States, Cities and Counties
Here's a look at documents covering state government, cities and counties
Featured Stories
With Federal SNAP Benefits Halted, Pa. Gov. Shapiro Steps In to Support Pennsylvanians on SNAP and Strengthen Pennsylvania's Charitable Food Network, Mobilizing Over $7 Million in State and Private Funds for Food Banks
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Nov. 8 -- Gov. Josh Shapiro, D-Pennsylvania, issued the following news release:
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With Federal SNAP Benefits Halted, Governor Shapiro Steps In to Support Pennsylvanians on SNAP and Strengthen Pennsylvania's Charitable Food Network, Mobilizing Over $7 Million in State and Private Funds for Food Banks
As the Trump Administration withholds November SNAP payments during the federal government shutdown for nearly two million Pennsylvanians, Governor Shapiro is mobilizing state resources and private sector support to protect families, children, and seniors and maintain
... Show Full Article
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Nov. 8 -- Gov. Josh Shapiro, D-Pennsylvania, issued the following news release:
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With Federal SNAP Benefits Halted, Governor Shapiro Steps In to Support Pennsylvanians on SNAP and Strengthen Pennsylvania's Charitable Food Network, Mobilizing Over $7 Million in State and Private Funds for Food Banks
As the Trump Administration withholds November SNAP payments during the federal government shutdown for nearly two million Pennsylvanians, Governor Shapiro is mobilizing state resources and private sector support to protect families, children, and seniors and maintainfood security across the Commonwealth.
Governor Shapiro signed a declaration of disaster emergency and is making $5 million in Commonwealth funding immediately available to Pennsylvania food banks - nearly $300,000 is going to Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank.
Governor Shapiro is also leading a private sector donation campaign that has now secured over $2 million in private donations for food banks through the new SNAP Emergency Relief Fund.
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Pittston, PA - Today, Governor Josh Shapiro joined volunteers at the Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank in Luzerne County to pack groceries and provide an update on state-led efforts by his Administration to support Pennsylvania's charitable food network and the nearly two million Pennsylvanians who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Last week, Governor Shapiro signed a declaration of disaster emergency to quickly drive out $5 million in state funding to Feeding Pennsylvania to distribute across its network of food banks, including $288,992 to the Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank. The Governor has also led a private fundraising campaign - and today, he announced that a total of $2 million has been raised from private donors through the new SNAP Emergency Relief Fund. The state funds will help offset the impact of the federal government's failure to deliver SNAP benefits for November, while private contributions -- from Pennsylvania leaders including Peggy Grove, Richard Green, Tom Hagen, Thomas Tull, Connie Williams, Mark Cuban, and David and Hallee Adelman -- will further strengthen support for food banks across the Commonwealth.
"Nearly two million Pennsylvanians rely on SNAP every month -- and they shouldn't have to wonder where their next meal will come from because of dysfunction in Washington," said Governor Shapiro. "There's no substitute for the federal government's decision not to release SNAP benefits, but my Administration is stepping up to use every tool we have -- state resources, private sector support, and the compassion of our communities -- to keep our food banks stocked and our families fed. The federal government has the money to keep people fed -- they're just refusing to use it. In Pennsylvania, I won't let our families or food banks shoulder that burden alone."
Last week, Governor Shapiro joined 24 other states and Washington, D.C. in suing the Trump Administration for unlawfully suspending SNAP payments and failing to use billions in Congressionally approved contingency funds available to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). On Friday, a federal judge ruled that the federal government must use billions in contingency funds to partially cover November SNAP benefits.
This week, the Trump Administration submitted a plan to the court committing to partial funding, but said it could take weeks or months to distribute. The federal government is also requiring states to use the most complex and labor-intensive process possible -- a system overhaul that Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Secretary Val Arkoosh warned would take at least 10,000 hours and delay benefits by several weeks. In a letter to the USDA on Tuesday, Secretary Arkoosh urged the Trump Administration to approve a simpler one-time payment approach to get food assistance out faster and avoid further hardship for families. The Shapiro Administration continues to call on USDA to expedite the process and release full benefits immediately.
Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank received $288,992.18 in funding from Feeding Pennsylvania to serve families in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna, and Wyoming Counties -- equivalent to roughly 404,000 pounds of food and 337,000 meals.
