Featured Stories
S.D. A.G. Jackley Announces South Dakota to Receive $149,399 in Bankruptcy Settlement With 23andMe
PIERRE, South Dakota, July 15 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release on July 14, 2026:
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Attorney General Jackley Announces South Dakota to Receive $149,399 in Bankruptcy Settlement with 23andMe
Attorney General Marty Jackley announces South Dakota will receive $149,399 from the bankruptcy trustee for 23andMe, resolving allegations stemming from a 2023 data breach that compromised the genetic data of 6.9 million customers worldwide. The settlement includes $150 million in allowed claims for states.
Due to the finite amount of funds in the bankruptcy
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PIERRE, South Dakota, July 15 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release on July 14, 2026:
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Attorney General Jackley Announces South Dakota to Receive $149,399 in Bankruptcy Settlement with 23andMe
Attorney General Marty Jackley announces South Dakota will receive $149,399 from the bankruptcy trustee for 23andMe, resolving allegations stemming from a 2023 data breach that compromised the genetic data of 6.9 million customers worldwide. The settlement includes $150 million in allowed claims for states.
Due to the finite amount of funds in the bankruptcyestate and numerous other claims, recovery is limited to $18 million but will be paid out immediately from available bankruptcy funds.
These funds are in addition to the $46.75 million class-action settlement 23andMe agreed to in the bankruptcy case. That settlement provides relief to affected U.S. consumers who submitted claims by Feb. 17, 2026.
"This settlement still allows South Dakotans who submitted claims by Feb. 17, 2026 to be compensated," said Attorney General Jackley. "The filing for bankruptcy by 23andMe should not negatively impact those consumers whose personal genetic data was compromised by this company."
In October 2023, direct-to-consumer genetic testing company 23andMe announced that it had discovered a data breach in which 6.9 million consumers were affected, including 11,027 in South Dakota. This data breach exposed a wide range of data about 23andMe customers, including in some cases genetic ancestry information, and subsets of this data were subsequently published for sale on the dark web.
South Dakota's share will fund consumer protection efforts through the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.
23andMe learned about the breach months after impacted personal information was publicly available. 23andMe first denied a breach and then, once it confirmed the breach, blamed consumers for how their accounts were set up or how passwords were used. 23andMe initially accepted no responsibility for the credential stuffing breach, which was particularly egregious considering 23andMe's partnership with MyHeritage, which itself was compromised years prior to the breach, exposing thousands of credentials shared between the websites.
In the immediate aftermath of the data breach Attorney General Jackley and other Attorneys General formed a multistate investigation and found that 23andMe engaged in unreasonable data security practices, including, but not limited to:
* Failing to employ safeguards against credential stuffing attacks, including comparing passwords against blocklists of known breached passwords or requiring multifactor authentication;
* Failing to implement appropriate rate limiting or intrusion prevention;
* Failing to implement logging and monitoring or other tools likely to detect a data breach;
* Failing to appropriately investigate and/or address unusual login in patterns, including, for example, a massive spike in login attempts;
* Failing to remediate known vulnerabilities; and
* Failing to properly review and test design features.
As part of his efforts to protect consumers, Attorney General Jackley also proposed during the 2026 legislative session Senate Bill 49, which safeguards the integrity, privacy, and security of genetic data and provides a civil penalty. The measure was approved by the legislators and signed by the Governor. It became law July 1.
Other Attorneys Generals part of the settlement are from the states of: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.
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Original text here: https://atg.sd.gov/OurOffice/Media/pressreleases.aspx
Mo. Natural Resources Dept. Awards $364,000 to Jasper
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, July 15 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources issued the following news release:
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Department of Natural Resources awards $364,000 to Jasper
City is planning and designing drinking water system improvements
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The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded a $364,000 loan to the city of Jasper for planning and design work related to its ongoing drinking water improvement project.
