North Carolina
Judge’s ruling clears way for public high school athletes to profit from NIL
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A judge in North Carolina has cleared the way for the state’s public-school athletes to profit off their fame in a court case involving a high school football player who has committed to play at Tennessee.
Wake County Superior Court Judge Graham Shirley on Tuesday granted a preliminary injunction in the lawsuit challenging the state’s restrictions on athletes cashing in on use of their name, image and likeness (NIL). Rolanda Brandon filed the complaint on behalf of her son, Greensboro Grimsley quarterback Faizon Brandon, who is the nation’s top-ranked recruit in the class of 2026, according to 247Sports.
The lawsuit had named the state Board of Education as a defendant tied to a policy it adopted in June. The injunction would block the board’s prohibition once the judge’s written order is signed.
Family attorney Mike Ingersoll told WRAL-TV of Raleigh that he hopes to draft an order for the judge to sign by the end of the week.
“It’s been a long and hard fight, but we are grateful to God that justice has been served, not only for Faizon but for all public high school students in North Carolina,” Rolanda said in a statement to WRAL and The Charlotte Observer.
The complaint had stated that “a prominent national trading card company” had agreed to pay for Faizon to sign memorabilia before graduation, offering the family “with financial security for years to come.” But North Carolina has been among the minority of states that don’t permit NIL activities such as endorsements for public appearances at camps or autograph signings — all of which have become commonplace at the college level.
That restriction, however, doesn’t apply to private-school athletes such as fellow five-star prospect and Tennessee recruit David Sanders Jr. out of Charlotte’s Providence Day School. Sanders has a website dedicated to selling merchandise with his image.
California
Attorney general: Catholic hospital illegally denied emergency abortion
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California’s attorney general is suing a Catholic hospital, saying that Providence St. Joseph Hospital illegally denied emergency abortion care to a woman whose pregnancy was no longer viable after her water broke 15 weeks into carrying twins.
Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the lawsuit Monday, which was filed that day in Humboldt County Superior Court and details the case of Anna Nusslock. In February, Nusslock was 15 weeks into her pregnancy when her water broke and she was rushed to Providence in Eureka, where she lives.
According to the complaint, Nusslock was told by the doctor at the hospital that they could not provide an abortion “so long as one of Anna’s twins had detectable heart tones, unless Anna’s life was sufficiently at risk.” The doctor recommended she take a helicopter to the University of California, San Francisco for emergency services. But she doubted her insurance would cover the $40,000 cost of the ride.
She asked if she could drive to UCSF, and the doctor advised that if she drove 270 miles (435 kilometers) south, which is about five hours, to San Francisco she would “hemorrhage and die,” according to the complaint. Nussbaum was discharged to Mad River Community Hospital 12 miles (19 kilometers) away, where she received the abortion at a labor and delivery unit that is scheduled to close this month, according to Bonta’s office.
“They broke the law, and we are taking action to make sure they never do it again,” Bonta said at a news conference.
A spokesperson for Providence Hospital, the hospital’s parent company, said in a statement that it was reviewing the complaint.
“Providence is deeply committed to the health and wellness of women and pregnant patients and provides emergency services to all who walk through our doors in accordance with state and federal law,” according to the statement.
Bonta’s lawsuit states that California’s Emergency Services Law prohibits “the kind of patient dumping (Nusslock) experienced and requires all licensed health facilities” with an emergency department provide emergency care to those who need it. The lawsuit alleges violations of state civil rights and unfair competition laws.
Maine
Woman who lost husband and son uses probate process to obtain gunman’s records
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A woman who lost her husband and son in Maine’s deadliest shooting is seeking the gunman’s health and military records through the probate process.
A judge on Tuesday granted Cynthia Young’s petition become a special administrator of Robert Card’s estate to obtain the records for herself, others who lost loved ones, and attorneys preparing lawsuits. The move was not opposed by Card’s son, who is his sole heir.
The records will help parties evaluate legal claims and may help families “understand why the mass shooting occurred and what steps could have been taken to prevent it,” her filing said.
Eighteen people were killed when the 40-year-old Army reservist opened fire on Oct. 25, 2023, at two locations in Lewiston, Maine.
Young lost her husband Bill and her 14-year-old son Aaron at a bowling alley, the first of two locations targeted by Card. The other was a bar and grill that was hosting a cornhole tournament.
An independent commission concluded both the Army Reserve and law enforcement agencies missed opportunities to intervene in the gunman’s psychiatric crisis and initiate steps to seize his weapons before the tragedy.
In the filing, Young said she’s seeking a limited role in obtaining documents surrounding Card. She said it won’t interfere with the family or others if they want to move forward with probate at a later date.
Four law firms are jointly representing 90 plaintiffs, and someone is needed to serve as administrator of the estate to sign necessary releases to get information to investigate claims, Young’s filing said.
The probate hearing was on the same day religious leaders held a service of remembrance and prayer outside the Maine State House, where the names of all of the victims were read aloud.
Faith leaders from 10 denominations offered prayers for healing for the survivors of the shootings and those who lost friends and family members. They also offered up prayers for the family of the gunman.
