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WA leads SCOTUS brief supporting responsible and informed hazardous waste disposal

OLYMPIA, Washington, July 29 -- Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown issued the following news release on July 27, 2026:

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WA leads SCOTUS brief supporting responsible and informed hazardous waste disposal

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Attorney General Nick Brown led a coalition of 11 attorneys general in an amicus brief filed today before the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing the federal government must make informed decisions about how to store, treat, and dispose of hazardous waste.

The case, Department of the Air Force v. Prutehi Guahan, concerns whether the federal government needs to conduct environmental ... Show Full Article OLYMPIA, Washington, July 29 -- Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown issued the following news release on July 27, 2026: * * * WA leads SCOTUS brief supporting responsible and informed hazardous waste disposal * Attorney General Nick Brown led a coalition of 11 attorneys general in an amicus brief filed today before the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing the federal government must make informed decisions about how to store, treat, and dispose of hazardous waste. The case, Department of the Air Force v. Prutehi Guahan, concerns whether the federal government needs to conduct environmentalimpact reviews of major projects under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) before it seeks a permit to dispose of hazardous waste. The brief argues that NEPA reviews in conjunction with hazardous waste disposal are valuable for Washington. Specifically, these reviews have informed the state's own permitting decisions at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, reducing environmental impacts from Hanford's cleanup.

"Hazardous waste sites like Hanford remind us of the federal government's past failures and ongoing responsibility in addressing toxic threats to our communities," said Brown. "We must maintain the safeguards that give Washingtonians a voice in federal decisions that impact us and our environment."

In this case, the court was asked to decide whether the Air Force can destroy munitions on a beach in Guam without doing an environmental impact review under NEPA. The federal government argues that it does not need to do a NEPA review because it already completed a permit application under a different federal law, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). However, the information provided in permit application is different from a NEPA review, occurs at a different stage in the process, and considers a narrower set of environmental concerns.

NEPA requires the federal government to analyze environmental impacts before it takes an action requiring a permit to dispose of hazardous waste, while the RCRA permit process requires states to evaluate only the government's chosen waste disposal action. NEPA also requires public input before the federal government's decision is made, ensuring that communities know about the action the government is planning and have input into that decision. NEPA analysis requires the federal government to study alternatives that could be less harmful to the environment, whereas RCRA permits do not require studying alternatives.

The Hanford cleanup is one example of how NEPA reviews have helped Washingtonians. For decades governors, lawmakers, attorneys general, Tribes, and the Tri-Cities community have worked to hold the federal government accountable for the Hanford cleanup. The NEPA process gives these parties information they can use to advocate and influence decisions. In one case, this analysis influenced where the federal government sited a landfill on the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, reducing environmental impacts. This outcome was only possible because of information generated through NEPA reviews. Without NEPA reviews, states and communities would be left in the dark about crucial decisions that impact them.

The brief was joined by the attorneys general of Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, and Oregon.

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Read the brief (https://agportal-s3bucket.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Environmental%20Protection%20Division/AmicusBr_StateWashEtAl.pdf?VersionId=SyDwnvWSsKeW2tsI2J.gyqEbVsKuREtp).

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Washington's Attorney General serves the people and the state of Washington. As the state's largest law firm, the Attorney General's Office provides legal representation to every state agency, board, and commission in Washington. Additionally, the Office serves the people directly by enforcing consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental protection laws. The Office also prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles sexually violent predator cases in 38 of Washington's 39 counties. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.

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Original text here: https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/wa-leads-scotus-brief-supporting-responsible-and-informed-hazardous-waste

State Grand Jury Declines to Criminally Charge Officer in Connection With November 3, 2024 Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in Haddon Township, N.J.

TRENTON, New Jersey, July 29 -- The New Jersey Attorney General Office issued the following news release on July 28, 2026:

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State Grand Jury Declines to Criminally Charge Officer in Connection with November 3, 2024 Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in Haddon Township, N.J.

