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Washington County Government Public Relations Department Provides Public Information and Ensures FOIA Compliance

Washington County Government Public Relations Department Provides Public Information and Ensures FOIA Compliance

The Public Relations and Marketing Department of Washington County Government serves as the primary source for disseminating general information about the county to the public. This department also acts as a crucial resource for all Washington County Divisions and Departments, facilitating internal and external communications. A core function of the department is to uphold the public's right to information regarding local government operations. All requests for information are processed diligently and in strict accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Maryland Public Information Act guidelines. This commitment ensures transparency and accessibility for citizens seeking details on county affairs. The department's mission is to strategically manage the communication needs of Washington County through factual endeavors, public education, responsible promotion, and community building. Their vision is to be the trusted first source of communication on behalf of the County, leading efforts t...

Former Arkansas Game and Fish Officials File Federal Lawsuit Alleging Retaliation Over Suppressed Investigation Report

Former Arkansas Game and Fish Officials File Federal Lawsuit Alleging Retaliation Over Suppressed Investigation Report

Two former high-ranking law enforcement officials from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, former Enforcement Division Colonel Brad Young and former Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Dunn, have filed a federal lawsuit. The lawsuit, filed on October 14th, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, alleges retaliation. The plaintiffs claim they were pushed out of their positions in 2025 after one of them sought an internal inspector general’s investigation report, which they describe as suppressed, through an open-records request. The defendants named in the lawsuit include Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Director Doug Schoenrock, Chief of Staff Chris Racey, Joseph Williams, and other unidentified individuals. The case is classified as a civil rights action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, which allows individuals to seek legal remedies for alleged violations of constitutional rights. The plaintiffs have requested a jury trial. This legal action follows a period of leadership changes within th...

Germantown Mayor-elect Tony Salvaggio Forms 10-Member Transition Team to Assess City Operations

Germantown Mayor-elect Tony Salvaggio Forms 10-Member Transition Team to Assess City Operations

Germantown Mayor-elect Tony Salvaggio announced the formation of a 10-member transition team on November 4. This team, composed of local professionals and community stakeholders, is tasked with establishing a fact-based understanding of Germantown's organizational, financial, and operational environment. Salvaggio, who previously served as Position 5 alderman on the Germantown Board of Mayor and Aldermen since November 2024, initiated this team's formation months prior to his election. The team's primary objective is to identify significant risks and opportunities, differentiate between immediate priorities and longer-term issues, and provide Salvaggio with informed recommendations for his consideration. The Mayor-elect emphasized that this structured approach aims to set a higher expectation for preparation, transparency, and accountability within the Office of Mayor. The team will operate in a private, advisory capacity, not as direct City personnel, and will not manage municipal operations or supersede ...

Court weighs Trump's appeal in the Stormy Daniels hush money case

Court weighs Trump's appeal in the Stormy Daniels hush money case

President Donald Trump’s lawyers tried to persuade a New York appeals court to throw out his hush money conviction involving the adult film performer Stormy Daniels

Florida Appeals Court Blocks Release of 'Trade Secret' Information in Heritage Claims Litigation

Florida Appeals Court Blocks Release of 'Trade Secret' Information in Heritage Claims Litigation

Florida Appeals Court Blocks Release of 'Trade Secret' Information in Heritage Claims Litigation

Jury Trial Set for Wrongful Death Lawsuit After Hilo Banyan Tree Collapse

Jury Trial Set for Wrongful Death Lawsuit After Hilo Banyan Tree Collapse

A jury trial has been scheduled for September in the wrongful death lawsuit filed on behalf of Michelle Katrina Noelani Comer, 48, and Trisha Jaye Almazan, 35, who were killed last year when a massive banyan tree uprooted and collapsed in Hilo. The incident occurred on July 12, 2025, when the tree fell in a state-owned parking lot near Wailoa Pond, trapping and crushing the two women. Their bodies were discovered eight days later after reports of a foul odor. Autopsies determined the cause of death for both was mechanical asphyxiation, ruled an accident. The lawsuit, filed by the Honolulu law firm Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner, names the state, county, Hawaii Electric, Hawaiian Telcom, and Imua Landscaping and Tree Works as defendants. It seeks monetary damages, alleging negligence and gross negligence due to the defendants' failure to properly maintain the tree.

