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Attorney General Jeff Jackson Opposes Unlawful Changes to Head Start
RALEIGH, North Carolina, Oct. 12 -- North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Jeff Jackson Opposes Unlawful Changes to Head Start
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RALEIGH -- Attorney General Jeff Jackson and a coalition of 24 other states opposed proposed harmful and unlawful changes to the Head Start program that could gut early childhood education in North Carolina.
Head Start is a federally funded preschool program that helps address the childcare gap for children aged 3 to 5. It provides early education, healthcare, and family services for more than 750,000 ... Show Full Article RALEIGH, North Carolina, Oct. 12 -- North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Jeff Jackson Opposes Unlawful Changes to Head Start * RALEIGH -- Attorney General Jeff Jackson and a coalition of 24 other states opposed proposed harmful and unlawful changes to the Head Start program that could gut early childhood education in North Carolina. Head Start is a federally funded preschool program that helps address the childcare gap for children aged 3 to 5. It provides early education, healthcare, and family services for more than 750,000children in the United States and currently serves more than 17,000 North Carolina children. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has proposed changes that would lower the program's standards and limit the allowable operating costs, which would make it increasingly difficult for these programs to operate - especially in rural areas.
"Head Start supports thousands of children in North Carolina," said Attorney General Jeff Jackson. "These unlawful changes don't meet what Congress intended to accomplish with the program, and it would harm the children and families who rely on the program for access to early childhood education. They deserve better, which is why we're urging the federal administration to rethink these proposals."
High-quality early education leads to a higher competency in language and math in children. Research has also shown that public investment in preschool creates a more productive population, lowers special education placement rates, reduces grade repetition, decreases welfare dependency, and creates fewer costs for the criminal justice system.
Currently, the national gap between the number of legally-operating childcare spaces available and the potential need for care is 28.2%. Without Head Start, that gap would increase to 32.7%, with rural areas being disproportionately affected. Additionally, Head Start supports roughly a quarter of a million jobs nationwide, and the loss of Head Start would result in roughly $32.8-$49.9 billion in national economic losses over the next 10 years.
The coalition argued that the changes are unlawful and would overhaul how the states administer Head Start programs, lead to larger classes and fewer teachers and staff, increase children's safety risk, shorten program days, and reduce services Head Start provides. This would lead to worse education outcomes for children.
Attorney General Jackson and the coalition are pushing the department to withdraw the proposed changes. Specifically, the coalition argues that:
* Head Start provides critical benefits.
* The proposed rule exceeds the authority of HHS. First, it violates multiple sections of the Head Start Act, including the act's prohibition of any reduction in "quality, scope, or type" of services required by the Head Start performance standards below those implemented by the George W. Bush Administration. The proposed rule eliminates or reduces the quality, scope, or type of virtually every required service.
* The proposed rule is arbitrary and capricious. HHS has not sufficiently considered the harmful impacts on the states and their residents, has relied on flawed economic assumptions, has not given a reasonable explanation for the changes, and because the proposed rule contradicts evidence.
* Many proposed changes to the Head Start performance standards are problematic. HHS proposes eliminating more than 1,400 standards that states and Head Start programs have relied on when developing services. Those changes will harm children, families, and communities and will lead to closures and reduced enrollment opportunities. The proposed changes that the attorneys general oppose include cutting the allowable administrative costs, changing Head Start eligibility determinations and attendance rules, gutting guidelines for medical, vision, dental and developmental screenings, removing existing regulations regarding children with disabilities, eliminating child-staff ratio standards and group size, and more.
Attorney General Jackson is joined in sending the letter by the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and the governor of Kentucky.
A copy of the letter is available here.
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Original text here: https://ncdoj.gov/attorney-general-jeff-jackson-opposes-unlawful-changes-to-head-start/ (TNSmlt)
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Attorney General Jeff Jackson Opposes Unlawful Changes to Head Start
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RALEIGH -- Attorney General Jeff Jackson and a coalition of 24 other states opposed proposed harmful and unlawful changes to the Head Start program that could gut early childhood education in North Carolina.
Head Start is a federally funded preschool program that helps address the childcare gap for children aged 3 to 5. It provides early education, healthcare, and family services for more than 750,000 ... Show Full Article RALEIGH, North Carolina, Oct. 12 -- North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Jeff Jackson Opposes Unlawful Changes to Head Start * RALEIGH -- Attorney General Jeff Jackson and a coalition of 24 other states opposed proposed harmful and unlawful changes to the Head Start program that could gut early childhood education in North Carolina. Head Start is a federally funded preschool program that helps address the childcare gap for children aged 3 to 5. It provides early education, healthcare, and family services for more than 750,000children in the United States and currently serves more than 17,000 North Carolina children. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has proposed changes that would lower the program's standards and limit the allowable operating costs, which would make it increasingly difficult for these programs to operate - especially in rural areas.
"Head Start supports thousands of children in North Carolina," said Attorney General Jeff Jackson. "These unlawful changes don't meet what Congress intended to accomplish with the program, and it would harm the children and families who rely on the program for access to early childhood education. They deserve better, which is why we're urging the federal administration to rethink these proposals."
High-quality early education leads to a higher competency in language and math in children. Research has also shown that public investment in preschool creates a more productive population, lowers special education placement rates, reduces grade repetition, decreases welfare dependency, and creates fewer costs for the criminal justice system.
Currently, the national gap between the number of legally-operating childcare spaces available and the potential need for care is 28.2%. Without Head Start, that gap would increase to 32.7%, with rural areas being disproportionately affected. Additionally, Head Start supports roughly a quarter of a million jobs nationwide, and the loss of Head Start would result in roughly $32.8-$49.9 billion in national economic losses over the next 10 years.
The coalition argued that the changes are unlawful and would overhaul how the states administer Head Start programs, lead to larger classes and fewer teachers and staff, increase children's safety risk, shorten program days, and reduce services Head Start provides. This would lead to worse education outcomes for children.
Attorney General Jackson and the coalition are pushing the department to withdraw the proposed changes. Specifically, the coalition argues that:
* Head Start provides critical benefits.
* The proposed rule exceeds the authority of HHS. First, it violates multiple sections of the Head Start Act, including the act's prohibition of any reduction in "quality, scope, or type" of services required by the Head Start performance standards below those implemented by the George W. Bush Administration. The proposed rule eliminates or reduces the quality, scope, or type of virtually every required service.
* The proposed rule is arbitrary and capricious. HHS has not sufficiently considered the harmful impacts on the states and their residents, has relied on flawed economic assumptions, has not given a reasonable explanation for the changes, and because the proposed rule contradicts evidence.
* Many proposed changes to the Head Start performance standards are problematic. HHS proposes eliminating more than 1,400 standards that states and Head Start programs have relied on when developing services. Those changes will harm children, families, and communities and will lead to closures and reduced enrollment opportunities. The proposed changes that the attorneys general oppose include cutting the allowable administrative costs, changing Head Start eligibility determinations and attendance rules, gutting guidelines for medical, vision, dental and developmental screenings, removing existing regulations regarding children with disabilities, eliminating child-staff ratio standards and group size, and more.
Attorney General Jackson is joined in sending the letter by the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and the governor of Kentucky.
A copy of the letter is available here.
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Original text here: https://ncdoj.gov/attorney-general-jeff-jackson-opposes-unlawful-changes-to-head-start/ (TNSmlt)
What Virginians Are Seeing: Attorney General Jay Jones Shares Weekly Roundup of Actions Taken
RICHMOND, Virginia, Oct. 10 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release:
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WHAT VIRGINIANS ARE SEEING: ATTORNEY GENERAL JAY JONES SHARES WEEKLY ROUNDUP OF ACTIONS TAKEN
Secures Legal Victory in Federal Overreach Attempt, Reaffirms Commitment to Free and Fair Elections, and Spotlights Outreach Team
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RICHMOND, Va. -- Attorney General Jones continues to work for all Virginians, successfully pushing back against federal overreach and addressing election security and protection. Also, this week, Attorney General Jones marked Hispanic Heritage Month with ... Show Full Article RICHMOND, Virginia, Oct. 10 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release: * * * WHAT VIRGINIANS ARE SEEING: ATTORNEY GENERAL JAY JONES SHARES WEEKLY ROUNDUP OF ACTIONS TAKEN Secures Legal Victory in Federal Overreach Attempt, Reaffirms Commitment to Free and Fair Elections, and Spotlights Outreach Team - RICHMOND, Va. -- Attorney General Jones continues to work for all Virginians, successfully pushing back against federal overreach and addressing election security and protection. Also, this week, Attorney General Jones marked Hispanic Heritage Month witha first-of-its-kind celebration and spotlights the incredible work of the Outreach team.