These funds will provide vital interim financing to cover early engineering and administrative costs while the city works with the department to secure a larger loan
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JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, July 15 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources issued the following news release:
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Department of Natural Resources awards $364,000 to Jasper
City is planning and designing drinking water system improvements
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The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded a $364,000 loan to the city of Jasper for planning and design work related to its ongoing drinking water improvement project.
These funds will provide vital interim financing to cover early engineering and administrative costs while the city works with the department to secure a larger loanand grant funding package for the project. The city expects the larger construction project to total $3.5 million and plans for construction to start in 2027.
The early planning phases of infrastructure projects often represent a significant financial burden for cash-limited communities with water and wastewater needs. The department's goal for the planning and design loan program is to provide a cost-effective alternative to expensive private financing that allows communities to move forward with developing and delivering vital infrastructure projects for their citizens. These planning and design loans bear no interest and come with a five-year term. The department estimates its funding will save the city's ratepayers approximately $77,000 in interest over the loan's five-year term.
"While we often take it for granted, adequate water and wastewater infrastructure is critical to the quality of life of every Missourian and the sustainability of communities and industries throughout the state," said Kurt Schaefer, director of the Department of Natural Resources.
The department's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund finances improvements to water treatment plants, distribution systems and water storage and supply facilities. The fund also finances system interconnection and consolidation projects. Communities that borrow from the fund benefit from the below-market interest rate and from assistance a project manager provides throughout the project.
The department is committed to assisting Missouri communities with water and wastewater infrastructure improvement projects. Through its Financial Assistance Center, the department provides funding opportunities for qualified communities with water quality, wastewater and drinking water infrastructure needs. This project will be funded wholly or in part with monies received from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
For more information on wastewater and drinking water funding opportunities, visit the State Revolving Fund (SRF) webpage (https://dnr.mo.gov/water/what-were-doing/state-revolving-fund-srf).
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Original text here: https://dnr.mo.gov/communications/news/department-natural-resources-awards-364000-jasper
Md. Natural Resources Dept.: State Awards $11.2 Million From Whole Watershed Program to Advance Environmental Restoration
ANNAPOLIS, Maryland, July 15 -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources issued the following news:
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Maryland Awards $11.2 Million from Whole Watershed Program to Advance Environmental Restoration
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is awarding $11.2 million in grants from the Whole Watershed Fund to accelerate restoration efforts in five key watersheds across the state. Established by the Whole Watershed Act, this second year of the five-year program supports 30 projects in Antietam Creek, Baltimore Harbor, Newport Bay, the Severn River, and the Upper Choptank River, including
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ANNAPOLIS, Maryland, July 15 -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources issued the following news:
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Maryland Awards $11.2 Million from Whole Watershed Program to Advance Environmental Restoration
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is awarding $11.2 million in grants from the Whole Watershed Fund to accelerate restoration efforts in five key watersheds across the state. Established by the Whole Watershed Act, this second year of the five-year program supports 30 projects in Antietam Creek, Baltimore Harbor, Newport Bay, the Severn River, and the Upper Choptank River, includingthree agricultural areas, and two cross-state collaborative areas.
Each watershed will receive $2 million in project funding and $250,000 for watershed monitoring funding. Projects will help improve water quality, enhance habitat, and engage communities throughout Maryland.
"The Whole Watershed Program extends beyond implementation, creating new partnerships, connecting with other funding sources, and facilitating program opportunities," said Maryland DNR Secretary Josh Kurtz. "This collaborative and science-based framework ensures that restoration work delivers tangible benefits to both the environment and the Marylanders who depend on it."
The Whole Watershed Program represents a five-year commitment to providing the technical and financial resources necessary to achieve statewide clean water goals. During its inaugural year (FY26), the program successfully delivered its first completed project, two bioretention cells in Annapolis that filter stormwater runoff entering the Severn River. The program also leveraged funds to stabilize 1,600 feet of severe stream erosion in the Antietam River watershed. This project due to the Whole Watershed funding successfully reconnected floodplains, created new habitats for local wildlife, and improved opportunities for community engagement.
