Joe Dodson

Richmond

Richmond Reporter at Courthouse News Service

Reporter for @courthousenews covering 4th Circuit & all things Virginia. VCU hoops fan. Stauntonian

Articles

Conservation groups challenge Trump’s removal of environmental justice resources

1 week ago | courthousenews.com | Joe Dodson

One of the online tools eliminated by Trump was used after the Maui wildfires in 2023 to urge local health officials to prioritize evacuating pregnant native Hawaiian women in the third trimester. WASHINGTON (CN) — Environmental advocacy groups sued the federal government on Monday, challenging President Donald Trump's removal of online climate and environmental justice resources.
Fourth Circuit panel green-lights mass federal layoffs in 19 states

2 weeks ago | courthousenews.com | Joe Dodson

The two-judge majority granted the federal government’s motion to stay an injunction barring the further firing of federal workers and requiring a mass reinstatement. RICHMOND, Va. (CN) — An order from a Fourth Circuit panel granted the federal government's motion for a stay of a preliminary injunction requiring the reinstatement of thousands of federal employees in 19 states on Wednesday.
Trump relaxes regulatory enforcement against crypto companies

2 weeks ago | tucsonsentinel.com | Joe Dodson

Courthouse News Service The Department of Justice under President Donald Trump will cease efforts to prosecute cryptocurrency platforms the previous administration accused of fraud.
Fourth Circuit rules inmate placed in a dog cage can move forward with cruel punishment claims

2 weeks ago | courthousenews.com | Joe Dodson

The three-judge panel said the inmate was exempt from prepaying his filing fee because correctional officers' pattern of retaliatory behavior placed him in imminent danger of injury.
Trump relaxes regulatory enforcement against crypto companies

2 weeks ago | courthousenews.com | Joe Dodson

A memo to the Justice Department disbanded the Biden-era National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team and instructed prosecutors to go after individuals instead of cryptocurrency platforms. WASHINGTON (CN) — The Department of Justice under President Donald Trump will cease efforts to prosecute cryptocurrency platforms the previous administration accused of fraud.
Virginia high court rules officer not liable in detainee’s attempted suicide

3 weeks ago | courthousenews.com | Joe Dodson

The Supreme Court of Virginia ruled the detainee's status as a convicted felon precludes recovering damages for injuries sustained as a consequence of his illegal possession of a firearm. RICHMOND, Va. (CN) — The Supreme Court of Virginia ruled that a detainee who attempted suicide with a police officer's gun can't move forward with negligence claims. The high court sided with the officer who argued that the asserted illegality defense barred the detainee's gross negligence claim.
Virginia Democrats take aim at gun control vetoes during reconvene session

3 weeks ago | courthousenews.com | Joe Dodson

RICHMOND, Va. (CN) — Democrats in Virginia's House of Delegates in a reconvene session Tuesday strategically selected 13 of 157 vetoes by Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin in an attempt to override, despite the near certainty that their slim majority wouldn't have the necessary votes. The 13 bills allowed Democrats to speak on increasing gun control, expanding voting rights and raising the state's minimum wage.
Virginia lawmakers voice concerns over state’s lone youth prison

3 weeks ago | courthousenews.com | Joe Dodson

Lawmakers claim they've received reports from parents and advocates of prolonged lockdowns, solitary confinement and a lack of rehabilitative programming. RICHMOND, Va. (CN) — Virginia's Department of Juvenile Justice director shared photos on Tuesday of youth inmates enjoying barbecues, sports, art projects and even a slip-and-slide to the state's Commission on Youth.
Trump administration sued over inaction for California salamander species

4 weeks ago | courthousenews.com | Joe Dodson

(CN) — The Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Thursday for dragging its feet in granting environmental protection to two salamander species. The center and the federal government fought a decadelong legal battle over whether Kern Canyon slender salamander and relictual salamander qualify as endangered species. The agency finally proposed adding the pair to the list in 2022 but has yet to finalize their protection.
Trump administration touts arrest of MS-13 gang leader in Virginia

4 weeks ago | courthousenews.com | Joe Dodson

Authorities say that a 24-year-old El Salvadoran man living in the United States illegally controlled the notorious gang’s East Coast operations. ALEXANDRIA, Va. (CN) —U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi told reporters Thursday that Virginia and federal authorities arrested one of MS-13's top leaders. "America is safer today because one of the top domestic terrorists in MS-13 — he is off the streets," Bondi said.