Notable Opinions: Week of July 6, 2026

Contract Pharmacies

A drug manufacturer appealed the denial of a preliminary injunction against a Missouri law barring restrictions on the use of contract pharmacies in the federal 340B drug discount program. The manufacturer argued the law was unconstitutional and preempted by federal law. The district court found it failed to show a likelihood of success or irreparable harm. The appellate court agreed, holding that Missouri’s law only incidentally affected out-of-state transactions, did not discriminate against interstate commerce, and was not preempted by federal law. The court therefore affirmed the district court’s ruling.

Novartis v. Hanaway, 8th Circuit

Conversion Therapy Ban

Licensed counselors appealed the denial of a preliminary injunction against Missouri municipal ordinances that prohibited conversion therapy for minors and barred providers from denying services based on a patient’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The counselors argued the ordinances violated their constitutional rights and sought to block enforcement while the case proceeded. The district court largely denied relief, relying on legal arguments previously accepted by other courts. On appeal, the court found that a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision rejected those same arguments, requiring reconsideration. The appellate court reversed and remanded the case for further proceedings.

Wyatt Bury v. Kansas City, 8th Circuit

Government Data

A news organization appealed the denial of its request under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act for police body-camera and squad-car footage related to a state senator’s burglary arrest. After a prior remand, the district court reconsidered the request based on the circumstances existing before trial, despite the senator’s later conviction and public use of some footage. The Court of Appeals held that approach was reasonable and found the district court’s mootness statement harmless because it still addressed the merits. The court also ruled that the district court properly balanced public disclosure interests against potential harms and affirmed the denial.

Alpha News v. Detroit Lakes, Court of Appeals

See all of the week’s Opinion Digests for the Minnesota Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and the 8th Circuit here.