First Thursday

The Supreme Court has wrapped up its 2026 docket, and, in this podcast, Rick covers three decisions that impact public safety employees. US v. Hemani (03:19) Margolin v. National Association of Immigration Judges (32:13) Trump v. Slaughter (45:40)

Rick Poulson covers a potpourri of cases from across the country, including two involving police take-home vehicles. Cases: New Mexico Labor Relations Board Finds Police Take-Home Vehicles Policy A Mandatory Subject Of Bargaining, Village of Hatch Police Officers Ass’n v. Village of Hatch, PELRB No. 128-25, 2026 WL 1031973 (N.M. Pub. Emp. Lab. Rels. Bd. […]

The rise of gambling apps has created an multitude of issues, and the public safety labor environment has not been immune from its effects. In this episode of First Thursday, Rick Poulson explores this rapidly growing issue and its implications for public safety agencies. Sparked by both personal observations and a high-profile case involving alleged […]

Upcoming seminars from LRIS (00:01:12) The Cases Court Rejects Late First Amendment Challenge to “Talk My S**t” Termination, Shelton v Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (6th Cir. 2026)(00:02:40) No ULP When Citgy Refused To Make Firefighters Whole For W-2 Errors, Rochester Fire Fighters Ass’n v. City of Rochester, 58 PERB ¶ 4569 (2025)(00:13:16) New Jersey Labor […]

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 […]

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 […]

In part two of this month’s podcast, Rick offers his predictions for 2026 for three different categories.

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 […]

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 […]

Richard Poulson interviews Memphis Police Association President Matt Cunningham about the recent deployment of national guard troops to his city. Cases: Labor Board Rules County Cannot Unilaterally Change Schedule, County of Gloucester, 51 NJPER ¶ 73 (2025) Illinois Labor Board Requires Production of Info Despite “Ongoing Related Litigation,” City of East St. Louis, 42 PERI […]

Rick and labor attorney Jessica Caggiano discuss what is and what isn’t protected speech by a public employee and in the age of social media. How has social media impacted how courts determine what speech is disruptive to the workplace? Rick and Jessica cover bedrock Supreme Court decisions as well as recent court cases that […]

Rick interviews former firefighter and firefighter union leader, Bob Brooks, about his bid to represent Pennsylvania’s 7th district in the congress. They discuss the importance of political involvement by public safety labor and management representatives from all backgrounds. 00:02:16 – What’s next from LRIS 00:05:03 – County Permitted To Assign Probation Officers To Detention Facility [&#8...

Rick is joined again by labor attorney Jesse Bernstein to discuss the no tax on overtime provision from recent budget bill along with the usual roundup of cases. Cases

This month, Rick is joined by Philadelphia labor attorney Jesse Bernstein. The two discuss the following cases: NY Court Precludes Cross Examination Of Police Officers On Civilian Review Board Findings, United States v. Clanton, 763 F. Supp. 3d 261 (E.D. N.Y. 2025). (00:03:36) Bologna v. Krasner, 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 120185 (E.D. Pa. 2025). (00:24:25) […]

FAQs 00:00:49 What’s new with LRIS? 00:01:24 Cases Cook County CO WinsADA Remedy For Unlawful Fitness-For-Duty Exam, Nawara v. Cook Cnty., 132 F.4th 1031 (7th Cir. 2025). 00:03:06 Union President Engaged In Protected Concerted Activity When Sharing Confidential Report, Montana Highway Patrol v. Montana Federation of Public Employees (Jacobs, 2025). 00:14:49 No Due Process Owed […]

0:01:32  What’s new with LRIS. 0:03:20  Seattle Officers Who Attended Jan 6 Rally Cannot Remain Anonymous, John Does 1, 2, 4, & 5 v. Seattle Police Dep’t, 2025 Wash. LEXIS 86 (2025). 0:15:24  Terminated Firefighter’s “Perceived Speech” Claim Triggers First Amendment Protect ions, Vargas v. City of Tracy, 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 31591 (E.D. Cal. […]

Rick and economist Jeremy Crimmel discuss the nation’s economic outlook and what effects tariffs may have on inflation. Cases: State Court Confirms Louisiana Police Association’s Right to Engage in Political Activity, La. State Troopers Ass’n v. State Police Comm’n, 2025 La. App. LEXIS 135 (La. App. 1st Cir. Jan. 30, 2025). Bad Record Keeping Defense […]

In this month’s podcast, Rick discusses an important free speech case involving a fight over a police association’s logo and speaks with police defense attorney Lance LoRusso about a use of force case being decided by the Supreme Court. 00:01:41 — What’s going on with LRIS. 00:02:50 — Union logo free speech case (FOP Pennsylvania […]

This month’s podcast explores the connections between all workers, whether public safety or civilian, federal or state, public or private. Rick Poulson is joined by his colleague Joe Richardson to discuss this with a focus on a recent union-busting case out of Douglas County Colorado. 0: 03:43 – What’s going on with LRIS? 0:06:08 – […]

Happy 2025! The nasty bug that’s spreading across the East Coast hit our podcast host, Rick Poulson. He’s finally recovered enough to record this episode, but please forgive the cough. In this month’s podcast, we go over: Two cases:

Happy holidays to all our listeners. In this month’s First Thursday podcast, Rick covers: Pensions and Politics. What is the Social Security Fairness Act and does it have a chance of being passed? Progressive DAs. Elon Musk has his sights set on them. This month’s cases: Officer’s DWI Arrest Not Exculpatory Evidence, Doe v. City […]

Happy Veteran’s Day and thank you to all who served. Sorry we’re late! This month’s First Thursday should be renamed “Second Monday.” In this month’s podcast, Rick covers two union leave cases and two involving social media posts. The Cases: Gilmore v. Gallego, No. CV-23-0130-PR, 2024 WL 3590669 (Ariz., 2024). Borgelt v. Austin Firefighters Ass’n, […]

LRIS Executive Director Rick Poulson goes over four cases in this month’s podcast, two involving free speech and two on prosecutorial immunity. This month’s cases: Ohio Security Guard’s Facebook “All Lives Splatter” Meme Protected by 1st Amendment, Noble v. Cincinnati & Hamilton Cnty. Pub. Libr., 112 F.4th 373 (6th Cir. 2024). (0:06:46) 7th Circuit Instructs […]

Michael Freeman, Executive Vice President of the New Jersey Police Benevolent Association joins LRIS Executive Director Rick Poulson to discuss Mike’s career in law enforcement labor relations, and the two go over cases involving marijuana use and free speech. This month’s cases: Jersey City Extends Losing Streak Against Police Marijuana Use, Shea v. State of […]

Rick Poulson interviews attorney Tom Gribbin about his career and the unique issues that arise in representing correctional officers. This month’s cases: Court Upholds Award Of Retroactive Sick Leave Benefits For COs, County of Berks v. Teamsters Local 429, 2023 WL 8290257 (Cmwlth. Ct.). City Lawfully Refused To Turn Over Documents During Contract Negotiations, City […]