US v. Gerald Hopper - Supervised Release Revocation Appeal Dismissed Moot

The Fourth Circuit dismissed Gerald Damone Hopper's appeal of a supervised release revocation judgment as moot. The court found that his revocation sentence had expired and he failed to identify any collateral consequences flowing from the revocation. The district court case was 3:95-cr-00119-TAW-SCR-1 in the Western District of North Carolina.

Grace v. Alamance County - Civil Rights Summary Judgment Affirmed

The Fourth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for defendants in a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 civil rights suit. The court held that plaintiff Michael Grace waived appellate review of claims related to his May 18, 2017 arrest by failing to file specific objections to the magistrate judge's statute of limitations determination. The district court's judgment is AFFIRMED.

US v. Reigle - Criminal Sentencing Appeal

The Fourth Circuit affirmed Sebastian Reigle's 30-month sentence for communicating threats to injure in interstate commerce under 18 U.S.C. § 875(c). The court rejected Reigle's procedural challenge claiming the district court failed to adequately consider his argument under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)(6) regarding unwarranted sentencing disparities.

Charles v. Buffaloe - Habeas Corpus Appeal

The Fourth Circuit dismissed James Benjamin Charles's appeal seeking review of the Western District of North Carolina's denial of his 28 U.S.C. § 2254 habeas corpus petition. The court denied a certificate of appealability and dismissed the appeal, finding Charles failed to demonstrate that reasonable jurists could find the district court's procedural ruling debatable or that he stated a debatable constitutional claim.

K KALDEH CAFÉ extension, Kaldi's Inc vs Kaldi LLC

K KALDEH CAFÉ extension, Kaldi's Inc vs Kaldi LLC

Death Benefit for Department of Transportation Workers

The Maine Legislature enacted LD669, establishing a death benefit for Department of Transportation workers. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Amy Roeder and passed the House and Senate in March 2026. The legislation creates new employment benefits for DOT employees killed in the line of duty, with Committee Amendment A (H-893) incorporated.

Resolve to Study Methods for Improving Youth Community Supervision and Increasing Juvenile Diversion from Formal Judicial Processing

The Maine 132nd Legislature passed LD740, a Resolve directing a study on methods for improving youth community supervision and increasing juvenile diversion from formal judicial processing. The bill was referred to the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety and passed with a divided majority report (73-66) after Committee Amendment A (H-889). The study will examine supervision methods and diversion programs for juvenile offenders in Maine.

Peer Support Communication Protection Act

The Maine Legislature passed LD882, the Critical Incident Stress Management and Peer Support Communication Protection Act. The bill establishes confidentiality protections for communications between individuals and peer support providers, preventing such communications from being disclosed in certain legal proceedings. The legislation passed the Senate 32-1 and the House 123-22 after committee amendments.

An Act to Require Maine Transmission and Distribution Utility Participation in a Regional Transmission Organization

Maine's 132nd Legislature passed LD2038 on April 2, 2026, enacted as law, requiring all transmission and distribution utilities in Maine to participate in a Regional Transmission Organization (RTO). The bill, sponsored by Rep. Christopher Kessler, passed the House 74-65 after significant amendment and the Senate 27-8. Utilities must now comply with this mandatory RTO participation requirement.

Municipal Community Choice Aggregation Programs for Electricity Procurement

Maine LD2112, 'An Act to Authorize Municipalities to Form Community Choice Aggregation Programs to Procure Electricity,' passed both chambers on April 2, 2026. The legislation authorizes Maine municipalities to establish community choice aggregation programs, enabling local governments to procure electricity on behalf of residential and commercial customers. The bill passed the House 76-62 and the Senate 21-12, with sponsors including Representatives Runte, Sachs, and Senator Lawrence.