In a ruling that could have a significant impact on proceedings involving failed banks, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has been rebuffed in its attempt to assert a $905 million priority claim against the holding company of the failed Colonial Bank. A federal bankruptcy judge in Alabama has ruled that the bank's bankrupt holding company, Colonial Bancgroup, could not be held liable for the shortfall in the bank's assets.

A federal suit has been filed under Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act stating that Vitaminwater claims by Coca-Cola and a subsidiary are bunk. "Vitaminwater has been marketed as a 'nutrient-enhanced water beverage' that proclaims 'vitamins+water=all you need,'" the 15-page complaint reads. "In truth, Vitaminwater contains 33 grams of sugar." The lawsuit, which claims that Vitaminwater violates the FDA's "jellybean rule," is part of a burgeoning field attacking popular beverages' marketing and labeling.

When she was up for confirmation, Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan provided the Senate with a list of 11 pending cases in which she would recuse because of her participation as solicitor general. In a routine order list issued Friday, Kagan indicated she was not participating in an additional case -- the vaccine liability case of Bruesewitz v. Wyeth, set for argument Oct. 12. But the government's brief in the case is signed by Acting Solicitor General Neal Katyal, so why would Kagan have recused?