"The pressure on food banks is mounting, with increased need against a backdrop of dwindling supplies," said Jennifer Warabak, CEO, Weinberg NE Regional Food Bank. "That's why financial support, like the Commonwealth's emergency funding, and community donations are absolutely vital right now. They help local food programs meet urgent needs while families wait for their benefits to be restored. Even if you are not personally experiencing these delays, the issue deserves both your attention and your compassion. Our community's strength lies in our collective welfare."
The $5 million in state funding is flowing through Feeding Pennsylvania using the model of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System (PASS) -- a Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture initiative that connects food banks with Pennsylvania farmers to provide fresh, local food to families in need. Since 2015-16, PDA has distributed $35.5 million through PASS to 13 food banks serving all 67 counties. Under the Shapiro Administration, $11 million in PASS funding has been delivered in the past two years to strengthen the state's charitable food network.
"It's our honor to ensure food from Weinberg reaches the hands of our neighbors who need it most -- many working multiple jobs yet still unable to make ends meet," said Crystal Kotlowski, COO, Volunteers of America of PA. "We serve on the front lines and hear the pain people are living through every day. Without a strong SNAP safety net, it feels like a dam breaking. Volunteers of America doesn't just hear about hunger in food bank lines -- we see it in our shelters, in encampments, when transporting seniors, and at the tables of new mothers receiving support. People need food to live -- and when incomes can't keep up with the cost of living, they turn to us."
Feeding Pennsylvania and Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank
Feeding Pennsylvania is the statewide association of nine Feeding America partner food banks, serving 1.5 million people annually through a network of more than 2,700 agencies in all 67 counties.
Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank, operated by the Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO), serves Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna, and Wyoming Counties. In 2024, Weinberg provided 17.6 million pounds of food to 1.1 million people, equivalent to 14.6 million meals. The food bank serves 22,500 people weekly through more than 300 community partners and recently completed a 15,000-square-foot expansion with Commonwealth support through a $1 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant. The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) also provided a $500,000 COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Pandemic Response grant to Weinberg.
"Governor Shapiro made the right decision by providing $5 million in state assistance to strengthen Pennsylvania's food banks during this critical time," said Senator Marty Flynn. "When federal support is withheld, it is important that we act swiftly to ensure families can continue putting food on the table. This emergency funding will help our charitable food network meet rising demand and keep communities across the Commonwealth fed. That is what responsible leadership looks like, stepping up to protect Pennsylvanians when they need it most."
"We're here today because we're stepping up to protect families in need and ensure no one goes without food due to the Trump administration's refusal to fund November SNAP benefits," said Representative Eddie Day Pashinski, Chair of the House Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee. Thanks to Governor Shapiro's leadership, his emergency declaration brought in $5 million to support the charitable Food Network Feeding Pennsylvania, which will distribute resources to 13 food banks, including Weinberg. This funding allows us to move resources faster and get food where it's needed most, ensuring Pennsylvanians can make it through until the federal government acts."
"We're here today because the Governor understands that, beyond economic development, job creation, and grants, food insecurity is a real challenge in Pennsylvania," said Representative Jim Haddock. With this emergency proclamation, he's provided $5 million to food banks like this -- support that's urgently needed. We thank the Governor for his leadership in Luzerne County, which ranks fourth in the state for SNAP recipients, with 69,603 people relying on benefits. In Lackawanna County, 41,572 residents receive SNAP -- that's over 111,000 friends, neighbors, and co-workers counting on this critical support."
Federal Government Shutdown Threatens SNAP Benefits for Nearly Two Million Pennsylvanians
Since its creation in 1964, SNAP has been fully funded by the federal government, with benefits administered by the states. Each month, SNAP provides more than $366 million in benefits to help nearly two million Pennsylvanians feed themselves and their families -- including more than 713,000 children and 697,000 older adults. More than $4.3 billion in SNAP benefits were issued over the course of state FY2024-25. In total, roughly 42 million people in the U.S. receive SNAP benefits each month.
Beyond helping families put food on the table, the USDA estimates that every $1 billion in SNAP benefits generates $1.54 billion in economic activity through job retention and creation, income for farmers, and sales for food retailers.
Because Republicans in Washington -- who control both chambers of Congress and the White House -- have failed to pass a federal budget, the government has shut down, and the Trump Administration has stated it will not issue SNAP benefits for November. This marks the first time in history that the federal government has stopped SNAP payments.