Fighting Back Against Federal Overreach
Attorney General Jones secured a legal victory in the fight to defend Virginia's in-state tuition law, after a federal court sided with the Commonwealth. Attorney General Jones also addresses a federal attempt to gut Head Start and shares message ahead of Election Day.
PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jones Secures Major Legal Victory Upholding Virginia's In-State Tuition Law
"Today's ruling is a win for Virginia's students and for our Commonwealth's future. When I took office, I promised the people of the Commonwealth that I would reverse my predecessor's position and fight back against the Trump administration's attacks on our students and institutions of higher education. I'm proud to say that today we did just that," said Attorney General Jones. "Students who grow up in Virginia and whose families contribute to the state's tax base deserve access to affordable, in-state higher education, and this ruling affirms that Virginia is best equipped to make that decision, not Donald Trump. This office will never stop fighting to protect every student who calls Virginia home."
WRIC: Virginia secures legal victory in fight to defend in-state tuition for undocumented, refugee students
Virginia was handed a significant legal victory in its fight to defend its law that allows qualifying undocumented and refugee students to pay in-state tuition rates.
On Monday, Oct. 5, a federal judge ruled in Virginia's favor -- and against the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) -- in a lawsuit challenging the state's in-state tuition policies, according to a press release from Attorney General Jay Jones' (D) office.
The DOJ initially filed this lawsuit on Dec. 29, 2025, claiming these tuition aid policies for migrants violate federal law. It further alleged that these policies discriminate against U.S. citizens and incentivize illegal immigration.
Courthouse News: Judge scraps Trump challenge to in-state tuition for immigrant students in Virginia
In the latest case over the Trump administration's attempt at leveraging the Constitution's supremacy clause against state immigration policy, a federal judge upheld a Virginia law creating in-state tuition rate pathways for immigrant university students on Monday.
Granting summary judgment to the commonwealth, Senior U.S. District Judge Robert Payne found both the domicile pathway and the tuition equity pathway of 2020's Virginia Dream Act aren't preempted by federal law as the government claimed.
The federal government had cited the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, which forbids states from offering tuition benefits for immigrant students based on residence within a state without offering the same benefit to out-of-state citizens.
Payne, a George H.W. Bush appointee, said the domicile-based, in-state tuition provision doesn't apply to immigrants because of guidance from the state-empowered State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, which stated immigrant students categorically cannot have a Virginia domicile.
"Because undocumented students are not eligible for in-state tuition under the domicile pathway, the domicile pathway law is neither in conflict with, nor preempted by, Section 1623 (a)," Payne said. "The domicile pathway does not positively state or confirm that undocumented students are eligible for in-state tuition. It does not expressly state that undocumented students are eligible for in-state tuition. It is silent as to the effect of immigration status."
Though the federal government argued the tuition equity pathway's conditions create a residency requirement, the judge similarly dismissed those claims because it is not based on an student's residence.
"It is based on high school attendance in Virginia, graduation from a high school in Virginia, passage of an equivalency test, or income tax return filings," Payne said. "The tuition equity pathway is both under- and overinclusive of Virginia residency and is not, as the United States claims, a 'proxy' for residency."
Payne said the pathway is underinclusive because not all Virginia residents would necessarily qualify.
Payne offered an example of a Virginia resident who attends private school in another state as someone who doesn't qualify. Payne said the policy is overinclusive because non-resident legal citizens can qualify, such as residents of Maryland or West Virginia who attend school across the Virginia border.
"The tuition equity pathway does not, directly or indirectly, provide in-state tuition 'based on residence,'" Payne said. "Instead, it provides a number of ways for non-residents to qualify for in-state tuition. And, none of those ways are 'based on' residence."
Payne further agreed with the commonwealth that the policy complies with federal law because the state provides other ways for non-residents to receive in-state tuition. The academic common market pathway, for instance, is available to students from any of the 14 states in the Southern Regional Education Compact, so long as they seek a degree in a program not available in their home state.
Average annual undergraduate tuition in the 2025-2026 school year was just shy of $10,000 for in-state students, while out-of-state students paid over $28,000, not including room and board, according to the Virginia State Council of Higher Education. A little over 1,200 students not domiciled in Virginia used the Virginia Dream Act to qualify for in-state tuition last school year.
The Trump administration has sued states including New Jersey, Minnesota, California and Illinois over similar tuition assistance programs.
"Today's ruling is a win for Virginia's students and for our commonwealth's future," Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones said in a statement. "Students who grow up in Virginia and whose families contribute to the state's tax base deserve access to affordable, in-state higher education, and this ruling affirms that Virginia is best equipped to make that decision, not Donald Trump."
Former Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, a Republican, previously asked the court to declare the Virginia Dream Act invalid with just over two weeks left in office.
Payne noted that the federal government is likely to appeal. Representatives from the Justice Department did not respond to a request for comment.
Augusta Free Press: Federal court sides with AG on Trump administration challenge to Virginia Dream Act
Attorney General Jay Jones won a federal court victory in a suit brought by the Trump administration challenging the state's Virginia Dream Act, which qualifies undocumented students for in-state tuition rates under certain conditions.
The attorney general's office, when it was run by a MAGA, Jason Miyares, had attempted to invalidate the law through a consent decree with the Trump administration signed as the Miyares folks were cleaning out their offices in January.
"Today's ruling is a win for Virginia's students and for our Commonwealth's future. When I took office, I promised the people of the Commonwealth that I would reverse my predecessor's position and fight back against the Trump administration's attacks on our students and institutions of higher education. I'm proud to say that today we did just that," Jones said, per a statement from his office.
The Virginia Dream Act, signed into law in 2020, qualifies undocumented students for in-state tuition at public colleges and universities in the Commonwealth who:
attended high school in Virginia for two years
graduated from a Virginia high school or passed an equivalent exam
have a parent or guardian that has filed state income tax returns for at least two years before the date of registration
"Students who grow up in Virginia and whose families contribute to the state's tax base deserve access to affordable, in-state higher education, and this ruling affirms that Virginia is best equipped to make that decision, not Donald Trump. This office will never stop fighting to protect every student who calls Virginia home," Jones said.
PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jones Opposes Trump Administration's Gutting of Head Start Standards for Virginians
"It truly does take a village to raise children and as a dad I know that every parent and every child deserves support. For so many, Head Start is a vital piece of that village. If implemented, this rule will leave the futures of Virginia's children hanging in the balance of an increasingly strained childcare system," said Attorney General Jay Jones. "The Trump administration is working to leave behind a legacy of disenfranchisement and broken infrastructure. My office will never stop fighting to protect the programs that help our families."
Richmond Times Dispatch: Virginia will defend its voters and elections
Our confidence in our elections is earned by those who put in the work. The commonwealth has thousands of bipartisan election administrators who, applying detailed rules and procedures, ensure that eligible voters can cast ballots and that vote counts are accurate. Local registrars, electoral boards and poll workers carry out their duties with care. The result is a record of successful elections going back years, reflecting the patient, exacting work of public servants who understand the enormous responsibility placed upon them.
This year, the Trump administration has repeatedly sought to disrupt our election officials' preparations. When President Trump attempted to use the United States Postal Service to restrict mail voting for the upcoming general election, Virginia joined other states in court. It successfully secured a consequential victory at the Supreme Court. And while the legal fight over mail voting will continue after this election, our victory ensured that the president's illegal order did not disrupt the crucial work of election administrators across the commonwealth. Critically, not a single Virginian was disenfranchised. Trump's signature does not place an order above the law.
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The current assault on our free elections is why preparation starts long before Election Day. Attorneys in my office are studying the threats and preparing to respond alongside state and local officials. They know the law and will be ready to act. Working with the Department of Elections, we will use every legal tool available to protect the sanctity of Virginia's elections.
Our obligation extends to every eligible voter, including those who disagree with me or align with a different political party. Every ballot deserves the same protection, regardless of who the vote is cast for. I will readily fulfill my duty as attorney general to defend your right to vote, however you may choose.
Trump can keep testing the limits of his power. Virginia will keep holding him to the Constitution. Anyone else contemplating interference should expect the same resolve. Two hundred fifty years after independence, self-government and democratic principles still depend on people being free to choose their leaders. In Virginia, we intend to keep those choices free.
Protecting Virginians
Attorney General Jones continued working to protect Virginians, calling on Congress to better regulate AI and recruiting top talent to work for the people of the Commonwealth.
Virginia Lawyers Weekly: Jay Jones among AGs asking Congress to rein in AI research
Attorney General Jay Jones is among a bipartisan group of 26 attorneys general asking Congress to establish federal regulations and safety protocols for frontier artificial intelligence.