Building on this momentum, the fiscal year 2027 awards support 30 new projects selected through a collaborative process between watershed sponsors and the state management team. These initiatives span a wide range of restoration activities, from land conservation and wetland creation to innovative agricultural practices and enhanced public access showcasing the holistic approach of the program. FY27 project highlights include:
* Conserving over 250 acres along the mainstem of Antietam Creek to protect vital waterways;
* Launching an environmental workforce development program in Baltimore to create local jobs;
* Implementing residential stormwater practices and septic system upgrades in Ridgely;
* Restoring 114 acres of critical marshland near Ocean City to improve coastal resilience; and
* Completing 1,150 linear feet of stream restoration in Eastport to treat significant drainage areas.
This program shifts Maryland's restoration strategy from isolated, model-based projects toward a geographic-specific approach that provides sustained financial and technical support. More 75 partners are engaged throughout Maryland, including local governments, academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and others. Project sponsors are providing more than $11 million in leveraged funds for a total investment of $22 million.
"We are incredibly grateful for Whole Watershed's partnership in advancing the vision of Reimagine Middle Branch through the Middle Branch Resiliency Initiative," said Samantha Rose, the Restoration Director of South Baltimore Gateway Partnership. "Their investment allows us to support innovative, community-led programs like the Environmental Justice Journalism Initiative's Reel Rewards and Grow Home's Restoration Academy, while continuing to build the next generation of restoration projects that strengthen shoreline resilience, improve water quality and habitat, expand public access, and create lasting economic opportunities for South Baltimore residents."
As the Whole Watershed Program kicks off its second year, the state management team will continue to collaborate with project sponsors on monitoring plans, finance and implementation plans, community engagement and opportunities to leverage additional technical and financial resources.
"The community is excited for the investment Maryland is making to uplift the whole watershed, from improving stormwater management in the head waters, down to salt marsh restoration in the bay itself," said Jessica McIntosh, the Newport Bay Partnership Coordinator with Maryland Coastal Bays Foundation. "We look forward to the powerful changes this holistic approach will create in Maryland's Coastal Bays."
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Original text here: https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2026/07/14/maryland-awards-11-2-million-from-whole-watershed-program-to-advance-environmental-restoration/
Ill. Supreme Court Launches Statewide Circuit Court User Survey
SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, July 15 -- The Illinois Supreme Court issued the following news release on July 14, 2026:
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ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT LAUNCHES STATEWIDE CIRCUIT COURT USER SURVEY
The Illinois Supreme Court and the Illinois Judicial Conference (IJC) announced today the launch of a statewide circuit court user survey, the first statewide circuit court user survey in Illinois since 2015. Survey results will be used to inform future policy decisions and improve the court user experience.
The anonymous survey will be conducted July 13-31, 2026. It will be available in paper and electronic
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SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, July 15 -- The Illinois Supreme Court issued the following news release on July 14, 2026:
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ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT LAUNCHES STATEWIDE CIRCUIT COURT USER SURVEY
The Illinois Supreme Court and the Illinois Judicial Conference (IJC) announced today the launch of a statewide circuit court user survey, the first statewide circuit court user survey in Illinois since 2015. Survey results will be used to inform future policy decisions and improve the court user experience.
The anonymous survey will be conducted July 13-31, 2026. It will be available in paper and electronicformats at circuit court courthouses across the state and will ask circuit court users about their most recent experience with the Illinois circuit courts. The survey is designed to be completed by all in-person and remote circuit court users, including parties, lawyers, jurors, witnesses, and observers. Judges and court staff should not complete the survey.
The survey can be accessed online at: ilcourts.info/2026survey
The survey is being coordinated by the IJC Court User Experience Task Force in furtherance of the 2026-2028 Judicial Branch Strategic Agenda. First District Appellate Court Justice Celia Gamrath serves as chair of the Task Force, and Union County Circuit Court Clerk Keri Clark serves as vice chair.
