Lawsuit challenges state special education hearings (North County Times) SAN DIEGO -- A federal class-action lawsuit filed last week on behalf of a Fallbrook family alleges that state officials who decide disputes between parents and school districts over special education services are unqualified, inadequately trained and side with districts too often. [News Source]

9:10 p.m.: Smith joins plaintiffs in Ockomon lawsuit (The Herald Bulletin) Former Mayor Kevin Smith has signed onto the lawsuit in which five Anderson residents claim Mayor Kris Ockomon was ineligible to take office. David Brooks, attorney for the plaintiffs, filed a petition Feb. 6 to add Smith to the plaintiffs, who filed a lawsuit in late December against Ockomon. [News Source]

Trumbull lawsuit settled for cash, apology (Connecticut Post) TRUMBULL — The world has grown a little greener for Tree Warden Warren Jacques. The town has forked over $300,000, following Town Council consent, to settle a lawsuit Jacques filed in reaction [News Source]

Sex discrimination lawsuit vs. Washington reinstated (CBS Sportsline) An appeals court reinstated a lawsuit against the University of Washington by a woman who claims she was raped by a member of the football team in 2001. [News Source]

Jockey Santos settles libel lawsuit (Fox Sports) Hall of Fame jockey Jose Santos has settled his libel lawsuit against The Miami Herald over an article raising questions about his actions aboard 2003 Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide. Santos' attorney Bruce Rogow says his client is "pleased" with terms of the confidential settlement. Santos sued The Herald for libel in circuit court after the newspaper published a story indicating he may have ... [News Source]

UW Rape Lawsuit Naming Former Football Player Reinstated (KIRO 7 Seattle-Tacoma) SEATTLE -- An appeals court has reinstated a lawsuit against the University of Washington by a woman who said she was raped by Roc Alexander in 2001. The University is accused of sex discrimination. [News Source]

Clemens’ lawsuit moved to federal court (Asbury Park Press) Roger Clemens' defamation lawsuit against former trainer Brian McNamee has been moved to federal court. [News Source]

Judge dismisses lawsuit challenging access point to Allagash (Boston Globe) A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit that sought to invalidate a state law that calls for the state to maintain 11 motor vehicle access points along the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. [News Source]

Victim: $54 million Best Buy lawsuit stupid, but necessary (Ars Technica) Best Buy has been slapped with a $54 million lawsuit after it lost a customer's laptop and strung her along for over half a year before owning up. Still, she claims she has incurred so many costs that Best Buy's offer isn't worth it. Read More... [News Source]

Clemens lawsuit to be heard in federal court (CBS Sportsline) Roger Clemens' defamation lawsuit against former trainer Brian McNamee has been moved to federal court. [News Source]