Courts

Leon County Judge John Cooper ruled that Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody had the authority to enter a series of settlements that effectively trumped local lawsuits pursued.

A federal appeals court Thursday cleared the way for eight South Florida hospitals to pursue a lawsuit against a health insurer over payments for emergency-room care.

Industry analysts are skeptical that Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan can win her first fight against a drug industry merger. It will be reviewed by a judge appointed by President Donald Trump.

The lawsuit is one of numerous cases filed in Florida and other states alleging that colleges and universities breached contracts and should be required to refund money to students.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs say they're being denied access to medically necessary treatments. They expect the judge will rule on this case and another suit challenging the state's ban on gender-affirming care for minors at the same time.

U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle heard arguments from an attorney representing the three families in a case that argues they are being stripped of the right to make medical decisions for their children.

While a Supreme Court order continues to ensure the drug is still widely available, the issue returned Wednesday to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals as lawyers for both sides urged the court to act.

The case involves a regulatory issue — whether FDA approval of the abortion pill, and later actions making it more easily available — must be rolled back.

The fraudulent diplomas and transcripts qualified those who purchased them to sit for the national nursing board exam. If they passed, they were able to obtain licenses and jobs, prosecutors said.

A federal appeals court issued an “administrative stay” of a ruling that would have eliminated the requirement that most insurers cover preventive care such as vaccines and cancer screenings.