Attorney General
Here's a look at documents from state attorneys general
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N.J. Attorney General's Office Investigating Civilian Death Following March 10, 2026 Police Encounter in Franklin Township, Hunterdon County
TRENTON, New Jersey, March 21 -- The New Jersey Attorney General Office issued the following news release on March 20, 2026:
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Attorney General's Office Investigating Civilian Death Following March 10, 2026 Police Encounter in Franklin Township, Hunterdon County
The Attorney General's Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) is investigating the death of a civilian following a March 10, 2026 encounter with members of law enforcement in Franklin Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. One adult male civilian died after the encounter. The civilian who died has been identified as
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TRENTON, New Jersey, March 21 -- The New Jersey Attorney General Office issued the following news release on March 20, 2026:
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Attorney General's Office Investigating Civilian Death Following March 10, 2026 Police Encounter in Franklin Township, Hunterdon County
The Attorney General's Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) is investigating the death of a civilian following a March 10, 2026 encounter with members of law enforcement in Franklin Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. One adult male civilian died after the encounter. The civilian who died has been identified asSteven Fitzpatrick, 61, of Pittstown, New Jersey.
According to the preliminary investigation, on March 10, 2026, at approximately 10:07 a.m., Officer Tyler Sutton of the Franklin Township Police Department was dispatched to a property on Locust Grove Road in Franklin Township. A 911 caller reported that a family member, who had left the property after a dispute, threatened to return with a firearm. While speaking to the 911 caller on scene, Officer Sutton observed the individual described by the 911 caller, subsequently identified as Mr. Fitzpatrick, drive onto the property.
Officer Sutton approached the vehicle and ordered Mr. Fitzpatrick to step outside of the vehicle so he could be detained and searched for weapons. Franklin Township Police Officer Mitchell Molina and Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office Detective John Laurencelle arrived on scene to assist. While the three officers handcuffed Mr. Fitzpatrick, he suffered an apparent medical episode. Officers on scene provided medical aid until emergency medical personnel arrived and transported Mr. Fitzpatrick to Hunterdon Medical Center in Flemington for further treatment. Mr. Fitzpatrick was pronounced deceased on March 15, 2026.
The circumstances of the encounter and cause and manner of death are under investigation, which is ongoing. No further information is being released at this time.
N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2) requires the Attorney General's Office to conduct investigations of a person's death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer's official capacity or while the decedent is in custody. It requires that all such investigations be presented to a grand jury to determine if the evidence supports the return of an indictment against the officer or officers involved.
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Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/attorney-generals-office-investigating-civilian-death-following-march-10-2026-police-encounter-in-franklin-township-hunterdon-county/
Va. A.G. Jones Jointly Files Lawsuit to Block $6.2 Billion Nexstar/Tegna Broadcasting Merger
RICHMOND, Virginia, March 20 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release on March 19, 2026:
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Attorney General Jay Jones Jointly Files Lawsuit to Block $6.2 Billion Nexstar/Tegna Broadcasting Merger
Merger would create a media giant covering 80% of U.S. television households, driving up costs and harming consumers
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Late last night, Attorney General Jay Jones, alongside a coalition of 8 attorneys general, filed a lawsuit to block the acquisition of Tegna Inc. (Tegna) by Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (Nexstar). Tegna and Nexstar are two major broadcast station companies
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RICHMOND, Virginia, March 20 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release on March 19, 2026:
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Attorney General Jay Jones Jointly Files Lawsuit to Block $6.2 Billion Nexstar/Tegna Broadcasting Merger
Merger would create a media giant covering 80% of U.S. television households, driving up costs and harming consumers
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Late last night, Attorney General Jay Jones, alongside a coalition of 8 attorneys general, filed a lawsuit to block the acquisition of Tegna Inc. (Tegna) by Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (Nexstar). Tegna and Nexstar are two major broadcast station companiesthat own and operate television stations throughout the country. If allowed to proceed, the deal would create the largest broadcast station group in the United States, putting more broadcast programming in the hands of fewer people, removing control from the communities they report to, cutting local jobs, and significantly impacting the delivery of news and other media content to Americans nationwide. Due to the considerable increase in consolidation, the deal is also expected to raise prices and harm consumers.
