Attorney General
Here's a look at documents from state attorneys general
Featured Stories
S.D. A.G. Jackley, DCI Rule Beresford Police Officer Involved Shooting
PIERRE, South Dakota, Dec. 19 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Jackley, DCI Rule Beresford Police Officer Involved Shooting
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces a South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) review has determined that a Beresford Police Department Officer was justified in his use of force during a traffic stop on Friday, Nov. 21, in Beresford.
"The person involved refused to obey the commands of the officer and pointed a loaded gun at the officer," said Attorney General Jackley.
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PIERRE, South Dakota, Dec. 19 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Jackley, DCI Rule Beresford Police Officer Involved Shooting
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces a South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) review has determined that a Beresford Police Department Officer was justified in his use of force during a traffic stop on Friday, Nov. 21, in Beresford.
"The person involved refused to obey the commands of the officer and pointed a loaded gun at the officer," said Attorney General Jackley."The officer was justified in the use of force to protect himself and others."
The Nov. 21 incident began when the officer stopped a Ford Expedition SUV for a traffic violation in the Truck Towne Travel Plaza in Beresford. The driver of the SUV was identified as Christopher John Pearson, 36, of Brookings, SD.
When the officer approached the vehicle, he detected the odor of alcohol and witnessed an open container. Pearson was compliant at first but became more combative once he left the vehicle as instructed. The officer had to push Pearson towards the patrol vehicle, and Pearson eventually slammed both firsts onto the hood of the patrol vehicle.
As he was being placed under arrest, Pearson took the officer's handcuffs away from the officer and started walking back to his SUV. When Pearson refused the officer's verbal commands, the officer fired his Taser twice at Pearson, but the suspect did not stop.
When Pearson reached his vehicle, he took a 9mm derringer style, two-barreled pistol from the truck and pointed it at the officer. The officer fired his weapon, shooting Pearson who was pronounced dead at the scene.
DCI processed the crime scene, conducted a forensic examination of evidence, interviewed those involved, and reviewed all available video. The pistol used by Pearson was recovered at the scene.
Testing of Pearson's blood showed a blood alcohol content of 0.212 percent, but no illegal drugs. Blood and urine samples of the officer tested negative for alcohol or illegal drugs.
Pearson was a convicted felon and was prohibited from possessing or purchasing a firearm. He had two prior misdemeanor DUI convictions, one prior felony DUI conviction, and one prior felony Assault on Law Enforcement conviction. In September 2025, Pearson was arrested and charged with misdemeanor DUI and Open Alcohol Container. Those charges had not yet been resolved at the time of this incident.
Law enforcement agencies that assisted were the South Dakota Forensic Lab, South Dakota Highway Patrol, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department, Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, Union County Sheriff's Office, Beresford Police Department, and Lincoln County State's Attorney's Office.
This is the seventh Officer Involved Shooting in South Dakota this year.
DCI's summary of the Nov. 21 investigation can be found here (https://atg.sd.gov/OurOffice/Media/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?id=2968):
NOTE: Attached is a photo of the 9mm two-barreled Derringer pistol found at the scene.
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Original text here: https://atg.sd.gov/OurOffice/Media/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?id=2968
S.D. A.G. Jackley Secures Settlement With Menards On Deceptive Rebate Advertising
PIERRE, South Dakota, Dec. 19 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Jackley Secures Settlement with Menards On Deceptive Rebate Advertising
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces South Dakota will receive $102,888.64 as part of a multistate settlement with Menards to resolve claims that the company deceptively marketed its merchandise credit check program (commonly known as the "Menards 11% Rebate Program.")
"Despite its advertising, Menards did not put cash in the hands of their customers or provide the discount
... Show Full Article
PIERRE, South Dakota, Dec. 19 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Jackley Secures Settlement with Menards On Deceptive Rebate Advertising
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces South Dakota will receive $102,888.64 as part of a multistate settlement with Menards to resolve claims that the company deceptively marketed its merchandise credit check program (commonly known as the "Menards 11% Rebate Program.")
