TEXT ORDER: The Court has reviewed the parties' Joint Status Report (DE 154 ), in which the parties request an additional thirty (30) days from the filing of the Status Report to conclude settlement discussions concerning the remaining claims in this action. The request is GRANTED. The Court will defer further action concerning the class-notice process through September 30, 2026, to permit the parties to conclude those discussions. On or before October 14, 2026, the parties shall proceed as follows. If the parties reach an additional settlement that affects or is intended to be incorporated into the class settlement or proposed class notice, Plaintiffs shall file a renewed or supplemental motion for preliminary approval, a supporting memorandum, a revised proposed class notice, any new or amended settlement agreements, and any fully executed settlement agreements not previously filed. If no such settlement is reached, Plaintiffs shall file a revised proposed class notice consistent with the Court's May 11, 2026, Memorandum Opinion and Order (DE 153 ), together with any fully executed settlement agreements not previously filed. The parties shall also file a joint status report identifying the status of the remaining claims and any outstanding matters that must be resolved before class notice may issue and the final-approval process may proceed.
Any renewed or supplemental motion for preliminary approval shall identify each material change from the settlement previously presented to the Court and address the effect of those changes on the proposed settlement class, settlement consideration, the allocation or use of settlement proceeds, releases, proposed class notice, the Court's prior rulings at DE 94 and DE 119 , and any applicable notice requirements under 28 U.S.C. § 1715.
Except as modified herein, the requirements of DE 153 remain in effect. The limited stay imposed by the Court's March 10, 2026, Order (DE 144 ) remains in effect according to its terms pending further order of the Court.
Signed by the Honorable Joseph Dawson, III on 9/28/2026. (lgib, )