This acquisition of Tegna would allow Nexstar to control three major affiliates in the Norfolk television market alone.
"Our free press is under constant threat from Donald Trump, and Virginians simply cannot afford to lose more independent local news voices. Unfortunately, we already know what happens when Nexstar comes to town to buy local television stations - stations close, jobs are cut, and local news quality is reduced," said Attorney General Jones. "Reports show that over 65% of Virginians trust local news to report accurately, compared to less than 46% for national news. Trust that is built by the independent local news voices heard in homes throughout Virginia every day. When stations close and those voices are eliminated, ties to the community become strained or broken altogether. Virginians deserve to get their news from the diverse, community-focused reporting that they trust, not recycled content created to serve only the bottom line."
The lawsuit, filed today in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, alleges the merger clearly violates Section 7 of the Clayton Act, which holds that mergers that substantially lessen competition or tend to create a monopoly are illegal. In addition to the U.S. Department of Justice, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) also has authority and responsibility to halt such a merger, as the $6.2 billion Nexstar/Tegna deal would violate an FCC rule which would prohibit this merger. However, on February 7, 2026, President Trump tweeted "Get that deal done!," saying that the two companies should be allowed to merge in order to "Knock out the Fake News" from the "Fake News National TV Networks." FCC Chairman Brendan Carr immediately responded on social media: "Let's get it done."
In filing today's lawsuit, Attorney General Jones joins the attorneys general of California, New York, Colorado, Illinois, Oregon, Connecticut, and North Carolina.
The Trump Administration has shown states and consumers that it is more concerned with protecting corporate interests than doing its job to defend the public and uphold consumer protection and antitrust laws that help make life affordable for American families. DOJ settled days into the much-awaited Live Nation/Ticketmaster trial -- an action promptly rejected by a bipartisan group of attorneys general.
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Original text here: https://www.oag.state.va.us/media-center/news-releases/2985-attorney-general-jay-jones-jointly-files-lawsuit-to-block-6-2-billion-nexstar-tegna-broadcasting-merger
S.D. A.G. Jackley Announces Sioux Falls Man Convicted by Jury For Attempted First Degree Murder of Law Enforcement Officer
PIERRE, South Dakota, March 20 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release on March 18, 2026:
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Attorney General Jackley Announces Sioux Falls Man Convicted by Jury For Attempted First Degree Murder of Law Enforcement Officer
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that a Union County jury has convicted a Sioux Falls man of multiple felony counts, including three counts of Attempted First-Degree Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer, stemming from an April 1, 2025 incident near Beresford.
Samir Albaidhani (Sha-mir All-ba-DON-ee), 26, was
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PIERRE, South Dakota, March 20 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release on March 18, 2026:
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Attorney General Jackley Announces Sioux Falls Man Convicted by Jury For Attempted First Degree Murder of Law Enforcement Officer
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that a Union County jury has convicted a Sioux Falls man of multiple felony counts, including three counts of Attempted First-Degree Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer, stemming from an April 1, 2025 incident near Beresford.
Samir Albaidhani (Sha-mir All-ba-DON-ee), 26, wasfound guilty Wednesday following a jury trial in Union County. The jury convicted Albaidhani of seven felony offenses. He was acquitted on two counts involving a second South Dakota Highway Patrol trooper.
Following the verdicts, Albaidhani admitted to the Part II habitual offender information. As a result, the potential sentence for each attempted murder conviction is enhanced and may include up to life imprisonment. Sentencing is scheduled for June 1.
"These were violent crimes directed at law enforcement officers who were carrying out their duties to protect the public," said Attorney General Jackley. "I am grateful the officers survived, and I remain committed to holding offenders accountable when they target those who protect our communities."
