USPTO Opens Mountain West Community Engagement Office in Utah

The USPTO has opened a new Mountain West Community Engagement Office in Salt Lake City, Utah, on February 20, 2026. Director John A. Squires delivered remarks at the opening, emphasizing the importance of intellectual property protection and innovation across the nation. The office aims to assist individuals and businesses in navigating intellectual property resources.

USPTO, DOJ Reaffirm Importance of Patent Incentives

The USPTO and DOJ filed a statement of interest in a U.S. District Court case, reaffirming the importance of patent incentives for innovation and competition. The statement argues that limiting patentees' ability to seek injunctive relief for infringement undermines the incentive to innovate and the U.S. patent system.

USPTO Director Remarks on International IP Index

USPTO Director John A. Squires delivered remarks on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's International IP Index, highlighting the United States' continued top ranking and the importance of robust IP protection for innovation. The remarks emphasized the USPTO's efforts to strengthen the patent system and adapt to future needs.

USPTO AI Assistant Speeds Trademark Classification

The USPTO has announced a new AI tool called "Class ACT" designed to significantly reduce the time required for trademark application pre-processing. This tool automates the assignment of international classes, design search codes, and pseudo marks, aiming to improve efficiency for examining attorneys and applicants.

Minnesota DLI Awards $3M Grants for Teacher Apprenticeships

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) has awarded $3 million in grants to three registered teacher apprenticeship programs. These grants aim to expand the programs, enabling participants to earn a teaching license and bachelor's degree at no cost, addressing teacher shortages in the state.

Minnesota Fatal Work Injuries Rise to 84 in 2024

Minnesota recorded 84 fatal work injuries in 2024, an increase from 70 in 2023 and the highest number since 2017. The state's fatal-injury rate rose to 2.9 per 100,000 workers, though it remains below the national average. The Department of Labor and Industry urges worksites to focus on safety.

Minnesota DLI Awards Construction Mental Health Grants

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) has awarded grants totaling $750,000 to two organizations to support mental health initiatives within the construction industry. The Associated General Contractors of Minnesota Foundation and Suicide Awareness Voices of Education will use the funds to develop outreach, resources, and worksite strategies.

Minnesota Workplace Injury and Illness Rate Holds Steady

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry announced that the state's estimated workplace injury and illness rate for 2024 remained steady at an all-time low of 2.9 OSHA-recordable nonfatal cases per 100 full-time equivalent workers. This rate matches the 2023 figure and represents the lowest recorded since 1973.

WOW St. Louis Outdoor Recreation and Conservation School

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources announced the upcoming WOW St. Louis National Outdoor Recreation and Conservation School, scheduled for April 11-12, 2026. The event aims to empower families with outdoor skills and offers various participation options, including day classes and an overnight experience.

Missouri State Energy Plan Development Project Launched

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has initiated a six-month project to develop a new State Energy Plan. This initiative will involve economic and power sector modeling, demand forecasting, and policy recommendations to address the state's changing energy landscape and increasing reliance on imported electricity.

Missouri DEQ Seeks Comments on Unilever Remedy and Regulatory Release

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comments on a proposed final remedy for the Unilever HPC-USA facility. The proposal suggests no further corrective action is needed and seeks to release the facility from hazardous waste storage regulations.

Missouri DNR Aquifer Study Seeks Landowner Participation

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is conducting an aquifer study in Lewis County and is seeking participation from landowners with water wells. The study uses passive seismic surveys to identify potential underground aquifers, which could help locate favorable water well construction sites and ease drought impacts.

MO DNR Awards $1.6M Loan for School District Energy Project

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded a low-interest loan of over $1.6 million to the Hillsboro R-III School District for energy efficiency improvements. The project aims to reduce energy costs and conserve resources for the school district and its community.

Jacob Sonneborn Suspended from Law Practice for 30 Months

The Supreme Court of Alaska has ordered the suspension of Jacob Sonneborn from the practice of law for 30 months. This order follows a stipulation for discipline by consent and includes requirements for restitution and payment of costs. Sonneborn must also meet with the Lawyers' Assistance Committee before applying for reinstatement.

David Freeman Interim Suspension Order

The Supreme Court of Alaska has issued an interim suspension order for David M. Freeman, a legal professional, effective immediately. This action follows a judgment of conviction for a felony driving under the influence charge and includes referral to the Lawyers' Assistance Committee.

Maryland Board of Nursing Consent Order of Reprimand for Imafidon Akhigbe

The Maryland Board of Nursing issued a Consent Order of Reprimand against Imafidon Akhigbe, a Medication Technician. The order stems from alleged violations of the Maryland Nurse Practice Act related to her LPN application and attendance at an LPN school. The reprimand addresses her Medication Technician certificate.

Nurse Disciplinary Order: Permanent Voluntary Surrender

The Maryland Board of Nursing has accepted the permanent voluntary surrender of Imafidon Akhigbe's multistate licensure privilege to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse. This action follows findings that Akhigbe's LPN school was withdrawn from approval and that Akhigbe provided false information on her licensure application regarding clinical training.

Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners Proposed Rule Amendments Public Hearing

The Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners will hold a public hearing on April 21, 2026, to accept comments on proposed amendments to its administrative rules. These changes aim to incorporate Act 746 of 2025 and update the state electrical code to the 2020 National Electrical Code edition.

CSSF Warns of Fraudsters Misusing Chair's Name

The CSSF has issued a warning regarding fraudsters misusing the name of its Board Chair, Maureen Wiwinius. The notice clarifies that the CSSF does not contact entities for document transmission or payments and that official email addresses end in @cssf.lu.

Maryland Rural Health, Workforce, and Agriculture Funding Discussion

Maryland state agencies and partners met to discuss the potential impact of $168 million in federal funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program. The funding aims to strengthen rural health care, bolster the workforce, and support the agriculture industry in Maryland's Eastern Shore counties.

Measles Exposure Locations Identified in Salem

Oregon Health Authority and Marion County public health officials have identified two new measles exposure locations in Salem, Oregon. They are urging individuals who may have been exposed at Salem Health Hospital or Kaiser Permanente Skyline Medical Office between March 13 and March 16, 2026, to contact their healthcare provider.

Kansas Supreme Court Disbars Carolyn Sue Edwards

The Kansas Supreme Court has disbarred Carolyn Sue Edwards, revoking her license to practice law in Kansas. This action follows Edwards' voluntary surrender of her license after a previous suspension for violating professional conduct rules. The court assessed costs of the proceeding to Edwards.

In re Common-Law Marriage of Kelley - Kansas Supreme Court

The Kansas Supreme Court affirmed a district court's determination of a common-law marital relationship between Edwin W. Kelley and Mary V. Kelley. The court reviewed the essential elements required to establish a common-law marriage in Kansas, including capacity, a present marriage agreement, and public holding out as husband and wife.

In re Stewart - Attorney Discipline

The Kansas Supreme Court issued a published censure against attorney Shawn E. Stewart for violating professional conduct rules. Stewart stipulated to engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation by misrepresenting his income to the Kansas Department of Revenue.

State v. Evans - Criminal History Classification

The Kansas Supreme Court reversed a lower court's decision regarding the classification of an out-of-state conviction for criminal history purposes. The court held that a Nevada robbery conviction under the specified statute must be classified as a nonperson felony, impacting the defendant's sentencing.

State v. Bey - Criminal Law

The Kansas Supreme Court affirmed a conviction for first-degree premeditated murder and criminal possession of a firearm in State v. Bey. The court found that the victim's out-of-court statements regarding abuse and threats were admissible under the necessity exception to hearsay rules and as evidence of motive and intent.

State v. Lopez - Kansas Supreme Court Opinion

The Kansas Supreme Court affirmed a district court's decision denying a defendant's motion to depart from a mandatory life sentence for first-degree murder. The court clarified the standards for reviewing departure motions and the definitions of substantial and compelling reasons for sentence modification.

State v. Craig - Suppression of Evidence

The Kansas Supreme Court clarified the definition of "suppressing evidence" for interlocutory appeals, holding that an order denying a late witness endorsement can qualify if it substantially impairs the State's ability to prosecute. The Court reversed a lower appellate court's decision, affirming the district court's discretion in denying the State's belated motion to endorse witnesses.

State v. Manzano-Legarda - Juror Inquiry

The Kansas Supreme Court affirmed a felony murder conviction, ruling that the defendant lacked standing to challenge the search of a vehicle he did not own and that any error in admitting evidence from his room was harmless. The court also addressed the proper procedure for jury inquiries.

Kansas Law License Reinstatement for Ronald Schneider

The Kansas Supreme Court has reinstated Ronald Schneider's law license to active status after it was transferred to disabled status on June 20, 2023. The court accepted the Office of the Disciplinary Administrator's recommendation following Schneider's petition for reinstatement.

DOJ Sues Harvard University for Antisemitism

The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Harvard University for alleged discrimination against Jewish and Israeli students, in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The suit claims Harvard has been deliberately indifferent to antisemitic harassment and has failed to enforce its campus rules.

Utah Businesses Guided on Cash Rounding During Penny Shortage

The Utah Division of Consumer Protection has issued guidance to businesses on how to handle cash rounding during a national penny shortage. The guidance recommends a specific rounding methodology for cash-only transactions after taxes are calculated and requires businesses to provide notice of their chosen method.

Utah Division of Consumer Protection Fines Maintenance Funding Providers

The Utah Division of Consumer Protection has concluded an audit of maintenance funding providers (MFPs), identifying over 600 violations of the Maintenance Funding Practices Act. This has resulted in nearly $100,000 in fines levied against 14 providers for issues including failure to register, improper disclosures, and inappropriate referral practices.

Utah AG Secures $7.9M Judgment Against Amazon Store Scammer

The Utah Division of Consumer Protection secured a $7.9 million judgment and permanent ban against Parker J. Wilde for a deceptive Amazon e-commerce store scheme that defrauded over 200 consumers. Wilde is prohibited from participating in money-making schemes and telemarketing in Utah.

