WBRZ - Baton Rouge

Tagged News

• What's in a name?

  May 8, 2013 7:59 PM

  RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA- A female U.S.Army sergeant says other soldiers mistakenly assumed she was Muslim because of her last name and she was the target of taunts and harassment for years. Sgt. 1st Class Naida Hosan even changed her name to Nadia Christian Nova before deploying to Afghanistan last year... more »

• CNSI sues La. over canceled Medicaid contract

  May 6, 2013 3:11 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The company hired to handle Louisiana's Medicaid system filed suit today against the state, saying the $200 million contract was improperly canceled by Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration. Client Network Services. Inc., known as CNSI, wants compensation for the work they did, costs incurred, and other financial... more »

• Judge dismisses Republicans' budget lawsuit

  May 1, 2013 2:21 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A Baton Rouge judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by two Jefferson Parish lawmakers asking to block the use of patchwork financing in next year's budget as proposed by Gov. Bobby Jindal. Republican Reps. Kirk Talbot and Cameron Henry claim it is unconstitutional to use one-time money to... more »

• Lawsuits filed in Stringer Bridge Rd. deaths

  April 29, 2013 7:58 AM

  GONZALES - Four lawsuits have been filed against the state and Ascension Parish government over the fatal February 2012 crash that left two young girls dead. Raelyn Encalade was driving on Stringer Bridge Rd. when she ran off the road and into Black Bayou. Her daughters, 9-year-old Faith Castilaw... more »

• Hearing set on request to dismiss Pa. NCAA lawsuit

  April 17, 2013 10:29 AM

  HARRISBURG, Pa. - Lawyers for the NCAA and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett are being summoned to a federal courtroom in Harrisburg next month to argue about a motion seeking to dismiss Corbett's anti-trust lawsuit against college sports' governing body. U.S. District Judge Yvette Kane on Tuesday scheduled oral argument for... more »

• US judge in Philly to uphold NFL concussion suits

  April 10, 2013 10:26 AM

  PHILADELPHIA - Senior U.S. District Judge Anita Brody of Philadelphia has a billion dollar problem on her hands. Brody heard high-powered arguments Tuesday on lawsuits that accuse the NFL of hiding links between concussions and brain injuries. Brody could side with the 4,200 former players and keep their lawsuits in... more »

• Student newspaper editor sues LSU governing board

  April 1, 2013 5:42 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The editor of LSU's student newspaper is suing the university system's Board of Supervisors for refusing to provide information about the candidates considered to be LSU president. Andrea Gallo, editor of The Daily Reveille, filed her lawsuit Monday. The Board of Supervisors hired F. King Alexander last... more »

• Scholarship loss not a federal case

  March 19, 2013 7:45 PM

  MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.- A former female basketball player who lost her scholarship at Central Michigan University also lost her bid to get it back in a federal appeals court. Brooke Heike lost her scholarship after her sophomore season in 2008. That was under coach Sue Guevara. CMU says it withdrew... more »

• Judge tosses 2011 Super Bowl tickets lawsuit

  March 18, 2013 10:13 AM

  PITTSBURGH - A federal judge in Pittsburgh has dismissed one lawsuit from people who bought tickets to the February 2011 Super Bowl in Dallas, but had to watch it on TV because their seats weren't properly installed in time for the game. U.S. District Judge David Cercone dismissed the fraud... more »

• Denham settles 'middle finger' display suit

  March 1, 2013 9:53 PM

  DENHAM SPRINGS- The city of Denham Springs will pay $15,000 to settle a lawsuit over Christmas lights that displayed a middle finger. The payout will cover court costs connected to the lawsuit, which was backed by the ACLU on behalf of resident Sarah Childs. Childs built the display... more »

• Computers spied on renters

  February 27, 2013 7:50 PM

  PITTSBURGH- A lawsuit claims rented computers from Aaron's Inc. had spyware installed that secretly sent more than 185,000 emails back to the company, and some showed webcam images of naked children and people having sex. The suit was filed in Pennsylvania against Aaron's, which is based in Atlanta. Lawyers for... more »