The incident began in Sioux Falls when Albaidhani fled from law enforcement officers attempting a traffic stop. He led officers south on Interstate 29, exiting near Beresford, where he lost control and entered a ditch. Albaidhani then exited the vehicle and fired multiple shots at pursuing officers before attempting to flee on foot. A South Dakota Highway Patrol trooper used his patrol vehicle in an effort to stop him. After Albaidhani fell to the ground, he again reached for a weapon, prompting the trooper to discharge his firearm and strike Albaidhani in the arm. He was treated for a non-life-threatening injury.
The Union County jury convicted Albaidhani of:
* *Three counts - Attempted First-Degree Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer (Class 1 Felony)
* *Three counts - Aggravated Assault Against a Law Enforcement Officer (Class 2 Felony)
* *One count - Aggravated Eluding Law Enforcement (Class 6 Felony)
The convictions arise from charges contained in the superseding indictment returned by the Union County Grand Jury.
The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) determined that the involved Sioux Falls Police officers and the Highway Patrol trooper were justified in their use of force.
DCI was assisted by the Beresford Police Department in the Union County investigation. The case was prosecuted by the South Dakota Attorney General's Office.
Albaidhani also faces separate pending charges in Minnehaha County. He is presumed innocent on those matters under the United States Constitution.
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Original text here: https://atg.sd.gov/OurOffice/Media/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?id=3036
Attorney General Jeff Jackson Challenges EPA Rollback That Will Raise Gas Prices for North Carolina Families
RALEIGH, North Carolina, March 20 -- North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Jeff Jackson Challenges EPA Rollback That Will Raise Gas Prices for North Carolina Families
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EPA's own data shows the rollback will raise fuel prices and cost consumers $1.5 trillion
RALEIGH -Attorney General Jeff Jackson joined a coalition of 24 attorneys general in challenging an EPA rollback that the agency's own analysis shows will raise fuel costs and cost consumers more than it saves.
"The EPA's own numbers show this rollback will raise gas prices
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RALEIGH, North Carolina, March 20 -- North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Jeff Jackson Challenges EPA Rollback That Will Raise Gas Prices for North Carolina Families
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EPA's own data shows the rollback will raise fuel prices and cost consumers $1.5 trillion
RALEIGH -Attorney General Jeff Jackson joined a coalition of 24 attorneys general in challenging an EPA rollback that the agency's own analysis shows will raise fuel costs and cost consumers more than it saves.
"The EPA's own numbers show this rollback will raise gas pricesand cost families more than it saves. We're going to court to stop it," said Attorney General Jeff Jackson.
"The EPA's recission of the Endangerment Finding is a massive step backward that threatens our efforts to lower costs and keep people safe from extreme weather events," said Governor Josh Stein. "I thank Attorney General Jackson for taking action to protect North Carolinians' pocketbooks and futures."
The EPA's own analysis shows that eliminating vehicle pollution standards will cost consumers nearly $1.5 trillion in higher fuel and vehicle maintenance costs. Gas prices will increase by 25 cents a gallon by 2035 and up to 75 cents a gallon by 2050, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration cited in the EPA's own report.
Less fuel-efficient vehicles also cost more to operate over their lifetime. Consumer groups have consistently found that fuel economy standards save families more at the pump than they add to the price of a new car.
North Carolina has spent nearly two decades reducing emissions, cutting them by 21 percent between 2005 and 2022. This rollback reverses that progress. More pollution means higher temperatures and more extreme weather. The EPA should not be making it harder for North Carolina to continue its progress.
The coalition argues that the EPA's rollback violates the Clean Air Act and directly contradicts the Supreme Court's ruling in Massachusetts v. EPA, which held that the agency has the authority and the obligation to regulate these emissions when they endanger public health. The EPA's original 2009 finding was based on years of scientific review and has been upheld by federal courts. The agency has produced no new science to justify reversing it. In fact, the National Academies of Sciences concluded that the evidence supporting the finding has only grown stronger since 2009.
Attorney General Jackson is joined by the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai'i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
A copy of the petition is available here.
