Michael Carroll News
Federal dollars begin flowing to Louisiana unemployment fund
As state lawmakers work on reforming Louisiana’s unemployment fund, the state agency overseeing the fund has borrowed $4 million in federal funds as of Wednesday to keep the system solvent.
Bill giving legislature more authority over Louisiana emergency orders passes House
A bill to rein in the power of governors to maintain health emergency orders by giving the Louisiana legislature a greater oversight role has cleared the lower house on a 63-to-27 vote.
Justice Hughes files defamation suit against tort reform group's director; Critic says suit attempts to 'chill' speech
State Supreme Court Justice Jefferson Hughes has filed a lawsuit against the executive director of Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch, alleging that she defamed him in a 2019 letter to the editor she authored in The Advocate newspaper.
Lafayette city-parish sues satirist over announcement of fake antifa event
Lafayette Consolidated Government is suing a New York City man over his satirical Facebook post about a fake antifa event at a local mall that resulted in a flurry of calls from frightened residents and a major police response.
Louisiana business groups urge court to keep coastal erosion lawsuits in federal court
The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry has waded further into the litigation between parishes and energy firms over coastal erosion responsibilities, arguing that the issues involved reverberate far beyond the oil and gas industry.
COVID-19 absentee ballot application required for Nov. 3 vote, federal judge rules
Louisianans affected by COVID-19 should be able to request absentee ballots using the same system that was in place during the July and August elections, a federal court judge ruled last week.
Louisiana oil firms seek to overturn panel's ruling on coastal lawsuits
Louisiana energy companies have mounted a challenge over last month’s three-judge panel ruling that concluded lawsuits blaming the industry for coastal erosion belong in state court.
Restraining order sealing evidence in Lafayette fatal shooting case dropped
An order preventing the release of video evidence and other records in the police shooting of an African-American man in Lafayette was dropped this week after attorneys for local leaders and media organizations argued against it in state court.
Louisiana restaurant owners see limited opportunities in Phase 3 reopening
The Louisiana Restaurant Association sees the state’s decision to wade into Phase 3 of its reopening plans as a positive step, though it expects some of the new rules may sow some confusion among the small businesses.
Federal RICO lawsuit filed over staged Louisiana tractor-trailer accident
A Louisiana trucking company that was the victim of a staged auto collision with a tractor-trailer that fraudulently generated bodily injury claims has filed a federal racketeering lawsuit against the conspirators.
Louisiana governor's coronavirus orders facing increased push-back
Gov. John Bel Edwards’ coronavirus restrictions have come under increasing scrutiny in recent weeks, with Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy urging more flexibility for churches and the Pelican Institute for Public Policy favoring a greater role for the state legislature.
Edwards, secretary of state spar over Nov. 3 election plan
Gov. John Bel Edwards and Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin filed final briefs this week in a federal lawsuit that will determine what coronavirus protections will be in place for the Nov. 3 presidential election.
Louisiana business-use car insurance premiums ranked among highest in nation
Louisiana ranked among the five most expensive states for the purchase of business-use vehicle insurance in a recent study, adding to a rising chorus of criticism about the cost of auto insurance premiums in the state.
11 indicted in accident schemes to defraud Louisiana insurers, trucking firms
Eleven more people accused of taking part in staged big-rig accidents designed to generate damages awards against Louisiana insurance and trucking companies have been indicted during a widening federal investigation.
Louisiana coastal erosion lawsuits routed to state courts
A federal appeals court has rebuffed Louisiana energy companies’ efforts to move two parish lawsuits blaming the industry for coastal erosion from state to federal courts.
Secretary of state's November voting plan prompts push-back from governor
Gov. John Bel Edwards has given a thumbs-down to Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin’s emergency plan for the Nov. 3 election, saying the plan falls short of protecting public health during the coronavirus pandemic.
Businesses hopeful about marketing campaign to lure insurers to Louisiana
Louisiana businesses hammered by insurance costs are hopeful that the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry’s campaign to bring more insurers back into the state will lead to economic benefits, LABI reports.
East Baton Rouge mayoral hopeful loses bid to get on ballot
East Baton Rouge City Councilwoman Tara Wicker’s legal battle to put her name on the November ballot as a candidate for mayor-president came to a screeching halt Friday as the state Supreme Court declined to hear her case.
Louisiana secretary of state urged to expand mail voting for Nov. 3 election
Those urging the expansion of mail-in voting in Louisiana during the Nov. 3 presidential election expect the secretary of state to call for some emergency measures in the coming week in light of the coronavirus emergency.
State judge upholds Edwards' coronavirus orders
A Louisiana state judge affirmed Gov. John Bel Edwards’ recently issued coronavirus orders, including a statewide mask mandate, as she rejected plaintiffs’ arguments that the orders amounted to a legal overreach.