Featured Stories
Okla. A.G. Drummond: Tulsa Police Detective Named 2026 Oklahoma Officer of the Year
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Oct. 29 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release:
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Tulsa Police Detective named 2026 Oklahoma Officer of the Year
OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 28, 2026) - Attorney General Gentner Drummond today named Tulsa Police Detective Paula Maker as the 2026 Oklahoma Officer of the Year. Maker was recognized at a ceremony this afternoon in Oklahoma City along with the state's Regional Officers of the Year and more than 40 nominees.
Drummond said Maker's service in the Tulsa Police Department's Child Crisis Unit has been exemplary.
"Detective
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OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Oct. 29 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release:
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Tulsa Police Detective named 2026 Oklahoma Officer of the Year
OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 28, 2026) - Attorney General Gentner Drummond today named Tulsa Police Detective Paula Maker as the 2026 Oklahoma Officer of the Year. Maker was recognized at a ceremony this afternoon in Oklahoma City along with the state's Regional Officers of the Year and more than 40 nominees.
Drummond said Maker's service in the Tulsa Police Department's Child Crisis Unit has been exemplary.
"DetectiveMaker is an outstanding servant leader and most deserving of this honor," Drummond said. "She has investigated some of the most difficult crimes imaginable but never wavered in professionalism or compassion."
For more than a decade, Maker has served with the Tulsa Police Department investigating child homicides, torture, sexual abuse and severe neglect. During the past 18 months, she led a torture and no-body homicide investigation that resulted in multiple life sentences after years of painstaking work, described by prosecutors and the presiding judge as among the most harrowing cases they had encountered.
She has since led additional child torture investigations and a major child sexual abuse case that drew national attention. As the senior detective in her unit, she has mentored six newer detectives and serves on the department's Peer-2-Peer team supporting fellow officers. Despite the weight of the cases she carries, Detective Maker remains one of the kindest and most approachable people in her department -- a steady presence for victims, families and colleagues alike. Maker also was the regional officer of the year for the northeast region of Oklahoma.
Other regional winners recognized for extraordinary public service were:
* Trooper Austin Albrecht, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Northwest Region
* Sergeant John Cruise, Oklahoma Department of Corrections, Southwest Region
* Lieutenant Jake Heath, Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department, Southeast Region
Regional winners were selected by judging panels of city, county, tribal and state criminal justice professionals.
Investigator Jake Carey from the Wagoner County Sheriff's Office was named the Lethality Assessment Protocol Officer of the Year, recognizing his commitment to domestic violence victim safety and trauma-informed use of the LAP screening tool.
The ceremony also recognized K9 officers for the first time. K9 Dash and Handler Sgt. Michael Moore, of the Oklahoma City Police Department, were recognized as Dash was named the K9 Officer of the Year. K9 Vader and Handler Julia Storey from the Hennessey Police Department also were recognized with Vader receiving the Honorable Mention Award.
Drummond created the Officer of the Year program to recognize and celebrate the best and brightest of Oklahoma's remarkable federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement agencies.
Watch Detective Maker's story (https://oklahoma.gov/oag/resources/officer-of-the-year.html).
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Original text here: https://oklahoma.gov/oag/news/newsroom/2026/october/tulsa-police-detective-named-2026-oklahoma-officer-of-the-year.html
N.J. A.G. Davenport Co-Leads States in Defense of Assault Weapons Restrictions Before the U.S. Supreme Court
TRENTON, New Jersey, Oct. 29 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release:
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AG Davenport Co-Leads States in Defense of Assault Weapons Restrictions Before the U.S. Supreme Court
Critical Public Safety Cases to be Heard in December
October 28, 2026
TRENTON -- Attorney General Jennifer Davenport co-led a multistate amicus brief filed in the U.S. Supreme Court today defending the right of states to protect their citizens from the extraordinary lethality of AR-15 platform and similar semiautomatic rifles.
The brief, joined by a coalition of 17 other
... Show Full Article
TRENTON, New Jersey, Oct. 29 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release:
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AG Davenport Co-Leads States in Defense of Assault Weapons Restrictions Before the U.S. Supreme Court
Critical Public Safety Cases to be Heard in December
October 28, 2026
TRENTON -- Attorney General Jennifer Davenport co-led a multistate amicus brief filed in the U.S. Supreme Court today defending the right of states to protect their citizens from the extraordinary lethality of AR-15 platform and similar semiautomatic rifles.
