Michael Carroll News
Lake Charles now leads nation in federal insurance lawsuit filings
The storm-battered Lake Charles region of Louisiana has become the epicenter of federal insurance-related lawsuits for 2021-2022, according to a new study by a nonpartisan research center in New York.
Louisiana high court rejects extending non-unanimous jury ban retroactively
In a ruling that denies new trials to at least 1,000 inmates convicted by split-jury decisions, the Louisiana Supreme Court has refused to extend a ban on non-unanimous jury verdicts to apply retroactively in serious criminal cases.
State courts should try coastal erosion lawsuits against oil companies, Fifth Circuit decides
The civil lawsuits filed by parishes seeking billions of dollars from Louisiana energy companies for their alleged role in coastal erosion should be decided in state rather than federal courts, a federal appeals court has decided.
Lawsuit alleging social media-White House collusion expands to 47 defendants
A lawsuit spearheaded by the Louisiana and Missouri attorneys general’s offices that alleges a “massive, sprawling” campaign of collusion between the federal government and social media companies has expanded to include 47 defendants.
Reform of industrial tax break system boosts revenues flowing to parishes, study finds
Changes to Louisiana’s process for approving industrial tax exemptions have led to annual revenue increases for schools, law enforcement and other local services to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars, a new economic study concluded.
Challenge to Louisiana's sales tax system heads to Fifth Circuit
The New Orleans-based Pelican Institute and other groups have appealed a federal district court ruling earlier this year that dismissed a challenge to Louisiana’s sales tax system as unconstitutional, overly burdensome for businesses and convoluted.
Louisiana treasurer pulls $794 million out of BlackRock in protest over green energy policy
Louisiana is pulling nearly $800 million in state treasury funds out of the investment firm BlackRock Inc. to protest its green energy commitments, joining several other Republican-leaning states that see Blackrock as a threat to the oil and gas industry.
Fishing industry officials plan lawsuit over impact of Louisiana wetlands restoration efforts
Louisiana fishing industry officials who fear the loss of their livelihoods are vowing to sue the state’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority over its planned $2 billion wetlands restoration project south of New Orleans.
Infant formula maker sued in wake of death of Louisiana preterm infant
A Pointe Coupee Parish resident whose preterm infant died in the hospital after being fed cow’s-milk-based infant formula is suing the maker of Enfamil, arguing that the formula caused the baby to suffer from necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
Insurance costs among concerns aired during Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week
Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week, which is observed in Louisiana and other regions of the U.S. during the first week of October, this year highlighted the need for more legal reforms in Louisiana at a time when the cost of property insurance is ballooning.
Federal energy permitting reforms pulled after Landry leads opposition campaign
Attorney General Jeff Landry is claiming a legal win for Louisiana residents after leading a coalition of 18 states to block federal energy permitting reforms proposed by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia).
Louisiana ranks fourth among all states in waterway toxic pollution releases, study finds
The amount of toxic pollution released into Louisiana rivers and waterways reached 11.3 million pounds in 2020 – the fourth highest annual pollution release among the 50 states, according to a new report published by environmental groups.
Hurricane Ian expected to batter Louisiana's property insurance market
Higher prices for Louisiana policyholders, more insurer insolvencies and a property insurance industry with less capacity to serve homeowner needs may be the cascading impact of the damage caused by Hurricane Ian in Florida, industry observers say.
Landry claims victory, moves to dismiss lawsuit over COVID-19 vaccine rule
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has moved to dismiss a lawsuit against Gov. John Bel Edwards challenging the state’s COVID-19 vaccination rule for schoolchildren, now that the vaccine mandate has been officially rescinded.
Federal judge denies motion to block transfer of juvenile inmates to Angola
A federal judge has denied a motion by Louisiana children’s rights groups to block the state Office of Juvenile Justice (OJJ) and Gov. John Bel Edwards from housing juvenile offenders at Angola State Penitentiary.
Louisiana Citizens seeks 63% rate hike for residential insurance customers
Louisiana Citizens, the state’s property insurer of last resort, is seeking a 63% increase in residential insurance premium rates beginning Jan. 1, 2023, to deal with the fallout from the past two hurricane seasons.
Parties respond to judge's decision overturning Head Start vaccine mandate
The federal government has yet to indicate whether it will appeal a judgment handed down by a Louisiana judge that stops the government’s vaccine mandate for staff and volunteers in the Head Start program for young children.
Panel OKs $95 million deposit for victims of 1983 Tangipahoa Parish flooding
A joint legislative committee last week approved a $95 million allocation for the victims of a 1983 flood in the Baton Rouge area that was blamed by numerous courts on the construction of Interstate 12 in southeastern Louisiana.
State judge vacates 14 air permits needed to develop plastics complex in St. James Parish
A Louisiana district judge has reversed state environmental regulators’ decision to issue 14 air permits that were key to the development of a 2,400-acre plastics and chemical manufacturing complex in St. James Parish.
Lawmakers to examine idea of abolishing Louisiana's individual income tax
Louisiana lawmakers have begun to take a holistic look at the state’s tax system, with a vow to make recommendations that may include the elimination of the state’s income tax levied on both individuals and corporations.