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Los Angeles Experiences Record Humidity Amid Heat Wave, Increasing Health Risks

Los Angeles Experiences Record Humidity Amid Heat Wave, Increasing Health Risks

Los Angeles is currently experiencing record-level humidity, which is exacerbating the effects of an ongoing heat wave and leading to an increase in heat-related illnesses. Public health officials in Los Angeles County have reported a rise in emergency visits for such conditions during the summer months, as indicated by the county health department's heat-related illness and mortality dashboard. Climate scientist Daniel Swain noted that the current absolute humidity levels are among the highest ever recorded in the region, making the heat feel more oppressive. Experts explain that high humidity hinders the body's natural cooling process by preventing sweat from evaporating efficiently. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include an internal body temperature over 104 degrees, lethargy, dizziness, headache, and profuse sweating, while heatstroke can involve loss of consciousness and dry skin due to compromised cooling systems. The Los Angeles Department of Public Health advises residents to stay hydrated, take preca...

Dr. Bridgette Blebu Secures R34 Grant to Address Preeclampsia Prevention in Black Immigrant Populations

Dr. Bridgette Blebu Secures R34 Grant to Address Preeclampsia Prevention in Black Immigrant Populations

Dr. Bridgette Blebu, an investigator at The Lundquist Institute, has been awarded a three-year R34 grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). This grant will fund early-stage research aimed at improving the delivery of evidence-based preeclampsia prevention, particularly focusing on Black immigrant populations in California. Preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure, affects approximately 1 in 10 pregnancies in the United States. Despite established evidence supporting interventions like daily low-dose aspirin to reduce its risk, these preventive approaches remain underutilized. Dr. Blebu's project will investigate the structural, clinical, and patient factors that influence risk identification, the integration of recommendations into routine workflows, and the support patients need after a prescription. The initial phase of the project involves building research partnerships with community clinics across Los Angeles County and conducting int...

Littler Mendelson Hires Eight-Lawyer Team from Jackson Lewis in Puerto Rico, Jackson Lewis Ceases Operations

Littler Mendelson Hires Eight-Lawyer Team from Jackson Lewis in Puerto Rico, Jackson Lewis Ceases Operations

Littler Mendelson Hires Eight-Lawyer Team from Jackson Lewis in Puerto Rico, Jackson Lewis Ceases Operations

Federal Circuit Blog Updates on En Banc Activity, Including Presidential Removal Powers Case

Federal Circuit Blog Updates on En Banc Activity, Including Presidential Removal Powers Case

David Taylor, writing for the Federal Circuit Blog, has provided an update on recent en banc activity at the Federal Circuit. The court has scheduled oral arguments for December 10, 2026, in the case of *Jackler v. Department of Justice*, which is the only pending en banc case. This case will review a decision by the Merit Systems Protection Board and addresses the significant question of whether the Civil Service Reform Act's procedural and substantive protections for federal workers conflict with the President's Article II removal powers. Additionally, a new response has been filed in a petition concerning the written description requirement in patent law, and the court has denied three other petitions related to appellate procedure, claim construction, means-plus-function treatment, and damages.

Old Solar Panels Repurposed into Household Items and Community Charging Stations

Old Solar Panels Repurposed into Household Items and Community Charging Stations

As solar technology advances, many homeowners are replacing older solar panels with more efficient models. Instead of discarding these older panels, there's a growing trend to repurpose them for various uses. One creative application involves transforming old solar panels into upcycled furniture, such as coffee tables. These tables can be designed to be purely decorative or made more functional by integrating features like USB charging ports, LED lighting, or small speakers, powered by the panel itself. Another practical use is converting them into off-grid community charging stations, providing power for various devices. This movement not only gives a second life to equipment that might otherwise become waste but also offers innovative solutions for energy generation and sustainable living. Challenges include reduced panel output over time, battery degradation, and the need to protect electrical components from weather, especially if used outdoors.

NLRB Partially Upholds Confidentiality in Arbitration Agreements, Strikes Down Blanket Bans on Acknowledging Arbitration Existence

NLRB Partially Upholds Confidentiality in Arbitration Agreements, Strikes Down Blanket Bans on Acknowledging Arbitration Existence

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recently issued a 2-1 supplemental decision in the case of Ralphs Grocery Company, addressing the legality of confidentiality provisions within arbitration agreements. The NLRB ruled that while confidentiality clauses protecting the content and outcome of arbitration proceedings are generally lawful and shielded by the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA), a blanket prohibition on employees acknowledging the mere existence of an arbitration proceeding violates the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The decision clarified that an employer's arbitration policy covering 'any and all' employment-related claims, when coupled with a clear 'savings clause' explicitly stating employees retain their right to file charges with the NLRB, does not unlawfully interfere with access to NLRB processes. This ruling follows a remand from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, stemming from a California wage-and-hour class action and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) lawsuit.