The brief, joined by a coalition of 17 otherstates and the District of Columbia, supports Cook County, Illinois, and the State of Connecticut as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear whether the Second and Fourteenth Amendments allow states to regulate these deadly weapons. The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in two consolidated cases December 2, 2026, with an opinion expected before the current term ends in the summer of 2027. The two consolidated cases are Viramontes v. Cook County and Grant v. Higgins.
"When especially dangerous weapons inflict mass casualties and turn schools, houses of worship, nightclubs, and grocery stores into war zones, states must be able to act to protect the public. That's why we are leading a multistate coalition urging the U.S. Supreme Court to recognize that states have the power to regulate lethal battlefield weapons like AR-15s," said Attorney General Davenport. "Let me be clear: We will do everything in our power to combat all forms of gun violence, including by keeping especially dangerous weapons off our streets."
The amicus brief explains that government regulations of assault weapons are consistent with the Second Amendment because governments have broad authority to regulate weapons that are unusually dangerous and pose a serious public safety threat.
Assault weapons were designed and engineered for military combat to inflict as many devastating injuries and deaths as quickly as possible. They are the most commonly used weapons in mass shootings in the United States. Commonsense assault weapons restrictions are effective in reducing these senseless tragedies.
The amicus brief filed today comes as the Supreme Court is slated to hear argument in two cases involving challenges to assault weapons regulations in Cook County, Illinois, and Connecticut.
Cook County has regulated assault weapons since 1993, and strengthened its existing weapons ordinance with the Blair Holt Assault Weapons Ban in 2006, named after the 16-year-old son of a Chicago police officer who was killed aboard a city bus after school.
Connecticut updated its 1993 assault weapons ban months after the December 12, 2012, Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, where a gunman armed with an AR-15 style rifle murdered 20 children and six educators in under five minutes.
The brief explains that both laws are well within the country's historical tradition of reasonable firearm regulations, the test established by the U.S. Supreme Court in N.Y. State Rifle & Pistol Ass'n v. Bruen. In fact, the legal tradition of regulating unusually dangerous weapons stretches all the way back to the 1300s in England, and this tradition continued through the establishment of English common law and through our Nation's founding.
As the amicus brief argues, states and local jurisdictions have broad authority to enact restrictions on unusually dangerous weapons that pose a serious threat to public safety and public health. These reasonable restrictions include limitations on semiautomatic assault weapons, such as AR-15 and AK-47-style rifles.
Joining Attorney General Davenport and Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell in the amicus brief are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
View Amicus Brief (https://www.njoag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2026-1028_AmicusBrief.pdf)
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Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/ag-davenport-co-leads-states-in-defense-of-assault-weapons-restrictions-before-the-u-s-supreme-court/
N.H. A.G. Formella: Statement on Appeal of Win Win Win LLC - Supreme Court Upholds State's Decision to Revoke Casino Licenses
CONCORD, New Hampshire, Oct. 29 -- New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella issued the following news release:
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October 28, 2026
Statement on Appeal of Win Win Win, LLC: Supreme Court Upholds State's Decision to Revoke Casino Licenses
Concord, NH - Attorney General John M. Formella issues the following statement regarding the New Hampshire Supreme Court's decision in the appeal of Win Win Win, LLC:
The New Hampshire Supreme Court has affirmed the decision of New Hampshire Lottery and Gaming Commission to revoke Concord Casino's gaming licenses as well as the Commission's decision
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CONCORD, New Hampshire, Oct. 29 -- New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella issued the following news release:
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October 28, 2026
Statement on Appeal of Win Win Win, LLC: Supreme Court Upholds State's Decision to Revoke Casino Licenses
Concord, NH - Attorney General John M. Formella issues the following statement regarding the New Hampshire Supreme Court's decision in the appeal of Win Win Win, LLC:
The New Hampshire Supreme Court has affirmed the decision of New Hampshire Lottery and Gaming Commission to revoke Concord Casino's gaming licenses as well as the Commission's decisionto deny a licensing application submitted by a proposed purchaser of Concord Casino. In doing so, the Court found no errors to be made when the Commission, in consultation with the Attorney General's Office, determined that the proposed transaction did not meet the suitability requirements for participation in charitable gaming.