A state grand jury has voted not to file criminal charges against a Haddon Township police officer at the conclusion of its deliberations regarding a death that occurred during an encounter with police officers on November 3, 2024, in the Westmont section of Haddon Township, New Jersey. The decedent was previously identified ... Show Full Article TRENTON, New Jersey, July 29 -- The New Jersey Attorney General Office issued the following news release on July 28, 2026: * * * State Grand Jury Declines to Criminally Charge Officer in Connection with November 3, 2024 Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in Haddon Township, N.J. A state grand jury has voted not to file criminal charges against a Haddon Township police officer at the conclusion of its deliberations regarding a death that occurred during an encounter with police officers on November 3, 2024, in the Westmont section of Haddon Township, New Jersey. The decedent was previously identifiedas Keith Edelin, 46, of Pennsauken, New Jersey.

Mr. Edelin's death was investigated by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) and presented to New Jersey residents serving on the grand jury in accordance with the Independent Prosecutor Directive of 2019, which was issued following the enactment of a state law requiring the Office of the Attorney General to investigate deaths that occur during an encounter with law enforcement.

This investigation included 9-1-1 calls, police radio transmissions, body-worn camera video, witness and law enforcement statements, a ballistics report, and autopsy results from the medical examiner. This evidence was presented to a state grand jury. After hearing the testimony and evidence, the grand jury finished deliberating on July 27, 2026, and voted "no bill," concluding that no criminal charges should be filed against the involved officer.

According to the investigation, on November 3, 2024, at approximately 1:07 a.m., members of the Haddon Township Police Department responded to a 9-1-1 call regarding an attempted burglary in progress at an apartment complex on West Crystal Lake Avenue in the Westmont section of Haddon Township.

Officer Luke Falkenberg and other members of the Haddon Township police arrived at the location. Officers observed blood in the lobby and elevator. After taking the elevator, they discovered additional blood stains on the carpet in the hallway, and eventually entered the stairwell where they encountered Mr. Edelin on the top landing, armed with a knife. Officers gave several commands to drop the knife, which Mr. Edelin refused. Officers spoke with Mr. Edelin and stated that they were there to help him. After an approximately two-minute-long encounter, during which officers gave additional commands to drop the knife, Mr. Edelin advanced downward toward officers, at which point Officer Falkenberg fired his service weapon, striking Mr. Edelin. Officers rendered medical aid until emergency medical personnel arrived and transported Mr. Edelin to Cooper University Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased approximately one hour later. A knife was recovered at the scene. The officers did not sustain any injuries during the encounter.

Footage related to this incident was previously released and is posted online at https://njoag.app.box.com/s/5p70khs16if554r3o0rx3ih3f7t562s3.

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 involved officers. The grand jury is instructed on the elements of the potential criminal offenses, including criminal homicide offenses, that could be brought and, as required by statutes, the grand jury is instructed on self-defense and other forms of legal justification.

A conflicts check was conducted pursuant to the Independent Prosecutor Directive and no actual or potential conflicts of interest were found involving any individual assigned to OPIA's investigation. Prior to presentation to the grand jury, the investigation was reviewed by an Independent Supervisory Reviewer in accordance with the policies and procedures established for these presentations.

Now that the investigation has concluded, pursuant to the Independent Prosecutor Directive and SOPs, OPIA will determine whether any officer should be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency for administrative review in accordance with the AG's Internal Affairs Policy & Procedures. OPIA will monitor any resulting review and take such actions as are necessary to ensure that the review is completed in a timely fashion, and that appropriate actions are taken based on the results of the review.

Further information about how fatal police encounters are investigated in New Jersey under the Independent Prosecutor Directive can be found here (https://www.nj.gov/oag/dcj/agguide/directives/ag-Directive-2019-4.pdf).

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Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/state-grand-jury-declines-to-criminally-charge-officer-in-connection-with-november-3-2024-fatal-police-involved-shooting-in-haddon-township-n-j/

S.D. A.G. Jackley Urges Federal Government to Strengthen 'Know Your Customer Rules' Against Illegal Robocalls

PIERRE, South Dakota, July 29 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release on July 28, 2026:

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Attorney General Jackley Urges Federal Government to Strengthen "Know Your Customer Rules" Against Illegal Robocalls

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces he has joined 49 other Attorneys General in pushing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to strengthen its "Know Your Customer" (KYC) rules to help prevent scammers from using the U.S. communications network to make illegal robocalls.

