News from February 2016
Outcome of abortion case before U.S. Supreme Court will be felt in Louisiana
NEW ORLEANS — Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry and other state officials scored a victory last week when a federal appeals court decided that new state restrictions on doctors who perform abortions may go forward, but a similar case that’s before the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday will likely bring the final word on the matter.
Relocation of Louisiana's attorney general's staff aims to save taxpayer dollars
NEW ORLEANS – The budget-tightening move to relocate personnel in the Attorney General’s Office to unoccupied space in the Benson Tower building near the Mercedes-Benz Superdome will save the state more than $300,000 annually, but the one-time moving costs have yet to be tallied, state officials said this week.
Attorney for Franklin Parish calls bias suit over water project frivolous
The attorney who represents a northern Louisiana parish accused of racial bias for its handling of a water services project described the discrimination lawsuit filed last week in federal district court as both baseless and frivolous.
La. Lawsuit Abuse Watch applauds Landry's quick-end to the Buddy System
BATON ROUGE – Louisiana’s attorney general recently brought the hammer down on several no-bid state legal contracts put in place by his predecessor.
Louisiana Chemical Association proceeding with lawsuit over change in state's tax laws
BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Chemical Association (LCA) is proceeding with a lawsuit to challenge a shift in the state’s tax laws that are designed to raise tens of millions of dollars to help balance the state budget.
Ship supplier claims it has not been paid for providing services and goods
NEW ORLEANS – A ship supplier is asking the court’s help in retrieving payments allegedly owed to it by a transportation company.
Texas Petroleum Investment Co. alleges that it is not liable in workplace injury suit
NEW ORLEANS – A petroleum company alleges that it is not responsible for a purportedly work-related injury.
Companies claim that the EPA is unlawfully delaying permits
NEW ORLEANS – The Environmental Protection Agency is being challenged regarding the organization’s objection to state-issued permits given to a steel company.
Movie producers file suit over online piracy allegations
NEW ORLEANS – The producers of the movie “Good Kill” is seeking damages and an injunction against an anonymous Doe over alleged copyright infringement.
Man seeks damages after allegedly sustaining injuries while working on a ship
NEW ORLEANS – A worker for United Fire & Safety is seeking damages after allegedly sustaining a work injury.
Floor hand alleges that employer is responsible for work injuries
NEW ORLEANS – A floor hand and crew member of The Porpoise is seeking damages from his employer after an alleged accident.
Owner of a vessel seeks the return of its ship, allegedly unpaid payments
NEW ORLEANS – The owners of a maritime tug vessel are seeking the return of their vessel from Mexico and payment for alleged past-due payments.
New LADCP president hopes to increase participation in drug courts
BATON ROUGE – More activity with the state's drug courts and district attorneys' offices is what Louisiana Association of Drug Court Professionals' (LADCP) new president is hoping for in his two-year term.
Woman who claims to have tripped over a shoe box at DSW seeks damages
NEW ORLEANS – A woman who tripped over a shoe box is claiming that the store is responsible for her alleged injuries.
Marine surveyor group seeks payment for services rendered
NEW ORLEANS – A marine surveyor alleges that it has not been paid for its services by 3 L Leasing.
Baton Rouge official: Weather events to blame for huge spike in sewage-backup settlements
BATON ROUGE – The numbers alone don't tell the entire story behind the dramatic increase in what the city-parish of Baton Rouge has paid out to settle lawsuits involving sewage backups.
Benson mentally capable of running Saints and Pelicans, appeal court affirms
NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans Saints’ owner Tom Benson is mentally capable of running the football team and the city’s basketball franchise, an appeals court ruled this week.
Governor's office: Edwards set example for rest of the nation by dropping Common Core suit
BATON ROUGE – The rest of the country could learn a lesson from Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards' decision to end a lawsuit filed by his Republican predecessor against Common Core, a spokeswoman for the governor said.
Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders' Alliance fights NOAA over aqua farms
NEW ORLEANS — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) decision to approve industrial offshore fish farming last month in federally protected waters in the Gulf of Mexico is a strong concern in a "delicate and restricted estuarine system," according to a leading non-profit fisherman’s organization.
Former office worker alleges she was exposed to harmful chemicals
LAFAYETTE – A former office worker alleges that she was exposed to harmful chemicals when she was working at the former Olin Mathieson Chemical Corp. and is seeking damages.