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Original text here: https://ncdoj.gov/attorney-general-jeff-jackson-challenges-epa-rollback-that-will-raise-gas-prices-for-north-carolina-families/
Attorney General James Notifies New Yorkers About New State Law Requiring Stores to Accept Cash Payments
ALBANY, New York, March 20 -- New York Attorney General Letitia James issued the following news release:
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Attorney General James Notifies New Yorkers About New State Law Requiring Stores to Accept Cash Payments
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March 20, 2026
NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Letitia James today issued a consumer alert reminding New Yorkers that stores throughout the state now must allow customers to pay in cash. Under a new law going into effect on March 21, it is illegal for a New York food store or retail establishment to refuse payment in cash for goods or services. The new statewide law mirrors
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ALBANY, New York, March 20 -- New York Attorney General Letitia James issued the following news release:
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Attorney General James Notifies New Yorkers About New State Law Requiring Stores to Accept Cash Payments
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March 20, 2026
NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Letitia James today issued a consumer alert reminding New Yorkers that stores throughout the state now must allow customers to pay in cash. Under a new law going into effect on March 21, it is illegal for a New York food store or retail establishment to refuse payment in cash for goods or services. The new statewide law mirrorsa similar New York City law that has been in effect since 2020. Attorney General James is encouraging all New Yorkers to submit a complaint to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) if they believe a store is violating the law.
"New Yorkers have a right to service no matter how they choose to pay," said Attorney General James. "Businesses cannot deny New Yorkers access to necessities like food and clothing by refusing to take cash, or charging shoppers more for paying in cash. I will not hesitate to enforce this law to protect consumers across our state."
Under the law, food stores and other retail establishments cannot require consumers to pay by credit card or use another cashless transaction method to complete their purchase. They also cannot charge consumers a higher price if they pay in cash. Stores that violate the new law will face maximum civil penalties of $1,000 for the first violation and $1,500 for each succeeding violation.
The new law has a few exceptions:
* Stores do not have to accept bills in denominations above twenty dollars;
* Stores do not have to accept cash for orders made by telephone, mail, or internet, unless that transaction takes place at the store;
* The new law also does not apply if a store provides a device on its premises to convert cash into a prepaid card. However, the store cannot charge a fee or require that the prepaid card be loaded with a minimum amount above one dollar.
New Yorkers who believe a store is violating the new law should contact OAG by submitting a complaint online or by calling 1 (800) 771-7755.
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Original text here: https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2026/attorney-general-james-notifies-new-yorkers-about-new-state-law-requiring-stores
Ariz. A.G. Mayes Challenges Utility Rate Mechanism That Could Guarantee Higher Bills
PHOENIX, Arizona, March 20 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on March 19, 2026:
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Attorney General Mayes Challenges Utility Rate Mechanism That Could Guarantee Higher Bills
Attorney General Kris Mayes today filed an Application for Rehearing challenging a recent Arizona Corporation Commission decision that approved a new rate-setting mechanism for UNS Gas, Inc. that could lock in automatic annual rate increases for the company's ratepayers with little meaningful oversight.
The filing argues that the Annual Rate Adjustment Mechanism (ARAM) approved
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PHOENIX, Arizona, March 20 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on March 19, 2026:
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Attorney General Mayes Challenges Utility Rate Mechanism That Could Guarantee Higher Bills
Attorney General Kris Mayes today filed an Application for Rehearing challenging a recent Arizona Corporation Commission decision that approved a new rate-setting mechanism for UNS Gas, Inc. that could lock in automatic annual rate increases for the company's ratepayers with little meaningful oversight.
The filing argues that the Annual Rate Adjustment Mechanism (ARAM) approvedin Commission Decision No. 81653 imposes unjust and unreasonable rates by shifting financial risk from UNS Gas shareholders to ratepayers and essentially guaranteeing that the company will earn its authorized rate of return regardless of how efficiently it operates.