Protecting Pennsylvania's Families, Farmers, and Food System
Governor Shapiro and his Administration continue to stand up for Pennsylvania's food security and agricultural economy:
* Earlier this year, the USDA abruptly canceled Pennsylvania's Local Food Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) agreement, cutting $13 million in federal funding over three years for programs that provide fresh, locally grown food to food banks. The Governor filed a lawsuit over that decision, and that case is pending.
* The Governor has expanded access to school meals by securing universal free breakfast for 1.7 million students and free lunch for 22,000 eligible students. During the 2024-25 school year, Pennsylvania schools served nearly 93 million breakfasts -- a 13.8 percent increase over two years -- including more than 70 million meals for students at risk of hunger or from low-income families.
* To increase access to fresh food in communities across the Commonwealth, the Governor relaunched the Fresh Food Financing Initiative with $4 million from his first two budgets. In May 2025, $3.4 million in grants were awarded to businesses in 23 counties, connecting low-income communities with locally produced, healthy food.
* The Shapiro Administration also participated in the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer-EBT) program in 2024, providing $120 per child to ensure access to nutritious meals during June through August. The program, which is federally funded, continued in Summer 2025.
Additionally, the Governor increased funding for the State Food Purchase Program (SFPP) by $2 million in FY2023-24 & FY2024-25, bringing total funding to $26.6 million. These funds support emergency food assistance, connect surplus food through PASS to food banks and pantries statewide, and provide Senior Food Boxes with nutritious staples.
How Pennsylvanians Can Help or Get Help
Governor Shapiro encouraged Pennsylvanians to support their local food banks and pantries -- by donating money, canned goods, or time to help feed neighbors in need this holiday season. Visit feedingpa.org to learn how to donate or volunteer.
For immediate needs during the shutdown, Pennsylvanians can use PA Navigate pa-navigate.org to help find resources. Local help is also available by calling 211 or visiting pa211.org.
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Original text here: https://www.pa.gov/governor/newsroom/2025-press-releases/gov-shapiro-mobilizing-over--7m-state-and-private-funds-for-food
W.Va. State Treasurer Pack Applauds Trump Administration Decision on Critical Minerals List
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, Nov. 8 -- West Virginia State Treasurer Larry Pack issued the following news release on Nov. 7, 2025:
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Treasurer Pack Applauds Trump Administration Decision on Critical Minerals List
Metallurgical Coal Added with Nine Others
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State Treasurer Larry Pack released the following statement after the Trump Administration added ten new minerals to the critical minerals list.
"We applaud President Donald Trump and his administration for recognizing the importance of metallurgical coal. Producing met coal domestically is crucial to bolstering the U.S. steel industry
... Show Full Article
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, Nov. 8 -- West Virginia State Treasurer Larry Pack issued the following news release on Nov. 7, 2025:
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Treasurer Pack Applauds Trump Administration Decision on Critical Minerals List
Metallurgical Coal Added with Nine Others
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State Treasurer Larry Pack released the following statement after the Trump Administration added ten new minerals to the critical minerals list.
"We applaud President Donald Trump and his administration for recognizing the importance of metallurgical coal. Producing met coal domestically is crucial to bolstering the U.S. steel industryand lessening our reliance on foreign sources, especially China," Treasurer Pack said. "The Trump Administration's viewpoint on our coal industry is a stark contrast from the Obama-Biden era policies that actively tried to kill our coal industry. The change in philosophy will only benefit West Virginia, and for that, we thank President Trump."
The ten new minerals are:
* Copper
* Uranium
* Silver
* Boron
* Potash
* Phosphate
* Lead
* Rhenium
* Silicon
* Metallurgical coal
As required by the Energy Act of 2020, United States Geological Services updated their methodology to quantify the risks associated with potential supply chain disruptions and recommend mineral commodities for inclusion on the updated 2025 List of Critical Minerals. The updated methodology uses an economic model that the USGS developed to estimate the potential effects of foreign trade disruptions of mineral commodities on the U.S. economy.
For the full list: https://www.usgs.gov/programs/mineral-resources-program/science/about-2025-list-critical-minerals
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Original text here: https://wvtreasury.gov/About/Press-Releases/details/treasurer-pack-applauds-trump-administration-decision-on-critical-minerals-list
S.D. A.G. Jackley Commends South Dakota Supreme Court For Upholding Sexual Contact Conviction
PIERRE, South Dakota, Nov. 8 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Jackley Commends South Dakota Supreme Court For Upholding Sexual Contact Conviction
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley commends the South Dakota Supreme Court for unanimously upholding a sexual-contact conviction involving the testimony of a 19-year-old victim with developmental disabilities.