"Despite its advertising, Menards did not put cash in the hands of their customers or provide the discountat the time of check out," said Attorney General Jackley. "I appreciate Menards' willingness to correct its advertisements and to make good with South Dakota consumers."
Attorney General Jackley was part of a coalition of 10 Attorneys General that investigated Menards' sales practices. Allegations included:
* The company's prolific use of "11% OFF" or "11% OFF EVERYTHING" advertising falsely claimed a point-of purchase discount, when Menards actually only offered an in-store merchandise credit for future purchases;
* Menards' advertised prices reflected an 11% discount, which wrongly implied that customers could realize a savings at the time of purchase;
* Menards failed to appropriately disclose the material limitations of the rebate program because the disclaimers were in small print and removed from the discount representation; and,
* Menards told customers that "Rebates International" is a separate entity responsible for its 11% off program, when it is actually the same company.
Under the terms of the settlement, Menards will make changes to its advertising and sales practices, including:
* A prohibition from advertising or representing that any program that offers store credit for making purchases at Menards provides consumers with a point-of-purchase discount;
* Clearly and conspicuously disclosing material limitations of the rebate program and disclosing all applicable terms and conditions of the rebate program in a readily available manner;
* Investigating whether and to what extent it can offer a process by which consumers can safely and securely submit rebate application forms and receipts online;
* Investigating whether and to what extent it can offer a process by which consumers can safely and securely redeem their rebate for online purchases;
* Clearly and conspicuously disclosing that Menards is doing business as Rebates International;
* Allowing consumers at least one year from the date of purchase to submit a rebate claim;
* Updating their online rebate tracker with information about the rebate claim within 48 hours of the application being input into Menards' system;
* Updating their online rebate tracker with additional information about the rebate, including updates about returns affecting the rebate.
South Dakota's share of the settlement will go to the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division to be used for consumer education and future investigations.
Other states involved in the settlement were: Arizona, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
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Original text here: https://atg.sd.gov/OurOffice/Media/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?id=2970
Following TRIO Fund Legal Victory, Attorney General Raul Torrez Meets with Students Whose Futures Were Protected
SANTA FE, New Mexico, Dec. 19 -- New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez posted the following news release:
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Following TRIO Fund Legal Victory, Attorney General Raul Torrez Meets with Students Whose Futures Were Protected
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Hobbs, NM - Behind every dollar restored to New Mexico's TRIO programs is a student working to overcome real barriers to higher education. This week, Attorney General Raul Torrez visited New Mexico Junior College (NMJC) to meet directly with students whose academic paths were safeguarded after the New Mexico Department of Justice successfully defended more than $13
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SANTA FE, New Mexico, Dec. 19 -- New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez posted the following news release:
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Following TRIO Fund Legal Victory, Attorney General Raul Torrez Meets with Students Whose Futures Were Protected
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Hobbs, NM - Behind every dollar restored to New Mexico's TRIO programs is a student working to overcome real barriers to higher education. This week, Attorney General Raul Torrez visited New Mexico Junior College (NMJC) to meet directly with students whose academic paths were safeguarded after the New Mexico Department of Justice successfully defended more than $13million in TRIO funding in federal court.
The federal TRIO program supports low-income, first-generation, and students with disabilities by providing critical academic, financial, and mentoring resources that help make college possible. For the students at NMJC, the restored funding means continued access to the support systems that keep them enrolled, progressing, and on track to graduate.
"The students I met with put faces to the funding we fought to protect," said Attorney General Raul Torrez. "Their stories make clear why this work matters. These are determined, hardworking students who deserve every opportunity to succeed, and our legal action helped ensure they can continue pursuing their education and their future."
"The Attorney General broke down the lawsuits he filed on our behalf - as well as other TRIO programs in New Mexico - against the current administration." said Adam Guillen, Jr., NMJC Director of Student Support Services. "And I have to say I am proud of our students who made the effort to come in after classes are already done, and campus is empty, to show their unity and share their experience, their story and to brag about the program. To us, it was a huge deal because in my twenty years with TRIO here on campus we have never had someone of his stature come visit our program. So, we are thankful we are not in this fight alone."