"The capabilities, use, and adoption of AI in the public and private sectors have continued to proliferate, and communities around the nation are wrestling with how to balance meaningful technological advancements with the very real and serious threats we face as a result of those advancements," Jones said in a statement to Virginia Lawyers Weekly. "One thing is crystal clear- Congress must do its job to develop a regulatory framework establishing clear safety protocols to protect our communities."
The coalition wrote a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson and the minority leaders in the House of Representatives and Senate on Sept. 23 urging the leaders to take action.
"Recent developments show that unchecked AI endangers Americans and could soon threaten our financial system, critical infrastructure, and national security," the coalition wrote. "Although we are working to hold frontier AI labs accountable under existing state laws, federal oversight is urgently needed to prevent future disasters."
The recent developments the coalition cites in its letter include the July reports that OpenAI agents escaped a testing environment and attacked Hugging Face, an open-source library and repository, via stolen credentials.
"When humans engage in such activity, they violate criminal law," the coalition wrote.
The coalition also expressed concerns that OpenAI initially minimized the Hugging Face incident and claimed OpenAI restricted safety researchers in conducting a post-mortem of the incident.
Following the Hugging Face incident, other AI developers disclosed their AI agents had engaged in similar conduct, described by the coalition as "dangerous and unlawful actions." The conduct included an Anthropic AI model uploading malware onto a public platform and the breach of an undisclosed third-party platform by Meta AI.
The coalition wrote that it believes frontier AI labs have been aware of this behavior, calling it "agentic misalignment."
With the recent incidents in mind, the coalition wrote that the time is now for federal action, noting that earlier in September, Anthropic reported discovering examples of its AI models being used to "develop and power conventional and biological weapons, spy on sovereign nations, and fuel global cybercrime.
"If AI labs cannot prevent their models from conducting harmful and illegal activity, allowing them to release their models into the hands of bad actors only guarantees catastrophe," the coalition wrote.
Frontier labs themselves and people who work in the industry are also calling for regulation, sometimes with grave warnings attached to the pleadings. The coalition cited the resignation of researcher Jacob Coxon from Anthropic in September, when he warned that those building AI "earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade."
The coalition said the calls for federal intervention are "clear and urgent".
"We should use this moment to hold them to these statements," the coalition wrote, adding that regulation is the only way to ensure AI frontier labs "act in the best interests of humanity, instead of their bottom lines."
The coalition proposed specific actions, including mandatory federal oversight of safety training and standards, transparent and uniform government-led incident response, mandatory safety trainings and international cooperation to pace AI advancement to "prevent the development of harmful superintelligence."
The coalition also requested "explicit preservation" of state authority in any federal policy. It specifically asked that no federal laws preempt state law and requested state officials be empowered to fully enforce federal protections.
"We are actively working to hold AI labs accountable under our respective state laws -- including fairness obligations and AI-specific safety requirements -- and we will continue to do so," the coalition concluded. "But federal action is urgently needed to achieve the national and international coordination required to prevent catastrophic harm."
WVTF: AG Jones seeking out former federal attorneys for his federal overreach unit
"Whether it be to protect them from the illegal tariffs the president continues to try and push, to the damage left behind from DOGE; we are ready to take this challenge head on," Attorney General Jay Jones said of his new federal overreach unit's purpose. He's already recruited some former federal attorneys, but he wants more.
"This group will have people who are very, very well versed in the federal system, have extensive experience in federal courts and will be on the front lines putting Virginians first," Jones said.
Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
Attorney General Jones celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month by hosting Latino state and local leaders, political appointees, and community organizations at the Barbara Johns Building. The event is the first-of-its-kind in the Office's history. Attorney General Jones delivered remarks alongside Delegate Elizabeth Guzman, Delegate Alfonso Lopez, Deputy Solicitor General Ethan Padilla Fallon, and Communications Director for the Office of the Attorney General, RaeAnn Roca Pickett.
PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jay Jones Hosts First-of-its-Kind Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration in OAG History
"Many in the Latino community continue to face barriers to opportunity and challenges in accessing institutions that should serve everyone equally. Those experiences are real, and they matter. This office holds space for that truth. This office also holds space for hope - a hope that's reflected in the leaders from this community who work every day to strengthen justice, expand opportunity, and make sure every Virginian is truly seen and heard. That commitment guides our work in this administration," said Attorney General Jay Jones. "We fight for justice in this office. But justice only means something if people can feel it in their lives. So, as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we reaffirm our promise to building a Commonwealth where equality, opportunity, and justice truly belong to everyone.
Community Outreach
The Office of the Attorney General's Outreach team is the local point of contact for communities across the Commonwealth. Coordinators and Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) connect with residents and local leaders, educating and informing Virginians on the resources and work being done by the Office.
TRIAD is a cooperative effort of law enforcement agencies, senior citizens, and senior organizations, focused on reducing crimes against seniors and the OAG's CLOs work closely with TRIAD chapters across the state. CLO Taylor Davis tabled with the Chesterfield TRIAD at an area farmer's market and attended the Prince George TRIAD yearly picnic. TRIAD Coordinator, Ben Bickel, and CLO Ajashu Thomas were at the Front Royal/Warren County TRIAD Senior Expo. MFCU CLO Randy Davis updated Petersburg TRIAD on recent MFCU cases and he was joined by CLO Taylor Davis at a Henrico County TRIAD meeting. The Pulaski County TRIAD welcomed CLO Amy Duncan to meeting.
CLO Ajashu Thomas attended the Shenandoah County Fair Senior Day. CLO Lara Bussert tabled at Rockbridge County's National Night Out. CLO William Shackleford spoke at the Southeastern Association of Area Agencies on Aging (SE4A), which represents nine states and had 500 people in attendance. He also participated in the Chesapeake Sheriff's Office & Chesapeake Sheriff's Hope Foundation Senior Support Summit.
October 9, 2026
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Original text here: https://www.oag.state.va.us/media-center/news-releases/3136-what-virginians-are-seeing-attorney-general-jay-jones-shares-weekly-roundup-of-actions-taken-17
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WHAT VIRGINIANS ARE SEEING: ATTORNEY GENERAL JAY JONES SHARES WEEKLY ROUNDUP OF ACTIONS TAKEN
Secures Legal Victory in Federal Overreach Attempt, Reaffirms Commitment to Free and Fair Elections, and Spotlights Outreach Team
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RICHMOND, Va. -- Attorney General Jones continues to work for all Virginians, successfully pushing back against federal overreach and addressing election security and protection. Also, this week, Attorney General Jones marked Hispanic Heritage Month with ... Show Full Article RICHMOND, Virginia, Oct. 10 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release: * * * WHAT VIRGINIANS ARE SEEING: ATTORNEY GENERAL JAY JONES SHARES WEEKLY ROUNDUP OF ACTIONS TAKEN Secures Legal Victory in Federal Overreach Attempt, Reaffirms Commitment to Free and Fair Elections, and Spotlights Outreach Team - RICHMOND, Va. -- Attorney General Jones continues to work for all Virginians, successfully pushing back against federal overreach and addressing election security and protection. Also, this week, Attorney General Jones marked Hispanic Heritage Month witha first-of-its-kind celebration and spotlights the incredible work of the Outreach team.
Fighting Back Against Federal Overreach
Attorney General Jones secured a legal victory in the fight to defend Virginia's in-state tuition law, after a federal court sided with the Commonwealth. Attorney General Jones also addresses a federal attempt to gut Head Start and shares message ahead of Election Day.
PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jones Secures Major Legal Victory Upholding Virginia's In-State Tuition Law
"Today's ruling is a win for Virginia's students and for our Commonwealth's future. When I took office, I promised the people of the Commonwealth that I would reverse my predecessor's position and fight back against the Trump administration's attacks on our students and institutions of higher education. I'm proud to say that today we did just that," said Attorney General Jones. "Students who grow up in Virginia and whose families contribute to the state's tax base deserve access to affordable, in-state higher education, and this ruling affirms that Virginia is best equipped to make that decision, not Donald Trump. This office will never stop fighting to protect every student who calls Virginia home."
WRIC: Virginia secures legal victory in fight to defend in-state tuition for undocumented, refugee students
Virginia was handed a significant legal victory in its fight to defend its law that allows qualifying undocumented and refugee students to pay in-state tuition rates.
On Monday, Oct. 5, a federal judge ruled in Virginia's favor -- and against the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) -- in a lawsuit challenging the state's in-state tuition policies, according to a press release from Attorney General Jay Jones' (D) office.
The DOJ initially filed this lawsuit on Dec. 29, 2025, claiming these tuition aid policies for migrants violate federal law. It further alleged that these policies discriminate against U.S. citizens and incentivize illegal immigration.
