Michael Carroll News
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.
Federal judge suggests there may be some grounds for delaying Louisiana inmate's execution
A federal judge has partially rejected a motion by the Louisiana attorney general to dismiss death row inmate Jessie Hoffman's lawsuit, which challengers the state’s planned use of nitrogen gas to execute Hoffman for raping and murdering a woman in 1996.
Louisiana charter school: State education agency's takeover of school's governing board 'unlawful'
A Baton Rouge-area charter school is suing the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) for removing the school’s Board of Directors in February, calling the action illegal and unconstitutional.
Federal lawsuit challenges Louisiana's new execution protocols using nitrogen gas
A death row prisoner scheduled to be executed next month has filed a federal lawsuit challenging Louisiana's plans for capital punishment using nitrogen hypoxia, calling the execution method cruel and unusual and shrouded in secrecy.
Appeals court reverses order to reinstate LSU law professor amid legal battle over academic freedom
A Louisiana State University law professor who was suspended after making some expletive-laden political comments in class suffered a setback last week when an appeals court reversed a lower court order to reinstate him.
Louisiana attorney general: Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office's 'sanctuary' policies must end
An Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office consent decree that limits cooperation with federal requests to detain inmates suspected of immigration violations should be dissolved, the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office said in a federal court motion.
Disability rights group seeks to drop lawsuit challenging Louisiana's absentee voter restrictions
A Louisiana advocacy group for the disabled has asked a federal court to drop its voting-rights lawsuit after Disability Rights Louisiana failed to find any instance of officials rejecting a disabled voter’s ballot in November or December of last year.
Victims of New Orleans terror attack sue city, contractors over 'preventable' deaths
Twenty-one victims of the New Year’s Day terrorist attack in New Orleans are suing the city, Police Department and city contractors, alleging that the carnage caused by a speeding pickup truck in the French Quarter could have been prevented.
Judge rejects Louisiana insurance regulators' cease-and-desist order, fines against MMA law firm
The Louisiana Department of Insurance did not have the authority to issue fines and a cease-and-desist order against a Texas law firm accused of massive fraud involving hurricane damage claims, an administrative judge ruled.
Federal jury rejects free-speech allegations in lawsuit filed by St. John Parish environmental activist
A federal jury has rejected allegations by an environmental and racial justice advocate in St. John the Baptist Parish that parish elected leaders violated her free speech rights and the state’s open-meeting law during a public meeting in 2023.
Federal judge: Louisiana's police officer buffer zone law 'unconstitutionally void for vagueness'
A federal judge has barred Louisiana officials from enforcing a new law that creates a no-approach zone around police officers whenever officers tell citizens to back off.
LMU law professor files academic-freedom lawsuit after being relieved of teaching duties
A Louisiana State University law professor is suing LSU after being suspended from his teaching responsibilities for making some humor-laced political comments in class, including phrases such as “F– Landry” and “F– Trump.”
Environmental group sues Port of South Louisiana, export company over alleged unpaid taxes
A company that spearheaded a now-defunct grain elevator project in St. John the Baptist Parish is being sued for failing to make payments in lieu of taxes to the Sheriff’s Office and other public agencies in the parish.