In October, Attorney General Torrez joined 20 other attorneys general in filing two amicus briefs supporting the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) in a pair of lawsuits against the Trump Administration for its decision to cut off the TRIO funds - ultimately pressuring the federal government to withdraw its decision and reinstate the funds. The attorneys general argued that retroactive application of new anti-DEI policies had already forced longstanding TRIO programs across the country to close, denying critical academic, counseling, and retention support to low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students. The briefs urged the court to halt the unlawful cuts, noting the severe and long-term consequences for students, institutions, and state economies if funding were not restored.
The litigation saved over $13 million in federal funding for New Mexico TRIO Programs - $1.67 million of which benefits the NMJC program. There are 42 TRIO programs located at 16 higher-educational institutions serving more than 10,000 students.
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Original text here: https://nmdoj.gov/press-release/following-trio-fund-legal-victory-attorney-general-raul-torrez-meets-with-students-whose-futures-were-protected/
CONSUMER ALERT: Ken Paxton Warns Texans About CCP-Aligned Smart TVs that are Spying on Them
AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 19 -- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued the following news release:
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CONSUMER ALERT: Ken Paxton Warns Texans About CCP-Aligned Smart TVs that are Spying on Them
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Attorney General Ken Paxton is issuing a consumer alert both warning Texans about the dangers of smart TVs spying on them, as well as providing general guidance as to how to turn off the invasive technology.
Earlier this week, Ken Paxton sued five major TV companies, including some with ties to the Chinese Communist Party, for spying on Texans by using Automated Content Recognition ("ACR") technology.
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AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 19 -- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued the following news release:
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CONSUMER ALERT: Ken Paxton Warns Texans About CCP-Aligned Smart TVs that are Spying on Them
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Attorney General Ken Paxton is issuing a consumer alert both warning Texans about the dangers of smart TVs spying on them, as well as providing general guidance as to how to turn off the invasive technology.
Earlier this week, Ken Paxton sued five major TV companies, including some with ties to the Chinese Communist Party, for spying on Texans by using Automated Content Recognition ("ACR") technology.The companies sued were Sony, Samsung, LG, Hisense, and TCL Technology Group. Attorney General Paxton has already secured a TRO against Hisense that stops the company from collecting, using, selling, sharing, disclosing, or transferring the data.
"I'd urge Texans TV shopping for Christmas to avoid purchasing a television that allows Big Tech to illegally collect your data," said Attorney General Paxton. "All across Texas, there are smart TVs acting as an uninvited, invisible digital invaders. It's vital that all Texans know that your TV may be monitoring and recording everything that happens on your screen."
While all smart TVs are different, below is general guidance that could be used to turn off certain data collection by some of the TV companies currently being sued by Attorney General Paxton:
* Press the Home button on your remote control to access the main menu.
* Navigate to and select Settings.
* In settings, find and select General, System or Intelligence settings from the list of options.
* Once new options appear, find and select Privacy, Terms & Conditions, Privacy Choices or a similar option.
* Inside the privacy settings, look for options called Smart TV Experience, Viewing Information Services, or similar.
* Toggle these options OFF to disable ACR.
* There may be additional options in privacy settings to disable personalized advertising. These will often be called Personalized Ads, Interest-Based Advertising, Content Recommendation or similar.
* Some smart TVs might also have DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL DATA options.