Federal and State Regulators Sue Toast Over Alleged Deceptive Advertising and Hidden Fees

Federal and State Regulators Sue Toast Over Alleged Deceptive Advertising and Hidden Fees

Federal and State Regulators Sue Toast Over Alleged Deceptive Advertising and Hidden Fees

Billionaire Leon Black sues U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia for defamation over Epstein comments

Billionaire Leon Black sues U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia for defamation over Epstein comments

Billionaire Leon Black has filed a federal defamation lawsuit against California Rep. Robert Garcia for public comments the Democratic congressman made tying him to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein

Delta Air Lines to Face Lawsuit Over 'Window Seats' Lacking Windows

Delta Air Lines to Face Lawsuit Over 'Window Seats' Lacking Windows

Delta Air Lines to Face Lawsuit Over 'Window Seats' Lacking Windows

Cary Staff Disguised Dance Rehearsals as Yoga Sessions, Costing Taxpayers Over $34,000

Cary Staff Disguised Dance Rehearsals as Yoga Sessions, Costing Taxpayers Over $34,000

Select staff members in the Town of Cary held weekly dance rehearsals during work hours, often labeling them as 'yoga workouts' in their email calendars. These rehearsals were in preparation for a performance at a 2024 town retreat. Public records requests by WRAL revealed that these appointments were blocked off on Friday afternoons, sometimes listing a yoga studio as the location. The performance was later featured in an internal video produced by the Town of Cary, which officials stated cost taxpayers more than $34,000. Calendars from twelve staffers involved, including an assistant town manager, a department director, and Cary's Chief Strategy Officer, showed these recurring 'practice' or 'yoga' blocks for over three months leading up to the retreat. A town staffer mentioned in the video that the 'yoga' cover story was devised when colleagues began inquiring about the blocked-off time.

Bellevue Property Owner Andrew Nekuda Pleads Not Guilty to Nuisance and Zoning Charges

Bellevue Property Owner Andrew Nekuda Pleads Not Guilty to Nuisance and Zoning Charges

Andrew Nekuda, a property owner in Bellevue, Nebraska, has pleaded not guilty to four misdemeanor charges in Sarpy County Court. The charges include maintaining a nuisance with litter and debris and three counts of noncompliance with zoning regulations. The complaints stem from the condition of his property near 36th Street and Chandler Road, which has drawn the ire of neighbors. Sarpy County Judge Todd Hutton noted Nekuda's not guilty plea for each charge. Nekuda stated that he has been working to improve the property, acknowledging that the process has been slow. His defense attorney, Justin Wayne, claims that neighbors are using code enforcement as a tool for harassment. The Bellevue assistant city attorney emphasizes that voluntary compliance is the primary goal, but warns that uncorrected violations could lead to maximum penalties of up to $500 and six months in jail per charge. Nekuda's next court appearance is scheduled for early December.

Texas Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Fall on Sticky Deck 8 of Carnival Jubilee

Texas Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Fall on Sticky Deck 8 of Carnival Jubilee

Denise Domingue, a Texas resident, has filed a federal maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed on October 21, 2026, alleges that Domingue sustained severe and permanent injuries, specifically to her right knee, after her shoe became stuck to an excessively sticky floor on Deck 8 of the Carnival Jubilee. The incident reportedly occurred on November 4, 2025, during an eight-day voyage. Domingue claims that as she transitioned from a carpeted elevator landing to a hard flooring surface, her foot adhered to a sticky substance, causing her to lose balance and fall. The complaint suggests two possible causes for the hazardous condition: an uncleaned food or drink spill that dried and became tacky, or improper application of floor maintenance chemicals by Carnival crew members. The lawsuit asserts that the sticky condition was not visible, and no warnings or crew members were present to prevent the fall. Domi...