• Woman jailed for weeks, sues over rental car issue Play Video

  February 27, 2013 4:19 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A woman in Baton Rouge said she spent over 21 days in jail over a paperwork error. Percival Franklin is not the type of person who gets into trouble. But trouble began for her in 2006, when she rented a car from Hertz Rental at Metro Airport.... more »

• AG files suit against Powerhouse Gym Play Video

  February 21, 2013 6:30 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The Attorney General's office filed suit against defunct fitness center Powerhouse Gym, alleging they intentionally misrepresented themselves in order to get people to sign up for the gym. It's a slight relief for victims like Linda Carpenter, who sank nearly $800 into gym. "We heard all... more »

• 1st lawsuit already filed in cruise ship mishap

  February 15, 2013 4:20 PM

  MIAMI - The first lawsuit has been filed in the wake of the crippled Carnival Triumph cruise ship that left thousands of passengers in miserable conditions for days. Texas resident Cassie Terry sued Carnival Corp. on Friday in Miami federal court. The suit seeks unspecified damages, saying Terry feared for... more »

• Judge rejects Lehigh U student's grade lawsuit

  February 14, 2013 3:50 PM

  EASTON, Pa. - A judge in Pennsylvania ruled against a former graduate student who sued to have a grade changed, and $1.3 million in damages. The Express-Times of Easton reports that Northampton County Judge Emil Giordano made the ruling Thursday in the lawsuit filed by Megan Thode against Lehigh University.... more »

• Jesus portrait called students' right

  February 13, 2013 7:46 PM

  The small southern Ohio city of Jackson stuck to its guns about a portrait of Jesus that hangs on the wall of a public middle school. The school board says the portrait stays despite a federal lawsuit that says the picture is unconstitutional. It was a gift from students in... more »

• Pa. grad student sues, says C-plus cost her $1.3M

  February 13, 2013 3:07 PM

  EASTON - An eastern Pennsylvania judge says a graduate student's lawsuit over a C-plus grade she received can move forward. The (Easton) Express-Times says Northampton County Judge Emil Giodano ruled Wednesday that there's enough evidence for Megan Thode's lawsuit against Lehigh University to proceed. The Bethlehem university had argued that... more »

• State accepting school voucher applications

  February 13, 2013 10:58 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Applications are available for the Louisiana Scholarship Program for the 2013 - 2014 school year. Last year, more than 10,000 students applied for the controversial program. State Superintendent John White says they were only able to accommodate nearly 5,000 of those students and "that means we... more »

• Jesus on the wall

  February 12, 2013 7:19 PM

  A school board in Ohio has to decide how to respond to a federal lawsuit about a portrait of Jesus hanging on the wall of a middle school since 1947. The portrait was donated by a student group to the Jackson County School District. The ACLU and Freedom From Religion... more »

• Houston company sued over oil discharged in Gulf

  February 11, 2013 5:14 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - The Justice Department filed suit against a Houston-based company it accused of illegally dumping oil from a Gulf of Mexico platform. The federal suit filed Monday in New Orleans against ATP Oil & Gas Corp. says an Interior Department inspection last year uncovered violations of the Clean... more »

• Suit: Answering calls, scanning emails deserves OT

  February 7, 2013 6:33 AM

  CHICAGO - A federal lawsuit in Chicago claims scanning emails and answering calls from bosses on your smartphone after hours constitute work that should be compensated. Chicago police Sgt. Jeffrey Allen claims in the suit that the city owes him and fellow officers overtime pay for work performed on department-requisitioned... more »

• Christian school's lawsuit may test court ruling

  January 30, 2013 2:43 AM

  LOS ANGELES - A lawsuit by a Southern California Christian school against two former teachers who refused to provide proof of their faith could pose one of the first court tests of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on religious freedom. A legal expert said last year's ruling that religious workers... more »

• Property lawsuit brings up definition of "family" Play Video

  January 29, 2013 5:50 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Former mayoral candidate Steve Myers is being sued by East Baton Rouge Parish over rental property issues, and the case is raising questions about just what "family" means. The parish accused Myers of allowing too many unrelated people to live in a single family home. He's asking... more »

• Judge puts a hold on Super Bowl "Clean Zone"

