Jessica M. Karmasek News
Judge redirects suit over firearms ordinances to state court
Copenhaver CHARLESTON - A federal judge has referred a lawsuit over municipal firearms ordinances in Charleston, Dunbar and South Charleston to a West Virginia court.
W.Va. SC: Steel company's coil inventory exempt from tax
Benjamin CHARLESTON - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that a Northern Panhandle steel company's inventory of coils is exempt from a state property tax.
Morrisey says he will investigate McGraw's taxpayer spending
Morrisey CHARLES TOWN - Patrick Morrisey, the GOP nominee for state attorney general, on Thursday asked longtime incumbent and Democratic opponent Darrell McGraw to clarify statements he made this week about taxpayer spending.
Business groups: Adverse ruling in Mingo Logan-EPA case could hurt economy
Tomblin WASHINGTON - Ten business groups, in a filing this week, expressed their support for a federal court ruling reversing the federal Environmental Protection Agency's veto of a West Virginia coal mine's water pollution permit.
W.Va. SC rules against Greenbrier employee over workers' comp claim
Chief Justice Menis Ketchum CHARLESTON - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals last week ruled against a Greenbrier Hotel employee who claimed she injured her shoulder while on the job.
Chafin proposes rule requiring disclosure of emails, written messages
Chafin CHARLESTON - West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals candidate Tish Chafin says the state's justices and judges should disclose any messages they receive from, or send to, individuals with cases before them.
W.Va. SC denies request by Wendy's employee for benefits
Chief Justice Menis Ketchum CHARLESTON - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, in a ruling last week, sided with popular fast food chain Wendy's in denying a former employee's request for workers' compensation benefits.
Tomblin files brief on behalf of State in Mingo Logan-EPA case
Tomblin WASHINGTON - Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, in an amicus brief filed Wednesday, is lending his support to Mingo Logan Coal Co. in its ongoing legal battle against the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
W.Va. SC: Man does not qualify for continued disability benefits
Chief Justice Menis Ketchum CHARLESTON - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, in a ruling last week, affirmed orders denying a man's requests for reopening for payment of temporary total disability benefits and consultation with WVU's Spine Center.
W.Va. high court: Former steel worker's claim compensable
Chief Justice Menis Ketchum CHARLESTON - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals last week upheld an order by the state's workers' compensation board finding a former steel workers' claim for bladder cancer compensable.
W.Va. SC: Former coal company employee not entitled to additional award
Chief Justice Menis Ketchum CHARLESTON - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals ruled last week that a former Consolidation Coal Company employee is not entitled to an additional permanent partial disability award.
Report: W.Va. judicial candidates spent nearly $600,000 in primary TV ads
Chafin WASHINGTON - Judicial candidates in West Virginia spent nearly $600,000 in television advertisements this primary season, according to a report released last week by two legal reform groups.
Judge in campaign finance case: Judicial elections 'notably different'
Wilkes CHARLESTON - Judicial elections are "notably different" than elections for legislative or executive offices, Judge Christopher C. Wilkes wrote in a concurring opinion filed last week.
Hobby Lobby suing feds over birth control mandate
David Green OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline) - Oklahoma-based Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. is suing the federal government over a requirement in President Barack Obama's health care law that employers provide their workers with birth control coverage.
Report: McGraw used office funds for 'tele-town hall meeting'
McGraw CHARLESTON - West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw's office held a so-called "tele-town hall meeting" on gun and hunting laws last week.
Morrisey unveils his first TV ad
Morrisey CHARLES TOWN - GOP challenger Patrick Morrisey says he will begin his television advertising campaign Wednesday.
W.Va. judge finds Calif. Internet lender CashCall engaged in 'sham'
McGraw CHARLESTON - Kanawha County Circuit Court Judge Louis "Duke" Bloom has ordered a California Internet lender to pay $15 million in civil penalties, refunds and cancelled debts to the nearly 300 West Virginia consumers who obtained loans and to the State.
Legal groups weigh in on W.Va. SC campaign finance ruling
Skaggs CHARLESTON - Though some legal experts argue that the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals' decision deeming the matching funds provisions of the state's Public Campaign Financing Pilot Program unconstitutional is "disappointing," there are those who contend the ruling also is slightly encouraging.
SEC, Loughry: Motion for injunction should be denied
Loughry CHARLESTON - Both the State Election Commission and state Supreme Court candidate Allen Loughry argue that Charleston attorney Michael Callaghan's recent request for a preliminary injunction in a federal lawsuit over West Virginia's Public Campaign Financing Pilot Program should not be granted.
Poll: Yoder in 'statistical dead heat' for second W.Va. SC seat
Yoder HARPERS FERRY -- Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge John Yoder -- the other Republican vying for a seat on the state's high court -- is in a statistical tie with Democratic opponent Letitia "Tish" Chafin, according to a recent survey.