Courthouse News: Judge scraps Trump challenge to in-state tuition for immigrant students in Virginia
In the latest case over the Trump administration's attempt at leveraging the Constitution's supremacy clause against state immigration policy, a federal judge upheld a Virginia law creating in-state tuition rate pathways for immigrant university students on Monday.
Granting summary judgment to the commonwealth, Senior U.S. District Judge Robert Payne found both the domicile pathway and the tuition equity pathway of 2020's Virginia Dream Act aren't preempted by federal law as the government claimed.
The federal government had cited the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, which forbids states from offering tuition benefits for immigrant students based on residence within a state without offering the same benefit to out-of-state citizens.
Payne, a George H.W. Bush appointee, said the domicile-based, in-state tuition provision doesn't apply to immigrants because of guidance from the state-empowered State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, which stated immigrant students categorically cannot have a Virginia domicile.
"Because undocumented students are not eligible for in-state tuition under the domicile pathway, the domicile pathway law is neither in conflict with, nor preempted by, Section 1623 (a)," Payne said. "The domicile pathway does not positively state or confirm that undocumented students are eligible for in-state tuition. It does not expressly state that undocumented students are eligible for in-state tuition. It is silent as to the effect of immigration status."
Though the federal government argued the tuition equity pathway's conditions create a residency requirement, the judge similarly dismissed those claims because it is not based on an student's residence.
"It is based on high school attendance in Virginia, graduation from a high school in Virginia, passage of an equivalency test, or income tax return filings," Payne said. "The tuition equity pathway is both under- and overinclusive of Virginia residency and is not, as the United States claims, a 'proxy' for residency."
Payne said the pathway is underinclusive because not all Virginia residents would necessarily qualify.
Payne offered an example of a Virginia resident who attends private school in another state as someone who doesn't qualify. Payne said the policy is overinclusive because non-resident legal citizens can qualify, such as residents of Maryland or West Virginia who attend school across the Virginia border.
"The tuition equity pathway does not, directly or indirectly, provide in-state tuition 'based on residence,'" Payne said. "Instead, it provides a number of ways for non-residents to qualify for in-state tuition. And, none of those ways are 'based on' residence."
Payne further agreed with the commonwealth that the policy complies with federal law because the state provides other ways for non-residents to receive in-state tuition. The academic common market pathway, for instance, is available to students from any of the 14 states in the Southern Regional Education Compact, so long as they seek a degree in a program not available in their home state.
Average annual undergraduate tuition in the 2025-2026 school year was just shy of $10,000 for in-state students, while out-of-state students paid over $28,000, not including room and board, according to the Virginia State Council of Higher Education. A little over 1,200 students not domiciled in Virginia used the Virginia Dream Act to qualify for in-state tuition last school year.
The Trump administration has sued states including New Jersey, Minnesota, California and Illinois over similar tuition assistance programs.
"Today's ruling is a win for Virginia's students and for our commonwealth's future," Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones said in a statement. "Students who grow up in Virginia and whose families contribute to the state's tax base deserve access to affordable, in-state higher education, and this ruling affirms that Virginia is best equipped to make that decision, not Donald Trump."
Former Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, a Republican, previously asked the court to declare the Virginia Dream Act invalid with just over two weeks left in office.
Payne noted that the federal government is likely to appeal. Representatives from the Justice Department did not respond to a request for comment.
Augusta Free Press: Federal court sides with AG on Trump administration challenge to Virginia Dream Act
Attorney General Jay Jones won a federal court victory in a suit brought by the Trump administration challenging the state's Virginia Dream Act, which qualifies undocumented students for in-state tuition rates under certain conditions.
The attorney general's office, when it was run by a MAGA, Jason Miyares, had attempted to invalidate the law through a consent decree with the Trump administration signed as the Miyares folks were cleaning out their offices in January.
"Today's ruling is a win for Virginia's students and for our Commonwealth's future. When I took office, I promised the people of the Commonwealth that I would reverse my predecessor's position and fight back against the Trump administration's attacks on our students and institutions of higher education. I'm proud to say that today we did just that," Jones said, per a statement from his office.
The Virginia Dream Act, signed into law in 2020, qualifies undocumented students for in-state tuition at public colleges and universities in the Commonwealth who:
attended high school in Virginia for two years
graduated from a Virginia high school or passed an equivalent exam
have a parent or guardian that has filed state income tax returns for at least two years before the date of registration
"Students who grow up in Virginia and whose families contribute to the state's tax base deserve access to affordable, in-state higher education, and this ruling affirms that Virginia is best equipped to make that decision, not Donald Trump. This office will never stop fighting to protect every student who calls Virginia home," Jones said.
PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jones Opposes Trump Administration's Gutting of Head Start Standards for Virginians
"It truly does take a village to raise children and as a dad I know that every parent and every child deserves support. For so many, Head Start is a vital piece of that village. If implemented, this rule will leave the futures of Virginia's children hanging in the balance of an increasingly strained childcare system," said Attorney General Jay Jones. "The Trump administration is working to leave behind a legacy of disenfranchisement and broken infrastructure. My office will never stop fighting to protect the programs that help our families."
Richmond Times Dispatch: Virginia will defend its voters and elections
Our confidence in our elections is earned by those who put in the work. The commonwealth has thousands of bipartisan election administrators who, applying detailed rules and procedures, ensure that eligible voters can cast ballots and that vote counts are accurate. Local registrars, electoral boards and poll workers carry out their duties with care. The result is a record of successful elections going back years, reflecting the patient, exacting work of public servants who understand the enormous responsibility placed upon them.
This year, the Trump administration has repeatedly sought to disrupt our election officials' preparations. When President Trump attempted to use the United States Postal Service to restrict mail voting for the upcoming general election, Virginia joined other states in court. It successfully secured a consequential victory at the Supreme Court. And while the legal fight over mail voting will continue after this election, our victory ensured that the president's illegal order did not disrupt the crucial work of election administrators across the commonwealth. Critically, not a single Virginian was disenfranchised. Trump's signature does not place an order above the law.
[...]
The current assault on our free elections is why preparation starts long before Election Day. Attorneys in my office are studying the threats and preparing to respond alongside state and local officials. They know the law and will be ready to act. Working with the Department of Elections, we will use every legal tool available to protect the sanctity of Virginia's elections.
Our obligation extends to every eligible voter, including those who disagree with me or align with a different political party. Every ballot deserves the same protection, regardless of who the vote is cast for. I will readily fulfill my duty as attorney general to defend your right to vote, however you may choose.
Trump can keep testing the limits of his power. Virginia will keep holding him to the Constitution. Anyone else contemplating interference should expect the same resolve. Two hundred fifty years after independence, self-government and democratic principles still depend on people being free to choose their leaders. In Virginia, we intend to keep those choices free.
Protecting Virginians
Attorney General Jones continued working to protect Virginians, calling on Congress to better regulate AI and recruiting top talent to work for the people of the Commonwealth.
Virginia Lawyers Weekly: Jay Jones among AGs asking Congress to rein in AI research
Attorney General Jay Jones is among a bipartisan group of 26 attorneys general asking Congress to establish federal regulations and safety protocols for frontier artificial intelligence.
"The capabilities, use, and adoption of AI in the public and private sectors have continued to proliferate, and communities around the nation are wrestling with how to balance meaningful technological advancements with the very real and serious threats we face as a result of those advancements," Jones said in a statement to Virginia Lawyers Weekly. "One thing is crystal clear- Congress must do its job to develop a regulatory framework establishing clear safety protocols to protect our communities."
The coalition wrote a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson and the minority leaders in the House of Representatives and Senate on Sept. 23 urging the leaders to take action.
"Recent developments show that unchecked AI endangers Americans and could soon threaten our financial system, critical infrastructure, and national security," the coalition wrote. "Although we are working to hold frontier AI labs accountable under existing state laws, federal oversight is urgently needed to prevent future disasters."
The recent developments the coalition cites in its letter include the July reports that OpenAI agents escaped a testing environment and attacked Hugging Face, an open-source library and repository, via stolen credentials.
"When humans engage in such activity, they violate criminal law," the coalition wrote.
The coalition also expressed concerns that OpenAI initially minimized the Hugging Face incident and claimed OpenAI restricted safety researchers in conducting a post-mortem of the incident.
Following the Hugging Face incident, other AI developers disclosed their AI agents had engaged in similar conduct, described by the coalition as "dangerous and unlawful actions." The conduct included an Anthropic AI model uploading malware onto a public platform and the breach of an undisclosed third-party platform by Meta AI.
The coalition wrote that it believes frontier AI labs have been aware of this behavior, calling it "agentic misalignment."
With the recent incidents in mind, the coalition wrote that the time is now for federal action, noting that earlier in September, Anthropic reported discovering examples of its AI models being used to "develop and power conventional and biological weapons, spy on sovereign nations, and fuel global cybercrime.
