skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump announces 'complete blockade' of sanctioned oil tankers to Venezuela; CA's Prop 36 turns one: More in prison, few complete treatment; Caps on nursing education funding threaten TN health-care workforce; OR farmworkers union calls for day of action against ICE tactics.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

House Republicans leaders won't allow a vote on extending healthcare subsidies. The White House defends strikes on alleged drug trafficking boats and escalates the conflict with Venezuela and interfaith groups press for an end to lethal injection.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

States are waiting to hear how much money they'll get from the Rural Health Transformation Program, the DHS is incentivizing local law enforcement to join the federal immigration crackdown and Texas is creating its own Appalachian Trail.

Deadline Day to Opt Out of Federal Opioid Negotiating Class

play audio
Play

Friday, November 22, 2019   

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Cities and counties in Ohio and across the country must decide by today whether they want to be a part of a possible multi-billion-dollar opioid settlement.

In U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, the National Prescription Opiate Litigation is a collection of more than 2,500 lawsuits against manufacturers and others in the drug industry for their alleged roles in the opioid crisis.

The judge set a November 22 deadline for jurisdictions to opt out of a Negotiating Class. Attorney Hunter Shkolnik – of the firm Napoli Shkolnik – is counsel for several Ohio cities and counties, and explains the Negotiating Class makes the possibility of a class settlement more feasible.

"This is really just a first step,” says Shkolnik. “And it's an easier method to help them get to the point where there will be a settlement and then, they can vote whether or not they like the settlement or not. So, that's why I think we're seeing a very small number go the route of opting out."

Some communities opting out are doing so with the intention of pursuing their own legal action against opioid manufacturers.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, nearly 130 Americans die each day from opioid-related drug overdoses.

Shkolnik was lead attorney for Cuyahoga County in the first bellwether trial in national opioid litigation. In October, four drug companies settled with Cuyahoga and Summit counties for $260 million.

He contends the lawyers for this Negotiating Class would only present a settlement offer that is beneficial to the plaintiffs.

"This is a very important step to bring closure to the epidemic affecting cities, towns and counties in Ohio,” says Shkolnik. “We need to bring this litigation to closure; we need to get the compensation where it's needed to treat the people who are addicted. That's the key."

A total sum of a possible settlement has not been determined, however there's an online database that calculates estimates for local governments. For example, it estimates Franklin County's possible allocation could be roughly $3.6 million.

This story was produced in association with Media in the Public Interest and funded in part by the George Gund Foundation.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith said he does not know what was discussed during a Thursday closed-door Statehouse meeting with Vice President JD Vance and Gov. Mike Braun. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

By Kyla Russell for WISH-TV.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the WISH-TV-Free Press Indiana-Public News Service C…


Social Issues

play sound

Rural LGBTQ+ youth in Indiana face greater mental health challenges, but have found ways to build community online, according to a new report…

Social Issues

play sound

By Marilyn Odendahl for The Indiana Citizen.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Indiana Citizen-Free Press India…


Indiana University's summit includes a session about a new Registered Apprenticeship Program aimed at boosting the teacher workforce. (Adobe stock)

play sound

An Indiana-based summit meeting will spotlight how university campuses can help power economic growth across the state. Indiana University hosts its …

Social Issues

play sound

Groups fighting for a free and fair judicial system are speaking out against violence, threats and insults targeting judges in Indiana and across the …

Experts recommend not overscheduling kids in the first few weeks of school because they are often more tired and emotionally drained as they adjust to a new routine. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Indiana families are preparing kids for back-to-school season, and mental-health experts say emotional readiness is just as important as school …

Environment

play sound

The Trump administration's long-term plan for artificial intelligence could have far-reaching environmental impacts across the country. His strategy …

Social Issues

play sound

A public funding mechanism for Seattle elections is up for renewal in next week's election. The Democracy Voucher program was passed 10 years ago…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021