"Charitable gaming in New Hampshire must be conducted with integrity, transparency, and accountability," said Attorney General Formella. "The New Hampshire Department of Justice works in partnership with the Lottery and Gaming Commission to ensure that those seeking to participate in charitable gaming meet the standards required by law. We are pleased the Supreme Court has affirmed the Commission's decisions in this matter, as those decisions were made in furtherance of the Commission's responsibility to ensure that all charitable gaming operators meet the requirements of New Hampshire law."
APPEAL OF WIN WIN WIN - FINAL OPINION (https://www.doj.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt721/files/media/media_document/appeal-of-win-win-win-final-opinion.pdf)
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Original text here: https://www.doj.nh.gov/news-and-media/statement-appeal-win-win-win-llc-supreme-court-upholds-states-decision-revoke-casino
Md. A.G. Brown Joins Defense of Assault Weapons Restrictions Before the U.S. Supreme Court
BALTIMORE, Maryland, Oct. 29 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Brown Joins Defense of Assault Weapons Restrictions Before the U.S. Supreme Court
10/28/2026
Critical Public Safety Cases To Be Heard in December
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BALTIMORE, MD - Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a multistate amicus brief filed in the Supreme Court of the United States today defending the right of states to protect their residents from the extraordinary lethality of AR-15 platform and similar semiautomatic rifles.
The brief, joined by a coalition
... Show Full Article
BALTIMORE, Maryland, Oct. 29 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Brown Joins Defense of Assault Weapons Restrictions Before the U.S. Supreme Court
10/28/2026
Critical Public Safety Cases To Be Heard in December
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BALTIMORE, MD - Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a multistate amicus brief filed in the Supreme Court of the United States today defending the right of states to protect their residents from the extraordinary lethality of AR-15 platform and similar semiautomatic rifles.
The brief, joined by a coalitionof 19 attorneys general, supports Cook County, Illinois, and the State of Connecticut as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments on whether the Second and Fourteenth Amendments allow states to regulate these deadly weapons. The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in two consolidated cases, Viramontes v. Cook County and Grant v. Higgins, on December 2, 2026, with an opinion expected before the current term ends in the summer of 2027.
"Assault weapons have been used in many of our country's deadliest mass shootings," said Attorney General Brown. "Our attorneys successfully defended Maryland's assault weapons ban in federal court. With this brief, we are urging the Supreme Court to apply that same reasoning nationwide and recognize every state's authority to keep these dangerous weapons off our streets."
As the brief explains, states and local jurisdictions have broad authority to enact restrictions on unusually dangerous weapons that pose a serious threat to public safety and public health. These reasonable restrictions include limitations on semiautomatic assault weapons, such as AR-15- and AK-47-style rifles.
Assault weapons were designed and engineered for military combat to cause as many devastating injuries and deaths as quickly as possible. They are the most commonly used weapons in mass shootings in the United States. Commonsense assault weapons restrictions are intended to reduce these senseless injuries and deaths.
Cook County has regulated assault weapons since 1993 and later strengthened its existing weapons ordinance with the Blair Holt Assault Weapons Ban, named after a 16-year-old who was killed aboard a city bus after school.
Connecticut updated its 1993 assault weapons ban months after the December 14, 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, where a gunman armed with an AR-15-style rifle murdered 20 children and six educators in under five minutes.
The brief filed today argues that both laws are well within the country's historical tradition of reasonable firearm regulations, the test established by the U.S. Supreme Court in N.Y. State Rifle & Pistol Ass'n v. Bruen.
Joining Attorney General Brown in the brief are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Joins-Defense-of-Assault-Weapons-Restrictions-Before-the-U.S.-Supreme-Court.aspx
Ariz. A.G. Mayes Announces Distribution of $1.2 Million in Restitution to Veterans Deceived by VetLink Solutions
PHOENIX, Arizona, Oct. 29 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Mayes Announces Distribution of $1.2 Million in Restitution to Veterans Deceived by VetLink Solutions
October 28, 2026
PHOENIX--Attorney General Kris Mayes today announced that veterans misled by VetLink Solutions who filed claims with the Attorney General's Office will begin receiving restitution checks this week, following the Consent Judgment entered earlier this year.