"If AI labs cannot prevent their models from conducting harmful and illegal activity, allowing them to release their models into the hands of bad actors only guarantees catastrophe," the coalition wrote.
Frontier labs themselves and people who work in the industry are also calling for regulation, sometimes with grave warnings attached to the pleadings. The coalition cited the resignation of researcher Jacob Coxon from Anthropic in September, when he warned that those building AI "earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade."
The coalition said the calls for federal intervention are "clear and urgent".
"We should use this moment to hold them to these statements," the coalition wrote, adding that regulation is the only way to ensure AI frontier labs "act in the best interests of humanity, instead of their bottom lines."
The coalition proposed specific actions, including mandatory federal oversight of safety training and standards, transparent and uniform government-led incident response, mandatory safety trainings and international cooperation to pace AI advancement to "prevent the development of harmful superintelligence."
The coalition also requested "explicit preservation" of state authority in any federal policy. It specifically asked that no federal laws preempt state law and requested state officials be empowered to fully enforce federal protections.
"We are actively working to hold AI labs accountable under our respective state laws -- including fairness obligations and AI-specific safety requirements -- and we will continue to do so," the coalition concluded. "But federal action is urgently needed to achieve the national and international coordination required to prevent catastrophic harm."
WVTF: AG Jones seeking out former federal attorneys for his federal overreach unit
"Whether it be to protect them from the illegal tariffs the president continues to try and push, to the damage left behind from DOGE; we are ready to take this challenge head on," Attorney General Jay Jones said of his new federal overreach unit's purpose. He's already recruited some former federal attorneys, but he wants more.
"This group will have people who are very, very well versed in the federal system, have extensive experience in federal courts and will be on the front lines putting Virginians first," Jones said.
Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
Attorney General Jones celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month by hosting Latino state and local leaders, political appointees, and community organizations at the Barbara Johns Building. The event is the first-of-its-kind in the Office's history. Attorney General Jones delivered remarks alongside Delegate Elizabeth Guzman, Delegate Alfonso Lopez, Deputy Solicitor General Ethan Padilla Fallon, and Communications Director for the Office of the Attorney General, RaeAnn Roca Pickett.
PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jay Jones Hosts First-of-its-Kind Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration in OAG History
"Many in the Latino community continue to face barriers to opportunity and challenges in accessing institutions that should serve everyone equally. Those experiences are real, and they matter. This office holds space for that truth. This office also holds space for hope - a hope that's reflected in the leaders from this community who work every day to strengthen justice, expand opportunity, and make sure every Virginian is truly seen and heard. That commitment guides our work in this administration," said Attorney General Jay Jones. "We fight for justice in this office. But justice only means something if people can feel it in their lives. So, as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we reaffirm our promise to building a Commonwealth where equality, opportunity, and justice truly belong to everyone.
Community Outreach
The Office of the Attorney General's Outreach team is the local point of contact for communities across the Commonwealth. Coordinators and Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) connect with residents and local leaders, educating and informing Virginians on the resources and work being done by the Office.
TRIAD is a cooperative effort of law enforcement agencies, senior citizens, and senior organizations, focused on reducing crimes against seniors and the OAG's CLOs work closely with TRIAD chapters across the state. CLO Taylor Davis tabled with the Chesterfield TRIAD at an area farmer's market and attended the Prince George TRIAD yearly picnic. TRIAD Coordinator, Ben Bickel, and CLO Ajashu Thomas were at the Front Royal/Warren County TRIAD Senior Expo. MFCU CLO Randy Davis updated Petersburg TRIAD on recent MFCU cases and he was joined by CLO Taylor Davis at a Henrico County TRIAD meeting. The Pulaski County TRIAD welcomed CLO Amy Duncan to meeting.
CLO Ajashu Thomas attended the Shenandoah County Fair Senior Day. CLO Lara Bussert tabled at Rockbridge County's National Night Out. CLO William Shackleford spoke at the Southeastern Association of Area Agencies on Aging (SE4A), which represents nine states and had 500 people in attendance. He also participated in the Chesapeake Sheriff's Office & Chesapeake Sheriff's Hope Foundation Senior Support Summit.
October 9, 2026
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Original text here: https://www.oag.state.va.us/media-center/news-releases/3136-what-virginians-are-seeing-attorney-general-jay-jones-shares-weekly-roundup-of-actions-taken-17
N.J. A.G. Davenport Sues to Regain Funding for Unemployment System Improvements
TRENTON, New Jersey, Oct. 10 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release:
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AG Davenport Sues to Regain Funding for Unemployment System Improvements
Trump Administration Unlawfully Terminated Funding for Improving Unemployment Insurance
October 9, 2026
TRENTON -- Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and a coalition of 13 other states filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) unlawful decision to terminate millions of dollars in funding for preventing fraud and implementing improvements in New Jersey and other states' unemployment ... Show Full Article TRENTON, New Jersey, Oct. 10 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release: * * * AG Davenport Sues to Regain Funding for Unemployment System Improvements Trump Administration Unlawfully Terminated Funding for Improving Unemployment Insurance October 9, 2026 TRENTON -- Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and a coalition of 13 other states filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) unlawful decision to terminate millions of dollars in funding for preventing fraud and implementing improvements in New Jersey and other states' unemploymentinsurance systems.
"Accessing government services shouldn't be a chore, and here in New Jersey we're working hard to make government services simpler, faster, and more reliable. But not the federal government. It is cutting off mid-stream important funding for unemployment system improvements," said Attorney General Davenport. "The people of New Jersey deserve services that work when they are needed most, not pointless disruption by the federal government."
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, challenges the DOL's unlawful decision in May 2025 to terminate more than $45 million in plaintiff states' remaining grant funding that was intended to assist states in modernizing unemployment insurance system technology and implementing measures to prevent fraud.
Congress created six different interrelated grant programs as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021, amid the pandemic-related surge in unemployment claims. The goal of the program is to improve the technology used to administer states' unemployment insurance programs to better detect and prevent fraud, promote equitable access, and pay benefits in a timely fashion.
In total, the DOL awarded more than $780 million to states to modernize their unemployment insurance systems.
DOL reviewed and approved project plans under these grant programs and set multi-year agreed-upon performance periods in which the projects were to be completed. Plaintiff states directed hundreds of millions of dollars in grant funding to projects that, once completed, would increase efficiency, help prevent and detect fraud and the improper use of federal unemployment insurance funds, improve resilience when the system experiences surges in claims, and improve the customer experience.
The NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) had three ARPA UI grants terminated in May 2025:
* An ARPA Unemployment Insurance Integrity Grant for $2,609,000 beginning in Fiscal Year 2023
* An ARPA IT Modernization Grant for $11,250,000 beginning in Fiscal Year 2023
* An ARPA Unemployment Insurance Equity Grant for $6,840,000 beginning in Fiscal Year 2023
The ARPA grants were intended to improve the technical system used to make unemployment insurance claims, move it to a cloud-based system, and hire investigatory staff to identify fraud in the unemployment insurance program. With the termination of these grants, NJDOL will be unable to make critical security updates, system improvements, and program expansions.
On May 22, 2025, the Trump Administration's DOL sent letters to the affected states abruptly and unlawfully terminating each grant agreement. The termination letters stated the agreements "no longer effectuate .... priorities for its grant funding." The grant terminations rescinded unexpended funds under the grant agreements, interrupting the unemployment insurance modernization work that the DOL had approved and agreed to fund.
Consequently, approved projects were halted in the middle of the performance periods. States have had to reallocate funding from other sources, scale back project scopes or cancel projects altogether. The terminations have wasted funds and squandered opportunities to increase efficiencies for unemployment insurance system workers, employers, and administrative staff.
In its lawsuit, the coalition argues that the DOL's grant terminations breached the express terms of each of the plaintiffs' grant agreements. The terms of the grant agreements do not allow the DOL to unilaterally terminate the grant projects prior to the end of the performance period simply because the administration has changed its priorities. The coalition also argues the DOL breached the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing by wrongfully imposing new terms and conditions, relying on an erroneous and bad faith interpretation of relevant regulations, relying on an erroneous and bad faith interpretation of authorizing statutes, and by failing to provide plaintiffs with formal notice and an opportunity to object to their grant terminations.
The states are seeking money damages as part of the lawsuit.
This lawsuit was co-led by Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul and Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown. In addition to Attorney General Davenport, the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, and Oregon, as well as the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania, joined the lawsuit.