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Original text here: https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/d72a595b-bade-4515-b161-51963af7aa62/Supreme%20Court%20Launches%20Statewide%20Circuit%20Court%20User%20Survey.pdf
Ga. Gov. Kemp: Highline Warren Plans Multi-Year, $170M Investment in Henry County
ATLANTA, Georgia, July 15 -- Gov. Brian P. Kemp, R-Georgia, issued the following news release on July 14, 2026:
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Gov. Kemp: Highline Warren Plans Multi-Year, $170M Investment in Henry County
Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that Highline Warren, an American vertically integrated distributor of automotive aftermarket and cleaning products, is investing $170 million in a new logistics and operations center in McDonough. The multi-year investment will create 160 new jobs.
"Like so many other businesses, Highline Warren recognizes Georgia's advantages when it comes to affordably producing
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ATLANTA, Georgia, July 15 -- Gov. Brian P. Kemp, R-Georgia, issued the following news release on July 14, 2026:
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Gov. Kemp: Highline Warren Plans Multi-Year, $170M Investment in Henry County
Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that Highline Warren, an American vertically integrated distributor of automotive aftermarket and cleaning products, is investing $170 million in a new logistics and operations center in McDonough. The multi-year investment will create 160 new jobs.
"Like so many other businesses, Highline Warren recognizes Georgia's advantages when it comes to affordably producingand efficiently moving products to market," said Governor Brian Kemp. "With reliable logistics infrastructure that includes the fastest growing port on the East Coast, our state offers unmatched connectivity and a highly-skilled workforce that leads to success. This investment will further grow opportunities for hardworking Georgians, and I want to thank Highline Warren for choosing us."
Headquartered in the United States, Highline Warren distributes and manufactures maintenance and cleaning solutions for automotive, home, commercial, and industrial applications. Through a network of facilities spanning the country, the company produces, sources, and delivers over 30,000 consumable products, including automotive fluids, chemicals, filters, and cleaning solutions. The company currently employs an estimated 1,700 teammates and serves thousands of customers across North America.
"This investment reflects our continued focus on strengthening our network to better serve our customers," said Darcy Curran, CEO of Highline Warren. "McDonough and the State of Georgia offer a strategic location with access to a skilled workforce and strong logistics connections to global markets. The region also provides access to our first port of entry on the East Coast, enhancing our ability to move products efficiently, simplify the supply chain for our customers, and support our long-term growth."
"The McDonough facility is an important step in expanding our range of operational capabilities, strengthening our network, and enhancing how we serve customers day to day," said Brad Moreschi, President and COO of Highline Warren. "By adding capacity in a key region and investing in advanced technology, we are improving speed, reliability, and consistency across our network so we can deliver better outcomes for our customers every day."
The new Highline Warren facility will be located at 830 Highway 42 South, the former Zinus building, in McDonough. Over 1.1 million square feet, the building will serve as a key operations center and is being designed to support future operational expansion as business needs evolve. The facility will be outfitted with advanced infrastructure and technology to support efficient operations, designed to deliver strong product availability, a high level of customer satisfaction, and reliable delivery to 95% of the U.S. population within two days. Operations are expected to begin in late 2026. Highline Warren will begin hiring later this year, and interested individuals can learn more at www.highlinewarren.com/job-openings.
"The City of McDonough is pleased to welcome this $170 million investment, which will enhance our thriving economy and bring 160 new jobs closer to home for our residents," said McDonough Mayor Kamali "Kam" Varner.
"Henry County serves as a pivotal hub for distributing goods and services throughout the southeastern United States," said Chairwoman Carlotta Harrell, Henry County Board of Commissioners. "Consequently, we extend a warm welcome to Highline Warren as a valued corporate partner within our community, as it fosters additional economic growth and financial prosperity for our residents through the creation of nearly 200 jobs and substantial investment in Henry County's future. The establishment of Highline Warren's new site is instrumental in our efforts to build a thriving Henry County and propel our community forward."
