• Updated

The Washington state Supreme Court has brushed aside the final remaining legal hurdle in the way of a $4 billion dividend by Albertsons to its shareholders ahead of a proposed merger with grocery rival Kroger. The Seattle Times reports the state’s highest court declined Tuesday to review a case against the dividend brought by state Attorney General Bob Ferguson. Ferguson had argued that the payment could financially weaken Albertsons and lead to store closures. Albertsons wants to pay the dividend to shareholders ahead of its proposed $25 billion merger with Kroger, which owns QFC and Fred Meyer. Ferguson says he respects the decision but that the merger is far from a done deal.