View Complaint (http://www.njoag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2026-1009_Complaint.pdf)
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Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/ag-davenport-sues-to-regain-funding-for-unemployment-system-improvements/
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AG Davenport Sues to Regain Funding for Unemployment System Improvements
Trump Administration Unlawfully Terminated Funding for Improving Unemployment Insurance
October 9, 2026
TRENTON -- Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and a coalition of 13 other states filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) unlawful decision to terminate millions of dollars in funding for preventing fraud and implementing improvements in New Jersey and other states' unemployment ... Show Full Article TRENTON, New Jersey, Oct. 10 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release: * * * AG Davenport Sues to Regain Funding for Unemployment System Improvements Trump Administration Unlawfully Terminated Funding for Improving Unemployment Insurance October 9, 2026 TRENTON -- Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and a coalition of 13 other states filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) unlawful decision to terminate millions of dollars in funding for preventing fraud and implementing improvements in New Jersey and other states' unemploymentinsurance systems.
"Accessing government services shouldn't be a chore, and here in New Jersey we're working hard to make government services simpler, faster, and more reliable. But not the federal government. It is cutting off mid-stream important funding for unemployment system improvements," said Attorney General Davenport. "The people of New Jersey deserve services that work when they are needed most, not pointless disruption by the federal government."
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, challenges the DOL's unlawful decision in May 2025 to terminate more than $45 million in plaintiff states' remaining grant funding that was intended to assist states in modernizing unemployment insurance system technology and implementing measures to prevent fraud.
Congress created six different interrelated grant programs as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021, amid the pandemic-related surge in unemployment claims. The goal of the program is to improve the technology used to administer states' unemployment insurance programs to better detect and prevent fraud, promote equitable access, and pay benefits in a timely fashion.
In total, the DOL awarded more than $780 million to states to modernize their unemployment insurance systems.
DOL reviewed and approved project plans under these grant programs and set multi-year agreed-upon performance periods in which the projects were to be completed. Plaintiff states directed hundreds of millions of dollars in grant funding to projects that, once completed, would increase efficiency, help prevent and detect fraud and the improper use of federal unemployment insurance funds, improve resilience when the system experiences surges in claims, and improve the customer experience.
The NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) had three ARPA UI grants terminated in May 2025:
* An ARPA Unemployment Insurance Integrity Grant for $2,609,000 beginning in Fiscal Year 2023
* An ARPA IT Modernization Grant for $11,250,000 beginning in Fiscal Year 2023
* An ARPA Unemployment Insurance Equity Grant for $6,840,000 beginning in Fiscal Year 2023
The ARPA grants were intended to improve the technical system used to make unemployment insurance claims, move it to a cloud-based system, and hire investigatory staff to identify fraud in the unemployment insurance program. With the termination of these grants, NJDOL will be unable to make critical security updates, system improvements, and program expansions.
On May 22, 2025, the Trump Administration's DOL sent letters to the affected states abruptly and unlawfully terminating each grant agreement. The termination letters stated the agreements "no longer effectuate .... priorities for its grant funding." The grant terminations rescinded unexpended funds under the grant agreements, interrupting the unemployment insurance modernization work that the DOL had approved and agreed to fund.
Consequently, approved projects were halted in the middle of the performance periods. States have had to reallocate funding from other sources, scale back project scopes or cancel projects altogether. The terminations have wasted funds and squandered opportunities to increase efficiencies for unemployment insurance system workers, employers, and administrative staff.
In its lawsuit, the coalition argues that the DOL's grant terminations breached the express terms of each of the plaintiffs' grant agreements. The terms of the grant agreements do not allow the DOL to unilaterally terminate the grant projects prior to the end of the performance period simply because the administration has changed its priorities. The coalition also argues the DOL breached the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing by wrongfully imposing new terms and conditions, relying on an erroneous and bad faith interpretation of relevant regulations, relying on an erroneous and bad faith interpretation of authorizing statutes, and by failing to provide plaintiffs with formal notice and an opportunity to object to their grant terminations.
The states are seeking money damages as part of the lawsuit.
This lawsuit was co-led by Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul and Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown. In addition to Attorney General Davenport, the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, and Oregon, as well as the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania, joined the lawsuit.
View Complaint (http://www.njoag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2026-1009_Complaint.pdf)
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Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/ag-davenport-sues-to-regain-funding-for-unemployment-system-improvements/
N.H. A.G. Formella: Additional Information in Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation in Bath, N.H.
CONCORD, New Hampshire, Oct. 10 -- New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella issued the following news release:
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October 09, 2026
Additional Information in Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation in Bath, New Hampshire
Concord, NH - Attorney General John M. Formella announces additional information regarding the response by members of the Attorney General's Office and the New Hampshire State Police Major Crime Unit to an officer-involved shooting on October 8, 2026, in Bath, New Hampshire.
On Thursday evening New Hampshire State Police and local police departments responded to a report ... Show Full Article CONCORD, New Hampshire, Oct. 10 -- New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella issued the following news release: * * * October 09, 2026 Additional Information in Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation in Bath, New Hampshire Concord, NH - Attorney General John M. Formella announces additional information regarding the response by members of the Attorney General's Office and the New Hampshire State Police Major Crime Unit to an officer-involved shooting on October 8, 2026, in Bath, New Hampshire. On Thursday evening New Hampshire State Police and local police departments responded to a reportthat Jeanne A. Seto (age 36), was armed and driving to confront a family member with whom she had a dispute. Law enforcement located Ms. Seto's vehicle around 7:04 P.M. on Route 112 heading towards Bath. Despite commands to stop her vehicle, Ms. Seto did not comply. The resulting pursuit concluded after police deployed a spike strip, stopping Ms. Seto's vehicle just south of the intersection of Route 112 and Route 302. When troopers and an officer approached the vehicle, they found Ms. Seto armed with a handgun. During the interaction Ms. Seto suffered gunshot wounds and was then transported to an area hospital where she was later pronounced deceased. The circumstances of who fired and when are still under active investigation.
An autopsy performed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner concluded Ms. Seto's cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds, and her manner of death was homicide. As used by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, homicide is defined as the killing of one person by another.
No law enforcement officers were physically injured during this incident. Officers were wearing body worn cameras at the time of the event, and that footage is being reviewed by investigators. No further information is expected to be provided until the identity of the law enforcement officers using deadly force is/are disclosed following formal interviews, which are expected to occur sometime in the next few weeks. The exact circumstances surrounding this incident remain under active investigation.
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Original text here: https://www.doj.nh.gov/news-and-media/additional-information-officer-involved-shooting-investigation-bath-new-hampshire
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October 09, 2026
Additional Information in Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation in Bath, New Hampshire
Concord, NH - Attorney General John M. Formella announces additional information regarding the response by members of the Attorney General's Office and the New Hampshire State Police Major Crime Unit to an officer-involved shooting on October 8, 2026, in Bath, New Hampshire.
On Thursday evening New Hampshire State Police and local police departments responded to a report ... Show Full Article CONCORD, New Hampshire, Oct. 10 -- New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella issued the following news release: * * * October 09, 2026 Additional Information in Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation in Bath, New Hampshire Concord, NH - Attorney General John M. Formella announces additional information regarding the response by members of the Attorney General's Office and the New Hampshire State Police Major Crime Unit to an officer-involved shooting on October 8, 2026, in Bath, New Hampshire. On Thursday evening New Hampshire State Police and local police departments responded to a reportthat Jeanne A. Seto (age 36), was armed and driving to confront a family member with whom she had a dispute. Law enforcement located Ms. Seto's vehicle around 7:04 P.M. on Route 112 heading towards Bath. Despite commands to stop her vehicle, Ms. Seto did not comply. The resulting pursuit concluded after police deployed a spike strip, stopping Ms. Seto's vehicle just south of the intersection of Route 112 and Route 302. When troopers and an officer approached the vehicle, they found Ms. Seto armed with a handgun. During the interaction Ms. Seto suffered gunshot wounds and was then transported to an area hospital where she was later pronounced deceased. The circumstances of who fired and when are still under active investigation.
An autopsy performed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner concluded Ms. Seto's cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds, and her manner of death was homicide. As used by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, homicide is defined as the killing of one person by another.
No law enforcement officers were physically injured during this incident. Officers were wearing body worn cameras at the time of the event, and that footage is being reviewed by investigators. No further information is expected to be provided until the identity of the law enforcement officers using deadly force is/are disclosed following formal interviews, which are expected to occur sometime in the next few weeks. The exact circumstances surrounding this incident remain under active investigation.
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Original text here: https://www.doj.nh.gov/news-and-media/additional-information-officer-involved-shooting-investigation-bath-new-hampshire
Maine A.G. Office: Additional Statement on Inadvertent Document Release
AUGUSTA, Maine, Oct. 10 -- The Maine Attorney General Office issued the following news release:
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Additional Statement on Inadvertent Document Release
10/09/2026
This was a serious but entirely human error. Immediately upon discovery of the mistake, the office began working to limit any impacts of potential dissemination.