"This is an ongoing effort by Attorneys General ... Show Full Article PIERRE, South Dakota, July 29 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release on July 28, 2026: * * * Attorney General Jackley Urges Federal Government to Strengthen "Know Your Customer Rules" Against Illegal Robocalls South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces he has joined 49 other Attorneys General in pushing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to strengthen its "Know Your Customer" (KYC) rules to help prevent scammers from using the U.S. communications network to make illegal robocalls. "This is an ongoing effort by Attorneys Generalto convince the FCC to be more diligent in combating robocall scams," said Attorney General Jackley. "Attorneys General see what such scams are doing to citizens in their states, and the federal government needs to do more."

Last year, Americans received more than 29.6 billion scam robocalls and texts and lost nearly $2 billion to these scams.

The KYC rules require phone companies to know who is making calls through their networks and what kinds of business these customers are conducting. With that information, phone companies can suspend or terminate callers who use their networks to make unlawful calls or decline to do business with customers who aren't legitimate companies or can't prove that they conduct lawful business.

In addition to what the FCC is already doing, attorneys general urge the FCC to:

* Require providers to understand their customers' business. In addition to verifying a customer's identity and existence, originating providers should also be required to examine and understand the customer's business practices, reputation, history, intended use of services, and their compliance with state and federal laws.

* Hold all originating providers to KYC standards. Even small originating service providers should be required to meet enhanced KYC standards. Scammers use originating providers, regardless of size, to access the communications network. In fact, illegal calls are often facilitated by smaller voice service providers. Not holding small providers to the same standards could cause them to be even more attractive to bad actors looking to use them to make illegal robocalls.

* Require originating providers to collect additional information on high-risk customers. While KYC requirements should be universal, the attorneys general support additional, long-term monitoring of customers who are more likely to make illegal robocalls, such as those subscribing to high volume services.

This letter comes after Attorney General Jackley and a coalition of 48 other Attorneys General sent reply comments to the FCC earlier in July, encouraging it to crackdown on illegal robocalls by strengthening rules that would cut off scammers' access to legitimate phone numbers.

The two letters are part of Phase 2 of Operation Robocall Roundup, an effort by the Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force to crack down on robocalls across the country. Phase 1 launched in August 2025 with warning letters sent to 37 smaller voice providers that were allowing suspected illegal robocalls onto the U.S. telephone network. Phase 2 launched in December and expanded the crackdown to four of the largest intermediate voice service providers in the country.

Other Attorneys General signing this letter letter are from Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia , Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

The letter can be found here: https://www.naag.org/policy-letter/bipartisan-coalition-of-50-urge-stronger-know-your-customer-rules-to-fight-illegal-robocalls/

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Original text here: https://atg.sd.gov/OurOffice/Media/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?id=3120

Okla. A.G. Drummond: Nine Charged in Scheme to Take Donations Meant for Children in Crisis

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, July 29 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on July 28, 2026:

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Drummond: Nine charged in scheme to take donations meant for children in crisis

After an investigation by Attorney General Gentner Drummond's office, nine people have been charged in connection with an embezzlement scheme at OKCity Crisis Nursery. The investigation found that Jennifer Lynn Roberts, 43, the nonprofit's founder and executive director, embezzled more than $50,000 in charitable donations for personal use. That spending included cosmetic procedures, ... Show Full Article

Md. A.G. Brown Urges Federal Government to Strengthen Know Your Customer Rules to Combat Unlawful Robocalls

BALTIMORE, Maryland, July 29 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on July 28, 2026:

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Attorney General Brown Urges Federal Government to Strengthen Know Your Customer Rules to Combat Unlawful Robocalls

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and a bipartisan coalition of 49 other attorneys general are pushing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to strengthen its "Know Your Customer" (KYC) rules to help prevent scammers from using the U.S. communications network to make unlawful robocalls. KYC rules require phone companies to know who is making ... Show Full Article BALTIMORE, Maryland, July 29 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on July 28, 2026: * * * Attorney General Brown Urges Federal Government to Strengthen Know Your Customer Rules to Combat Unlawful Robocalls Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and a bipartisan coalition of 49 other attorneys general are pushing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to strengthen its "Know Your Customer" (KYC) rules to help prevent scammers from using the U.S. communications network to make unlawful robocalls. KYC rules require phone companies to know who is makingcalls through their networks and what kinds of business their customers are conducting. With that information, phone companies can more easily identify and suspend or terminate customers who use their networks to make unlawful calls, or decline to do business with customers that aren't legitimate companies or can't prove that they conduct lawful business.

