News
486 articles · page 8 of 9
S

Supreme Court: After a Tax Foreclosure, You're Owed the Auction Price, Not Your Home's Value (Pung v. Isabella County, 2026)
Supreme Court rules in Pung v. Isabella County (June 23, 2026): after a tax foreclosure, just compensation is the auction surplus, not your home's market value.
T

T-Mobile Price Guarantee Settlement: New York AG Deal Explained
New York's AG closed its T-Mobile price guarantee investigation October 20, 2026. Who is covered, what it requires, the 150-day notice cap and 45-day selection window.

Tennessee Aqua Finance Settlement: $1.86M and Lien Removals
Tennessee AG Skrmetti announced a $1,864,319.86 Aqua Finance settlement on October 8, 2026: debt cancellation, refunds, credit report deletions and UCC fixture filing removals.

Tennessee Voids Noncompetes Below $70,000: What Changes July 1
Tennessee HB 1034 voids noncompete agreements for workers earning below $70,000/year. Signed May 15, 2026; takes effect July 1, 2026. Key rules explained.

Tenth Circuit Affirms Club Q Dismissals Under Colorado's CPLA
The Tenth Circuit affirmed dismissal of the Club Q plaintiffs' Section 1983 and CPLA claims on Sept. 9, 2026, and held the CPLA bars separate negligence claims.

Texas App Store Age-Verification Law (SB 2420) Takes Effect
Texas SB 2420, the App Store Accountability Act, took effect June 4, 2026 after the Fifth Circuit stayed a federal injunction. What the app store age-verification law requires and the ongoing First Amendment appeal.

Texas Attorney General Opens Data-Breach Investigation Into Carnival, Issues Civil Investigative Demand (2026)
Texas AG Paxton opened a data-breach investigation into Carnival and issued a Civil Investigative Demand on June 23, 2026. An investigation, not a finding.

Texas Court Applies Ecclesiastical Abstention to Gateway Church Case
Texas's Fifth Court of Appeals held ecclesiastical abstention bars defamation claims against Gateway Church tied to a 2024 internal statement, Aug. 19, 2026.

Texas Court Caps Alex Jones's Sandy Hook Exemplary Damages at $1.5M
Texas's Third Court of Appeals affirmed Alex Jones's Sandy Hook liability Aug. 21, 2026, but capped exemplary damages at $750,000 per plaintiff under state law.

Texas Judge Grants Partial Summary Judgment Against TikTok on Two Deceptive Trade Practices Claims
A Travis County judge ruled TikTok violated the Texas DTPA over content-removal and Restricted Mode claims. Here is exactly what the order decided, and did not decide.

Texas Jury Finds School Defamed HR Director; No Judgment Yet
A Fort Worth federal jury found Trinity Valley School defamed its former HR director. No final judgment has been entered; a post-trial motion is pending.

Texas Temu Settlement Requires US Data Storage, China Limits
Texas settled its DTPA suit against Temu on October 15, 2026. The agreed judgment puts Texans' personal data on US-owned servers and limits access from China.

The 2024 Overtime Rule Is Officially Dead: Courts Vacated It and the DOL Restored the $35,568 Salary Threshold
Federal courts vacated the DOL's 2024 overtime rule, and on May 15, 2026 the Labor Department formally restored the 2019 salary thresholds. What it means now.

The Atlantic Asks a Court to Dismiss Kash Patel's Defamation Suit: The Actual-Malice Standard, Explained
The Atlantic moved on July 27, 2026 to dismiss FBI Director Kash Patel's defamation suit, arguing he cannot meet the actual-malice standard. The motion is undecided.

Third Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Tower Health Pixel Suit
The Third Circuit affirmed dismissal in Santoro v. Tower Health. Patients had Article III standing for Meta Pixel claims, but the appeal failed on other grounds.

Third Circuit Strikes Down New Jersey's Assault-Weapons and Magazine Bans
A divided en banc Third Circuit ruled on July 17, 2026 that New Jersey's assault-weapons and large-capacity magazine bans violate the Second Amendment. The ruling is not yet in effect.

Third Circuit: A Smaller Bonus Can Be Illegal Retaliation Under the ADA and FMLA
The Third Circuit ruled June 24, 2026 that the Title VII retaliation standard also governs ADA and FMLA claims, and that a cut bonus or raise can qualify.

TikTok Drops ICO Appeals and Accepts £12.7m Children's Data Fine
TikTok withdrew both appeals on 24 September 2026, making the ICO's £12.7m children's data penalty final and unblocking the open recommender systems probe.

Tribunal Time Limits Rose to Six Months on 1 October 2026
SI 2026/954 took UK employment tribunal time limits from three to six months on 1 October 2026. The three-month limit still governs earlier relevant dates.

Trump's Defamation Lawsuits: Who He Sued and Who Sued Him
There is no official tally of Trump's defamation cases. A sourced guide to the major ones, where he is both a plaintiff and a defendant. Verified June 20, 2026.