  January 24, 2013 4:33 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - The ACLU said a federal court put a temporary restraining order in place to keep part of the Super Bowl's "Clean Zone" from being put into effect in New Orleans. The zone would restrict the use of banners, signs and flags during the Super Bowl celebrations... more »

• Readers of Armstrong book sue over denial of drug use

  January 24, 2013 3:46 PM

  SAN FRANCISCO - Readers of Lance Armstrong's two books detailing his cycling accomplishments are suing the disgraced athlete and his publishers because of his denials of drug use. A lawsuit was filed in federal court in Sacramento on Tuesday by several consumers who bought the best-selling books, including Rob Stutzman,... more »

• ALCU sues to block Super Bowl "clean zone" in N.O.

  January 24, 2013 3:12 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana is suing to block the city of New Orleans from maintaining a so-called "clean zone" where the use of banners, signs and flags will be restricted during Super Bowl festivities. The ACLU filed a federal lawsuit Thursday on behalf of... more »

• Trial set in lawsuit against state retirement plan

  January 24, 2013 10:20 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A Baton Rouge judge is hearing arguments in a lawsuit challenging Gov. Bobby Jindal's 401(k)-style retirement plan for future rank-and-file state workers. The Retired State Employees Association of Louisiana claims the law is unconstitutional because it didn't get a two-thirds vote in the state House of Representatives.... more »

• Ville Platte, ACLU agree on dropping curfew suit

  January 18, 2013 2:26 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - The city of Ville Platte and the American Civil Liberties Union have signed an agreement ending the ACLU's lawsuit against a pedestrians-only curfew. The city has agreed that any future curfew will be the least restrictive needed to meet a "compelling need." It did not admit... more »

• Vilma's defamation suit against Goodell dismissed

  January 17, 2013 5:24 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A federal judge has dismissed New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma's defamation lawsuit against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in connection with the bounty case. U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan in New Orleans said Thursday the bounty matter "feels as protracted and painful as the Saints season... more »

• Ville Platte, ACLU agree on dropping curfew suit

  January 17, 2013 5:04 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - The city of Ville Platte and the American Civil Liberties Union have signed an agreement ending the ACLU's lawsuit against a pedestrians-only curfew. The city has agreed that any future curfew will be the least restrictive needed to meet a "compelling need." It did not admit liability... more »

• Ex-bodyguard sues Justin Bieber

  January 10, 2013 7:18 PM

  A former bodyguard for Justine Bieber sued the singer claiming he was assaulted by him and wasn't paid what he was owed. Moshe Benabou claims Bieber failed to properly pay him overtime totaling $420,000. He also says Bieber berated him and then punched him in the chest. Benabou says he... more »

• Judge hears arguments on Sandusky trial fairness

  January 10, 2013 10:48 AM

  BELLEFONTE, Pa. - A judge has heard arguments from Jerry Sandusky's attorneys about the fairness of his trial but did not issue a ruling. The proceeding Thursday in central Pennsylvania related to Sandusky's claim that his lawyers didn't have enough time to prepare for his molestation trial. Sandusky's post-sentencing motions... more »

• BP settlement payments exceed $1B mark

  January 10, 2013 7:33 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - Businesses and individuals who claim BP's oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico cost them money have been paid more than $1 billion through the company's class-action settlement with private plaintiffs' attorneys. Court-supervised claims administrator Patrick Juneau says payments hit the $1 billion mark before the... more »

• TV-over-Internet service expands despite lawsuits

  January 8, 2013 12:39 PM

  NEW YORK - The Barry Diller-backed Internet company that challenges cable and satellite TV services by offering inexpensive live television online plans to expand beyond New York City this spring. In the wake of a federal court ruling that tentatively endorsed its legality, Aereo will bring its $8-a-month service to... more »

• Criminal cases made Pa. AG hand over NCAA suit

  January 3, 2013 3:09 PM

  STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Pennsylvania's attorney general says she granted Gov. Tom Corbett the authority to file a federal antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA because her office is currently prosecuting three Penn State administrators. Attorney General Linda Kelly told The Associated Press on Thursday that "an actual conflict of interest... more »

