Michael Carroll News
2 women sue Baton Rouge PD, alleging sexual battery
Two women filed separate federal civil lawsuits this month against a former Baton Rouge police officer who was arrested on kidnapping, sexual battery and obscenity charges last September.
Louisiana lawsuit triggers ban on federal government-social media 'collusion'
Ruling on a lawsuit brought by the states of Louisiana and Missouri, a federal judge has muzzled communications between federal officials and social media companies over concerns about efforts to “censor” Americans’ free speech.
Challenge to Louisiana congressional districts can move forward after high court ruling
The U.S. Supreme Court last month breathed new life into a federal lawsuit challenging the legality of Louisiana’s current congressional district map.
Edwards vetoes proposed phase-out of corporate franchise tax
Gov. John Bel Edwards has vetoed a bill that would have phased out the state’s corporate franchise tax over four years, prompting criticism from business groups that said the phase-out would have made the state more competitive.
Court puts off ruling on legality of litigation extension for victims of child sex abuse
In a split decision late last month, the Louisiana Supreme Court stopped short of ruling on the constitutionality of recent state laws that allow victims of childhood sexual abuse an extended chance to file civil lawsuits seeking damages.
Biden administration ends industrial pollution bias probe in Louisiana
The federal Environmental Protection Agency has ended an investigation of civil rights violations stemming from industrial pollution in St. John the Baptist Parish that critics say disproportionately affects Black residents.
Louisiana voters to decide on constitutional amendment protecting worship from executive orders
In the wake of stay-at-home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Louisiana Legislature has placed on the fall ballot a constitutional amendment calling the freedom to attend a service at a house of worship “worthy of the highest order of protection.”
New Louisiana law will shield teachers from litigation stemming from campus fights
A measure to protect teachers, principals and other school administrators from civil litigation stemming from interventions in fights involving students or school employees has been signed into law by Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards.
U.S. Supreme Court backs Biden administration on noncitizen deportation policies
Rebuffing arguments made by Louisiana and Texas, the U.S. Supreme Court last week rejected a challenge to the Biden administration’s immigration guidelines governing which noncitizens it decides to deport.
Adult entertainment group sues over Louisiana's age-verification law for explicit websites
Free-speech advocates have sued Louisiana officials to stop the enforcement of new laws that would require adult-content websites to verify that their Louisiana users are at least 18 years old.
Louisiana governor's race heats up as GOP governors group slams Democrat Shawn Wilson in video
In the latest salvo in the Louisiana governor’s race, the Republican Governors Association (RGA) blasted Democrat Shawn Wilson, a former secretary of transportation and development, for his “failed record on infrastructure” in a 30-second video.
Passage of insurance reform measures should benefit Louisiana policyholders, commissioner says
The regular Louisiana legislative session that ended June 8 “worked out in a very positive way” for insurance policyholders now bracing for the start of another hurricane season, the state’s insurance commissioner said last week.
ExxonMobil workplace in Baton Rouge hit with another racial bias lawsuit
ExxonMobil was hit with another racial discrimination lawsuit late last month by a Black employee who alleged that the company tolerated a hostile working environment at its Baton Rouge refining and chemical complex.
Supporters of litigation-financing reform plan still hopeful despite governor's veto
Though a Louisiana bill to require disclosure of litigation-funding agreements in civil lawsuits was vetoed last week, some observers remain hopeful that the veto might be overridden or that the measure could be passed again next year.
Bill requiring minors to get parental consent to open social media accounts heads to governor's desk
Professional associations representing tech companies are urging Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards to veto a measure that would require minors to get parental permission before they can sign up for social media and gaming accounts.
Gov. Edwards vetoes bill requiring disclosure of litigation-financing agreements
A bill to provide more transparency about third-party litigation financing in Louisiana was vetoed this week by Gov. John Bel Edwards, who argued that such funding agreements help to “level the playing field” between individual plaintiffs and defendant companies.
Federal insurance litigation in Louisiana tops in U.S., new report finds
In the wake of a series of severe hurricanes and a single law firm’s mass filings, the Western District of Louisiana handled the most insurance cases of any federal district court in the nation during the past three years, according to a report released this week.
Redrawing of Louisiana congressional map seen as likely in wake of U.S. Supreme Court ruling
This month’s U.S. Supreme Court decision finding that Alabama’s congressional map violates the rights of Black voters will likely lead to Louisiana’s congressional map being redrawn prior to the 2024 election, a redistricting expert said.
Louisiana poised to ban foreign adversaries from owning state's farmland
A measure that would ban designated foreign adversaries and actors, including China, from owning Louisiana farmland has been sent to Gov. John Bel Edwards’ desk after passing the state Senate and House by wide margins.
U.S. Senate confirms Biden nominee to federal bench in New Orleans
President Biden’s nomination of attorney Darrel Papillion to the federal bench in the Eastern District of Louisiana was confirmed by the U.S. Senate last month on a vote of 59-31, with both of the state’s U.S. senators supporting Papillion.