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Original text here: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/consumer-alert-ken-paxton-warns-texans-about-ccp-aligned-smart-tvs-are-spying-them
Attorney General James Wins Court Order Protecting Critical Funding to Fight Homelessness
ALBANY, New York, Dec. 19 -- New York Attorney General Letitia James issued the following news release:
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Attorney General James Wins Court Order Protecting Critical Funding to Fight Homelessness
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December 19, 2025
NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Letitia James today won a court order stopping the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from implementing new conditions that would have eliminated access to critical funds that provide housing and other services through the Continuum of Care (CoC) program. This program delivers funding to local and regional coalitions that
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ALBANY, New York, Dec. 19 -- New York Attorney General Letitia James issued the following news release:
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Attorney General James Wins Court Order Protecting Critical Funding to Fight Homelessness
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December 19, 2025
NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Letitia James today won a court order stopping the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from implementing new conditions that would have eliminated access to critical funds that provide housing and other services through the Continuum of Care (CoC) program. This program delivers funding to local and regional coalitions thatprovide housing and services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, particularly those most vulnerable to homelessness, such as veterans, those with disabilities, and transgender individuals. In November, Attorney General James led a coalition of 18 other attorneys general and the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania in suing the Trump administration to protect more than $3 billion in CoC funds that were jeopardized by the illegal new conditions imposed by HUD. Today, the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island granted the coalition's motion for a preliminary injunction, barring HUD from implementing its new conditions on CoC funds.
"Continuum of Care funds help keep tens of thousands of people in their homes and provide essential services to the most vulnerable, including families and veterans," said Attorney General James. "This administration's efforts to undermine this vital program are illegal, and today we put a stop to them. I will keep fighting to protect these vital resources that our communities depend on to house those in need."
In New York, 24 different regional CoCs receive over $320 million to provide housing and other services throughout the state. 94 percent of these funds are dedicated to permanent housing, supporting 13,861 households statewide. In November, the Trump administration imposed new and illegal conditions on CoC grants that jeopardize the critical services these regional coalitions provide. The administration imposed a cap on the amount of CoC funds that can support permanent supportive housing. If enacted, this cap would slash CoC funds for permanent supportive housing by two-thirds and could put an estimated 170,000 people at imminent risk of losing their homes.
HUD also imposed other conditions, barring CoC funds from organizations that acknowledge the existence of transgender or nonbinary individuals and excluding programs that provide services for mental disabilities. Attorney General James and the coalition argued in their lawsuit that these conditions violate the Administrative Procedure Act and Congress' constitutional power to control spending.
In a ruling today, the District of Rhode Island granted the coalition's motion for a preliminary injunction, barring HUD from implementing its unlawful limits on CoC funds.
Joining Attorney General James in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia, as well as the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
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Original text here: https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2025/attorney-general-james-wins-court-order-protecting-critical-funding-fight
Attorney General Bonta Slams Cruel New Public Charge Rule that Threatens Legal Immigration Status
SACRAMENTO, California, Dec. 19 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Bonta Slams Cruel New Public Charge Rule that Threatens Legal Immigration Status
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OAKLAND California Attorney General Bonta today co-led a coalition of 20 attorneys general in strenuously opposing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) proposed cancellation of the Biden-era "public charge" rule, which prohibited immigration officials from considering the use of non-cash public benefits, such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits
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SACRAMENTO, California, Dec. 19 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Bonta Slams Cruel New Public Charge Rule that Threatens Legal Immigration Status
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OAKLAND California Attorney General Bonta today co-led a coalition of 20 attorneys general in strenuously opposing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) proposed cancellation of the Biden-era "public charge" rule, which prohibited immigration officials from considering the use of non-cash public benefits, such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefitsand Medicaid, when determining whether a noncitizen can obtain or keep legal immigration status. The proposed rule, if finalized, would cause uncertainty in the immigration system and discourage eligible immigrants and their families from accessing beneficial health, nutrition, and housing programs. In the comment letter, the attorneys general request withdrawal of the proposed rule, arguing that it is a departure from Congress's well-established interpretation of "public charge" and will cause massive harms to states and their residents.
"No family should have to choose between accessing healthcare, getting help putting food on the table, or protecting their immigration status," said Attorney General Bonta. "Trump's latest attempt to redefine who is a 'public charge' is not only cruel it's also a departure from more than a century of precedent. Congress never intended or authorized immigration officers to have unchecked discretion to deny someone legal status for using government programs. California successfully fought Trump's illegal public charge rule during his first term. We will continue to stand with immigrants and their families and support their access to public programs that promote health, safety, and economic stability for individuals and the public."
