lawsuit

McKinsey is the latest major American corporation to face legal, financial and public relations peril stemming from its role in the nation's deadly opioid epidemic.

In the lawsuit, R.J. Reynolds contended that it should not have to make payments to the state related to four brands of cigarettes that it agreed to sell in 2014 to ITG Brands.

The 1st District Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal filed by Leon County GOP Chairman Evan Power after a circuit judge rejected the challenge in July.

The 1st District Court of Appeal, with no explanation, issued two orders that denied motions by the Florida Education Association teachers union and other plaintiffs for a rehearing in the case. The plaintiffs in October asked for a rehearing before a three-judge panel or by the full appeals court, a request known as seeking an “en banc” hearing.

An appeals court in Tallahassee this week heard arguments in a mask mandate challenge, after an Alachua County man’s case had been rejected by lower courts.

The lawsuit claims the 70-year-old Miami Beach deli worker was prohibited by the grocery store chain from wearing a mask. He died on April 28.

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 decision, sided with marriage and family therapists who challenged the constitutionality of Palm Beach County and Boca Raton ordinances.

The controversial deal hashed out between the Department of Justice and the maker of Oxycontin provides hundreds of millions of dollars of relief for communities hit hard by the opioid epidemic.

The attorney who brought the lawsuit has drawn national media attention during the pandemic because of public appearances dressed as the grim reaper.

Attorneys for the state filed documents asking an appeals court to deny requests by the teachers union and other plaintiffs for a rehearing in the case.