Law and legal issues

Harrisburg's outgoing mayor, Linda Thompson, implored her successor stay out of the bond market, even as Pennsylvania's capital begins to regain credibility in the capital markets.

Fitch Ratings renewed its warning about a potential broader market impact on how it rates unlimited tax GOs should Detroit prevail in bankruptcy in treating its unlimited tax bonds as unsecured.

Build America Mutual Assurance Co., the municipal-only financial guarantor seeking to establish itself in a reviving bond insurance market, this month wrapped $76 million of new general obligation bonds for Michigan issuers to help them overcome the taint of Detroit's bankruptcy.

A Cook County Circuit Court judge rejected Chicago's efforts to trim the size of a $58 million arbitration award won by the private operators of four downtown city and park district-owned parking garages.

A judge dismissed the lawsuit brought by trustees representing a group of investors seeking to block Richmond, Calif.'s eminent domain plan.

North Carolina has cleared the first of two legal challenges over a $215.8 million project to replace the aging Bonner Bridge in the state’s Outer Banks.

Harrisburg, Pa., receiver William Lynch and his team found politics and people more challenging than the daunting numbers when they developed a recovery plan to keep the city out of bankruptcy.

A judgment in a New Jersey civil lawsuit shouldn't impede the ability of the Minnesota Vikings' owners to finance their contribution to a football stadium, a public review found.

Warren Buffett's bond insurance firm Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Corp. made its first appearance in the Detroit bankruptcy as the city filed objections to creditors' requests.

Jefferson County, Ala.'s bankruptcy attorney said a report by Moody's showing that the county's bondholders will have lower recoveries than the county anticipates is "unfair."

A bankruptcy judge confirmed American Airlines’ reorganization plan but its exit from Chapter 11 depends on resolution of the antitrust lawsuit against its merger with US Airways Group.

Columbia, S.C., has promised to spend more than $750 million to settle federal charges related to contaminating local waters with untreated sewage.

Nine states prevailed in arbitration with the tobacco companies in a dispute over the 1998 master tobacco settlement, providing a boost for those with outstanding tobacco bonds.

Owners of some luxury condominiums in Denver residential towers will not be required to pay taxes supporting a $30.5 million bond issue, a judge ruled.

Flint, Mich. will get its third emergency manager within one year after current EM Michael Brown announced Wednesday he is stepping down.

The SEC will investigate the Rhode Island Economic Development Corp.’s $75-million loan guarantee to video-game company 38 Studios, the agency confirmed.

Bond insurer Syncora Guarantee, Inc. will appeal a recent decision by federal Judge Steven Rhodes in Detroit’s bankruptcy, marking the first appeal in the case.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating a $75 million financing by a Rhode Island agency for Curt Schilling's bankrupt video-game company.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder Tuesday dropped his fight against the city's unions and agreed to be deposed in Detroit’s historic Chapter 9 bankruptcy case.

Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf can cover his share of a new $975 million football stadium despite a hefty judgment civil lawsuit, according to a Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority-ordered examination.