Judge’s ruling clears way for public high school athletes to profit from NIL
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A judge in North Carolina has cleared the way for the state’s public-school athletes to profit off their fame in a court case involving a high school football player who has committed to play at Tennessee.
Wake County Superior Court Judge Graham Shirley on Tuesday granted a preliminary injunction in the lawsuit challenging the state’s restrictions on athletes cashing in on use of their name, image and likeness (NIL). Rolanda Brandon filed the complaint on behalf of her son, Greensboro Grimsley quarterback Faizon Brandon, who is the nation’s top-ranked recruit in the class of 2026, according to 247Sports.
The lawsuit had named the state Board of Education as a defendant tied to a policy it adopted in June. The injunction would block the board’s prohibition once the judge’s written order is signed.
Family attorney Mike Ingersoll told WRAL-TV of Raleigh that he hopes to draft an order for the judge to sign by the end of the week.
“It’s been a long and hard fight, but we are grateful to God that justice has been served, not only for Faizon but for all public high school students in North Carolina,” Rolanda said in a statement to WRAL and The Charlotte Observer.
The complaint had stated that “a prominent national trading card company” had agreed to pay for Faizon to sign memorabilia before graduation, offering the family “with financial security for years to come.” But North Carolina has been among the minority of states that don’t permit NIL activities such as endorsements for public appearances at camps or autograph signings — all of which have become commonplace at the college level.
That restriction, however, doesn’t apply to private-school athletes such as fellow five-star prospect and Tennessee recruit David Sanders Jr. out of Charlotte’s Providence Day School. Sanders has a website dedicated to selling merchandise with his image.
California
Attorney general: Catholic hospital illegally denied emergency abortion
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California’s attorney general is suing a Catholic hospital, saying that Providence St. Joseph Hospital illegally denied emergency abortion care to a woman whose pregnancy was no longer viable after her water broke 15 weeks into carrying twins.
Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the lawsuit Monday, which was filed that day in Humboldt County Superior Court and details the case of Anna Nusslock. In February, Nusslock was 15 weeks into her pregnancy when her water broke and she was rushed to Providence in Eureka, where she lives.
According to the complaint, Nusslock was told by the doctor at the hospital that they could not provide an abortion “so long as one of Anna’s twins had detectable heart tones, unless Anna’s life was sufficiently at risk.” The doctor recommended she take a helicopter to the University of California, San Francisco for emergency services. But she doubted her insurance would cover the $40,000 cost of the ride.
She asked if she could drive to UCSF, and the doctor advised that if she drove 270 miles (435 kilometers) south, which is about five hours, to San Francisco she would “hemorrhage and die,” according to the complaint. Nussbaum was discharged to Mad River Community Hospital 12 miles (19 kilometers) away, where she received the abortion at a labor and delivery unit that is scheduled to close this month, according to Bonta’s office.
“They broke the law, and we are taking action to make sure they never do it again,” Bonta said at a news conference.
A spokesperson for Providence Hospital, the hospital’s parent company, said in a statement that it was reviewing the complaint.
“Providence is deeply committed to the health and wellness of women and pregnant patients and provides emergency services to all who walk through our doors in accordance with state and federal law,” according to the statement.
Bonta’s lawsuit states that California’s Emergency Services Law prohibits “the kind of patient dumping (Nusslock) experienced and requires all licensed health facilities” with an emergency department provide emergency care to those who need it. The lawsuit alleges violations of state civil rights and unfair competition laws.
Maine
Woman who lost husband and son uses probate process to obtain gunman’s records
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A woman who lost her husband and son in Maine’s deadliest shooting is seeking the gunman’s health and military records through the probate process.
A judge on Tuesday granted Cynthia Young’s petition become a special administrator of Robert Card’s estate to obtain the records for herself, others who lost loved ones, and attorneys preparing lawsuits. The move was not opposed by Card’s son, who is his sole heir.
The records will help parties evaluate legal claims and may help families “understand why the mass shooting occurred and what steps could have been taken to prevent it,” her filing said.
Eighteen people were killed when the 40-year-old Army reservist opened fire on Oct. 25, 2023, at two locations in Lewiston, Maine.
Young lost her husband Bill and her 14-year-old son Aaron at a bowling alley, the first of two locations targeted by Card. The other was a bar and grill that was hosting a cornhole tournament.
An independent commission concluded both the Army Reserve and law enforcement agencies missed opportunities to intervene in the gunman’s psychiatric crisis and initiate steps to seize his weapons before the tragedy.
In the filing, Young said she’s seeking a limited role in obtaining documents surrounding Card. She said it won’t interfere with the family or others if they want to move forward with probate at a later date.
Four law firms are jointly representing 90 plaintiffs, and someone is needed to serve as administrator of the estate to sign necessary releases to get information to investigate claims, Young’s filing said.
The probate hearing was on the same day religious leaders held a service of remembrance and prayer outside the Maine State House, where the names of all of the victims were read aloud.
Faith leaders from 10 denominations offered prayers for healing for the survivors of the shootings and those who lost friends and family members. They also offered up prayers for the family of the gunman.
