Michael Carroll News
Black Lives Matter liability case remanded to Louisiana Supreme Court
First Amendment groups welcomed a U.S. Supreme Court decision earlier this month in a case that involved an injured Baton Rouge police officer’s liability claim in the wake of a violent Black Lives Matter demonstration.
Louisiana apartment owners sue to overturn CDC eviction ban
A trade organization that represents Louisiana landlords is suing the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, arguing the agency has exceeded its authority by imposing a nationwide eviction ban during the coronavirus pandemic.
Insurer loses initial skirmishes in New Orleans coronavirus coverage case
Attorneys for underwriters at Lloyd's of London lost some legal skirmishes earlier this month in a closely watched New Orleans case that will determine whether a restaurant’s business-interruption coverage applies during COVID-19 pandemic.
Critics fear negative effects of sports betting after most Louisiana parishes legalize it
Eighty-six percent of Louisiana’s parishes voted on Nov. 3 to allow sports betting within their borders, leading critics of legalized gambling to warn of over-promised revenue benefits and a rise in youth gaming addiction.
Edwards caps bill aimed at jumpstarting state's oil, gas industry
A House bill that Louisiana oil and gas companies saw as a way to revive their ailing industry was vetoed Wednesday by Gov. John Bel Edwards, who pointed to what he said were shortcomings in its severance tax exemptions.
Federal judge deals setback for California's alligator products ban
A federal judge has snapped back at a California ban on the sales of alligator products, ruling that the California law cannot be enforced while the courts sort out the arguments of plaintiffs who oppose the ban.
Louisiana judge, governor thwart efforts to block private grants to local election officials
Efforts by Louisiana officials to block millions of dollars in private grants from reaching local registrar’s offices have been rebuffed in recent weeks, despite concerns that the funds would be a partisan threat to fair and free elections.
Louisiana's oil industry sees some upsides to election results
Though it faces lawsuits from parishes seeking billions of dollars in compensation for coastal erosion and continuing economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, Louisiana’s energy industry has taken some solace from the Nov. 3 election results.
Personal injury lawyer indicted in federal probe of staged accidents
A sprawling federal investigation into staged vehicle collisions with tractor-trailers in New Orleans saw its first indictment Thursday against a personal injury attorney who was allegedly at the center of widespread insurance fraud.
Louisiana group seeks to topple barriers stopping former prisoners from voting
A Louisiana group of formerly incarcerated people that has urged the Secretary of State’s Office remove voting barriers hopes to avoid litigation through talks set to begin ths week, the group’s attorney said Friday.
Edwards vetoes bill that would check his power to respond to health emergencies
Gov. John Bel Edwards and the state legislature remain at loggerheads over the executive branch’s broad authority to issue regulations and orders to deal with health emergencies such as the coronavirus pandemic.
Plant-based foods firm has a beef with Louisiana law
A plant-based foods company has filed a federal lawsuit against a new Louisiana law that calls for hefty fines on veggie products that use terms such as “burger” or “sausage” in their labels.
Louisiana's Amendment 2 would expand methods to assess oil and gas well
Louisiana voters on Nov. 3 will decide the fate of a constitutional amendment that supporters say will provide a fairer and more accurate way for the state to assess the value of oil and gas wells.
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.