Supreme Court's Cisco Decision Eliminates Modern Human Rights Claims Under Alien Tort Statute

Supreme Court's Cisco Decision Eliminates Modern Human Rights Claims Under Alien Tort Statute

The U.S. Supreme Court's June 2026 decision in *Cisco Systems Inc. v. Doe* has effectively closed the door on modern human rights claims brought under the Alien Tort Statute (ATS). This ruling determined that the ATS's implied cause of action does not cover such claims. The ATS, passed in 1789, grants federal courts jurisdiction over civil actions by aliens for torts violating the law of nations or U.S. treaties. Previously, in *Sosa v. Alvarez-Machain* (2004), the Supreme Court recognized an implied cause of action for violations of modern human rights norms that were as generally accepted and specifically defined as the 'Blackstone three' (violations of safe-conducts, infringement of ambassadors’ rights, and piracy) familiar to the First Congress. However, a series of Supreme Court cases between 2013 and 2021 progressively narrowed the ATS's implied cause of action. The *Cisco* decision took the final step, asserting that courts cannot create new causes of action for violations of international norms und...

National Immigration Project Files Amicus Brief Urging Supreme Court to Dismiss Mandatory Detention Case After Pardon

National Immigration Project Files Amicus Brief Urging Supreme Court to Dismiss Mandatory Detention Case After Pardon

The National Immigration Project (NIPNLG) has filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in the case of *Genalo v. G.M.* The brief supports Keisy G.M., whose mandatory detention under 8 U.S.C. § 1226(c) was based solely on a single conviction. New York Governor Kathy Hochul pardoned this conviction in August, which the NIPNLG argues eliminates the basis for detention and renders the case moot. Consequently, the organization urges the Supreme Court to dismiss the case or, at minimum, remand it to lower courts to assess the pardon's impact before the Supreme Court intervenes. The brief also advises the Court against addressing issues not directly presented in this case, specifically mentioning questions about due process for detention based on mere suspicion under the Laken Riley Act, and the necessity of a bond hearing for individuals detained long after release from criminal custody.

Joe Rice, Renowned Mass Torts Attorney, Dies at 72

Joe Rice, Renowned Mass Torts Attorney, Dies at 72

Joe Rice, a prominent figure in mass tort litigation and co-founder of Motley Rice, has passed away at the age of 72. Rice was widely recognized for his significant contributions to some of the largest legal settlements in U.S. history over the past three decades. He played a crucial role in negotiating landmark agreements related to opioids, asbestos, 'forever chemicals,' and tobacco. Rice established his South Carolina-based firm in 2003 alongside Ron Motley. His career was marked by his involvement in complex, multi-district litigations that often had far-reaching implications for public health and corporate accountability. His passing marks the end of an era for a lawyer who was instrumental in shaping the landscape of mass tort law.

ConocoPhillips Granted Exit from Climate Change Lawsuits in Washington State

ConocoPhillips Granted Exit from Climate Change Lawsuits in Washington State

A Washington state judge has granted ConocoPhillips' request to be removed from revised lawsuits filed by the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe and the Makah Indian Tribe. These lawsuits accuse several fossil fuel majors of downplaying the risks associated with burning oil and natural gas, contributing to climate change. The tribes had argued for a "clear connection" between ConocoPhillips' operations in Washington and their climate change tort claims. This decision follows a May ruling where a judge denied most of the oil industry's motions to dismiss the case, allowing it to move closer to trial. The original lawsuits were filed against ExxonMobil, BP, Chevron, Shell, ConocoPhillips, and Phillips 66 entities in Washington state court. The judge's recent decision specifically allows ConocoPhillips to exit these revised legal proceedings.

Fifth Circuit Declines to Adopt Ninth Circuit's 'Server Test' in Copyright Infringement Case

Fifth Circuit Declines to Adopt Ninth Circuit's 'Server Test' in Copyright Infringement Case

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has rejected the Ninth Circuit's 'server test' as the standard for determining copyright infringement in cases involving online linking and embedding. This decision stems from a lawsuit filed by Emmerich Newspapers, Inc. against Particle Media, Inc., operator of the NewsBreak news aggregator app. Emmerich alleged that Particle infringed its exclusive display rights under the Copyright Act by 'framing' Emmerich's articles within the NewsBreak app. The Fifth Circuit focused on the statutory term 'transmit,' concluding that the critical question is whether the defendant actually transmitted the copyrighted content, not whether it possessed or stored a copy. The court reasoned that Particle merely directed users' browsers to request content from Emmerich's servers, while Emmerich, as the host, performed the actual transmission. The court also addressed a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) claim, reversing a lower court's categorical ruling that URLs cannot constitute cop...

Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s Parents Sue D4vd for Wrongful Death

Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s Parents Sue D4vd for Wrongful Death

The singer's mother and his managers have been accused of negligence in failing to protect a minor