"Testifying in court can be traumatic for people with developmental disabilities, and the circuit court in this case made the accommodations necessary for the witness,"
... Show Full Article
PIERRE, South Dakota, Nov. 8 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Jackley Commends South Dakota Supreme Court For Upholding Sexual Contact Conviction
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley commends the South Dakota Supreme Court for unanimously upholding a sexual-contact conviction involving the testimony of a 19-year-old victim with developmental disabilities.
"Testifying in court can be traumatic for people with developmental disabilities, and the circuit court in this case made the accommodations necessary for the witness,"said Attorney General Jackley. "I commend the Supreme Court for understanding that while rejecting the defendant's appeal."
Larry Richter of Sioux Falls was found guilty in 2024 by a Minnehaha County Jury of three felony counts of sexual contact with a person incapable of giving consent. The South Dakota Attorney General's Office represented the prosecution in arguments before the Supreme Court.
The defendant was accused of inappropriately touching the victim three different times despite being told to stop each time. The incident happened during a Fourth of July party hosted by the defendant.
During the trial, the victim who was 21-years-old at the time of the trial but who had the intellectual abilities of a seven-year-old, testified before the jury while holding a stuffed animal to help him stay calm. The Supreme Court rejected Richter's argument that the circuit court abused its discretion by allowing the victim to hold the comfort item during his testimony. The Supreme Court reiterated that circuit courts have broad authority over the conduct of trials and witnesses, and in this case, allowing the victim to hold the stuffed animal was a reasonable accommodation as a witness with developmental disabilities.
Justices also rejected Richter's three other arguments, deciding: 1) that the State properly cross-examined Richter; 2) that the State properly directly examined one of its witnesses; and 3) that the Circuit Court properly denied Richter's motion for judgment of acquittal.
Richter was sentenced to 18 years in prison after he was convicted.
The Supreme Court's opinion can be read here: https://ujs.sd.gov/media/pnmem03g/30804.pdf
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Original text here: https://atg.sd.gov/OurOffice/Media/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?id=2943
R.I. A.G. Neronha Reaches Agreement to Keep Roger Williams and Fatima Hospitals Open Through November
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, Nov. 8 -- Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha issued the following news release on Nov. 7, 2025:
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Attorney General Neronha reaches agreement to keep Roger Williams and Fatima hospitals open through November
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced today that the Office has reached an agreement with Prospect Medical Holdings, Inc. (Prospect) to fund the operations of Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital through the end of November. Attorney General Neronha agreed to provide Prospect with access to up to $3 million of the approximately
... Show Full Article
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, Nov. 8 -- Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha issued the following news release on Nov. 7, 2025:
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Attorney General Neronha reaches agreement to keep Roger Williams and Fatima hospitals open through November
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced today that the Office has reached an agreement with Prospect Medical Holdings, Inc. (Prospect) to fund the operations of Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital through the end of November. Attorney General Neronha agreed to provide Prospect with access to up to $3 million of the approximately$51 million Hospital Fund to cover anticipated operating losses during the month of November while the parties consider an alternative buyer for these facilities.
"Maintaining access to care is critical for the communities that Roger Williams and Fatima Hospital serve, as well as our statewide health care system," said Attorney General Neronha. "This temporary funding solution will ensure that until the transfer of the hospitals to new ownership, patients will continue to receive care from the dedicated health care professionals at both facilities. But make no mistake - time is of the essence, and these hospitals will not survive without swift action. Rhode Islanders are counting on these hospitals for life-saving care, and the Office is committed to keeping them open."
This agreement follows a motion filed by Prospect on Thursday, October 30, 2025, seeking to either transfer the hospitals to the State of Rhode Island or close the hospitals by the end of the year. In a status conference on November 7, 2025, the Office and Prospect announced the short-term funding agreement. Read the stipulation, filed on November 6, 2025, here (http://www.riag.ri.gov/media/7896/download).