Tyra Banks Sues Netflix for Defamation Over "America's Next Top Model" Docuseries
Tyra Banks sued Netflix (No. 2:26-cv-06467, C.D. Cal.) over the ANTM docuseries, alleging her interview was edited into a false, defamatory narrative.
U

UK Court of Appeal Holds Richard Tice's Hamas Quote-Tweet Was Opinion, Dismissing Dale Vince's Libel Appeal
England's Court of Appeal dismissed Dale Vince's libel appeal on July 1, 2026, holding Richard Tice's Hamas quote-tweet was opinion, not fact, under the Defamation Act 2013.

UK Court of Appeal: Misleading Headline Can Be Unfair Data Processing Even Where Libel Fails
Court of Appeal: a misleading Daily Mail headline was unfair UK GDPR data processing, even where a libel claim over the same article had failed.

UK High Court Dismisses Prince Harry's Privacy Case Against Daily Mail Publisher
The High Court dismissed all 97 privacy claims by Prince Harry, Elton John, Baroness Lawrence and four others against the Daily Mail publisher, finding they failed to prove unlawful information gathering.

UK Third-Party Harassment Employer Duty Starts 30 October 2026
SI 2026/1065, made 1 October 2026, sets 30 October 2026 for the new Equality Act duty not to permit third parties to harass employees in Great Britain.

UK's Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 Rewrites UK GDPR Rules: What Changed and When
The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 reshapes UK GDPR, the DPA 2018 and PECR. Royal Assent on 19 June 2025, with key privacy rules in force from 5 February 2026.

UnitedHealth's Defamation Suit Against The Guardian Dismissed
A Delaware judge dismissed all six defamation counts UnitedHealth Group brought against The Guardian, ruling the 2025 reporting on nursing-home payments was substantially true.

Utah Digital Choice Act Takes Effect: Data Portability Rules
Utah's Digital Choice Act (HB 418) is now in force as of July 1, 2026, requiring social media data portability and interoperability. What the law requires.
V

VA Disability Claims Backlog Drops Below 70,000 for First Time Since 2020
VA's disability claims backlog fell below 70,000 for the first time since 2020, a 74% drop, but VA told Congress 80% of pending claims are still gathering evidence.

VA Disability Rates 2027: 3.6% COLA Needs an Act of Congress
The 2027 Social Security COLA is 3.6 percent, but VA disability compensation does not rise with it automatically. H.R. 8552 has passed neither chamber.

VA OIG Estimates 38 Percent Error Rate in Painful Scar Rating Decisions
A VA Inspector General review published October 21, 2026 projects a 38 percent error rate in painful scar rating decisions. What the report does and does not say.

VA OIG Finds 34% Error Rate in Disability Rating Cuts
A VA watchdog audit found errors in about 34% of 2024 cases reducing veterans' disability pay, producing at least $16.9 million in improper payments.

Vermont Enacts Data Privacy and Online Surveillance Act (S.71)
Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed S.71, the Data Privacy and Online Surveillance Act, into law on June 16, 2026, eight days after vetoing it. The Act adds consumer data rights, a data-minimization duty, and a clinic-geofencing ban, effective January 1, 2028.

Vermont Enacts H.816 Restricting AI Mental Health Therapy (2026)
Vermont signed H.816 on June 17, 2026, barring AI-delivered mental health therapy. Diagnosis and treatment are reserved for qualified professionals.

Vermont H.211 Data Broker Overhaul Heads to the Governor (2026)
Vermont H.211 passed the legislature May 29, 2026 and awaits Gov. Phil Scott. What the data broker overhaul would do, and what it would not, if signed.

Veterans Benefits Bill (TCAVA) Stalls in the House: Sleep Apnea and Tinnitus Changes Explained
A major veterans bill (TCAVA, H.R. 9237) that would restructure VA sleep apnea and tinnitus ratings stalled in the House on July 16, 2026. It is not law. Here is what Section 108 would actually do.

Virginia Clean Slate Record Sealing Takes Effect July 1, 2026: What Gets Sealed (2026)
Virginia's Clean Slate law begins July 1, 2026, automatically sealing certain misdemeanors after seven clean years and allowing petitions to seal more records, with no filing fees.

Virginia Expands Speed Cameras to High-Risk Intersections Under a 2024 Law Now in Force
Virginia's SB 336 lets police add speed cameras at high-risk intersections starting July 1, 2024. Tickets require 10 mph over the limit, capped at a $100 penalty.

Virginia Hit-and-Run Victims Can Now Seek Punitive Damages Even If the Driver Is Never Found
Virginia's HB1479 creates a new statutory punitive-damages claim for felony hit-and-run crashes under Va. Code 8.01-44.5:1, effective July 1, 2026, even without an identified or convicted driver.

Virginia Judge Extends Injunction Against Assault Firearm Sales Ban Statewide
A Washington County judge ruled July 7 that his injunction on Virginia's assault firearm sale ban applies statewide from July 21, 2026; an appeal is expected.

Virginia Landlords Must Accept Check and Money Order Rent, Cap Payment Fees Under HB 1005 / SB 313 (Effective July 1, 2026)
Virginia HB 1005 / SB 313 amend Va. Code 55.1-1204 and 55.1-1208 effective July 1, 2026: landlords must accept check and money order rent, give receipts, cap fees.

