Meet Harold, the leader of his local Community Watch, whose views on drugs are rooted in moralising and ignorance just like the UK’s drug policy. “Don’t…

A federal appeals court has ruled that states can classify prediction markets like Kalshi as gambling, allowing state regulators to impose oversight. The 3-0 decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, composed of Trump-appointed judges, stemmed from a case in Nevada where regulators sought to shut down Kalshi's platform. The ruling emphasizes that sports event contracts on Kalshi are essentially sports betting, dismissing the company's claims they are financial swaps. Kalshi's spokeswoman argued that CFTC regulations do not prohibit such contracts and urged further legal review. Legal experts predict this decision will likely lead to a Supreme Court case, as it represents a significant victory for state regulatory efforts. The ruling highlights ongoing tensions between federal and state authority in regulating emerging industries, with implications for how prediction markets operate legally across the U.S.

Pornhub parent Aylo agrees to $120 million settlement in class action over child sexual abuse videos on its platform.

Legislature moves to penalize practicing healthcare professions without proper licenses.

A Calgary woman, Samantha Kirkpatrick, says she successfully secured a $13,000 settlement in a civil dispute against a contractor, but alleges that the paralegal she hired to represent her, John McDonald, never transferred the funds to her. Kirkpatrick reports that she initially trusted McDonald, who marketed himself as a qualified paralegal with experience across Alberta and British Columbia and claimed professional affiliations. After the settlement was paid, she says McDonald informed her he had deposited the money into his account but later stopped responding to her repeated attempts to contact him, leaving her without the settlement proceeds. The situation has escalated into formal complaints filed with law enforcement and legal bodies. Calgary police have reportedly opened fraud investigations related to McDonald, with at least one case still ongoing. Additionally, the Law Society of Saskatchewan has launched an investigation linked to his licensing status. Multiple former clients have also come forward with similar allegations involving missing funds, incomplete legal work, and missed deadlines. The case has highlighted significant concerns about the lack of regulatory oversight for independent paralegals in Alberta, where unlike Ontario, there is no formal licensing or compensation fund for clients. Legal experts note that this regulatory gap can leave clients vulnerable if funds are mismanaged or withheld, with limited recourse beyond civil lawsuits or police complaints. Professional associations in Alberta have acknowledged they lack enforcement authority to recover client funds or discipline practitioners effectively. The incident has renewed calls for stronger consumer protections and standardized regulation of paralegals across Canada. Advocates argue that a national framework or province-wide licensing system could help prevent similar disputes and improve accountability in the legal support sector.

Commissioners heard a briefing that prediction-market platforms (e.g., Kalshi, Polymarket) are at the center of litigation over whether the Commodity Futures Trading Commission or state gambling authorities have regulatory authority; presenters warned of risks to state and tribal revenue if preemption is found.

Logan County commissioners discussed directing staff to explore ordinances or regulatory approaches targeting water-intensive businesses such as data centers, while county legal counsel cautioned that a data-center-specific ordinance could be legally vulnerable without broader planning and zoning authority.

The Thistle will open its doors next week after nearly a decade of deadlock over drug laws.

After extensive debate, the Senate committee adopted an amendment raising the statutory cap on Virginia State Bar dues by $100 (to $350) rather than removing the cap entirely; VSB leaders said the change is needed to avoid insolvency and preserve self‑regulation.