A federal judge has twice rejected Michelle Kosilek’s request forelectrolysis, finding that she had not shown a “serious medical need”for the hair removal treatments.

Kosilek’s lawyers filed an amended lawsuit Friday, asking thatprison officials be required to follow recommendations for electrolysisby several doctors. Kosilek is also asking for an independentevaluation by a specialist in gender-identity disorder.

Kosilek was named Robert when convicted of killing his wife, Cheryl,in 1990. Kosilek has undergone hormone therapy and seven electrolysistreatments, and dresses as a woman in an all-male state prison.

State prison officials oppose sex-change surgery, saying it would create security problems.

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BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Supreme Court has upheld a lower courtdecision to toss out a lawsuit aimed at removing tribal video gamingmachines from the Fort Hall Casino.

The lawsuit was filed againstthe state in 2008 by Wendy Knox and Richard Dotson, who argued thegaming machines at the tribal casino violate the Idaho Constitution'sprohibition on gambling. Knox and Dotson say they became compulsivegamblers who lost tens of thousands of dollars, their jobs and home byplaying at the casino.

Fort Hall Casino is located on tribal landand operated by the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. Tribal gaming was approvedby voters as a ballot initiative in 2001.

Seventh District JudgeDarren Simpson dismissed the lawsuit, ruling the eastern Idaho couplelacked standing. The justices unanimously agreed in a ruling issuedFriday.

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In what is believed to be the largest single plaintiff award to dateagainst a tobacco company, a Florida jury awarded $300 million incompensatory and punitive damages to a former smoker who filed alawsuit against Philip Morris USA over her emphysema.

Cindy Naugle, 61, was awarded $56.6 million for past and futuremedical expenses, as well as pain and suffering. The jury from BrowardCounty Circuit Court also levied a $244 million punitive damage awardagainst the tobacco company.

Naugle, who said that she began smoking in 1968 to make herself lookolder, alleged that she would have never started smoking if she hadknown of the potential health effects. The smoker’s lawsuit claimedthat the tobacco companies knew smoking caused a variety of lungdiseases, but kept those side effects hidden.

As a result of smoking for about 25 years, Naugle claimed that shesuffers from emphysema, requires around-the-clock oxygen and isconfined to a wheelchair due to how easily she is winded. The juryfound her to be 10% responsible for her own condition, meaning thatwhile Philip Morris is responsible for all of the punitive damages; itis only responsible for 90% of the compensatory damages.

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• Divorce
• Child Custody
• Parenting Time
• Child / Spousal Support
• Grandparents Rights
• Post Divorce Modification
• Domestic Violence and Restraining Orders

A not guilty plea has been entered for former Vikings first-round draft pick Erasmus James, who is charged with disorderly conduct in a Madison bar fight.

James was arrested last weekend after police says he lost his temper when a bartender refused to serve him after closing time. Police say James punched a friend in the face.

The 27-year-old James stood silently Thursday in Dane County Circuit Court and a not guilty plea was entered for him on the misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge.

James also is charged with felony battery. A hearing on that charge is scheduled for Nov. 30.

As conditions of his release, James isn't allowed to return to the bar or consume alcohol. James' attorney, Steve Mays, declined to comment.

A former Wisconsin standout at defensive end, James played three injury-plagued seasons for the Vikings after being picked 18th overall in 2005. He was traded to Washington last year and played in five games before being cut in December.