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"Arizonans deserve utility rates that are fair and transparent, not a rubber stamp process designed to increase rates automatically," said Attorney General Mayes. "This mechanism strips ratepayers of the due process protections they're entitled to under the Arizona Constitution."
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The filing also argues the ARAM's streamlined annual review process -- which gives parties just a few months to challenge rate increases with limited discovery and no witness testimony from the company -- fails to provide constitutionally required due process.
AG Mayes is asking the Commission to rehear the decision and issue an amended order consistent with Arizona's constitutional requirements.
A copy of the filing is available (https://azag.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=cc1fad182b6d6f8b1e352e206&id=69b44c88ce&e=9153ff6c96).
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Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-challenges-utility-rate-mechanism-could-guarantee-higher-bills
ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL FILES EMERGENCY MOTION TO STOP NEXSTAR/TEGNA MERGER
CHICAGO, Illinois, March 20 -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following news release:
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ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL FILES EMERGENCY MOTION TO STOP NEXSTAR/TEGNA MERGER
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Chicago -Attorney General Kwame Raoul today, as part of a coalition of eight attorneys general, filed a motion for a temporary restraining order to stop the merger of Tegna Inc. (TEGNA) and Nexstar Media Group Inc. (Nexstar), after the broadcasting giants received merger approval from the Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). On Wednesday night, Attorney General Raoul filed
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CHICAGO, Illinois, March 20 -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following news release:
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ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL FILES EMERGENCY MOTION TO STOP NEXSTAR/TEGNA MERGER
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Chicago -Attorney General Kwame Raoul today, as part of a coalition of eight attorneys general, filed a motion for a temporary restraining order to stop the merger of Tegna Inc. (TEGNA) and Nexstar Media Group Inc. (Nexstar), after the broadcasting giants received merger approval from the Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). On Wednesday night, Attorney General Raoul fileda lawsuit to block the merger, a deal that is expected to create the largest broadcast station group in the United States, put more broadcast programming in the hands of fewer people, cut local jobs, increase cable bills, and significantly impact the delivery of news and other media content to Americans nationwide.
"I join my fellow attorneys general in asking the court to stop this illegal merger between Nexstar and TEGNA. If allowed to proceed, it would create a broadcast behemoth with control over an unprecedented share of broadcast television content, including local news and sports," Raoul said. "The effect would mean higher prices for Illinois consumers, less competition in local news and job cuts to newsrooms and on-air staff. Now more than ever, consumers should have access to the diverse ideas represented in independent newsrooms."
If allowed to go forward, this multibillion-dollar deal would combine the nation's largest and third-largest television-station conglomerates, creating a titan covering 80% of U.S. television households. In Illinois, these concerns are especially real. In the Quad Cities, Nexstar already controls the CBS- and FOX-affiliated stations while TEGNA owns the ABC-affiliated station. And in the St. Louis market - which includes 14 counties in southwestern Illinois - Nexstar already owns the FOX- and CW-affiliated stations, while TEGNA owns the NBC-affiliated station. In the Chicago market, Nexstar has already reportedly cut newsroom and on-air staff at WGN-TV in anticipation of the merger, raising serious concerns about what more consolidation could mean for local journalism across the state.
The Trump administration has shown states and consumers that it is more concerned with protecting corporate interests than in doing its job to defend the public and uphold consumer protection and antitrust laws that help make life more affordable for American families. Attorney General Raoul has responded by intervening when the Trump administration allegedly greenlit the Hewlett-Packard Enterprises/Juniper Networks merger not for the public interest, but to line the pockets of its friends, and by continuing to fight for a better deal for consumers after the DOJ settled days into the much-awaited Live Nation/Ticketmaster trial -an action promptly rejected by a bipartisan group of attorneys general.
Joining Raoul in filing the lawsuit challenging the merger of Nexstar and TEGNA are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, New York, North Carolina, Oregon and Virginia.
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Original text here: https://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/news/story/attorney-general-raoul-files-emergency-motion-to-stop-nexstar-tegna-merger
