state attorneys general – State Attorneys General Blog

On August 20, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education published a proposed Accreditation, Innovation and Modernization Rule that includes sweeping changes to the federal regulations governing the recognition and oversight of accrediting agencies under Title IV of the Higher Education Act. The proposed rule largely implements Executive Order 14279, “Reforming Accreditation to Strengthen Higher Education,” which directed the Department to modernize accreditation standards and reduce regulatory barriers. On September 21, 2026, 23 state attorneys general submitted public comment asserting that the proposed rule is likely to lead to harm to institutions of higher education, students and accrediting agencies, including by incentivizing lowered accreditation standards and oversight.

Read the full Alert on the Duane Morris LLP website.

April 24, 2026April 24, 2026 by Duane Morris

State Attorneys General Pen Letter Urging FTC to Combat Hidden Rental Fees

By Christopher Casey, Paul Josephson and Daniel Walworth

Attorneys general from 26 states and the District of Columbia have joined forces to urge the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to adopt a federal rule prohibiting landlords from imposing hidden fees and charges on prospective renters. The coalition of states—led by Colorado, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Tennessee— sent a letter to the FTC on April 13, 2026, calling for decisive action against deceptive rental fee practices that, the states allege, harm consumers nationwide.

Read the full Alert on the Duane Morris LLP website.

April 17, 2026April 17, 2026 by Duane Morris

States Prevail in Live Nation Antitrust Trial: Lessons from the Verdict

By Sean P. McConnell, Christopher H. Casey and Katie Speegle

On April 15, 2026, a federal jury found that Live Nation Entertainment and its Ticketmaster subsidiary violated federal and state antitrust laws. The verdict holds critical lessons for any business relying on vertical integration, exclusive contracts, or data-driven strategies.

The jury concluded that Live Nation unlawfully monopolized multiple live entertainment markets by leveraging its dominant position in concert promotion, venue ownership, and ticketing to foreclose competition. Key evidence showed Ticketmaster controls approximately 86% of primary ticketing at major concert venues, while Live Nation’s promotion arm handles roughly 70%. Internal communications—including references to using a “velvet hammer” against competitors and exerting power over concert-goers by “robbing them blind”—proved particularly damaging.

Read the full analysis on the Duane Morris Antitrust Law Blog.