First Thursday

First Thursday, March 2026

The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments in the case United States v. Hemani. The case deals with whether federal criminal statute 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3), which makes it a felony for an “unlawful user” of a controlled substance to possess a firearm, is constitutional when it is used to prosecute a person who is a marijuana user and who keeps a gun safely secured at home for self-defense. The case will have important ramifications for law enforcement officers as marijuana use is becoming more accepted both recreationally and medicinally. The latest from LRIS (0:04:25) The case (0:06:00) Other cases discussed in the podcast: United States v Daniels (5th Cir. January 2025)https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/23/23-376/284275/20231005143926385_Daniels%20Pet%2010.4.pdf United States v. Cooper (8th Cir. February 2025)https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/us-8th-circuit/116899332.html Cooper v Garland (11th Cir. August 2025)https://media.ca11.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/files/202213893.pdf United States v. Harrison (10th Cir. August 2025)https://www.ca10.uscourts.gov/sites/ca10/files/opinions/010111289347.pdf

First Thursday, February 2026

Employers often try to win disputes by focusing on technical definitions or procedural arguments. They will apply a narrow definition to an employee’s workplace right and reframe the dispute so the protection seems not to apply. All four cases covered in this month’s podcast are examples of this tactic. See how courts decided. The Cases No Weingarten Rights For Arbitration Witness, But Interview Nonetheless Coercive, Fraternal Order of Police, Fort Pitt Lodge No. 1 v. City of Pittsburgh, 57 PPER ¶ 32 (Proposed Decision and Order, 2025). (00:04:36) New Hampshire Supreme Court Rules In Favor Of Corrections Officer Terminated After Raising Staffing And Safety Concerns, Appeal of Cass (New Hampshire Personnel Appeals Board), 2025 N.H. 51, 2025 WL 3466392 (N.H. Dec. 3, 2025). (00:12:45) Court Orders Release Of Internal Affairs Report After Redaction, States Newsroom Inc. v. City of Jersey City, 2025 WL 2202105 (N.J. Aug. 4, 2025) (00:22:30) Firefighter Entitled To Full Paid Military Leave For Forty 24-Hour Shifts, Driscoll v. City of Melrose, 2025 WL 3247580 (Mass. App. Ct. Nov. 21, 2025). (00:32:42)

First Thursday, January 2026, Part 2

In part two of this month’s podcast, Rick offers his predictions for 2026 for three different categories. The economy – boom or bust? (00:02:10) Recruitment and retention – will federal agencies poach local law enforcement officers? (00:14:40) The courts – big changes in equal opportunity. (00:23:37)

First Thursday, January 2026, Part 1

A look back, a look ahead. We took January 1 off for the New Year’s Day holiday, so this First Thursday episode is posting on the second Thursday. We will be posting a bonus episode on the third Thursday (and you thought there were no more Christmas gifts coming). This episode will cover what Rick thinks were the three most important issues in public safety labor relations from 2025. In next week’s episode, Rick will make his predictions for 2026. What’s happening at LRIS? (00:01:24) Big developments in 2025 (00:03:18) Privacy (00:04:08) Melton v. City of Forrest City, 2025 U.S. App. LEXIS 20503 * Hussey v. City of Cambridge, 2025 U.S. App. LEXIS 20858 (1st Cir. 2025) Hedgepeth v. Britton, 2025 U.S. App. LEXIS 21793 (7th Cir. 2025) Recruiting and retention (00:30:30) King County, Decision 13920-A (PECB, 2024) State v. Rhode Island State Labor Relations Board, 333 A.3d 83 (R.I. 2025)Hudson County, 51 NJPER ¶ 61 (2025) San Bernadino County, 49 PERC ¶ 166 (CA PERB 2025) No tax on overtime (00:50:31)

First Thursday, December 2025

We here at LRIS would like to wish everyone a joyous and peaceful holiday season. Here’s what in store for this last First Thursday podcast of 2025: Upcoming seminars from LRIS (00:01:53) The cases: State ex rel. GateHouse Media Ohio Holdings II, Inc. v. Columbus Police Dept., Slip Opinion No. 2025-Ohio-5243 (00:05:02) Big Court Win for PA Firefighters in PTSI Workers Compensation Appeal, Ganley v. Upper Darby Township (Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board), 2025 WL 2967361 (Pa. Commw. Ct. Oct. 22, 2025) (00:15:35) Probationary Employee’s Firing, Union Inaction Not Unfair Practices, Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility, et al., 39 MPER ¶ 6 (MERC 2025) (00:28:15) Pennsylvania State Police Unlawfully Refused To Process Probationary Trooper’s Grievance, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 57 PPER ¶ 17 (PLRB 2025) (00:35:29) Compton Fire Chief’s Retaliatory Fitness Ban Violates California Law, Compton Firefighters, IAFF Local 2216 v. City of Compton, PERB Decision No. 2976-M, 50 PERC ¶ 47 (Cal. PERB Aug. 1, 2025) (00:42:46) Sheriff CBA’s Vacation Cap Provision Trumps Inconsistent Past Practice, Luce County Sheriff & Luce County Board of Commissioners, 39 MPER ¶ 11, 2025 WL 2451349 (Mich. Emp’t Relations Comm’n Aug. 8, 2025) (00:49:27)