Michael Carroll News
Watchdog sues New Orleans PD for failure to produce public records
A New Orleans resident is suing the New Orleans Police Department in state court alleging the department has dragged its feet on fulfilling multiple public-records requests relating to payroll irregularities and a growing backlog of sexual assault evidence.
Louisiana utility regulators continue to seek rate rebates from Entergy
Utility regulators in Arkansas recently settled their legal battle with Entergy over mismanagement and tax issues at the Grand Gulf nuclear plant, but Louisiana regulators are poised to continue the fight to get refunds they say their customers deserve.
Louisiana State Police opens criminal probe into embattled Houston law firm
A Louisiana State Police unit has opened a criminal investigation against Houston-based law firm McClenny, Moseley & Associates for alleged property insurance fraud practices in the state over the past three years.
Louisiana remains 7th worst civil justice jurisdiction in U.S., new report says
Louisiana has retained its longtime designation as a Judicial Hellhole by the American Tort Reform Foundation, whose 2023-2024 annual report found the Bayou State was the seventh-worst civil litigation jurisdiction in the country.
Louisiana Supreme Court to hear lawsuit over St. George incorporation
The Louisiana Supreme Court has agreed to weigh in on the legal battle between supporters and opponents of the proposed city of St. George, moving the debate over the future of the community in East Baton Rouge closer to a resolution.
Offshore Gulf of Mexico oil lease sale pushed back to Dec. 20 after appeals court ruling
A federal appeals court has given the go-ahead for a controversial Gulf of Mexico oil lease sale, including acreage that had previously been excluded to protect an endangered whale, to proceed on Dec. 20.
Louisiana State Bar Association activities must be related to legal profession, appeals court rules
A federal appeals court has affirmed that the Louisiana State Bar Association violated a New Orleans attorney’s right to free speech and free association when it engaged in activities that were not germane to the legal profession.
Louisiana lawsuit alleging racial bias in industrial land-use policies in St. James Parish is dismissed
A federal lawsuit alleging that St. James Parish’s industrial land-use policies have concentrated petrochemical plants near the parish’s Black communities was dismissed on procedural grounds earlier this month.
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.