• Governor: NCAA sanctioned Penn St. to weaken it

  January 2, 2013 12:11 PM

  STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - An antitrust lawsuit by Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett against the NCAA argues the organization acted illegally and was motivated by a desire to gain power for its president and weaken the university. The 43-page complaint being filed Wednesday seeks to vacate all of the punishment related... more »

• Governor to sue NCAA over Penn state sanctions

  January 1, 2013 3:47 PM

  HARRISBURG, Pa. - Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett says he plans to sue the NCAA in federal court over sanctions imposed against Penn State in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse scandal. The Republican governor has scheduled a news conference for Wednesday in State College to announce the... more »

• Judge approves settlement in BP class action suit

  December 22, 2012 9:50 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - A federal judge has given final approval to BP's settlement with businesses and individuals who lost money because of the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. BP PLC estimates it will pay $7.8 billion to cover economic and medical claims from more than 100,000 businesses and individuals.... more »

• Judge: Woman can flip finger in holiday lights

  December 20, 2012 3:58 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A federal judge says a Denham Springs woman has the right to display holiday lights on her roof in the form of an extended middle finger. Sarah Childs sued the city, its mayor and police chief on Thursday, claiming she was threatened with arrest if she didn't... more »

• Portion of teacher reforms ruled unconstitutional Play Video

  December 18, 2012 2:01 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A judge upheld most of Gov. Jindal's education reforms targeting teachers in Louisiana today. The judge upheld three sections of Act 1, also called the ' Talent Act ', which make it tougher for teachers to get tenure and did away with teacher pay scales, instead... more »

• Vilma urges rejection of Goodell motion to dismiss

  December 14, 2012 10:55 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - Saints linebacker Jon Vilma has filed a motion urging a federal judge to reject the NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's motion to dismiss the Saints linebacker's defamation lawsuit. Vilma's motion filed Friday says Goodell acted with reckless disregard for the truth when basing initial allegations about Vilma upon... more »

• Brees lawsuit claims his charity was cheated

  December 12, 2012 2:09 PM

  SAN DIEGO - Saints quarterback Drew Brees and his foundation are suing one of the former organizers of his celebrity golf tournament in southern California, saying the organizer cheated benefactors of the foundation out of thousands of dollars he kept for his own marketing firm. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday against... more »

• Fla. man sues ex-Elmo puppeteer, claims sex abuse

  December 10, 2012 2:41 PM

  MIAMI - Another Florida man is suing the former Elmo puppeteer who resigned amid sex abuse allegations, claiming the voice actor befriended him in Miami and promised to be a father figure before flying him to New York to have sex with him. The alleged victim is now the fourth... more »

• Former GOHSEP employee says millions wasted on ice Play Video

  December 6, 2012 5:22 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A former employee at the Louisiana Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness says he was fired for pointing out taxpayer waste after Hurricane Isaac. Bruce Ellis says he was given additional duties before the storm hit. He says the state spent tens of millions of... more »

• Judge rules school voucher funding unconstitutional Play Video

  November 30, 2012 2:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A district court judge ruled today the funding formula in Gov. Bobby Jindal's school voucher program violates the state's constitution. Judge Tim Kelley made the ruling after a week of arguments and testimony in Baton Rouge. He said it was against the constitution to send tax... more »

• Ruling expected this afternoon in voucher lawsuit

  November 30, 2012 10:48 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Closing arguments ended a short time ago in the lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Gov. Bobby Jindal's new school voucher program. Judge Tim Kelley recessed the court until 2 p.m., at which time he plans to give his ruling. Teacher unions and school boards say... more »

• Testimony wraps up in lawsuit against vouchers

  November 30, 2012 7:40 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A three-day trial in a lawsuit challenging Gov. Bobby Jindal's voucher program as unconstitutional is wrapping up. Baton Rouge Judge Tim Kelley asked lawyers to give their closing arguments Friday. It was unclear if he would rule immediately after their arguments or request additional information in the... more »

• Judge asked to extend deadline in BP settlement

  November 14, 2012 2:22 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - BP and a team of plaintiffs' attorneys are urging a federal judge to extend a deadline for businesses and individuals to revoke their requests to opt out of a proposed class-action settlement of economic damage claims spawned by the Gulf oil spill. Potential claimants had until Nov.... more »

