Michael Carroll News
Lawsuit alleges Jefferson Parish school board violated open-meetings law
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has sued the Jefferson Parish School Board and its disciplinary review panel in state court, arguing that board personnel violated Louisiana’s open-meetings law.
Landry sues reporter who filed records request about harassment complaints
Attorney General Jeff Landry is suing a newspaper reporter who made a public records request seeking copies of sexual harassment complaints about one of Landry’s lieutenants.
Louisiana trucking industry is in for the long haul on tort reforms
Louisiana’s trucking industry doesn’t expect any instant benefits such as lower vehicle insurance rates and fewer litigation burdens as a result of the Civil Justice Reform Act of 2020 taking effect Jan. 1.
Louisiana energy officials oppose Biden executive orders, halt to oil leases
President Biden’s decisions to revoke the permit for the Keystone XL oil pipeline and halt leasing and permitting on federal lands pose a major threat to Louisiana’s economy and middle-class jobs, industry representatives and many elected officials said.
New polling on attorney advertising hits home in Louisiana; Most people say it is 'annoying'
A new national survey showing 65 percent of Americans see attorney advertising as annoying and an attempt to take advantage of consumers seems to be resonating with legal observers in Louisiana.
Eastern District of Louisiana revamps juror selection system
The federal court in the Eastern District of Louisiana is revamping its jury selection system to better ensure that jurors in civil and criminal cases reflect an accurate cross-section of the population it serves.
'Spotter' in staged big-rig accidents sentenced to 21-month jail term
The first prison sentence has been handed out in the continuing investigation by the U.S. attorney into staged auto accidents designed to defraud trucking companies and insurers.
Civil liberties group backs comedian in Lafayette's lawsuit over fake antifa events
A civil liberties group has filed a legal brief in support of a comedian who is being sued by the Lafayette Consolidated Government after his satirical Facebook posts about fake antifa events caused a commotion and police response.
Tort reform advocates await Louisiana Supreme Court's study of attorney ad reforms
Legislation aimed at making attorney advertising in Louisiana more transparent and less susceptible to misleading claims took effect this month, but tort reform advocates are now waiting for the state Supreme Court to embrace the new rules.
Social worker's lawsuit alleges health agency blocked her bid to help special-needs kids
A New Orleans woman is suing Louisiana Department of Health officials in federal court for rejecting her bid to launch a business aimed at helping special-needs children learn basic life skills.
Louisiana bar owners lose bid to overturn governor's COVID-19 order
A federal appeals court has upheld a coronavirus order issued by Gov. John Bel Edwards that forced traditional bars around the state to stop serving alcohol and food to customers on their premises.
Amite city councilman accused of submitting fraudulent voter applications
An Amite city councilman was arrested on multiple counts of election fraud earlier this month in conjunction with an investigation carried out by the Louisiana attorney general and secretary of state.
PETA sues LSU for records on bird experiments, deaths
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals last month filed suit against Louisiana State University, alleging that LSU failed to respond to PETA’s repeated public record requests for information about bird experiments carried out by a faculty member.
New Louisiana tort-reform law may take a year to affect car insurance rates, supporters say
A landmark Louisiana tort-reform bill aimed at reducing auto insurance costs took effect as the new year unfolded, but supporters say consumers may have to wait another year to see lower insurance bills.
Louisiana prosecutors drop charges against plastics plant opponents
Prosecutors have dropped charges against two Louisiana environmentalists who were accused last year of “terrorizing” after they placed a sealed container of plastic pellets on the porch of a chemical industry lobbyist.
Lawsuit against EPA takes aim at industrial flare pollution
Several environmental groups are suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to review and update its regulations governing industrial flares in a case that could have repercussions for Louisiana’s energy industry.
Dispute between Edwards, lawmakers over his coronavirus orders returned to district court
The Louisiana Supreme Court has sent a dispute between Gov. John Bel Edwards and Republican lawmakers over the governor’s authority to issue coronavirus orders back to the district court.
Sen. Kennedy signs on to bid to challenge election results in swing states
Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy has little to lose in joining with several other Republican U.S. senators to challenge the presidential election results in key swing states, a Louisiana political science professor said Monday.
Federal judge's ruling a defeat for Louisiana landlord advocates
In a defeat for Louisiana landlords, a federal district court judge rejected a request to overturn an eviction moratorium put in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Only the legislature has power to deal with public defender caseload burdens, court rules
The state legislature, and not the Louisiana Supreme Court, must decide whether the state should spend more money and resources on reducing the caseloads of public defenders, the high court decided this month.