Michael Carroll News
Family of man who died after drug overdose in jail cell sues Orleans officials
The family of a man who committed suicide at the Orleans Justice Center (OJC) by overdosing on illegal drugs has filed a federal lawsuit against the Sheriff’s Office and multiple jail personnel, saying they failed to ensure his safety while in custody.
Jefferson Parish resident sues Walmart over injuries sustained in cart collision
A customer at a Walmart store in Donaldsonville is suing the retailer after an employee allegedly pushed several grocery carts into the shopper’s cart, causing her to fall to the floor and sustain bruises, abrasions and other injuries.
Legal settlement aims to clean up wastes at former Geismar fertilizer plant
A billion pounds of hazardous waste collected at a former fertilizer plant south of Baton Rouge will be cleaned up and threats to nearby wetlands reduced as a result of a settlement announced by state and federal officials.
Federal judge lifts order blocking Louisiana chief justice from seeking re-election
An unusual court order temporarily blocking the chief justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court from running for re-election this year was lifted July 13, clearing the way for John Weimer to formally enter the race during the July 20-22 qualifying period.
Louisiana lawsuit challenging Zuckerberg-funded group's election donations gets green light
Louisiana’s legal efforts to prevent the private funding of local election offices is back on track in the wake of the state Supreme Court’s 4-3 decision not to review an appellate court opinion allowing the state attorney’s lawsuit to go to trial.
Louisiana case suggests excusing false-positive drug tests for workers using CBD
Louisiana employers should not reflexively fire workers who fail drug tests when they have been prescribed hemp-based cannabidiol (CBD) oil for medical conditions, the outcome of a federal lawsuit indicates.
Federal judge dismisses Lafayette's motion in inter-parish battle over levee project
St. Martin Parish has won an initial skirmish in its legal battle against Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG) over the legality of LCG’s removal of an earthen levee on the St. Martin side of the Vermilion Bayou in a bid to improve storm water flow.
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.