Legal news, some illegal. All of it interesting
1. Long Island Trash Tawks Litter Bugs
Litter on New York’s Long Island? Fuhgeddaboudit. The town of Babylon’s had enough. It has picked up 250 tons of road trash this year and removed 15K pounds of waste from creeks. You kiss your mother with that litter bug mug? Officials have launched “Operation Clean” to get in everyone’s face and shame them. They’re trying to enjoy nature over here, so they’ve posted litter-bug-shaming signs. They read, “Why are you littering? I am lazy. I don’t care about natural areas. Mommy still cleans up after me. All of the above.” Ouch. If shame doesn’t work, litterers can also face fines of up to $1K for a first-time offense.
2. 97-Year-Old Judge Loses Bid To Get back on Bench
Retirement is not for everyone, and one federal judge – 97-year-old Pauline Newman – is fighting it all the way. Newman, of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Virginia, lost her lawsuit challenging her suspension from the bench. The Federal Circuit benched Newman from the bench last September, saying she showed signs of serious cognitive and physical impairment, though her litigating abilities seem to be just fine. To be reinstated, the Reagan appointee has to sit for court-ordered medical examinations, which she’s refused. Newman argues the process used to suspend her was unconstitutional. This week, the court rejected most of her claims. She says she’ll appeal, natch.
3. Drug Lord Arrested After Wife’s IG Posts – Again
On a luxurious vacation with your spouse? It’s only natural that you post pics of your good fortune on Instagram – especially if the lighting and angles are good. #Blessed, #CouplesGoals. One teensy problem for a wife who proudly posted about trips to Paris, Dubai, the Maldives and Colombia. Her husband is Ronald Roland, an alleged Brazilian drug lord on the run from police for two years. #Manhunt. Authorities used her Instagram posts to track him and #arrest him. It’s not the first time. Roland’s first wife tagged him in a social media post in 2019 – also leading to his arrest.
4. Reconcilable Differences: Jelly Roll v. Jellyroll
Philly’s best wedding band – Jellyroll – has dropped its infringement lawsuit against country music star, Jelly Roll. The party band claimed (and covered), At Last, We Found Love with the name “Jellyroll” in 1980 and felt Crazy in Love (also covered) enough to trademark it in 2010. The lead wedding singer says they Can’t Stop the Feeling (covered) that Jelly Roll’s upcoming tour, which swings through the Northeast – including Philadelphia – caused confusion in the marketplace. Attorneys for the three-time CMT Music Awards winner said, really? Still, Jelly Roll made Jellyroll feel his love, and they reached a settlement. Now All the Single Ladies (covered) line up.
5. No, You Can’t Carry on a Chain Saw
With record breaking travel and crowded airports this month, the TSA expects to intercept a lot more banned items at security check points. While water bottles are probably the most common item confiscated, agents have intercepted everything – including the kitchen sink. So far this year, they grabbed an electric sander, a large (hobby) rocket, saws, deer antlers, ninja throwing knives, machetes, a bag of snakes, samurai swords, tasers, fireworks, and a fake grenade. They’ve also detected more than 1,500 firearms at checkpoints. And if you think business class is expensive, the TSA can fine you almost $15K for carrying heat in an airport.
