The American Trucking Associations filed its final response brief with the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles seeking a summary judgment in its challenge to certain aspects of the Port of Los Angeles clean-truck concession requirements.

ATA charges that certain aspects of the port’s concession requirements violate the federal pre-emption provision that bars state and local entities from regulating motor carrier rates, routes and services.

The Port of Los Angeles is attempting to use its concession requirements to revoke a motor carrier’s authority to provide drayage service in the harbor, ATA stated. ATA also noted that the neighboring Port of Long Beach resolved this issue by replacing its clean-truck plan’s concession requirements with a registration agreement.

The U.S. District Court is scheduled to hear the ATA motion and the port’s cross motion for summary judgment on Jan. 11, with a decision expected shortly thereafter. A trial is scheduled for mid-March.

Mesa Airlines filed for Chapter 11 banktrupcy protection Tuesday, hoping to shed planes it no longer needs.

Mesa's filing is part of broader problems the airline has been experiencing with its operations as demand for air travel fell over the last year because of the economic downturn.

Contract carriers such as Mesa have traditionally been able to maneuver through tough economic times because their revenue is guaranteed through deals with major airlines.

Regional jets are smaller than the planes that large airlines use on most of their routes. They are often used to bring travelers to hub airports, where they can connect with other flights.

During the recession, as big airlines cut seats, Mesa struggled. Mesa currently operates flights as Delta Connection, US Airways Express and United Express.

Flying as United Express, Mesa had about 1.5 percent of Denver International Airport's market share in October.

The state Supreme Court is considering changing Indiana's rules governing advertising by attorneys.

State Trial Court Services Director Tom Carusillo says many of the proposed changes are designed to clarify the rules' language or update the rules to fit modern communications technologies such as the Internet.

He says one proposed change would broaden a rule to allow more attorneys to advertise as specialists if they are certified in a particular field of law.

The Supreme Court's rules committee will be accepting comments on the proposed changes from judges, lawyers and the public until March 1.

A 25-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to setting a fire at a western Massachusetts home that killed two of his neighbors. It was one of nine fires set within hours of one another in the community of Northampton.

Anthony P. Baye was ordered held without bail Tuesday at his arraignment on two counts of murder, arson and armed burglary in Northampton District Court. He has not been charged with the other fires.

Prosecutors said in court that Baye was caught on surveillance video in the area the night of the fires. They said that proves his alibi — that he was visiting his girlfriend — was a lie.

The Dec. 27 blaze killed 81-year-old Paul Yeskie Sr. and his 39-year-old son, Paul Yeskie Jr.

Baye lives in the Yeskies' neighborhood. A woman who answered the phone at the Baye home Tuesday declined to comment.

Rejecting Zacarias Moussaoui’s arguments, federal appeals court Monday upheld Moussaoui’s conviction and prison term.

Roman Polanski will be returning to the courtroom for an overdue hearing for his criminal case later this week. The case could be resolved quickly, the appeals court has suggested, if Roman’s attorneys agree to sentencing in absentia — without Roman physically in court — or Roman drops his opposition to being extradited to the United States. Superior Court spokesman Allan Parachini said Judge Peter Espinoza will hold a hearing for Roman’s case on Wednesday, the Associated Press reports.

Roman is currently under house arrest at his Swiss chalet after he was arrested in late September on a fugitive warrant.

He was accused of raping a 13-year-old girl during a 1977 modeling shoot and was indicted on six felony counts and pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of unlawful sexual intercourse. Roman fled to France the day before his sentencing in 1978 after spending 42 days in a California prison for psychiatric evaluation.

The First Penal Transitory Hall of the Peruvian Supreme Court of Justice ratified on Sunday the sentence of 25-year imprisonment against former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimory, for qualified homicide, killing and grave injuries.

The trial was carried by Judge of the Supreme Tribunal Duberli Rodriguez, as well as by judges Julio Biaggi, Elvia Barros, Roberto Barandiaran and Jose Neyra.

According to a statement of the Tribunal, by unanimity the judges ratified that Fujimori (1990-2000) was the "mediate author of the crimes of qualified homicide and grave injuries."

During the trial, the judges also determined that Fujimori has to pay 62,400 soles (22,285 U.S. dollars) to Marcelino Marcos Pablo Meza and Carmen Juana Marinos Figueroa, each, who are direct relatives of the victims.