Steve Korris News
'Insider' Wigand compensated generously as unpaid tobacco fact witness
Jeff Wigand...Russell Crowe played him in the movie, "The Insider." WHEELING - In a Disney film, "The Insider," scientist Jeff Wigand and lawyer Dickie Scruggs save America from evil cigarette makers.
WVU tops Rodriguez 36-2
Rodriguez CLARKSBURG - Former West Virginia University football coach Rich Rodriguez lost a crucial contest against the university, 36 to 2.
Speaker suggests creating chancery court system
Thompson CHARLESTON – Running for judge sounds important, and running for magistrate sounds cool, too. But West Virginians soon may run for Lord High Chancellor.
Supreme court to hear Mayo, SSAC issue
Mayo CHARLESTON – While O.J. Mayo of Huntington represents the University of Southern California in basketball, he represents West Virginia high school athletes in a battle with authority.
Rodriguez: Foundation should get the money
Rodriguez CLARKSBURG – Former West Virginia University football coach Rich Rodriguez claims that if he owes $4 million for terminating his contract, he owes it to the private WVU Foundation and not the university.
Bills would regulate PEOs
CHARLESTON – West Virginia legislators will decide in their current session whether to regulate a new kind of business that takes over employment rights and responsibilities from other businesses in exchange for a fee.
WVU attorneys want to depose Rodriguez, wife
Rodriguez CLARKSBURG – West Virginia University attorneys have asked U.S. District Judge John Bailey for permission to place former football coach Rich Rodriguez and his wife Rita Rodriguez under oath and ask them where he lived when the university sued him.
Justices aren't on Nationwide's side this time
CHARLESTON – Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company fumbled three times at the state Supreme Court of Appeals in a futile bid to rewrite an order of Kanawha Circuit Judge Tod Kaufman.
Assessors notch victory in hiring case
CHARLESTON – West Virginia assessors scored a slam dunk in a contest with county commissioners over the hiring of employees who determine property values.
Justices hear three similar insurance cases
Recht CHARLESTON – In decisions under review at the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, three circuit judges yanked insurance companies out of the shadows and thrust them into the harshest light of the courtroom.
Rodriguez suit belongs in Monongalia County, WVU argues
Rodriguez CLARKSBURG – Former West Virginia University football coach Rich Rodriguez can't claim Michigan citizenship to escape Monongalia County jurisdiction over a $4 million lawsuit against him, attorneys for the university argue in federal court.
Manchin wants to close forum loophole
Manchin CHARLESTON – Gov. Joe Manchin intends to close a door to forum shoppers who would choose West Virginia justice over justice where they live.
Assessors seek protection from county commissions
CHARLESTON – West Virginia assessors want the Supreme Court of Appeals to shield their most important employment decisions from approval by county commissioners.
Court to rule in Mingo flood cleanup controversy
CHARLESTON- Mingo County Sheriff Lonnie Hannah and the county commission have fought over $147,000 in flood cleanup charges almost from the day Hannah took office, and now the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals must decide who won.
Rodriguez suit being moved to federal court
Rodriguez CLARKSBURG – By abandoning the West Virginia University football team before their final game, former coach Rich Rodriguez strengthened his defensive position in a $4 million contract dispute with West Virginia taxpayers.
Justices back Zakaib in stopping merger of teacher pension funds
CHARLESTON – Kanawha Circuit Judge Paul Zakaib made no mistake when he declared the merger of two teacher pension funds unconstitutional, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has decided.
Supreme Court will review Huntington residency ordinance
CHARLESTON – The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals will give Huntington Mayor David Felinton a chance to prove that an ordinance requiring city employees to live in the city doesn't violate their rights.
Justices gasp, groan over state's lack of expertise on wind turbines
CHARLESTON – Justices of the state Supreme Court of Appeals gasped and groaned when Public Service Commission attorney John Auville told them the commission and its employees are learning about wind turbines as they go along.
WVU suspects Rodriguez told recruits he was leaving
Rich Rodriguez MORGANTOWN – West Virginia University's $4 million lawsuit against former football coach Rich Rodriguez caries an element of mystery in an allegation that he contacted Mountaineer recruits before resigning.
Justices hear Huntington employee residency motion
CHARLESTON- Although a Huntington ordinance threatens "immediate discharge" of any city employee who doesn't live in the city, Mayor David Felinton doesn't want the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals to take the threat literally.