John Breslin News
Judges to be trained in COVID-19 science, likely to preside over claims
Six Missouri judges will be trained in the science around COVID-19 ahead of an expected influx of cases arising from pandemic.
Business leaders welcome Parson call for COVID-19 liability protection bill
Gov. Mike Parson has made clear he wants the first piece of legislation on his desk to be a COVID-19 liability protection bill, a position welcomed by business groups.
Courts, staff, critically need increased security, chief justice tells lawmakers
Courts critically need security upgrades, additional equipment, staff training and standardized compensation, Missouri Chief Justice George W. Draper has told legislators.
COVID lawsuits almost certain if people compelled to vaccinate, attorney says
Lawsuits will follow if Missouri citizens are forced to take a COVID-19 vaccine, according to an attorney who recently argued before a federal appeals court on behalf of parents opposed to their children being vaccinated.
Legislators file bills protecting healthcare providers, businesses, schools from COVID-19 lawsuits
Legislators are pressing ahead with proposals aimed at protecting healthcare providers, businesses, schools, and non-profits from being sued in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Law enforcement 'warming' to asset seizure reform, but lawmaker says no easy passage
State law enforcement agencies are becoming more open to reforming a forfeiture statute to close a loophole in the state's robust protections against the seizure of property and assets, according to one lawmaker.
U.S. attorney clears desk after busy 10 months dominated by violent crime, COVID, Flynn case
Now former U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen has cleared out his desk after more than three years at the helm in the Eastern District of Missouri.
Employers will have power to mandate vaccination, notable exceptions, unlikely to do so: attorney
Employers will be able to order the vaccinations of their workforces when it becomes available, according to legal experts.
Judge slashes punitive award to peach farmer over weedkiller drift, crop destruction
A punitive damages award to a Missouri peach farmer who claimed his crop was nearly destroyed by weedkiller drift has been cut by $190 million after a federal judge ruled it was unconstitutional.
Legal action continues as premises ordered shut, cease and desist orders fly
A circuit court judge must respond to a petition by a group of restaurant owners seeking to overturn a ban on indoor dining in St. Louis County.
Gardner fails to hand over records despite order by court: plaintiff lawyer
St. Louis City's circuit attorney's office has not handed over records potentially linked the prosecition of former Gov. Eric Greitens, according to an attorney representing the plaintiff in the legal action.
Woman wins discrimination action, claimed she was sacked for being 'ugly'
A jury's finding of discrimination in the case of a female grocery store employee who claimed she was sacked for being ugly reveals the defendant's actions must have been deeply egregious for the plaintiff to overcome Missouri's employer-friendly labor statutes, according to one law professor.
Plant-based food producer of Tofurkey appeals decision on 'meat' law
A law restricting companies selling plant-based products from using the word meat and related ones on their packaging has a chilling effect on protected free speech, an appeals court has heard.
Push for public hearings into parking meter contract award
St. Louis City aldermen are seeking to hold a public hearing into the award of a $7 million parking meter contract.
After judge orders Gardner records handover, plaintiff believes city attorney will still stall
A lawsuit aimed at forcing St. Louis City Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner to hand over records relating to the prosecution of a former governor is likely to drag on for some months, according to the head of the legal team for the plaintiff.
Grand jury indicts McCloskeys, adds evidence tampering; Defense plans move to disqualify Gardner
An attorney for the St. Louis couple Mark and Patricia McCloskey has revealed that part of his defense strategy will be to stop Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner having any involvement in the case.
Stark figures for some sectors, including hospitality, but business owners more optimistic
Small businesses in Missouri are continuing to struggle, with leisure and hospitality revenue down by 36 percent compared to the start of the year, with economic analysts seeing it leveling off.
County council pushes for 50 percent restaurant capacity over concerns more will shutter permanently
St. Louis County Council has passed a resolution urging the country to increase the capacity of restaurants to 50 percent.
Retirement system sues managers, directors of energy company at center of bribery scandal
St. Louis' retirees are unwittingly embroiled in an extraordinary scandal centering on allegations of bribery and racketeering involving political leaders and an energy company the trustees invested in.
Prosecutors begin extradition proceedings against slum landlord accused of fraud
Prosecutors have started the process of attempting to extradite a notorious St. Louis-area landlord over claims he masterminded a $28 million fraud linked to the purchase of properties.Michael Fein, 41, was indicted last month on charges for allegedly falsely inflating occupancy numbers at the apartment complexes in St. Louis, Kansas City and Tulsa, Oklahoma.