Michael Carroll News
High vehicle insurance rates lead Louisiana businesses to press for legal reforms
Louisiana companies facing rising costs for vehicle insurance in recent years have been raising their voices in favor of legal reforms to fight excessive litigation, which they see as essential to making the state’s business climate more friendly.
Testimony details child sexual abuse by former Jehovah's Witnesses leader in New Orleans
A defendant accused of sexually abusing a minor while serving as a Jehovah’s Witnesses leader in New Orleans in the 1990s has acknowledged he had an “inappropriate relationship” with plaintiff Barry Davis, according to newly released court transcripts.
House members pass legal reforms after truckers rally at state Capitol
A series of legal reform bills passed the Louisiana House of Representatives Monday by large margins – the same day truckers descended on the state Capitol to press for relief from some of the highest commercial insurance rates in the U.S.
Lawsuit alleging St. James Parish steered industrial polluters to Black neighborhoods allowed to advance
A federal appeals court has resuscitated a lawsuit alleging that St. James Parish pursued a discriminatory policy of locating air-polluting industrial projects in Black-majority communities of the region known as “Cancer Alley.”
Louisiana in the midst of an oil and gas industry slump, new report concludes
Oil and gas drilling activities in Louisiana jurisdictions and federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico slumped at the beginning of the year despite the Trump administration’s decision to reverse Biden-era leasing and environmental restrictions, a new report found.
Federal judge rules Columbia University student held in Louisiana can be deported
A Columbia University student who is accused of taking part in antisemitic protests and posing a threat to U.S. foreign policy remains in detention in Jena, La., after a federal immigration judge said he could be deported based on U.S. immigration law.
Governor, insurance commissioner divided on key insurance reform measure
A rift between Gov. Jeff Landry and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple over policies to lower insurance rates in Louisiana widened Wednesday as the two elected leaders gave dueling testimony about an insurance bill before lawmakers.
Former U.S. Attorney General Barr urges Murrill to push back against coastal erosion lawsuits
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has rebuffed a request by former U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr to marginalize the legal theory of Louisiana parishes in their coastal erosion lawsuits and to appeal a recent $745 million judgment against Chevron.
Louisiana's legal system ranked among worst in nation in new report on social mobility
Louisiana ranks dead last in people’s ability to get ahead and achieve their version of the American dream, a new report concludes, and a big part of the reason is a low-quality legal system embedded with corruption.
Chevron hit with $744 million jury verdict in coastal erosion lawsuit
A Plaquemines Parish jury’s decision on Friday to hold Chevron USA liable for $744 million in damages for its role in the erosion of Louisiana coastal lands will undermine the state’s energy industry and overall economic growth, critics say.
Louisiana Supreme Court strikes down 2021 law legalizing historical horse racing machines
A 2021 state law legalizing historical horse racing machines is unconstitutional, the Louisiana Supreme Court decided last month in a ruling that critics said will disrupt a key source of revenue for the horse racing industry.
Louisiana voters turn down all 4 ballot measures in defeat for Gov. Landry, fiscal reforms
By nearly 2-to-1 margins, Louisiana voters on Saturday rejected four proposed constitutional amendments, including a fiscal-reform measure championed by Gov. Jeff Landry, apparently wary of expanding the state Legislature’s powers.
University student held at Louisiana facility in court battle to fight deportation
A Columbia University student who was picked up by plainclothes agents, called a threat to U.S. foreign policy and targeted with deportation remains in federal custody in Louisiana, despite a federal judge’s order that his case be transferred to New Jersey.
U.S. Supreme Court hears oral arguments in challenge to Louisiana congressional map
The state Attorney General’s Office and other parties involved in litigation over Louisiana’s congressional map faced off this week in arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court on whether the map represents an unconstitutional “racial gerrymander.”
Louisiana's age-verification law targeting social media companies faces federal court challenge
A tech company association is challenging a 2023 Louisiana law that requires social media companies to verify the ages of users so that minors can’t create accounts on such platforms unless their parents provide permission.
State Supreme Court dismisses lawsuit challenging ballot measure on tax, fiscal reforms
The Louisiana Supreme Court this week dismissed a lawsuit that challenged Amendment 2 on the March 29 ballot, concluding that it neither contained misleading language nor strayed from the requirement that such measures cover a single policy change.
Fifth Circuit overturns injunction blocking execution of Jessie Hoffman
A federal appeals court has overturned an injunction that put Tuesday’s scheduled execution of Jessie Hoffman on hold, potentially clearing the way for the inmate to die at Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola by nitrogen gassing.
Amendment 1 on state ballot would expand attorney discipline powers, use of specialty courts
Louisiana voters this month will determine the fate of a ballot measure that would give state lawmakers more flexibility to create specialty courts dealing with issues such as complex business issues –- something critics say would favor special interests.
Federal judge blocks execution of Jessie Hoffman, but Louisiana's attorney general files emergency appeal
Louisiana’s attorney general has urged the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn a federal judge’s decision to block the execution of inmate Jessie Hoffman, citing concerns that the state’s planned use of nitrogen gas may amount to cruel and unusual punishment.
U.S. Justice Department dismisses 'Cancer Alley' lawsuit against Louisiana chemical plant
A federal lawsuit accusing a synthetic rubber plant in LaPlace of exposing neighbors to unacceptably high cancer risks from the facility’s emissions has been dismissed in a bid by the Trump administration to root out “environmental justice” initiatives.