Longstanding guidance by the federal government has defined a "public charge" as a person who is primarily and permanently dependent on either public cash assistance for income maintenance or institutional long-term care at the government's expense. Under the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, a noncitizen who is likely to become a public charge is generally inadmissible to the United States and ineligible to become a lawful permanent resident. In 2019, the Trump Administration sought to radically expand the definition of a public charge to include the use of healthcare through federally-funded Medicaid, nutrition and food support through the SNAP, and Section 8 housing assistance. This rule was successfully challenged by California and other states and later reversed by the Biden Administration.
This time around, Trump's DHS is seeking to eviscerate existing regulations by rescinding the Biden-era "public charge" rule, while calling its unlawful 2019 rule "overly restrictive," creating uncertainty in the immigration system and inviting arbitrary enforcement. In the proposal, DHS suggests that it intends to give immigration officials an unrestricted amount of discretion to consider a range of factors in making public charge determinations, allowing immigration officers to consider receipt of non-cash benefits such as food stamps, Medicaid, and Section 8 housing assistance as one of the many factors in determining whether an individual can be disqualified from receiving a green card or other legal immigration status as a "public charge."
This would lead many individuals to avoid benefits they, or their families, are eligible for if they fear receiving these benefits might jeopardize their lawful immigration status. Without access to preventative health coverage, many of these noncitizens would only access care in the most dire, costly, and emergency situations. The rule would also harm U.S. children in mixed-status families, who rely on the health, nutrition, and stability provided by benefits received by their noncitizen parents or caregivers. While the proposed rule would cause disenrollment, the underlying medical, housing, and nutrition needs will not disappear; they will simply reappear as uncompensated care and emergency assistance that state and local governments absorb.
In the comment letter, Attorney General Bonta and the coalition argue that the proposed rule represents a departure from Congress and the courts' interpretations of "public charge," is contrary to law, is the result of an arbitrary and capricious change in longstanding policy, and should be withdrawn.
Attorney General Bonta co-led the letter with New York Attorney General Letitia James, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. They were joined by the attorneys general of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai'i, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
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Original text here: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-slams-cruel-new-public-charge-rule-threatens-legal
Attorney General Alan Wilson fights for parental rights and religious freedom
COLUMBIA, South Carolina, Dec. 19 -- South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson issued the following news:
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Attorney General Alan Wilson fights for parental rights and religious freedom
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(COLUMBIA, S.C.) - Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today that he is joining a 22-state coalition to support two Catholic preschools in Colorado that were excluded from a universal pre-K funding program solely because of the religious views of the schools.
"Parents have the right to send their children to schools that will educate their children in alignment with their religious views," Attorney
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COLUMBIA, South Carolina, Dec. 19 -- South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson issued the following news:
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Attorney General Alan Wilson fights for parental rights and religious freedom
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(COLUMBIA, S.C.) - Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today that he is joining a 22-state coalition to support two Catholic preschools in Colorado that were excluded from a universal pre-K funding program solely because of the religious views of the schools.
"Parents have the right to send their children to schools that will educate their children in alignment with their religious views," AttorneyGeneral Wilson said. "Excluding faith-based schools due to their faith being 'discriminatory' is a direct violation of the First Amendment."
The Attorney General recently led a similar brief in support of a Christian preschool challenging this same Colorado policy. In both cases, these schools have religiously based policies on bathroom use.
"The Constitution makes it clear that parents have the first and final say in raising their children," Attorney General Wilson continued. "No state has the right to deny religious families from a universal funding program because their deeply held beliefs clash with woke ideology."
South Carolina joined West Virginia, Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming in filing the brief.
You can read the brief here.
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Original text here: https://www.scag.gov/about-the-office/news/attorney-general-alan-wilson-fights-for-parental-rights-and-religious-freedom/