Virginia Pay Transparency Law (HB 636): Wage Ranges and Salary History
Virginia's pay transparency law, HB 636, took effect July 1, 2026. Employers must post wage or salary ranges in job listings and cannot ask about pay history.

Virginia Record Sealing: What the October 1, 2026 Deadline Actually Changed
Virginia's automatic record sealing reached petit larceny, trespass and marijuana records on July 1, 2026. Here is what the October 1 deadline really did.

Virginia Wage-Theft Overhaul: HB 238 Adds Liquidated and Treble Damages Starting July 1, 2026
Virginia HB 238 (2026) standardizes wage-and-hour penalties under Va. Code 40.1-29: liquidated damages, 8% interest, attorney fees, and treble damages July 1, 2026.

Virginia's 14-Day Pay-or-Quit Eviction Notice (HB 15 / SB 48): What Changes July 1, 2026
Virginia's HB 15 / SB 48 extend the pay-or-quit notice for unpaid rent from 5 to 14 days under Va. Code 55.1-1245. Signed by Spanberger, effective July 1, 2026.

Virginia's Facial Recognition Rules for Local Police Expired on July 1, 2026
Virginia's 2022 facial recognition framework for local and campus police expired July 1, 2026. Agencies are back under the 2021 ban on purchasing or deploying FRT without express statutory authorization.

Virginia's HB 627 Bars Noncompetes for Health Care Professionals, Effective July 1, 2026
Virginia's HB 627 bars noncompete agreements with health care professionals starting July 1, 2026. Learn the covered boards, exceptions, and penalties.

Virginia's Intelligent Speed Assistance Program Takes Effect July 1, 2026
Virginia's Intelligent Speed Assistance Program took effect July 1, 2026 under HB 2096, letting courts order GPS speed limiters for convicted reckless drivers.

Virginia's New Click-to-Cancel Law Takes Effect July 1: Canceling a Subscription Must Be as Easy as Signing Up (SB 493 / HB 1022)
Virginia's click-to-cancel law (SB 493 / HB 1022) took effect July 1, 2026, requiring subscription cancellation to be as easy as signing up under the VCPA.

Virginia's New Noncompete Limit (SB 170) Takes Effect July 1: No Enforcement After a No-Cause Firing Without Severance
Virginia SB 170 takes effect July 1, 2026, barring enforcement of a noncompete against a worker fired without cause who was not paid the disclosed severance. What the new Va. Code 40.1-28.7:8 rule requires.

Virginia's Protective-Order Gun Surrender Rules Take Effect July 1, 2026
Virginia's 2026 gun-safety package (HB 93, SB 38, HB 19) changes protective-order and domestic-violence firearm surrender rules. Here is what takes effect July 1, 2026.

Visa, Mastercard $167.5M Non-Bank ATM Fee Settlement: Claims Open
A $167.5M Visa and Mastercard antitrust settlement covers unreimbursed non-bank ATM fees, 2007 to 2026. Claims close Feb. 10, 2027; court approval pending.
W

Walmart Sued Under Illinois Biometric Law Over AI Phone System That Allegedly Captures Callers' Voiceprints
A proposed class action filed July 28, 2026 alleges Walmart's AI phone system captures callers' voiceprints without consent, in violation of Illinois BIPA (740 ILCS 14).

Washington Court: GAL Immune Despite Not Reporting Abuse
Washington Court of Appeals held quasi-judicial immunity bars a failure-to-report claim against a guardian ad litem, and reversed a $4.5 million verdict.

Washington Drops the Certified-Mail Rule for Eviction Notices as HB 2664 Takes Effect
Washington's HB 2664 took effect June 11, 2026, ending the certified-mail requirement for eviction notices and restoring first-class mail under RCW 59.12.040. What changed and what did not.

Washington Supreme Court Strikes Down Live-In Caregiver Wage Exemption
The Washington Supreme Court ruled July 9, 2026 that the state's live-in caregiver wage exemption is unconstitutional, entitling live-in caregivers to minimum wage and overtime under the MWA.

Washington Supreme Court: Pixel Tracking Outside RCW 9.73.030(1)(a)
On October 8, 2026 the Washington Supreme Court held RCW 9.73.030(1)(a) reaches only communications between two or more individuals, not clicks answered by an automated website.

Washington Wage Lien Must Name Each Worker, Court Rules
Washington's Court of Appeals held October 12, 2026 that class representatives may record wage liens, but every lien must name the workers who served the site.

Washington Work Zone Speed Camera Fines Begin July 1, 2026
Washington's work-zone speed cameras began issuing fines July 1, 2026 under RCW 46.63.200: $125 for a first infraction and $248 after. Here is how it works.

Washington's AI Deepfake Law (SSB 5886) Takes Effect June 11
Washington SSB 5886 takes effect June 11, 2026, adding a forged digital likeness to RCW 63.60. The new AI deepfake law covers real-time voice and video clones and allows noneconomic damages.