Jessica M. Karmasek News
Report: Federal judge to wait to rule on PAC's request to block cap
Johnston CHARLESTON - A federal judge said at a hearing this week that he will wait to rule on whether to temporarily block the state's $1,000-per-election cap on contributions to political action committees.
Federal judge grants Loughry's motion to intervene
Loughry CHARLESTON - A federal judge has granted West Virginia Supreme Court candidate Allen Loughry's motion to intervene in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state's Public Campaign Financing Pilot Program.
Loughry files response to federal suit, files another in W.Va. SC
Loughry CHARLESTON - West Virginia Supreme Court candidate Allen Loughry this week filed a response to a federal lawsuit, filed earlier this month to block funding to his campaign.
Insurer wants suit over alleged unfair claims practices moved
ELKINS - In a filing earlier this month, an insurer asked that a lawsuit filed against it for denying a West Virginia homeowner's claim be transferred to federal court.
Panel links PFOA exposure to thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis
Deitzler VIENNA - An independent panel of scientists has now linked exposure to PFOA -- a chemical used in making non-stick coatings -- to thyroid disease and ulcerative colitis in humans.
United Dairy wants personal injury suit moved to federal court
CLARKSBURG - One of the largest family-owned dairies in the United States is asking that a personal injury lawsuit filed against it now be moved to a federal court.
Home lender wants W.Va. class action suit transferred
CLARKSBURG - Quicken Loans Inc., the nation's largest online home lender, has asked that a potential class action lawsuit filed against it in a state circuit court be moved to federal court.
W.Va. widow files wrongful death suit against trucking company
BECKLEY - The widow of a man who was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer and subsequently killed in June is now suing the driver of the trailer, its passenger and the company who employed the two men.
W.Va. SC releases Benjamin's dissent in redistricting case
Benjamin CHARLESTON - West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Brent Benjamin, in a separate opinion released last week, says he disagrees with a majority ruling in November that a redistricting plan for the state House of Delegates is constitutional.
Ga. company ordered to stop selling, advertising 'bath salts'
McGraw WINFIELD - A Putnam County judge has ordered a Georgia-based company to stop selling and advertising its "bath salts" and other synthetic drug chemicals in West Virginia.
Tomblin questions Sebelius on possible Medicaid expansion
Tomblin CHARLESTON - Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, in a letter to the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, says he wants more information before deciding whether to expand Medicaid in the state.
Fourth Circuit certifies question in MSHA case to W.Va. SC
Copenhaver RICHMOND, Va. - A federal appeals court on Tuesday asked the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals to determine whether claims by miners against private parties for negligent safety inspections should be dismissed for failure to state a claim.
Fourth Circuit to hear case over key parts of W.Va. election ad laws
Johnston RICHMOND, Va. - A decision striking down key provisions of West Virginia election laws that attempt to regulate political ads by special interest groups will be heard by a federal appeals court in October.
W.Va. court enters order against company over title loans
McGraw CHARLESTON - Virginia-based Fast Auto Loans Inc. has been ordered to stop collecting payments, seizing vehicles and entering into new loans with West Virginia residents, according to Attorney General Darrell McGraw's office.
Man wants W.Va. SC to weigh in on gas rights lawsuit
Keeley CLARKSBURG - A Marion County man wants the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals to rule on a lawsuit he filed against an Exxon Mobil subsidiary over his natural gas rights, according to a filing in federal court last week.
McGraw reaches $1.7M agreement with debt collector
McGraw CHARLESTON - West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw says he has reached an agreement with a California-based debt collection company, netting nearly $2 million in refunds and cancelled debts for state consumers.
W.Va. SC: Union can challenge highway construction contract
Chief Justice Menis Ketchum CHARLESTON - West Virginia's high court ruled last week that a construction workers union has standing to challenge a highway construction contract.
High court: Primary beneficiaries can bring statutory bad faith claims
McHugh CHARLESTON - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals ruled last week that a primary life insurance beneficiary may assert a statutory bad faith action after the death of the insured.
W.Va. SC remands case over Medicaid lien to circuit court
Chief Justice Menis Ketchum CHARLESTON - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, in a ruling last week, reversed a lower court's judgment in favor of the state's Department of Health and Human Resources over a disputed Medicaid lien.
Serial lawsuit filer claims Kanye West, Kim Kardashian are 'terrorists'
Riches CLARKSBURG - A former prison inmate known for the thousands of lawsuits he has filed is now claiming, in a recent federal court filing in West Virginia, that rapper Kanye West and girlfriend, reality television star Kim Kardashian, are "terrorists."