"The Arizona Attorney General's Office is proud to have secured this settlement on behalf of veterans
... Show Full Article
PHOENIX, Arizona, Oct. 29 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Mayes Announces Distribution of $1.2 Million in Restitution to Veterans Deceived by VetLink Solutions
October 28, 2026
PHOENIX--Attorney General Kris Mayes today announced that veterans misled by VetLink Solutions who filed claims with the Attorney General's Office will begin receiving restitution checks this week, following the Consent Judgment entered earlier this year.
"The Arizona Attorney General's Office is proud to have secured this settlement on behalf of veteransin our state," said Attorney General Mayes. "Veterans deserve trusted assistance--not deceptive sales tactics. My office will continue to hold accountable anyone who tries to take advantage of Arizona veterans."
The VetLink Consent Judgment resolved the Attorney General's lawsuit alleging that from January 2019 through March 13, 2024, VetLink Solutions violated the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act. According to the allegations, the company falsely marketed its services and unlawfully charged disabled veterans contingency fees for assistance with filing disability claims with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, despite lacking recognition as a Veterans Service Organization or possessing any legal accreditation required to provide such services. As part of the judgment, VetLink Solutions paid $1,200,000 into a restitution fund available to eligible consumers.
Eligible consumers include veterans who paid consulting fees to VetLink Solutions for assistance with a disability claims between January 2019 and March 13, 2024, and who filed a claim form before the deadline of September 10, 2026. The Attorney General anticipates distributing the restitution this week. If you believe you are eligible and have already submitted a claim, but do not receive your restitution check by mail in the next 14 days, please notify the Attorney General's Settlement Administrator toll free at 866-880-0070, or email at info@azagvetlinksettlement.com.
If you believe you are a victim of consumer fraud or unfair practices, you can file a complaint with the Arizona Attorney General's Office at www.azag.gov/consumer. If you need a complaint form sent to you, you can contact the Attorney General's Office in Phoenix at (602) 542-5763, in Tucson at (520) 628-6648, or outside the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas at (800) 352-8431.
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Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-announces-distribution-12-million-restitution-veterans
Ala. A.G. Marshall Warns Alabamians to Be Cautious When Hiring Professional Engineers via Freelance Websites
MONTGOMERY, Alabama, Oct. 29 -- Alabama Attorney General Steve T. Marshall issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Marshall Warns Alabamians to Be Cautious When Hiring Professional Engineers via Freelance Websites
October 28, 2026
(Montgomery, Ala) - Attorney General Steve Marshall and the Alabama Board for Engineers and Land Surveyors are warning consumers to be cautious when using freelancing websites such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer to hire professional engineers. These platforms permit anyone to advertise their services but may not verify if the advertisers are properly
... Show Full Article
MONTGOMERY, Alabama, Oct. 29 -- Alabama Attorney General Steve T. Marshall issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Marshall Warns Alabamians to Be Cautious When Hiring Professional Engineers via Freelance Websites
October 28, 2026
(Montgomery, Ala) - Attorney General Steve Marshall and the Alabama Board for Engineers and Land Surveyors are warning consumers to be cautious when using freelancing websites such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer to hire professional engineers. These platforms permit anyone to advertise their services but may not verify if the advertisers are properlylicensed. In some cases, bad actors have falsely claimed to be licensed or impersonated licensed professionals by using their professional seals and signatures, and then provided substandard or unsafe work. When an unlicensed person uses someone else's professional seal, it becomes extremely challenging for homeowners, contractors, or local officials to verify who performed the work or whether the work meets safety standards.
"Anyone can claim to be a licensed professional online, and some are counting on you not to check. Before you pay anyone to design, survey, or draw plans for your home, verify their license. It takes minutes and can save you from a costly or unsafe mistake," said Attorney General Marshall.
Hiring an unlicensed person to perform work on your project puts you and your property at risk. Poorly prepared plans or inaccurate surveys can lead to costly construction errors, unsafe conditions, violations of local permitting requirements, and potential civil liability.
Engineers are licensed in the state where they practice, and they can be licensed in multiple states. Before you hire anyone for service, the Board for Engineers and Land Surveyors recommends verifying that the engineer is licensed in Alabama.