Many of the contents of the document are already public information, contained in public court filings.
Most immediate was to notify families of victims to prepare them for the possibility that some of the inadvertent recipients might choose to publish this information. ... Show Full Article AUGUSTA, Maine, Oct. 10 -- The Maine Attorney General Office issued the following news release: * * * Additional Statement on Inadvertent Document Release 10/09/2026 This was a serious but entirely human error. Immediately upon discovery of the mistake, the office began working to limit any impacts of potential dissemination. Many of the contents of the document are already public information, contained in public court filings. Most immediate was to notify families of victims to prepare them for the possibility that some of the inadvertent recipients might choose to publish this information.
Several news outlets have committed not to further release this confidential information. We take seriously the integrity of confidential information and the impact of this error.
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Original text here: https://www.maine.gov/ag/news-and-library/press-releases/additional-statement-inadvertent-document-release-fri-10092026-1436
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Additional Statement on Inadvertent Document Release
10/09/2026
This was a serious but entirely human error. Immediately upon discovery of the mistake, the office began working to limit any impacts of potential dissemination.
Many of the contents of the document are already public information, contained in public court filings.
Most immediate was to notify families of victims to prepare them for the possibility that some of the inadvertent recipients might choose to publish this information. ... Show Full Article AUGUSTA, Maine, Oct. 10 -- The Maine Attorney General Office issued the following news release: * * * Additional Statement on Inadvertent Document Release 10/09/2026 This was a serious but entirely human error. Immediately upon discovery of the mistake, the office began working to limit any impacts of potential dissemination. Many of the contents of the document are already public information, contained in public court filings. Most immediate was to notify families of victims to prepare them for the possibility that some of the inadvertent recipients might choose to publish this information.
Several news outlets have committed not to further release this confidential information. We take seriously the integrity of confidential information and the impact of this error.
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Original text here: https://www.maine.gov/ag/news-and-library/press-releases/additional-statement-inadvertent-document-release-fri-10092026-1436
Attorney General Jay Jones Celebrates Virginia TRIAD Chapters
RICHMOND, Virginia, Oct. 10 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Jay Jones Celebrates Virginia TRIAD Chapters
Yearly conference concludes with awards for communities serving Virginia's seniors
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RICHMOND, Va. -- Attorney General Jones announced the statewide TRIAD conference, a two-day event bringing together TRIAD chapters across the Commonwealth for informative sessions, networking, and program updates. This year's conference had over 150 attendees and featured breakout rooms and specialist panels, alongside general session offerings. ... Show Full Article RICHMOND, Virginia, Oct. 10 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Jay Jones Celebrates Virginia TRIAD Chapters Yearly conference concludes with awards for communities serving Virginia's seniors - RICHMOND, Va. -- Attorney General Jones announced the statewide TRIAD conference, a two-day event bringing together TRIAD chapters across the Commonwealth for informative sessions, networking, and program updates. This year's conference had over 150 attendees and featured breakout rooms and specialist panels, alongside general session offerings.The 2026 event also featured recognition awards for TRIAD chapters and partners serving seniors across Virginia.
TRIAD is a cooperative effort of law enforcement agencies, senior citizens, and senior organizations, focused on reducing crimes against seniors. The goal of TRIAD is to reduce seniors' fear of crime and victimization by increasing awareness of scams and frauds targeting them, strengthening communication between law enforcement and senior communities, and educating seniors on local and state resources available in their community.
"Virginia's TRIAD chapters make sure our law enforcement agencies, organizations, service providers, and elected officials are in step, showing up for our most vulnerable communities with consistency and care, time and time again. But most importantly, TRIAD brings seniors into these conversations and decision-making processes directly. The work these chapters are doing in our communities empowers our seniors and makes sure we're keeping pace with emerging threats," said Attorney General Jones. "It was an honor to recognize the dedication of our chapters and partners, as they fight to stop the exploitation and victimization of older Virginians."
At this year's TRIAD conference, Attorney General Jones presented eight awards to TRIAD chapters and partners that have championed TRIAD's mission this year.
The Rising Star Award: Recently chartered, the Rockbridge County TRIAD has quickly built an extraordinarily effective, highly visible chapter. Their council--comprising nonprofit directors, law enforcement, educators, and veterans--brings unmatched organization, collaborative problem-solving, and vision to every meeting. Ahead of major initiatives like their joint Valley Program for Aging Services (VPAS) event, this chapter's members leverage deep community connections to solve local challenges and deliver real solutions. Rockbridge County serves as an inspiring reminder of what passionate, community-driven leadership looks like from day one.
Legislative Advocate Award: Senator Saddam Azlan Salim has spent the last year tirelessly advocating for senior communities across the Commonwealth. As the Chief Patron of SB489, Senator Salim took proactive, decisive action against emerging cryptocurrency ATM schemes that increasingly target older Virginians. By introducing critical fraud protections and keeping pace with evolving financial threats, his legislation provides a vital shield for our seniors. We honor Senator Salim for his proactive leadership, dedication to consumer protection, and commitment to keeping Virginia's seniors safe.
Law Enforcement Partner of the Year: The Norfolk Sheriff's Office is instrumental in the daily operation, growth, and success of their local TRIAD chapter. Demonstrating deep commitment to protecting older citizens, Norfolk law enforcement works tirelessly to bridge the gap between public safety officials and the senior community. Their proactive involvement, continuous support, and dedicated resources ensure that local seniors remain safe, informed, and valued. We are honored to recognize Norfolk as our Law Enforcement Partner of the Year for their exemplary service.
Best Yearly TRIAD Event: The Fauquier County TRIAD hosted an extraordinary Fraud Summit in May, empowering older adults to take control of their personal safety. The well-attended event featured dynamic presentations that trained community members to become their own "fraud detectives," providing practical tools to spot and stop modern scams. By delivering high-impact, broad-reaching education aligned directly with core TRIAD values, Fauquier County's Fraud Summit set a high benchmark for community events across the Commonwealth.
Best Service or Program Provided Through TRIAD: The Hanover/Ashland TRIAD delivers exceptional, year-round programming that brings both joy and practical support to local seniors. Their outstanding offerings include the Adopt-a-Senior initiative, Thanksgiving Turkey Dinners, Senior Citizens Police Academies, and personalized home security assessments. Backed by dedicated law enforcement officers, their beautifully organized, fun, and meaningful events foster a deeply connected community. Hanover/Ashland truly sets the standard for compassionate, comprehensive senior care.
Best S.A.L.T. Council Leader / TRIAD Leader: Tameka Paige, of the Roanoke City Sheriff's Office, exemplifies what it means to be a true community leader. Organized, passionate, and relentlessly dedicated, Tameka is the driving force behind the Roanoke City TRIAD. She consistently prioritizes community input, ensures every event runs smoothly, and serves as an invaluable resource to partners across the region. Her leadership makes this TRIAD thrive, and simply put, the chapter could not achieve its immense success without her unwavering commitment to Roanoke's seniors.
The Attorney General's Choice Award: The Wythe County TRIAD exemplifies community engagement and senior empowerment. Consistently averaging over 40 attendees per meeting, this active chapter brings in diverse, insightful speakers who educate and assist local seniors on critical topics. From safety programs to community outreach, Wythe County continuously mobilizes local resources to safeguard its older adults. Their exceptional attendance and relevant programming make them a standout model of service, and we are proud to recognize the Wythe County TRIAD for their dedicated leadership.
The Jim Gilmore Award for TRIAD Excellence: Led by Deputy Ron Kesner, the Orange County TRIAD represents the absolute pinnacle of community partnership. In April, they hosted the massive "Thrive Beyond 55" conference for 247 attendees, alongside crucial educational series on 911 protocols and driving safety. Through active fundraising and grants, they provide life-saving Emergency Wristband IDs, Guardian Alert 911 pendants, and Project Lifesaver devices. Furthermore, their Senior Buddy Program ensures isolated seniors receive regular calls and home visits. Orange County is the ultimate gold standard of TRIAD excellence.
October 9, 2026
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Original text here: https://www.oag.state.va.us/media-center/news-releases/3137-attorney-general-jay-jones-celebrates-virginia-triad-chapters
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Attorney General Jay Jones Celebrates Virginia TRIAD Chapters
Yearly conference concludes with awards for communities serving Virginia's seniors
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RICHMOND, Va. -- Attorney General Jones announced the statewide TRIAD conference, a two-day event bringing together TRIAD chapters across the Commonwealth for informative sessions, networking, and program updates. This year's conference had over 150 attendees and featured breakout rooms and specialist panels, alongside general session offerings. ... Show Full Article RICHMOND, Virginia, Oct. 10 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Jay Jones Celebrates Virginia TRIAD Chapters Yearly conference concludes with awards for communities serving Virginia's seniors - RICHMOND, Va. -- Attorney General Jones announced the statewide TRIAD conference, a two-day event bringing together TRIAD chapters across the Commonwealth for informative sessions, networking, and program updates. This year's conference had over 150 attendees and featured breakout rooms and specialist panels, alongside general session offerings.The 2026 event also featured recognition awards for TRIAD chapters and partners serving seniors across Virginia.
