Governor Hochul Declares April Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Governor Hochul issued a proclamation declaring April 2026 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in New York State. State landmarks including 1WTC, the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, and others will be illuminated in teal on April 1 and April 29. The FY27 Executive Budget proposes extending rape kit retention periods and legislation to prevent evidence destruction without survivor consent.

Khaitan v. Lincoln National - ERISA Benefits Denial

Arun Khaitan filed an ERISA complaint against The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company in the Northern District of California (Case No. 3:26-cv-02892) on April 2, 2026. The complaint alleges improper denial of benefits under an employee benefit plan governed by ERISA. Filed documents include the civil cover sheet and certificate of interested entities. No case summary is currently available.

London Mayor Weddle Indicted - Excessive Campaign Contributions

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman announced the indictment of London Mayor Randall Weddle on four counts of excessive campaign contributions. A Laurel County Grand Jury issued the indictment following an investigation by the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance. Weddle faces two counts each for contributions exceeding $2,000 to the Andy Beshear for Governor campaign and $5,000 to the Kentucky Democratic Party.

Two NEPA Men Sentenced for Child Abuse Assault

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that Dominic A. Murphy, 26, was sentenced to 32-64 months in state prison plus five years probation for possessing hundreds of images of child sexual abuse material. Miguel A. Nunez, 40, was sentenced to 39-78 months in state prison for aggravated indecent assault and indecent assault of a woman at a gentlemen's club in Luzerne County.

Beach Water Contact Advisory - Pass Christian West Beach

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality issued a beach water contact advisory for Pass Christian West Beach (Station 5) due to elevated bacteria levels. The beach remains open but swimmers are warned of increased illness risk. The advisory applies to the area from Fort Henry Ave. east to Elliot St. Four additional advisories remain in effect for other Mississippi beaches.

RESTORE Act Gulf Coast Restoration Project Idea Submissions

MDEQ is soliciting new restoration project ideas and revisions for Mississippi's 2026 Multiyear Implementation Plan and State Expenditure Plan amendments under the RESTORE Act. Project submissions are due by May 15, 2026 through the Mississippi Restoration Project Portal. Final funding is subject to approval by the U.S. Department of Treasury and Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council.

Permanent Ban on Sale of Dangerous Chinese Air Bag Inflators

NHTSA released its initial decision finding that substandard Chinese airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Safety Technology Co., Ltd. (DTN) are linked to 10 fatalities and 2 serious injuries in 12 crashes over three years. The agency is seeking public comment on whether to impose a permanent ban on U.S. sales of these inflators, which were likely illegally imported. Comments are due April 17, 2026.

Telephone Number Conservation Measures

The CRTC launched a consultation (CRTC 2026-61) on strengthening telephone number management and conservation practices. The Commission seeks comments on potential new measures to improve accountability for telephone numbers, particularly those resold through wholesale or third-party arrangements. Comments are due 19 May 2026 with replies due 3 June 2026.

Hospice Scoring System for Fraud Detection and Transparency

CMS announced a proposed rule (FY 2027 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update) introducing a new Hospice Service and Spending Variation Index (SSVI) to publicly score hospice providers based on indicators of inappropriate utilization, quality of care, and compliance concerns. The scoring system aims to combat fraud in the Medicare hospice program, with enhanced oversight already resulting in over 200 enrollment revocations in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas, now expanding to additional states.

FY 2027 Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule

CMS issued a proposed rule (CMS-1843-P) updating Medicare payment policies and rates for skilled nursing facilities under the SNF Prospective Payment System for FY 2027. The proposed payment update is 2.4%, based on a 3.2% market basket update offset by a 0.8% productivity adjustment. CMS also proposes changes to the SNF Quality Reporting Program and Value-Based Purchasing Program.