CIP-003-11 Cyber Security Reliability Standard Security Management Controls

FERC issued Order 918, a final rule adopting Critical Infrastructure Protection Reliability Standard CIP-003-11 (Cyber Security – Security Management Controls) under docket RM25-8. The order establishes updated security management control requirements for responsible entities operating the bulk electric system. Citation: 194FERC61,210.

Virtualization Reliability Standards

FERC issued Order No. 919 (194 FERC 61,209) as a final rule establishing virtualization reliability standards for the bulk electric system under docket RM24-8. The rule approves Reliability Standard VAR-001-5.1 and related modifications to existing NERC reliability standards applicable to bulk electric system owners, operators, and users.

Order on Remand: Qualifying Facility Rates and PURPA Implementation

FERC issued Order on Remand addressing qualifying facility rates and implementation issues under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA). The order, issued in dockets RM19-15 and AD16-16, modifies previous guidance on rates for qualifying facilities. The Commission's decision affects utilities and renewable energy developers operating under PURPA requirements.

Keith Reilly v. United States Department of Labor - Whistleblower Retaliation

The Fourth Circuit denied Keith Reilly's petition for review of the Merit Systems Protection Board's dismissal of his whistleblower retaliation claims. Reilly, a former criminal investigator with the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General, alleged the agency relieved him of duty and denied him subsequent positions in retaliation for his protected disclosures. The court found no reversible error in the Board's application of the burden-shifting framework under 5 U.S.C. § 1221(e).

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.