Michael Carroll News
Louisiana property insurance reforms aim to reduce insolvencies, boost claims response
A package of reforms passed by the state Legislature should help property insurers in Louisiana to stay afloat during future hurricane seasons and provide greater peace of mind to policyholders, the state’s insurance commissioner said.
Bid to stop enforcement of new federal horseracing rules 'inappropriate,' judge says
A federal judge has rejected a request by the Louisiana attorney general to stop the enforcement of new horseracing regulations that critics say will saddle racetracks, state racing commissions and others with unconstitutional burdens.
U.S. Supreme Court reinstates Louisiana congressional map in blow to voting-rights groups
The U.S. Supreme Court last week dashed the hopes of voting-rights groups that challenged Louisiana’s congressional redistricting map drawn up by the state Legislature for not including a second majority-Black district.
Trump administration considered Landry for election fraud 'special counsel'
The disclosure during the Jan. 6 Committee hearings this month that state Attorney General Jeff Landry was considered for a “special counsel” post to investigate election fraud in the 2020 election likely won’t hurt his future political aspirations.
New Orleans eatery's insurer must pay COVID-19 business losses, court decides
A Louisiana appeals court has affirmed a New Orleans restaurant’s arguments that its insurer is required to pay for the eatery’s business losses sustained during shutdowns and restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Federal trial unfolds in challenge to mandatory bar association dues in Louisiana
A New Orleans attorney’s civil lawsuit challenging the state requirement that all attorneys pay annual bar association dues to practice their profession entered the trial stage this week in federal district court.
Landry asks U.S. Supreme Court to intervene in Louisiana redistricting battle
The Louisiana Legislature on Saturday ended its special session on congressional redistricting without producing a map with two Black-majority districts, as a federal district judge overseeing litigation about the issue instructed lawmakers to do.
Federal courts force Louisiana Legislature to rethink congressional redistricting map
The outlines of Louisiana’s congressional redistricting map remained in flux Wednesday as the state Legislature opened a special session to reconsider district boundaries after a federal appeals court affirmed a judge’s order to redraw the map.
EPA proposes timetable to settle air emission concerns in 'Cancer Alley' lawsuit
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed an agreement to settle litigation filed by Concerned Citizens of St. John that alleges the agency failed to revise air pollution standards affecting a region of Louisiana dubbed “Cancer Alley.”
Civil litigation reform group urges Gov. Edwards to sign legal advertising bills
Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch (LLAW) is urging Gov. John Bel Edwards to sign two bills passed by the state Legislature this year that aim to restrict deceptive legal advertising.
New Orleans mayor's retention-pay plan for police officers seen as constitutional
New Orleans officials are advancing efforts to retain and recruit police officers in the wake of an advisory opinion issued by the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office concluding that the mayor’s lump-sum pay plan for law enforcement is legal.
Louisiana reforms to protect businesses from having to pay higher UI taxes
Gov. John Bel Edwards has approved a plan to stabilize Louisiana’s unemployment insurance fund, agreeing to increase the fund’s balance to $750 million to ensure businesses won’t have to pay higher taxes to replenish the fund.
Lawsuit challenges East Baton Rouge school officials' redistricting maps
Four plaintiffs have filed a lawsuit against the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board, alleging that the board’s recently approved redistricting maps split precincts in violation of Louisiana law.
U.S. Supreme Court denies Louisiana's bid to suspend climate-change rules
The Louisiana Attorney General’s Office has lost its bid to overturn an appeals court ruling allowing the Biden administration to apply its climate-change rules for calculating the social costs of greenhouse gas emissions (SC-GHG).
Louisiana bill would provide protections for state workers who use medical marijuana
A bill that would protect state employees who use marijuana for medical purposes from discrimination has passed the Louisiana House of Representatives and is now advancing in the Senate as the 2022 session nears its end on June 6.
Louisiana bill seen as creating more employment lawsuit headaches for businesses
A bill that opponents contend would lead to costly legal actions against small business managers who ask about a job applicant’s medical history has passed the Louisiana Senate but seems to be bogging down in the House.
New Orleans council members urge state to halt litigation against storm victims
The New Orleans City Council is calling on the state to stop its practice of filing lawsuits against thousands of Louisiana residents who took part in a home-restoration program in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Shreveport refinery to appeal EPA ruling on renewable fuel blending requirements
A Shreveport refinery has filed an appeal with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to challenge a recent federal Environmental Protection Agency decision revoking the refinery’s previously granted exemption from a requirement to blend renewable fuel with gasoline.
Oral arguments over legality of Louisiana's congressional redistricting map wrapped up
The parties in a federal lawsuit challenging the Louisiana Legislature’s approval of a congressional redistricting map concluded their oral arguments last week, leaving Judge Shelly Dick to decide if the plan illegally dilutes the power of Black voters.
State's high court finds Edwards' COVID-19 orders violated religious freedoms
The Louisiana Supreme Court last week found Gov. John Bel Edwards’ restrictions on places of worship during the onset of the coronavirus pandemic unconstitutional, concluding that the state cannot punish the Rev. Tony Spell for violating those orders.