"Metro Atlanta is built for business, and Highline Warren's decision to invest in Henry County is further proof," said Katie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. "Companies choose our region because we offer a complete ecosystem for growth, from talent and infrastructure to long-term business certainty. Highline Warren's investment reflects those advantages, and we're proud to welcome the company as it creates 160 jobs and strengthens the regional economy."
Assistant Director of Global Commerce John Soper represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development on this competitive project in partnership with the Henry County Development Authority, Georgia EMC, and Metro Atlanta Chamber.
"Georgia's automotive industry continues to grow at every level of the supply chain, from manufacturing next-generation hybrid and electric vehicles to the products and services that keep them on the road," said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. "Highline Warren's investment strengthens that ecosystem and reflects why companies continue to choose Georgia every day: unmatched connectivity, a highly skilled workforce, and access to customers. Congratulations to Highline Warren and our partners in Henry County."
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About Highline Warren
Highline Warren is a vertically integrated distributor of maintenance consumables with unmatched access to the North American market. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, the company operates 21 distribution and manufacturing facilities across North America, offering more than 30,000 products to over 10,000 customers. Highline Warren provides access to over 400 trusted brands - including national, owned, and private label products - and serves as a strategic manufacturing partner to top retailers in North America. With industry-leading fill rates and a strategic network that reaches 95% of the U.S. population within two days, it simplifies the supply chain for customers. Employing more than 1,700 teammates, Highline Warren is driven by people powered performance.
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Original text here: https://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2026-07-14/gov-kemp-highline-warren-plans-multi-year-170m-investment-henry-county
Calif. Gov. Newsom Announces Appointments on July 14, 2026
SACRAMENTO, California, July 15 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on July 14, 2026:
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Governor Newsom announces appointments 7.14.2026
Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:
Tyrone Evans, of San Francisco, has been appointed to the California Workforce Development Board. Evans has been Senior Superintendent at Webcor Builders since 2020, where he was a Superintendent from 2018 to 2020. He was a Superintendent at Cahill Construction from 2016 to 2018. Evans was Superintendent at Rudolph and Sletten from 2015 to 2016. He was Project
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SACRAMENTO, California, July 15 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on July 14, 2026:
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Governor Newsom announces appointments 7.14.2026
Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:
Tyrone Evans, of San Francisco, has been appointed to the California Workforce Development Board. Evans has been Senior Superintendent at Webcor Builders since 2020, where he was a Superintendent from 2018 to 2020. He was a Superintendent at Cahill Construction from 2016 to 2018. Evans was Superintendent at Rudolph and Sletten from 2015 to 2016. He was ProjectExecutive Superintendent at Baines Group Incorporated from 2010 to 2015. Evans was Owner of Statewide Construction from 1998 to 2010. He was Superintendent and Project Manager at Mendelian Construction from 1997 to 1998. Evans was a Carpenter Foremen and Superintendent at Turner Construction Company from 1984 to 1997. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Evans is registered without party preference
Brendalynn Goodall, of Oakland, has been appointed to the California Workforce Development Board. Goodall was Summer Jobs Program Coordinator in the Oakland Mayor's Office from 2012 to 2014. She was Division Manager for Aging and Adult Services for the City of Oakland Human Services Department from 2002 to 2011. Goodall was Senior Services Supervisor and Program Director for the City of Oakland Department of Aging, Health and Human Services from 1990 to 2002. She is a member of the California Commission on Aging. Goodall earned a Master of Social Work degree from California State University, San Francisco and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from California State University, East Bay. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Goodall is a Democrat.