Unlawful robocalls start with an originating voice service provider allowing bad actors to use their network. If scammers can't get their calls onto the U.S. communications network, they can't make unlawful robocalls. So, these originating voice service providers are key to stopping these calls from reaching people. Attorney General Brown has previously asked the FCC to strengthen its rules to better enable voice service providers to assist in stopping unlawful robocalls.

Although providers are already required to know who their customers are, the current requirements aren't strong enough - as evidenced by the prevalence of robocall scams. Last year, Americans received more than 29.6 billion scam robocalls and texts and lost nearly $2 billion to these scams.

In addition to what the FCC is already doing, Attorney General Brown urges the FCC to:

* Require providers to understand their customers' business. In addition to verifying a customer's identity and existence, originating providers should also be required to examine and understand the customer's business practices, reputation, history, intended use of services, and their compliance with state and federal laws.

* Hold all originating providers to KYC standards. Even small originating service providers should be required to meet enhanced KYC standards. Scammers use originating providers, regardless of size, to access the communications network. In fact, unlawful calls are often facilitated by smaller voice service providers. Not holding small providers to the same standards could cause them to be even more attractive to bad actors looking to use them to make unlawful robocalls.

* Require originating providers to collect additional information on high-risk customers. While KYC requirements should be universal, the attorneys general support additional, long-term monitoring of customers who are more likely to make unlawful robocalls, such as those subscribing to high volume services.

This letter comes after a coalition of 49 attorneys general, including Attorney General Brown, sent reply comments to the FCC earlier in July, encouraging it to crackdown on unlawful robocalls by strengthening rules that would cut off scammers' access to legitimate phone numbers.

The two letters are part of Phase 2 of Operation Robocall Roundup, an effort by the Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force to crack down on robocalls across the country. Phase 1 launched in August 2025 with warning letters sent to 37 smaller voice providers that were allowing suspected unlawful robocalls onto the U.S. telephone network. Phase 2 launched in December and expanded the crackdown to four of the largest intermediate voice service providers in the country.

Attorney General Brown is joined in signing the letter by the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia , Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Urges-Federal-Government-to-Strengthen-Know-Your-Customer-Rules-to-Combat-Unlawful-Robocalls--.aspx

Md. A.G. Brown Joins Coalition Opposing Federal Regulator's Unlawful Plan to Fast-Track Gas Pipeline Projects

BALTIMORE, Maryland, July 29 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on July 28, 2026:

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Attorney General Brown Joins Coalition Opposing Federal Regulator's Unlawful Plan to Fast-Track Gas Pipeline Projects

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a multistate coalition in a comment letter opposing a proposed rule from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that would unlawfully fast-track more natural gas pipeline projects, and likely raise consumers' energy bills, increase air pollution, and worsen climate change.

The multistate coalition ... Show Full Article BALTIMORE, Maryland, July 29 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on July 28, 2026: * * * Attorney General Brown Joins Coalition Opposing Federal Regulator's Unlawful Plan to Fast-Track Gas Pipeline Projects Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a multistate coalition in a comment letter opposing a proposed rule from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that would unlawfully fast-track more natural gas pipeline projects, and likely raise consumers' energy bills, increase air pollution, and worsen climate change. The multistate coalitionsubmitted comments regarding FERC's proposed rule, issued on May 21, to expand the category of pipeline projects that are automatically authorized under its "blanket certificate." That change would allow more costly and expansionary projects to bypass review required under the Natural Gas Act to ensure that the projects serve the needs and interest of the public. FERC "must ensure that new pipelines do not unfairly burden everyday consumers, the air we breathe, and the water we use," the coalition wrote in their comment letter.