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Original text here: https://riag.ri.gov/press-releases/attorney-general-neronha-reaches-agreement-keep-roger-williams-and-fatima-hospitals
N.H. Gov. Ayotte: Bell-to-Bell Ban on Cell Phones in Schools Helping Students Learn Distraction-Free
CONCORD, New Hampshire, Nov. 8 -- Gov. Kelly Ayotte, R-New Hampshire, issued the following news release:
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Bell-to-Bell Ban on Cell Phones in Schools Helping Students Learn Distraction-Free
On Wednesday, November 5, Governor Kelly Ayotte and Commissioner of Education Caitlin Davis visited schools to hear from school leaders, educators, and students about the impact of the State's new bell-to-bell ban on cell phones in schools.
"We want every student in our state to reach their full potential in and out of the classroom, and cell phones were getting in the way of that," said Governor Ayotte.
... Show Full Article
CONCORD, New Hampshire, Nov. 8 -- Gov. Kelly Ayotte, R-New Hampshire, issued the following news release:
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Bell-to-Bell Ban on Cell Phones in Schools Helping Students Learn Distraction-Free
On Wednesday, November 5, Governor Kelly Ayotte and Commissioner of Education Caitlin Davis visited schools to hear from school leaders, educators, and students about the impact of the State's new bell-to-bell ban on cell phones in schools.
"We want every student in our state to reach their full potential in and out of the classroom, and cell phones were getting in the way of that," said Governor Ayotte."I was proud to sign a bell-to-bell cell phone ban into law, giving districts the flexibility to adopt what works best for them while ensuring teachers don't have to be the phone police. We're already hearing great feedback -- classrooms are more focused, lunchrooms are lively again, and students are reconnecting with each other."
Studies from the American Academy of Pediatrics and insights from social psychologist Dr. Jonathan Haidt show excessive screen time is associated with increased rates of anxiety, depression and sleep deprivation among children and teenagers. Schools that have implemented a bell-to-bell policy see fewer distractions in the classroom, reduced instances of cyberbullying, better student engagement, and improved morale among teachers.
"Removing the distraction of cell phones from our classrooms has been an important part of our efforts to make New Hampshire an even better place to learn," said Commissioner Davis. "Educator feedback shows that the bell-to-bell cell phone ban helps teachers focus on student success and support students in learning and building stronger peer relationships."
The Governor and Commissioner visited Brian S. McCarthy Middle School in Nashua, Campbell High School in Litchfield, and Bedford High School in Bedford for tours and discussions on the new policy's positive impact.
"We're already seeing the benefits of the bell-to-bell cell phone policy in our schools -- a more positive, focused learning environment for teachers and students alike." said Bedford High School Superintendent Michael Fournier. "I thank Governor Ayotte, the Legislature, and the Department of Education for empowering our schools to create a policy that fits our needs and helps students learn distractions-free."
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Original text here: https://www.governor.nh.gov/news/bell-bell-ban-cell-phones-schools-helping-students-learn-distraction-free
Mo. A.G. Hanaway Obtains $307,000 Consent Judgment In Case Against Florida Real Estate Brokerage Firm
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, Nov. 8 -- Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Hanaway Obtains $307,000 Consent Judgment In Case Against Florida Real Estate Brokerage Firm
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced that her Office reached a consent judgment with MV Realty Holdings, LLC (MV Realty), based in Florida, and its franchises, which violated Missouri law by paying homeowners a tiny percentage of the value of their homes in exchange for a promise that the homeowner would use MV Realty as their brokers when they sold
... Show Full Article
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, Nov. 8 -- Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Hanaway Obtains $307,000 Consent Judgment In Case Against Florida Real Estate Brokerage Firm
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced that her Office reached a consent judgment with MV Realty Holdings, LLC (MV Realty), based in Florida, and its franchises, which violated Missouri law by paying homeowners a tiny percentage of the value of their homes in exchange for a promise that the homeowner would use MV Realty as their brokers when they soldtheir homes.
"Homeownership is a goal for many Missourians," said Attorney General Hanaway. "Our Office will not tolerate out-of-state fraudsters placing liens on family homes or charging bogus cancellation fees in unlawful contracts. We are proud of this win for Missouri homeowners, and our Office continues to seek justice for innocent Missourians who have been exploited." Under the consent judgment, MV Realty must pay more than $307,000 to the State of Missouri in restitution for termination fees that it collected from 44 Missouri homeowners. Additionally, MV Realty and its chief officers are prohibited from engaging in real estate brokerage in Missouri for a period of seven years.