Joshua Lepper, of Atwater, has been appointed to the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board. Lepper has been Business Manager at Laborers' International Union of North America Local 1130 since 2024, where he was a Business Agent from 2023 to 2024. He was a Labor Relations Representative at the Laborers' International Union of North America Pacific Southwest Region from 2009 to 2023. Lepper was a Project Manager at Case Construction from 2008 to 2009. He was a Senior Construction Superintendent at Meritage Homes from 2001 to 2008. Lepper was a Construction Superintendent at KB Home from 2000 to 2001. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Communications and Public Relations from California State University, Stanislaus. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Lepper is a Democrat.
Kathy "Cassie" Hilaski, of Moraga, has been appointed to the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board. Hilaski has been Vice President of Safety & Health at Nibbi Brothers General Contractors since 2021, where she was an Environmental Health and Safety Director from 2016 to 2021. She held multiple positions at Clark Construction Group, LLC from 1996 to 2016, including Area Safety Manager, Senior Safety Manager, Safety Manager, Assistant Superintendent, Project Engineer and Administrative Assistant. Hilaski is a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and Political Economy from Michigan State University. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Hilaski is a Democrat.
Joseph M. Alioto, of San Francisco, has been reappointed to the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board where he has served since 2023. Alioto has been an attorney at Alioto Legal since 2020. He was a Partner at Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, LLP from 2019 to 2020. Alioto was an Assistant United States Attorney at the United States Department of Justice from 2012 to 2019. He was an Attorney at Alioto Law Firm from 2002 to 2012. Alioto earned a Juris Doctor degree and a Master of Business Administration degree from University of California, Berkeley and a Bachelor of Science degree in Italian from Georgetown University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Alioto is a Democrat.
Chris Laszcz-Davis, of Orinda, has been reappointed to the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board, where she has been serving since 2018. Laszcz-Davis has been the President of the Environmental Quality Organization since 2002. She was the Vice President of Corporate Environmental Affairs, Health, Safety, Operational Integrity and Product Stewardship at Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corporation from 1980 to 2002. Laszcz-Davis was an Industrial Hygiene Engineer at the University of California, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories from 1977 to 1980. She was a Regional West Coast Manager of Medical and Occupational Hygiene Programs at the U.S. Department of Energy from 1974 to 1977. Laszcz-Davis is Co-Chair of the Global Occupational Hygiene Training Association, a Member of the National American Industrial Hygiene Association's Grand Challenges Leadership Team, and a Member of the American Society of Safety Professionals, American Public Health Association and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Laszcz-Davis earned a Master of Science degree in Environmental Health Sciences from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Biology from Notre Dame College. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Laszcz-Davis is a Democrat.
Nola Kennedy, of Reseda, has been reappointed to the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board, where she has served since 2018. Kennedy has been a Professor and Department Chair at California State University, Northridge since 2018, where she was an Associate Professor from 2013 to 2018. She held multiple positions at the University of California, Los Angeles from 2000 to 2013, including Lecturer, Assistant Researcher, and Adjunct Assistant Professor. Kennedy was the Manager of Industrial Hygiene Services at Drucker Health and Safety Management Inc. from 1987 to 1991. She is a member of the American Industrial Hygiene Association. Kennedy earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Environmental Health Science/Industrial Hygiene from the University of California, Los Angeles, Master of Science degree in Environmental Health Science - Industrial Hygiene from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Genetics from the University of California, Berkeley. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Kennedy is a Democrat.
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Original text here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/07/14/governor-newsom-announces-appointments-7-14-2026/
Ariz. A.G. Mayes Announces Multistate Settlement of Bankruptcy Claims Against 23andMe Over Genetic Data Breach
PHOENIX, Arizona, July 15 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on July 14, 2026:
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Attorney General Mayes Announces Multistate Settlement of Bankruptcy Claims Against 23andMe Over Genetic Data Breach
Attorney General Kris Mayes today joined a coalition of 42 attorneys general announcing a settlement with the bankruptcy trustee for 23andMe, resolving allegations stemming from a 2023 data breach that compromised the genetic data of 6.9 million customers worldwide.