• Landfill owner: 2nd prosecutor made online posts

  November 2, 2012 12:43 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A south Louisiana landfill owner charges in a lawsuit that a second federal prosecutor defamed him in anonymous online posts. Fred Heebe of New Orleans makes the allegation against Assistant U.S. Attorney Jan Maselli Mann in a lawsuit filed Friday in state court. Sal Perricone (PEHR' ih... more »

• Judge tosses woman's "too fat to fly" lawsuit

  October 31, 2012 3:31 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed against Southwest Airlines by a New Orleans woman who claims a gate agent told her she was "too fat to fly" and couldn't board a flight last year without buying two tickets. In her order Wednesday, U.S. District Judge... more »

• Britney Spears' self-styled manager set to testify

  October 23, 2012 10:31 AM

  LOS ANGELES - Britney Spears' former self-styled manager is set to take the stand in his lawsuit against the superstar's parents as he goes after a share of her millions in earnings. Sam Lutfi was expected to testify when court resumes today in his acrimonious defamation suit against her... more »

• Suit: Mentally ill prisoner denied drugs, food

  October 22, 2012 4:09 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A lawsuit accuses Tangipahoa Parish jail officials of routinely withholding prescription drugs and food from a prisoner for nearly two years while he suffered from severe mental illnesses. A federal suit filed Monday by the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana claims 33-year-old Dennis Bargher Jr. lost... more »

• Hulk Hogan to file lawsuits over sex tape

  October 15, 2012 12:26 PM

  TAMPA, Fla. - Reality TV star and former pro wrestler Hulk Hogan is suing a Tampa Bay-based disc jockey, the DJ's ex-wife and a New York media group over a sex tape. According to a news release from Hogan's publicist, two lawsuits will be discussed during a news conference Monday... more »

• Industry sues over NYC crackdown on sugary drinks

  October 12, 2012 3:43 PM

  NEW YORK - Soft drink makers, restaurateurs and other businesses are suing to block New York City's move to end the sale of super-sized, sugary drinks in many eateries. The American Beverage Association and others sued the city Friday. City officials had no immediate response. The city Board of Health... more »

• Netflix pledges to caption all content by 2014

  October 10, 2012 3:38 PM

  BOSTON - Netflix will offer closed captions on all TV and movie content by 2014 as part of a settlement with a deaf Massachusetts viewer who sued the company. The on-demand Internet streaming service agreed to a settlement in U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mass., on Tuesday. Closed captions are... more »

• Orleans criminal court clerk sues city

  October 9, 2012 3:08 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Orleans Parish Criminal Court Clerk Arthur Morrell has filed a lawsuit against the city because Mayor Mitch Landrieu's administration is withholding 3.8 percent of Morrell's $3.7 million budget. The lawsuit asks a state district judge to stop what it calls an abuse of discretion in allegedly refusing... more »

• City threatens lawsuit over crowds at Mary statue Play Video

  October 3, 2012 12:10 AM

  BATON ROUGE- The city told a family they need a special permit for what has become a shrine for the religious. Crowds of people have flocked to a statue of Mary outside a home off Airline and Goodwood. A few months ago, the statue appeared to be bleeding. Hundreds... more »

• Actress files second suit in anti-Muslim film case

  September 27, 2012 12:41 PM

  LOS ANGELES - An actress who appeared in an anti-Muslim movie trailer that sparked violence in the Middle East has filed a federal lawsuit in Los Angeles against the filmmaker and YouTube to have the clip taken down. The complaint filed Wednesday by Cindy Lee Garcia cites copyright infringement and... more »

• $42.6 million FEMA trailer settlements approved

  September 27, 2012 12:40 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A federal judge gave his final approval Thursday to a $42.6 million class-action settlement between companies that made and installed government-issued trailers after hurricanes in 2005 and Gulf Coast storm victims who claim they were exposed to hazardous fumes while living in the shelters. U.S. District Judge... more »