The Attorney General's Office previously filed suit in March 2024 against MV Realty under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act, alleging that MV Realty misled or failed to tell homeowners about many portions of their contracts. For example, many homeowners were not told that they were bound to the contracts for 40 years, that the contracts would effectively be enforceable against their heirs, or that MV Realty would be filing a "memorandum" on their properties with the county clerk that clouded their chain of title.
As a part of the judgment, MV Realty agreed to abandon all contracts still pending in Missouri, and not collect termination fees or a return of the approximately $250,000 in upfront payments that MV Realty had paid to 385 consumers. The abandonment of those contracts relieves Missouri homeowners of a total of $2.4 million in termination fees that they would have had to pay MV Realty.
"A real estate contract granting indefinite listing rights to a brokerage is unlawful," said Steven Reed, Consumer Protection Section Chief Counsel. "If Missourians think they've been scammed; we encourage them to call our Consumer Protection hotline at (800) 392-8222 or by submitting a complaint online at ago.mo.gov."
The case was litigated by Assistant Attorneys General John Grantham and Nate Brancato. Investigators with the Office's Consumer Protection Section were vital in achieving this outcome.
Just as the Consumer Protection Section exemplifies the Attorney General's Office's commitment to safeguarding Missourians, the Office is proud to be home to some of the state's most skilled consumer-protection attorneys. These dedicated professionals investigate and prosecute deceptive and fraudulent practices, working tirelessly to hold bad actors accountable and secure justice for victims. Attorneys interested in joining this tradition of excellence and public service are encouraged to explore current opportunities at https://ago.mo.gov/about-us/job-opportunities/.
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Original text here: https://ago.mo.gov/attorney-general-hanaway-obtains-307000-consent-judgment-in-case-against-florida-real-estate-brokerage-firm/
Calif. Gov. Newsom Fights for Californians' Access to Food Benefits While Trump Basically Says 'The Poor Must Starve!'
SACRAMENTO, California, Nov. 8 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release:
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Governor Newsom fights for Californians' access to food benefits while Trump basically says "THE POOR MUST STARVE!"
What you need to know: Donald Trump just asked a federal court to issue an emergency stay of a judge's ruling ordering the administration to fully fund SNAP food benefits. He wants children to starve. Governor Newsom is fighting back.
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Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with other states, today submitted an amicus brief in the First Circuit Court
... Show Full Article
SACRAMENTO, California, Nov. 8 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release:
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Governor Newsom fights for Californians' access to food benefits while Trump basically says "THE POOR MUST STARVE!"
What you need to know: Donald Trump just asked a federal court to issue an emergency stay of a judge's ruling ordering the administration to fully fund SNAP food benefits. He wants children to starve. Governor Newsom is fighting back.
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Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with other states, today submitted an amicus brief in the First Circuit Courtof Appeals to defend California families' continued access to SNAP food benefits. This follows a win yesterday, where a court ordered the Trump administration to immediately issue 100% of funding for 5.5 million California SNAP recipients. After the decision, California SNAP recipients began to see money loaded onto their cards so that families could access food as soon as possible. The Trump administration immediately appealed, continuing its fight to block families from getting the food they need to survive. Today's brief is filed in response to the Trump administration's request to put yesterday's court order on hold.
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"The Trump administration is literally fighting in court to block American families' access to food. Trump is not fighting on your behalf."
- Governor Gavin Newsom
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California, with more than 22 other states, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on October 28 over its unlawful refusal to fund SNAP/CalFresh benefits due to the nearly month-long federal government shutdown, despite possessing funds to support this critical program for the month of November. This caused 5.5 million Californians to temporarily lose critical access to $1.1 billion in food assistance for the month of November. On October 31, two federal courts found the federal government is statutorily mandated to use previously appropriated SNAP contingency funds available to them during the government shutdown, where use of reserves is necessary to continue supporting this critical program protecting over 42 million Americans - including 5.5 million Californians - from going hungry. The courts also found that the USDA has $23 billion in Section 32 funds that it could use for SNAP. Yesterday, the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island ruled that the administration must immediately restore full benefits to families, including the 5.5 million California recipients. The Trump administration is appealing this decision and fighting to ensure that families cannot access the food benefits they need.
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Original text here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/11/07/governor-newsom-fights-for-californians-access-to-food-benefits-while-trump-basically-says-the-poor-must-starve/