"23andMe recklessly exposed Arizonans' sensitive genetic data to hackers, allowing it to end
... Show Full Article
PHOENIX, Arizona, July 15 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on July 14, 2026:
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Attorney General Mayes Announces Multistate Settlement of Bankruptcy Claims Against 23andMe Over Genetic Data Breach
Attorney General Kris Mayes today joined a coalition of 42 attorneys general announcing a settlement with the bankruptcy trustee for 23andMe, resolving allegations stemming from a 2023 data breach that compromised the genetic data of 6.9 million customers worldwide.
"23andMe recklessly exposed Arizonans' sensitive genetic data to hackers, allowing it to endup on the dark web," said Attorney General Mayes. "This settlement, combined with private class action settlements, brings some measure of accountability -- but companies that hold such sensitive information must do a better job protecting the data of consumers. We will continue working to hold companies accountable when they fail Arizona consumers."
Due to the finite amount of funds in the bankruptcy estate and numerous other claims, recovery is limited to $18 million but will be paid out of available bankruptcy funds immediately. Of the $18 million, Arizona will receive $612,269 in civil penalties. 23andMe also agreed to a $46.75 million class-action settlement in the bankruptcy to provide relief to affected U.S. consumers who submitted claims by February 17, 2026.
In October 2023, direct-to-consumer genetic testing company 23andMe announced that it had discovered a data breach in which 6.9 million consumers were affected, including over 143,000 in Arizona. This data breach exposed a wide range of data about 23andMe customers, including in some cases genetic ancestry information, and subsets of this data were subsequently published for sale on the dark web.
23andMe learned about the breach months after impacted personal information was publicly available. 23andMe first denied a breach and then, once it confirmed the breach, blamed consumers for how their accounts were set up or how passwords were used. 23andMe initially accepted no responsibility for the credential stuffing breach, which was particularly egregious considering 23andMe's partnership with MyHeritage, which itself was compromised years prior to the breach, exposing thousands of credentials shared between the websites.
In the immediate aftermath of the data breach the Attorneys General formed a multistate investigation and found that 23andMe engaged in unreasonable data security practices, including, but not limited to:
* Failing to employ safeguards against credential stuffing attacks, including comparing passwords against blocklists of known breached passwords or requiring multifactor authentication;
* Failing to implement appropriate rate limiting or intrusion prevention;
* Failing to implement logging and monitoring or other tools likely to detect a data breach;
* Failing to appropriately investigate and/or address unusual login in patterns, including, for example, a massive spike in login attempts;
* Failing to remediate known vulnerabilities; and
* Failing to properly review and test design features.
In March 2025, 23andMe filed for bankruptcy protection, and states subsequently filed claims related to the data breach investigation. As part of the bankruptcy proceedings, the assets - notably 23andMe's consumer data - were sold to TTAM Research Institute, a non-profit formed by 23andMe founder and former CEO Anne Wojcicki. The terms of the sale included many information and data security requirements that likely would have been included in a settlement with 23andMe had it not filed for bankruptcy.
Such terms included enhanced data security requirements, appropriate risk analysis, the addition of an Advisory Board, agreeing to be bound by comprehensive privacy laws without exception, and continuing to offer consumer deletion rights. These terms will make sure that TTAM Research Institute, now re-registered as 23andMe Research Institute, will be a safer custodian of genetic data moving forward.
Arizona is one of the few states with a specific genetic data law. The Arizona Genetic Information Privacy Act, A.R.S. Sec.Sec. 44-7921 et seq., which was specifically designed to apply to direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies like 23andMe, because those types of businesses often do not have to comply with common privacy laws like HIPAA's Privacy Rule.
Attorney General Mayes joined the attorneys general of Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia in today's settlement.
Attachments: https://www.azag.gov/sites/default/files/2026-07/48357efe-af7a-4643-9161-3e0c2adbb0f8_0.pdf
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Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-announces-multistate-settlement-bankruptcy-claims-against