FERC is proposing to substantially increase the dollar threshold for projects that qualify for automatic approval, which allows companies to proceed without any advance notice to the public or FERC. Under current regulations, projects that cost less than $14.5 million qualify for this automatic approval. FERC proposes to more than double that threshold to $30 million.

Additionally, FERC proposes to lift the threshold to $86 million, up from $41.1 million currently, for so-called "prior notice" projects. Under that category, companies must provide 60 days' notice to FERC and the public, and if no objections are made, the companies can proceed. FERC would also adjust those thresholds annually based on an industry index of natural gas infrastructure construction costs rather than its current inflation-based measure. FERC is also proposing to give "prior notice" approval for all compressor station expansion projects that occur within the fenceline of an existing station, no matter the cost.

The coalition argues that FERC's proposed rule would violate the Natural Gas Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act.

Joining Attorney General Brown in signing the letter are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.

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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Joins-Coalition-Opposing-Federal-Regulator%e2%80%99s-Unlawful-Plan-to-Fast-Track-Gas-Pipeline-Projects%c2%a0.aspx

Md. A.G. Brown Blocks Federal Cuts to School Mental Health Grants

BALTIMORE, Maryland, July 29 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on July 28, 2026:

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Attorney General Brown Blocks Federal Cuts to School Mental Health Grants

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today announced that a U.S. District Court judge granted a temporary restraining order that blocks the U.S. Department of Education from unlawfully terminating congressionally approved school-based mental health grants.

The order in the case joined by Attorney General Brown and a coalition of 14 state attorneys general comes just days before the Department ... Show Full Article BALTIMORE, Maryland, July 29 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on July 28, 2026: * * * Attorney General Brown Blocks Federal Cuts to School Mental Health Grants Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today announced that a U.S. District Court judge granted a temporary restraining order that blocks the U.S. Department of Education from unlawfully terminating congressionally approved school-based mental health grants. The order in the case joined by Attorney General Brown and a coalition of 14 state attorneys general comes just days before the Departmentof Education would have begun terminating multiple grants providing critical mental health services to Maryland public school students.

Terminating the grants would have resulted in the projected loss of over $3 million for programs at Bowie State and University of Maryland, Baltimore.

In the wake of devastating school shootings, members of Congress from both parties came together to appropriate $1 billion to bring 14,000 mental health professionals into U.S. schools most in need, especially in low-income and rural communities. The programs have been an incredible success. In their first year, the programs provided mental and behavioral health services to nearly 775,000 elementary and secondary students nationwide. Sampled projects showed real results: a 50% reduction in suicide risk at high-need schools, decreases in absenteeism and behavioral issues, and increases in positive student-staff engagement.

But over the past 15 months, the Department of Education has interfered with these goals by adding funding uncertainty and roadblocks that make it harder for grantees in Maryland and the other coalition states to plan and perform their grant projects. In April 2025, the department notified these grantees that their grants would be discontinued for allegedly conflicting with the Trump administration's new priorities. The department later revealed the grants had been targeted for their perceived support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Maryland has gone to court repeatedly to fight for these mental health grants and has won six favorable rulings against the administration so far. In July 2025, Attorney General Brown joined the coalition in filing a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington against the department over the discontinuation of the grants. In December 2025, the coalition secured an order declaring the department's discontinuations were unlawful and requiring it to make new continuation decisions. The court also issued a permanent injunction that prohibited the department from implementing the discontinuations "through any means."

The department claimed it planned to review the grants at the six-month mark and then make additional funding determinations. But instead, the department targeted the grants protected by the original injunction and announced they likely plan to terminate the grants altogether.

Attorney General Brown and the coalition filed a second lawsuit in July 2026 to obtain a new injunction that prevents these terminations that were scheduled to begin on July 31 from taking place.

The temporary restraining order prevents the department from terminating the mental health grants using new priorities or without providing statutory procedural protections such as first working with the grantee to resolve any issues. The order will expire on August 24. In the meantime, the court is expected to schedule a hearing on a preliminary injunction, which would provide longer-term protection for grantees if granted.

Attorney General Brown is joined in this suit by the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin.

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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Blocks-Federal-Cuts-to-School-Mental-Health-Grants-.aspx

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