Michael Carroll News
AG's opinion challenges governor's authority to impose mask mandates for students
The board that oversees K-12 education in the state, and not the governor, has the authority to adopt COVID-19 safety protocols for the state’s schools, an opinion released last week by the Louisiana attorney general says.
Lawsuit alleges East Baton Rouge district turned blind eye to bullying
The family of a middle school student in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System has filed suit against the district, alleging that school officials failed in their obligation to protect the student from repeated bullying and physical attack.
Lawsuit challenges Louisiana decision to cut federal jobless benefits
Six Louisiana residents have filed a lawsuit in East Baton Rouge alleging that the state’s termination of federal unemployment benefits in June was unlawful and urging the court to reinstate them.
Marijuana decriminalization law seen as lowering burdens on Louisiana's justice system
A Louisiana law decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana took effect this past weekend amid hopeful statements from supporters that the policy change would reduce financial burdens on the state’s justice system.
Multi-state opioid settlement could provide lifeline to struggling Louisiana residents
A $26 billion settlement of opioid legal claims announced by attorneys general in 14 states could provide Louisiana with $325 million, raising hopes that more Louisianans struggling with opioid addiction will be able to get treatment.
Louisiana colleges warned against 'coercive' COVID-19 vaccine policies
Louisiana’s attorney general is scrutinizing some colleges’ vaccine policies to ensure they don’t coerce students who object to getting the shot, even as concerns rise about the spread of the Delta variant and the resulting spike in COVID-19 cases around the state.
Louisiana inmate's lawsuit against parole board dismissed, but case may be refiled
A federal judge has dismissed a civil rights lawsuit brought by a 74-year-old Louisiana inmate who was granted parole in March but subsequently claimed to be the victim of retaliation by the state parole board over the press coverage his case generated.
Monroe medical school stands behind its COVID-19 vaccine policy
Allegations by Attorney General Jeff Landry and others that a Monroe medical school is harassing three students who refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine are not accurate, according to the college’s spokeswoman.
Legislative panel looks at funding alternatives for Louisiana courts
A commission set up by the state legislature is taking a holistic look at how the state’s court system is funded, with a focus on whether the system is overly dependent on fines and fees assessed on indigent defendants convicted of crimes.
New Orleans hit with free-speech lawsuit over social media policy
Two New Orleans employees have filed a federal lawsuit against Mayor Latoya Cantrell and the city administrative officer over New Orleans’ social media policy, arguing that it unconstitutionally restricts their free-speech rights.
Louisiana veto-override session fizzles after two days
What was billed as a historic veto-override session ended after only two days as the Louisiana legislature failed to override any of Gov. John Bel Edwards’ vetoes of 28 bills during the 2021 session.
Families of students suspended over BB gun incidents settle with Jefferson Public Schools
The families of two children who were suspended after holding BB guns during online classes last year have settled their federal lawsuits with Jefferson Parish Schools, according to court records.
Appeals court revives bid to overturn Louisiana State Bar's mandatory dues policy
A Fifth District Court of Appeals panel has rekindled a New Orleans attorney’s federal lawsuit that challenges the mandatory dues policy of the Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA).
Louisiana GOP pushing for veto-override session
Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards has now acted on all the legislation that reached his desk this year, but his vetoes of 28 bills are pushing Republicans to consider a veto-override session in the coming weeks.
Personal injury attorney pleads guilty in New Orleans staged-accident probe
The only attorney who has so far been charged in an elaborate staged-accident scheme to defraud insurers and trucking companies has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud.
Lawsuit seeks to block St. Tammany Parish vote on riverboat gambling casino
A Slidell pastor is suing the St. Tammany Parish Council over its decision to ask parish voters whether a riverboat gambling enterprise should be allowed at a site along Lake Pontchartrain.
Civil rights attorney files federal suit against Baton Rouge, alleging retaliation
A professor who represented a Louisiana family in a civil lawsuit against the Baton Rouge Police Department has filed a federal lawsuit against the city, alleging that it retaliated against him for releasing police body-camera footage to the media.
Gulf boat operators allege high-tech fisheries monitoring violates their constitutional rights
Charter vessel operators in the Gulf of Mexico are suing federal regulators for allegedly violating their constitutional rights through a fisheries-monitoring program that mandates 24-hour electronic surveillance of the boats.
Neighborhood security districts seen as lacking accountability in New Orleans bias lawsuit
A federal lawsuit filed by a Black New Orleans resident who accuses police officers of making an illegal, racially motivated traffic stop last year is raising new concerns about quasi-public neighborhood security districts formed under state law.
Louisiana gun-rights group urges override of veto on permitless-carry bill
A Louisiana gun-rights organization is urging the state legislature to override Gov. John Bel Edwards’ veto of a bill that would have allowed residents to carry concealed firearms without paying to obtain a permit.