Between the Lines Blog
Service Animals in Arkansas Schools: What Every Administrator Should Know - Part Two
In a prior installment of this blog post we outlined the law that all Arkansas school administrators should know about service animals. Now we turn to a slightly less clear issue that comes up quite frequently: the difference between service animals and emotional support animals. The Mitchell…
Service Animals in Arkansas Schools: What Every Administrator Should Know (Part 1)
Navigating the ADA, Reasonable Accommodations, and Safety in Practice If you’ve ever had a parent or visitor arrive at your school event with a dog, you’ve probably found yourself asking: What are my legal responsibilities? What questions am I allowed to ask? How do I balance access, safety, and…
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Fall 2025 Meeting Summary
The Mitchell Williams Insurance Regulatory team of lawyers recently attended the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Fall 2025 National Meeting which was held in Hollywood, FL. This summary highlights issues that various NAIC groups addressed. What You Need to Know: …
Storage Tank Enforcement: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Proposed Order/Assessment Addressing Ashland Facility
December 9, 2025
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (“TDEC”) issued a November 5th Order and Assessment (“Order”) to Brockton USA, LLC (“BU”) addressing alleged violations of the Tennessee Underground Storage Tank (“UST”) regulations. See Case No. UST25-0111. The Order provides that BU is a…
Federal Government Poised to Amend Definition of Short-Term, Limited-Duration Insurance … (Again)
On August 7, 2025, the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury (collectively “the Departments”) released a statement that they intend to undertake notice-and-comment rulemaking to reconsider the 2024 amendments to the federal regulatory definition of short-term…
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law Blog
Bacteria Limits/Clean Water Act: South Essex Sewage District/Massachusetts Petition Before the U.S. EPA Environmental Appeals Board
February 16, 2026
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The South Essex Sewerage District (“South Essex”) filed a document before the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) Environmental Appeals Board styled: PETITION FOR REVIEW OF SOUTH ESSEX SEWERAGE DISTRICT’S NPDES PERMIT ISSUED BY REGION 1 (“Petition). South Essex objects to…
Asbestos/OSHA Enforcement: Two Houston, Texas Construction Companies Ordered to Compensate Workers Allegedly Fired for Raising Concerns
February 16, 2026
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) issued a February 12th news release stating that it has ordered Rise Construction LLC and Niko Group LLC to reinstate and compensate two workers who were allegedly fired after raising asbestos concerns during a repair of a hotel. The…
2025 Beaver Lake Watershed Protection Strategy: Beaver Watershed Alliance Announces U.S. EPA Acceptance
February 16, 2026
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Beaver Watershed Alliance (“BWA”) announced in its February newsletter that the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) had accepted the 2025 Beaver Lake Watershed Protection Strategy (“Strategy”). BWA describes the organization’s mission as to: … proactively protect, maintain…
PM2.5/Clean Air Act: Environmental Organizations Notice of Intent to Sue Alleging U.S. EPA Failure to Designate Areas Under 2024 Particulate Matter NAAQS
February 13, 2026
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Environmental Defense Fund and 18 other organizations (collectively, “EDF”) sent a February 10th Clean Air Act Notice of Intent to Sue (“NOI”) to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) alleging failure to designate areas under the 2024 Particulate Matter National Ambient Air…
Illinois River Watershed Partnership: 2025 Annual Report Issued
February 13, 2026
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Illinois River Watershed Partnership (“IRWP”) issued its 2025 Annual Report (“Report”). IRWP describes itself as a: … non-profit that works to improve the integrity of the Illinois River Watershed through public education, outreach, and implementation of conservation and restoration practices…