"Freelancing websites allow anyone to advertise services such as professional engineering, surveying, architectural, or home design services but may not verify if the person is properly licensed," said Board for Engineers and Land Surveyors Executive Director Rick Huett.
Before you hire anyone for services on a freelancing website, make sure they are who they say they are and that they are qualified to do the work. The easiest way to avoid scams is to contact the engineer directly at his or her place of business and ensure you are dealing with a licensed professional.
You can verify that an engineer is licensed in Alabama by using the "License Search" feature of the Board's website (www.bels.alabama.gov). If you still have doubts, contact the board office directly at 334-242-5568 or toll free at 866-461-7640, and ask to speak with a member of the Board's investigative staff. Likewise, if you believe you have been misled by someone advertising or performing licensed engineering or surveying services, or if you suspect that someone is misusing a professional seal, report it to the Board's investigative staff.
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Original text here: https://www.alabamaag.gov/attorney-general-marshall-warns-alabamians-to-be-cautious-when-hiring-professional-engineers-via-freelance-websites/
Acting Alaska A.G. Mills: Kevin Cuddy Earns the 2026 Attorney General Pro Bono Award
JUNEAU, Alaska, Oct. 29 -- The Alaska Department of Law issued the following news release:
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Kevin Cuddy Earns the 2026 Attorney General Pro Bono Award
October 27, 2026
(Juneau, AK) - Attorney Kevin Cuddy has been honored as the 2026 recipient of the Alaska Attorney General's Pro Bono Award. Each year, the Alaska Attorney General presents this award to a member of the Alaska Bar who provides outstanding pro bono legal representation to victims of domestic violence.
"Kevin Cuddy is an easy choice for this year's award," said Acting Alaska Attorney General Cori Mills. "Kevin has not only
... Show Full Article
JUNEAU, Alaska, Oct. 29 -- The Alaska Department of Law issued the following news release:
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Kevin Cuddy Earns the 2026 Attorney General Pro Bono Award
October 27, 2026
(Juneau, AK) - Attorney Kevin Cuddy has been honored as the 2026 recipient of the Alaska Attorney General's Pro Bono Award. Each year, the Alaska Attorney General presents this award to a member of the Alaska Bar who provides outstanding pro bono legal representation to victims of domestic violence.
"Kevin Cuddy is an easy choice for this year's award," said Acting Alaska Attorney General Cori Mills. "Kevin has not onlyspent a significant amount of his limited free time supporting victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence, but has developed training programs to better support Alaskans. He has even trained attorneys from out-of-state to support this effort. His willingness to put in the effort and his passion for justice, combined with a desire to see victims made as whole as possible following this trauma is truly outstanding."
Kevin Cuddy serves as the pro bono coordinator for Stoel Rives LLP's Anchorage office. In this position, Kevin has supported victims who have applied for legal services from other organizations that may not have had enough resources to support the caseload.
To support victims, Kevin has made use of Alaska Bar Rule 43.6, which allows out-of-state attorneys in good standing to obtain waivers to provide pro bono legal services in Alaska under the supervision of a qualified legal services provider. This means that victims of domestic violence or sexual assault in Alaska have expanded access to legal services. These waivers can be approved quickly and allow Kevin to coordinate out-of-state attorneys, who are looking for trial experience and are willing to help, with victims in need of help.
"Pro bono service is one of the most meaningful and rewarding aspects of our profession because it allows us to use our skills to help people facing some of life's most difficult challenges" said Attorney Kevin Cuddy. "Domestic violence victims desperately need legal assistance to obtain long-term domestic violence protective orders, and I have seen first-hand how these orders can change lives. With the advent of Alaska Bar Rule 43.6, we have been able to bring in Stoel Rives lawyers from the Lower 48 to do more of this important work. It fills a crucial need for domestic violence victims while offering an enriching experience for our lawyers. We look forward to continuing to expand access to legal services for those who need them most."
According to ANDVSA, Alaska's statistics of domestic violence and sexual assault are staggering. A survey through the Justice Center at the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2020 found that nearly 60 percent of women in Alaska experienced intimate partner violence and/or sexual violence in their lifetime. Survivors often need civil legal services to end the violence, including divorce, child custody, and protection orders.
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Original text here: https://law.alaska.gov/press/releases/2026/102726-Cuddy.html