TRIAD is a cooperative effort of law enforcement agencies, senior citizens, and senior organizations, focused on reducing crimes against seniors. The goal of TRIAD is to reduce seniors' fear of crime and victimization by increasing awareness of scams and frauds targeting them, strengthening communication between law enforcement and senior communities, and educating seniors on local and state resources available in their community.
"Virginia's TRIAD chapters make sure our law enforcement agencies, organizations, service providers, and elected officials are in step, showing up for our most vulnerable communities with consistency and care, time and time again. But most importantly, TRIAD brings seniors into these conversations and decision-making processes directly. The work these chapters are doing in our communities empowers our seniors and makes sure we're keeping pace with emerging threats," said Attorney General Jones. "It was an honor to recognize the dedication of our chapters and partners, as they fight to stop the exploitation and victimization of older Virginians."
At this year's TRIAD conference, Attorney General Jones presented eight awards to TRIAD chapters and partners that have championed TRIAD's mission this year.
The Rising Star Award: Recently chartered, the Rockbridge County TRIAD has quickly built an extraordinarily effective, highly visible chapter. Their council--comprising nonprofit directors, law enforcement, educators, and veterans--brings unmatched organization, collaborative problem-solving, and vision to every meeting. Ahead of major initiatives like their joint Valley Program for Aging Services (VPAS) event, this chapter's members leverage deep community connections to solve local challenges and deliver real solutions. Rockbridge County serves as an inspiring reminder of what passionate, community-driven leadership looks like from day one.
Legislative Advocate Award: Senator Saddam Azlan Salim has spent the last year tirelessly advocating for senior communities across the Commonwealth. As the Chief Patron of SB489, Senator Salim took proactive, decisive action against emerging cryptocurrency ATM schemes that increasingly target older Virginians. By introducing critical fraud protections and keeping pace with evolving financial threats, his legislation provides a vital shield for our seniors. We honor Senator Salim for his proactive leadership, dedication to consumer protection, and commitment to keeping Virginia's seniors safe.
Law Enforcement Partner of the Year: The Norfolk Sheriff's Office is instrumental in the daily operation, growth, and success of their local TRIAD chapter. Demonstrating deep commitment to protecting older citizens, Norfolk law enforcement works tirelessly to bridge the gap between public safety officials and the senior community. Their proactive involvement, continuous support, and dedicated resources ensure that local seniors remain safe, informed, and valued. We are honored to recognize Norfolk as our Law Enforcement Partner of the Year for their exemplary service.
Best Yearly TRIAD Event: The Fauquier County TRIAD hosted an extraordinary Fraud Summit in May, empowering older adults to take control of their personal safety. The well-attended event featured dynamic presentations that trained community members to become their own "fraud detectives," providing practical tools to spot and stop modern scams. By delivering high-impact, broad-reaching education aligned directly with core TRIAD values, Fauquier County's Fraud Summit set a high benchmark for community events across the Commonwealth.
Best Service or Program Provided Through TRIAD: The Hanover/Ashland TRIAD delivers exceptional, year-round programming that brings both joy and practical support to local seniors. Their outstanding offerings include the Adopt-a-Senior initiative, Thanksgiving Turkey Dinners, Senior Citizens Police Academies, and personalized home security assessments. Backed by dedicated law enforcement officers, their beautifully organized, fun, and meaningful events foster a deeply connected community. Hanover/Ashland truly sets the standard for compassionate, comprehensive senior care.
Best S.A.L.T. Council Leader / TRIAD Leader: Tameka Paige, of the Roanoke City Sheriff's Office, exemplifies what it means to be a true community leader. Organized, passionate, and relentlessly dedicated, Tameka is the driving force behind the Roanoke City TRIAD. She consistently prioritizes community input, ensures every event runs smoothly, and serves as an invaluable resource to partners across the region. Her leadership makes this TRIAD thrive, and simply put, the chapter could not achieve its immense success without her unwavering commitment to Roanoke's seniors.
The Attorney General's Choice Award: The Wythe County TRIAD exemplifies community engagement and senior empowerment. Consistently averaging over 40 attendees per meeting, this active chapter brings in diverse, insightful speakers who educate and assist local seniors on critical topics. From safety programs to community outreach, Wythe County continuously mobilizes local resources to safeguard its older adults. Their exceptional attendance and relevant programming make them a standout model of service, and we are proud to recognize the Wythe County TRIAD for their dedicated leadership.
The Jim Gilmore Award for TRIAD Excellence: Led by Deputy Ron Kesner, the Orange County TRIAD represents the absolute pinnacle of community partnership. In April, they hosted the massive "Thrive Beyond 55" conference for 247 attendees, alongside crucial educational series on 911 protocols and driving safety. Through active fundraising and grants, they provide life-saving Emergency Wristband IDs, Guardian Alert 911 pendants, and Project Lifesaver devices. Furthermore, their Senior Buddy Program ensures isolated seniors receive regular calls and home visits. Orange County is the ultimate gold standard of TRIAD excellence.
October 9, 2026
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Original text here: https://www.oag.state.va.us/media-center/news-releases/3137-attorney-general-jay-jones-celebrates-virginia-triad-chapters
Ariz. A.G. Mayes Announces Six-Year Prison Sentence in Pima County Organized Retail Theft Case
PHOENIX, Arizona, Oct. 10 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Mayes Announces Six-Year Prison Sentence in Pima County Organized Retail Theft Case
October 9, 2026
TUCSON - Attorney General Kris Mayes today announced that Alexander Ludwig No was sentenced on September 23, 2026, to six years in the Arizona Department of Corrections, followed by three years of probation, for his role in a series of thefts from Lowe's Home Improvement stores in Arizona. He was also ordered to pay $12,880.44 in restitution to the victim.
"Organized retail ... Show Full Article PHOENIX, Arizona, Oct. 10 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Mayes Announces Six-Year Prison Sentence in Pima County Organized Retail Theft Case October 9, 2026 TUCSON - Attorney General Kris Mayes today announced that Alexander Ludwig No was sentenced on September 23, 2026, to six years in the Arizona Department of Corrections, followed by three years of probation, for his role in a series of thefts from Lowe's Home Improvement stores in Arizona. He was also ordered to pay $12,880.44 in restitution to the victim. "Organized retailtheft drives up costs for businesses and consumers and threatens the safety of our communities. My office will hold accountable those who steal from Arizona businesses," said Attorney General Mayes.
Mr. No was originally charged with five counts of Organized Retail Theft, three counts of Attempted Organized Retail Theft, one count of Theft, and one count of Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices for a series of thefts between November 1, 2023, and December 28, 2023. On July 21, 2026, he pleaded guilty to two counts of Organized Retail Theft, one count of Theft, and one count of Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices.
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Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-announces-six-year-prison-sentence-pima-county-organized
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Attorney General Mayes Announces Six-Year Prison Sentence in Pima County Organized Retail Theft Case
October 9, 2026
TUCSON - Attorney General Kris Mayes today announced that Alexander Ludwig No was sentenced on September 23, 2026, to six years in the Arizona Department of Corrections, followed by three years of probation, for his role in a series of thefts from Lowe's Home Improvement stores in Arizona. He was also ordered to pay $12,880.44 in restitution to the victim.
"Organized retail ... Show Full Article PHOENIX, Arizona, Oct. 10 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Mayes Announces Six-Year Prison Sentence in Pima County Organized Retail Theft Case October 9, 2026 TUCSON - Attorney General Kris Mayes today announced that Alexander Ludwig No was sentenced on September 23, 2026, to six years in the Arizona Department of Corrections, followed by three years of probation, for his role in a series of thefts from Lowe's Home Improvement stores in Arizona. He was also ordered to pay $12,880.44 in restitution to the victim. "Organized retailtheft drives up costs for businesses and consumers and threatens the safety of our communities. My office will hold accountable those who steal from Arizona businesses," said Attorney General Mayes.
Mr. No was originally charged with five counts of Organized Retail Theft, three counts of Attempted Organized Retail Theft, one count of Theft, and one count of Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices for a series of thefts between November 1, 2023, and December 28, 2023. On July 21, 2026, he pleaded guilty to two counts of Organized Retail Theft, one count of Theft, and one count of Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices.
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Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-announces-six-year-prison-sentence-pima-county-organized