Michael Carroll News
Louisiana moves forward on regulation of vape products despite lawsuit
Louisiana regulators this month released their list of nearly 400 approved vaping products that can be sold in the state in the wake of a new law that raises taxes on such products and aims to protect minors from inexpensive, disposable e-cigarettes.
New Orleans council freezes legal budget pending review of civil litigation issues
The New Orleans City Council has moved to temporarily escrow the city Law Department’s operating budget, suggesting that the number of civil actions filed by the department may be excessive and that the council is not being consulted about legal filings.
GOP sweeps statewide offices, but turnout takes another dive in Saturday's election
Because voters decided the outcome of Louisiana’s governor’s race last month, Saturday’s election drew even fewer voters than the Oct. 14 primary vote – 22.5% statewide – as Republicans extended their control of the state Legislature and captured every statewide office.
Appeals court calls on Louisiana Legislature to come up with new congressional map by Jan. 15
A federal appeals court has called on the Louisiana Legislature to draw up a new congressional district map by Jan. 15 of next year in order to ensure the boundaries comply with the federal Voting Rights Act in time for the 2024 elections.
U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear federal lawsuit alleging Biden administration-social media collusion
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to take up a lawsuit launched by attorneys general in Louisiana and Missouri alleging the Biden administration colluded with social media companies to censor views on COVID-19 policies and other topics.
U.S. Supreme Court won't block coastal erosion trial from proceeding in Louisiana
The U.S. Supreme Court has turned down an application by energy companies to change the venue of a multibillion-dollar coastal erosion trial set to begin Nov. 27 in Cameron Parish.
Energy companies ask U.S. Supreme Court to halt start of Louisiana coastal erosion lawsuit in state court
Attorneys for energy companies accused of billions of dollars in coastal erosion damage in Cameron Parish have asked the U.S. Supreme Court for an emergency action and change of venue.
Edwards signs plan to bring back passenger rail between New Orleans, Baton Rouge
As his term as governor winds down, John Bel Edwards has signed a service agreement with Amtrak to restore passenger rail service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans – after a 54-year absence.
Federal appeals court places new delay on Gulf offshore oil lease sales
A closely watched Gulf of Mexico oil and gas lease sale that had been scheduled to happen this week has been further delayed as a result of an order issued by the U.S. Fifth District Court of Appeals.
Court bars Archdiocese of New Orleans from questioning prospective students about disabilities
A state judge has issued an injunction against the Archdiocese of New Orleans to stop eight area Catholic schools from asking prospective students questions about whether they have physical or mental limitations.
Louisiana woman petitions court to hold school officials accountable in corporal punishment cases
A Jefferson Parish woman is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to alter a judicial precedent in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi that makes public school employees and managers essentially immune from liability when they engage in “unlawful corporal punishment.”
Lawsuit to bar embattled MMA law firm from collecting attorney fees is dismissed
A federal judge has rejected a Louisiana personal injury law firm’s lawsuit that sought to block the embattled McClenny, Moseley & Associates (MMA) law firm from collecting attorney fees in cases involving former MMA hurricane-damage claims.
U.S. Supreme Court won't intervene to speed up redrawing of Louisiana congressional map
The U.S. Supreme Court last month declined to put a hold on a federal appeals court decision that potentially delays a resolution to a lawsuit calling for a second majority-Black congressional district in Louisiana.
Federal appeals court backs consent decree that led to majority-Black Louisiana Supreme Court district
A federal appeals court has rejected Attorney General Jeff Landry`s bid to end a consent decree that requires Louisiana to retain a majority-Black district in the New Orleans area for state Supreme Court elections.
U.S. Justice Department backs Tesla claim in litigation over Louisiana's ban on direct-to-customer car sales
Elon Musk’s Tesla Inc. received support from the U.S. Justice Department in October concerning one of its appeals court arguments challenging Louisiana’s practice of barring direct car sales to customers.
Journalist sues Bossier City for allegedly threatening public comments at council meetings
A website owner and journalist is suing Bossier City officials for violations of the First Amendment, Louisiana Constitution and the state’s open-meeting law, arguing that recent City Council rules and actions quash free speech by those with disfavored viewpoints.
Louisiana's high court affirms that lawsuit over 5-year-old's playground injury can go forward
The state Supreme Court earlier this month weighed in on a lawsuit filed by the parents of a 5-year-old who suffered a hip injury during a playground incident at St. George School in East Baton Rouge Parish.
Louisiana Board of Pardons at center of legal battle over clemency for death-row inmates
An East Baton Rouge court last week disqualified a New Orleans law firm from representing the Louisiana Board of Pardons as a result of conflict-of-interest allegations in an ongoing legal dispute over an effort to grant clemency to death-row inmates.
D.R. Horton appeals move to send defective-homes lawsuit back to state court
D.R. Horton, which bills itself as “America’s largest new home builder,” is appealing a federal judge’s decision to send a potential class-action lawsuit alleging widespread, humidity-induced structural damage back to state court in Louisiana.
Louisiana's high court rejects law allowing reduction of long-term prison sentences
The Louisiana Supreme Court last month upended a 2021 state law that empowered district attorneys to reconsider and reduce long prison sentences meted out to convicted individuals with previous felony convictions.