Mercedes-Benz USA Settles with 50 States for $149.6M Over Emissions Defeat Devices

Utah and 50 other states have reached a $149.6 million settlement with Mercedes-Benz USA and Daimler AG for using illegal emissions defeat devices in over 211,000 diesel vehicles. The settlement addresses deceptive practices related to circumventing emissions standards and misleading consumers about environmental compliance.

FTC, States Reach $100M Settlement with Walmart Over Deception

The FTC and a bipartisan group of state attorneys general have reached a $100 million multistate settlement with Walmart over allegations of deceiving drivers and customers in its Spark Driver Program. The settlement resolves claims that Walmart misrepresented driver pay and customer tips, with $89 million for consumer restitution and $11 million in penalties to states.

FCA Later Life Mortgages Market Study Terms of Reference

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published the Terms of Reference for a new market study into the later life mortgages sector. The study will examine competition and consumer needs in the lifetime and retirement interest only (RIO) mortgage markets. The FCA is inviting stakeholder views on the scope of the study.

Livewire v3.6.3 Remote Command Execution Vulnerability Patched

CISA has issued a notice regarding a critical remote command execution vulnerability (CVE-2025-54068) in Livewire v3 up to v3.6.3. The vulnerability, which affects specific configurations and does not require authentication, has been patched in version 3.6.4.

Apple Products Memory Corruption Vulnerability

CISA has updated its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog to include CVE-2025-43510, a memory corruption vulnerability affecting various Apple products. The vulnerability, which could allow a malicious application to cause unexpected memory changes, has been addressed by Apple in recent software updates.

Craft CMS Remote Code Execution Vulnerability Fixed

CISA has updated its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog to include CVE-2025-32432, a critical remote code execution vulnerability in Craft CMS. The vulnerability affects versions 3.x, 4.x, and 5.x and has been patched by the vendor. Organizations are urged to update their Craft CMS instances to the latest versions to mitigate this risk.

Apple Buffer Overflow Vulnerability Fixed in Safari, iOS, macOS

CISA has added a buffer overflow vulnerability (CVE-2025-31277) affecting Apple products to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. The vulnerability, which allows for memory corruption via maliciously crafted web content, has been addressed by Apple in recent software updates.

CISA Adds Five Known Exploited Vulnerabilities to Catalog

CISA has added five new vulnerabilities to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) Catalog, based on evidence of active exploitation. These vulnerabilities pose significant risks to the federal enterprise and CISA urges all organizations to prioritize their remediation.

CISA: Apple Products Memory Corruption Vulnerability Addressed

CISA has issued an advisory regarding a memory corruption vulnerability (CVE-2025-43520) affecting various Apple products. The vulnerability, which could allow a malicious application to cause system termination or write kernel memory, has been addressed by Apple through software updates.

DOE Partners SoftBank, AEP Ohio for AI Computing Infrastructure

The U.S. Department of Energy, in partnership with SoftBank and AEP Ohio, announced a public-private initiative to redevelop DOE land, modernize energy infrastructure, and develop advanced computing in Southern Ohio. The project includes 10 GW of new power generation and a 10 GW data center, aiming to lower electricity costs and create jobs.

WHB 2312 v. Uber Technologies - Product Liability Case Filing

A new civil case, WHB 2312 v. Uber Technologies, Inc. et al., has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The case is classified as a Personal Injury Product Liability action and was filed on March 20, 2026.

Theodore Stanley Landry v. Janelle Nicole Landry - Divorce Case Appeal

The Texas Supreme Court reversed a prior judgment by the court of appeals in the divorce case of Theodore Stanley Landry v. Janelle Nicole Landry. The court found that the appeals court erred in its previous rulings regarding the classification of investment accounts as separate property.

Montrell Reid appeals harassment and stalking convictions

The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals reviewed Montrell Reid's appeal of his harassment and stalking convictions. The court affirmed the trial court's denial of probation but remanded for a determination of the percentage of service for his sentence.

Tennessee Court Affirms Probation Revocation for Louis Thomas Smith

The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the Lauderdale County Circuit Court's decision to revoke Louis Thomas Smith's supervised probation. The court found that Smith violated the terms of his probation by absconding, leading to the imposition of his original ten-year sentence.

FL DEP Funds Escambia County Carpenter Creek Headwaters Park Restoration

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced funding for the Carpenter Creek Headwaters Park in Escambia County. The project involved restoring 2.6 acres of wetlands and implementing drainage enhancements to improve water quality and flood protection. DEP provided over $2 million through the Deepwater Horizon Program's Natural Resource Damage Assessment grants.

Auto City Sales Inc. Consent Order - NH Banking Department

The New Hampshire Banking Department has issued a Consent Order with Auto City Sales Inc., a licensed retail seller. The order allows Auto City Sales Inc. to renew its license for 2023 and grants an extension until February 10, 2023, to transition its license to the National Multistate Licensing System and Registry (NMLS).