KLKN-TV
Nebraska to receive $100 million in national opioid settlement
Attorney General Doug Peterson says the money will primarily go towards opioid abuse prevention, treatment and law enforcement.
July 23, 2021 7:20 pm
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The state of Nebraska will receive $100 million over an 18-year period after the United States settled with Johnson & Johnson and three drug distribution companies, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson.
In total, the U.S. will be collecting $26 billion dollars in settlement money that will be distributed to states across the country. The four companies were facing thousands of opioid lawsuits for not being clear about the risks of painkillers.
Washington State Enacts Law Increasing Penalties under the Consumer Protection Act
The Washington State Legislature enacted legislation increasing civil penalties under the state’s consumer protection law. By substantially raising civil penalties, the new law provides the Attorney General significantly more leverage in enforcing Washington’s consumer protection statute.
Under that statute, it is deemed unlawful for a business to employ “unfair methods of competition and unfair and deceptive acts or practices in the conduct of trade or commerce.” The Washington consumer protection act also contains penalties for violating the state’s antitrust law and prohibition on restraint of trade. Consumers or the Washington Attorney General may bring actions to enforce against violations of the act.
From USA TODAY Network and wire reports
Alabama
Auburn: Auburn University officials say they will reinstate the school’s bass fishing team this spring following allegations that it repeatedly violated COVID-19 policies. The school had initially suspended the team for the entire year but agreed to the shorter punishment after a meeting that involved school administrators and team members. The team violated the travel and events policy in July 2020, February 2021 and March 2021, school officials said in a memo. The team will now be able to return to competition April 22. During the suspension, no member of the team will be allowed to compete, recruit or represent the Auburn University Bass Fishing Team. “I am thankful that Auburn University and its administration were willing to listen to us and consider all of the facts with an open mind,” said Logan Parks, president of the Auburn University Bass Fishing Club. “We have reached an agreement, and, most importantly, the Auburn
State regulators have filed a lawsuit accusing a Nebraska ethanol plant of repeatedly failing to comply with their orders to clean up wastewater and old,