Michael Carroll News
9 insurers apply for state matching funds to expand Louisiana property insurance coverage
Nine insurers have applied for more than $60 million as part of Louisiana’s matching-fund program to expand the number of property insurance policies they write in the state, the Louisiana Department of Insurance said last week.
New Orleans mayoral recall campaign fails after signature review
The effort to subject New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell to a recall vote officially flat-lined this week as the Governor’s Office announced that nearly 60% of the 67,022 signatures on recall petitions were invalid.
Stanford University under fire after Louisiana-based federal judge is shouted down during campus talk
The president of the Federalist Society chapter at Stanford University has urged school officials to do more to protect free expression on campus after a Louisiana-based federal appeals court judge was heckled and shouted down during a speech this month.
Judge says California gator products ban violates federal law, in win for Louisiana industry
A federal judge has concluded a California law banning the sale of products made from alligators raised in other states, including Louisiana’s wetlands, violates the federal Endangered Species Act, leading Louisiana wildlife officials to claim a legal victory.
Federal lawsuit alleges racial hostility at ExxonMobil's Baton Rouge facility
The federal government has sued ExxonMobil over what attorneys say is a racially hostile work environment at the company’s Baton Rouge energy complex, alleging ExxonMobil didn’t respond adequately to the discovery of nooses in the workplace.
LABI chief resigns post, announces run for Louisiana governor
Longtime CEO of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry Stephen Waguespack has joined the field of Republican hopefuls in this year’s governor’s race, a move that could put more focus on economic issues.
U.S. Supreme Court turns down petition to keep Louisiana coastal erosion lawsuits in federal court
Louisiana parishes’ coastal erosion lawsuits against energy companies advanced a step closer to being tried in state courts last month after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the companies’ petition to send the cases to federal courts.
Biden administrations sues chemical plant, alleges emissions pose public health risk
The Biden administration is suing operators of a chemical plant in St. John the Baptist Parish in federal court, arguing that the facility’s emissions represent “an imminent and substantial endangerment” to public health.
Federal appeals court dismisses Rev. Spell's COVID-19 lawsuit, but challenge may return to state court
A federal appeals court last month affirmed the dismissal of the Rev. Tony Spell’s lawsuit against Gov. John Bel Edwards and his stay-at-home order issued at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Louisiana Supreme Court suspends attorney over law firm's alleged mishandling of hurricane legal claims
The managing partner of the Louisiana office of a law firm accused of mishandling hundreds of Hurricane Ida property insurance claims has been suspended from practicing law in the state for 90 days by the Louisiana Supreme Court.
Baton Rouge settles police violence lawsuit brought by protesters, journalists for $1.2 million
The City of Baton Rouge last month approved a $1.17 million settlement for two journalists and a dozen protesters who sued the city over mass arrests that took place during a protest over the fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling in July 2016.
Insurance commissioner concludes Houston law firm engaged in mass fraud against policyholders, insurers
The Louisiana Department of Insurance has issued a cease-and-desist order against a Houston law firm that the department says has engaged in a campaign of fraud against hundreds of Louisiana policyholders and insurance companies.
Federal rule requiring Gulf charter boat tracking set aside by appeals court
A federal appeals court has overturned a federal rule that called for 24-hour Global Positioning System surveillance on charter fishing boats operating off Louisiana and other parts of the Gulf.
Louisiana couple sues preterm formula manufacturer, alleging negligence
A Union Parish couple has filed a federal lawsuit accusing Abbott Laboratories of failing to provide warnings that its Similac Alimentum preterm baby formula can increase the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis and other digestive ailments.
State drops thousands of lawsuits against Louisianans over post-Katrina housing assistance
State officials are ending their litigation against thousands of Louisiana homeowners who failed to comply with the terms of grants awarded after Hurricane Katrina to protect their damaged homes from future flooding.
Foes of New Orleans mayor file recall petition with registrar
Amid charges, countercharges and court filings, the effort to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell passed a milestone this week as organizers filed their signatures with the Orleans Parish registrar of voters.
Louisiana health care networks accused of sharing patient data in class-action lawsuits
Two large Louisiana health care networks have been hit with class-action lawsuits contending that their websites covertly shared private patient data in violation of state law.
Louisiana floats proposal for pilot program to test road mileage fee
Louisiana’s retiring transportation secretary is proposing a pilot program to test the feasibility of a road mileage fee to eventually replace the state’s gas tax, which is generating less revenue due to the popularity of electric cars and improved gas mileage.
Grain elevator foes accuse Port of South Louisiana of open meetings law violations
A group opposing a grain elevator project in St. John the Baptist Parish is suing the Port of South Louisiana, accusing commissioners of violating the state’s open meetings law by covertly approving project agreements prior to a public meeting.
Louisiana among top 10 states for local government dependence on fines, fees, study finds
Louisiana’s local governments take in $31.49 per capita annually from fines and fees to fund courts and other public agencies, representing the seventh highest fee dependence among the 50 states and raising red flags among public policy experts.