketeering. Joshua Keesee, who says Dougherty broke his nose in the fight, contends that he has become a pariah in his trade since the clash, with developers refusing to hire him to avoid antagonizing Dougherty. …


Philly Soda Tax Opponents File Expected Lawsuit

It’s been three months since the city of Philadelphia became the largest city in America to enact a soda tax, and — as was expected — it’s now facing a legal challenge. The American Beverage Association, several beverage companies and associations as well as individuals and local businesses (like City View Pizza and John’s Roast Pork), are suing the city of Philadelphia in county court, …


Kansas Supreme Court Hears Teachers Union Lawsuit Next Week

The state’s highest court will weigh Tuesday whether the Legislature violated the Kansas Constitution when it eliminated a job protection for teachers in 2014. The Kansas National Education Association, the state’s largest teachers union, contends in a lawsuit that lawmakers violated the constitution’s “one subject rule” when it combined a school funding bill with a provision to eliminate a …


Magnetation Execs Settle Employee Lawsuit for $750K

“Ultimately the Lehtinens, without admitting liability, agreed to pay $750,000, which covers everything we believed they owed their employees going back two full years, plus an additional amount paid as liquidated damages, plus attorney fees,” said Tim Louris, a lawyer representing the employees from Minneapolis firm Miller O’Brien Jensen. A federal judge in Minneapolis approved the payment on …


Red-Light Camera Refunds at Issue in Court Fight

A federal appeals court has refused to block part of a class-action lawsuit that seeks to force Florida local governments to refund money to motorists who were cited for running red lights after being recorded by traffic cameras. The case includes dozens of local governments throughout the state and, according to a brief filed …


Lawsuit Challenges Holding Back Students Over Tests

Fourteen parents whose children were retained in third grade after they “opted out” of Florida’s standardized tests filed a lawsuit this week, saying their rights were violated by confusing standards that rely too much on a single exam. The lawsuit says Education Commissioner Pam Stewart, the state Department of Education, the state Board of Education and several local …


Some 911 Fees Go Unpaid by Phone Companies, Lawsuit Says

Local officials in several states have filed dozens of lawsuits saying phone companies, such as AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc., are doling out discounts to businesses at the expense of 911 emergency services. Telecom operators are required by local laws to charge a 911 fee, typically about $1 for each phone line to support local 911 dispatch centers, including salaries, training and …


Arizona Joins Lawsuit Over Obama’s Transgender Directive

Attorney General Mark Brnovich and Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas announced Wednesday that they have joined nine other states in a federal lawsuit to challenge President Obama’s mandate requiring all public K-12 schools to open up boys’ and girls’ locker rooms and restrooms to students of the opposite sex, based on student perceptions of their “gender identity.” …



Comcast Hit With Antitrust Lawsuit Over Ad Sales

As the Justice Department probes Comcast’s practices in the spot advertising market, the media giant is now facing an antitrust lawsuit that alleges monopolization of ad markets and the exclusionary treatment of one independent cable representation firm. On Monday, Viamedia filed suit in Illinois with claims that Comcast has gained control of “interconnects” — local cooperatives serving pay-TV …