Michael Carroll News
Over 5,000 Louisianans forced to find new pharmacies due to new state worker contract
A new health care contract for state workers that took effect this month has led to 72 independent pharmacies opting out of the network, forcing more than 5,000 Louisianans to look for other pharmacies to get their medicines, an audit report states.
Adult websites see constitutional concerns in new Louisiana age-verification law
A new Louisiana law that requires pornographic websites to verify the age of state residents seeking access to such platforms will curb adults’ access to constitutionally protected content, according to a trade association.
Pelican Institute won't drop lawsuit challenging Army's now-defunct COVID-19 vaccine mandate
A lawsuit filed by the New Orleans-based Pelican Institute that challenges the Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for U.S. Army members will move forward even after the defense secretary last week rescinded the mandate.
DOJ accuses nursing home owner of misappropriation of funds
U.S. Justice Department officials have filed a civil lawsuit against nursing home owner Bob Dean, accusing him of “misappropriating and misusing the assets and income of four nursing homes in Louisiana” to the tune of $4 million.
Kennedy, Nungesser opt not to enter Louisiana governor's 2023 race
This year’s Louisiana governor’s race underwent a radical reshuffling over the past two weeks as U.S. Sen. John Kennedy and Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser both said they would remain in their current posts and state Sen. Sharon Hewitt entered the fray as a candidate.
Appeals court pulls the plug on planned Jen Psaki deposition in social-media censorship lawsuit
A federal appeals court has blocked a move by the states of Louisiana and Missouri to depose former Biden administration press secretary Jen Psaki in a lawsuit accusing the administration of illegally pressuring social media companies to censor online content.
Louisiana man claims Southwest failed to offer adequate compensation for cancellations
A Marrero, La., man whose Dec. 27 Southwest Airlines flight was canceled during a massive air-travel disruption has filed a class-action complaint against the company, arguing he should have been offered either a refund or alternative flight.
Federal appeals court upholds injunction against administration's vaccine mandate for federal contractors
A federal appeals court has affirmed an injunction against enforcing Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for those who work for federal contractors, providing a legal win for Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry.
FERC affirms Louisiana power customer overcharges by Entergy subsidiary
Federal energy regulators say Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans customers were overbilled by hundreds of millions of dollars, but the utility says no additional refunds are due beyond those already paid out.
Edwards, Louisiana's education superintendent agree to ban TikTok app on state devices
Gov. John Bel Edwards has agreed to a request by Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin to ban the use of the social media app TikTok on all devices under the state’s control, according to a statement released by Ardoin’s office.
Librarian sues Louisiana's lieutenant governor, alleging he improperly removed her from job
A state librarian is suing a potential candidate for governor, Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, in state court, alleging Nungesser fired her after she reported him to the FBI and Louisiana agencies for advancing “questionable contracts.”
Western District of Louisiana becomes 'go-to' location to file lawsuits challenging federal policies
The Western District of Louisiana has become among the most popular federal courts for Republican attorneys general to file litigation challenging the Biden administration on an array of issues, such as climate change and immigration.
Legal sports betting has generated tens of millions in tax revenues for Louisiana since November 2021
Louisiana sports betting wagers and tax revenues have revved up in parishes where it’s legal, with total wagers since November 2021 exceeding $2 billion and tax revenues surpassing $30 million, according to data from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.
Federal appeals court refuses to stay order that sent Louisiana coastal erosion lawsuit to state court
Energy-company defendants in Louisiana’s coastal erosion lawsuits again expressed disappointment after a federal appeals court panel declined to stay its October ruling that sent one of the civil lawsuits back to state court on Plaquemines Parish.
Progressive newcomer elected to Louisiana utility panel, but climate change policies not expected to change
A progressive Democrat who supports actions to curb climate change, expand renewable energy and strengthen the cap on how much investor-owned utilities can extract from ratepayers was elected to Louisiana’s Public Service Commission this month.
Another property insurer set to pull out of Louisiana, prompting concerns about market stability
A Florida-based property insurer with about 36,000 policies in Louisiana is pulling out of the state, raising concerns about the ability of the Louisiana insurance market to absorb the blow.
Transcript of Fauci deposition released as Louisiana, Missouri advance lawsuit alleging federal collusion
A 446-page deposition of President Biden’s chief medical advisor, Anthony Fauci, was released this month as a result of a lawsuit filed by Louisiana and Missouri that could force federal officials to face civil sanctions for infringing on civil rights.
New Orleans police to employ facial recognition technology despite critics' concerns
Amid an increase in violent crime, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) is moving forward on the use of facial recognition software in the wake of the City Council reversing a ban on the surveillance technology earlier this year.
Federal regulators approve LNG facility for Cameron Parish, despite greenhouse gas concerns
Federal energy regulators gave the green light to a liquefied natural gas (LNG) and export plant in Cameron Parish last month, prompting Louisiana environmentalists and local fisheries to express dismay at the anticipated consequences of the project.
Louisiana finishes 7th on latest list of ATRF's Judicial Hellholes
Louisiana finished seventh on the American Tort Reform Foundation’s new Judicial Hellholes report, a slight improvement over last year’s report but an indication to tort reform supporters that more reforms are necessary.