• Debris workers sue man accused of slapping them, using "N" word Play Video

  September 26, 2012 5:12 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Attorneys in Baton Rouge filed a lawsuit this week against businessman Josh Jambon, who's accused of using the "N" word, slapping two Hurricane Isaac debris workers and spitting on another in Grand Isle last week. The entire profanity-laced tirade was captured on cell phone video. Brandi Worley... more »

• DOJ seeks to join lawsuit against Orleans prison

  September 24, 2012 5:20 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The U.S. Justice Department is asking to join a class action lawsuit that accuses Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman of overseeing a jail that routinely subjects prisoners to brutal, inhumane conditions. The federal agency filed a request Monday in federal court, asking to be included as a... more »

• Pastor sues to block N.O. street preaching limits

  September 20, 2012 1:10 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A street preacher is suing to block New Orleans city officials from enforcing an ordinance that restricts religious or political speech on Bourbon Street after dark. The federal lawsuit filed Thursday by New Orleans pastor Paul Gros claims the city's "aggressive solicitation" ordinance sets unconstitutional limits on... more »

• La. sheriff sued over detention of immigrants

  September 19, 2012 4:34 PM

  ABBEVILLE - To see if detained immigrants are being locked up unlawfully for long periods of time, a civil rights group is seeking to get the Vermilion Parish sheriff to turn over documents on immigrants who've been jailed since 2009. The Southern Poverty Law Center filed a lawsuit against Sheriff... more »

• Piccadilly files for bankruptcy protection

  September 12, 2012 11:01 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The Baton Rouge-based restaurant chain Piccadilly's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this week. According to The Advocate, Piccadilly Restaurants LLC said the filing was to head off "an aggressive legal maneuver" by its lender, Atalaya Capital Management. Piccadilly filed for protection in U. S.... more »

• Lawsuits challenge shielding of La. records

  September 10, 2012 2:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration is facing court challenges over attempts to keep records from the public. At issue is the use of a public records exemption successfully pushed by Jindal and added to state law during his first term. Shreveport-based Willis-Knighton Health System sued the... more »

• Ala., Louisiana suing feds over drilling royalties

  September 6, 2012 2:28 PM

  MONTGOMERY, Ala. - A federal judge has combined lawsuits brought by two Gulf Coast states against the federal government over millions in offshore drilling royalties. Alabama's suit says $7.5 million is at stake and Louisiana's says $2.8 million. U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton in Washington combined the two suits last... more »

• Judge refuses to toss Chinese drywall claims

  September 6, 2012 2:21 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A federal judge in New Orleans has refused to dismiss claims against a Chinese drywall manufacturer by homeowners who blame the company's product for damaging their property. Taishan Gypsum Co. Ltd. argued that U.S. courts don't have jurisdiction over claims against the Chinese company, but U.S. District... more »

• Victim 1 sues Penn State

  August 27, 2012 7:32 PM

  One of the boys former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky sexually assaulted known as Victim 1 sued the university saying the school concealed the abuse. The victim is now 18. His lawsuit claims Penn State and its leaders were more concerned with protecting the school's reputation and its football program,... more »

• Supreme Court refuses voucher program injunction

  August 16, 2012 5:31 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Supreme Court has refused to stop the launch of Gov. Bobby Jindal's statewide voucher program, which began this month. The high court denied an injunction request by teacher unions and school boards to stall the voucher program as they challenge whether it is constitutional. A... more »

• Insane Clown Posse plan to sue FBI

  August 13, 2012 12:27 PM

  CAVE-IN-ROCK, Ill. - Insane Clown Posse say they're going to sue the FBI for labeling its fans as gang members. The duo announced at its Gathering of the Juggalos convention over the weekend it will file a lawsuit against the FBI for putting ICP fans, known as Juggalos, on... more »

• Vilma, NFL return to federal court in bounty case

  August 10, 2012 10:30 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - Jonathan Vilma has returned to federal court Friday where a judge is hearing arguments on the NFL's motion to dismiss the Saints linebacker's lawsuit seeking to overturn his bounty suspension. It's not clear when U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan will rule, but if she does not dismiss... more »

• Court reverses worker's $300K sex harassment award

  July 30, 2012 4:00 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A federal appeals court has thrown out a $300,000 court award for an iron worker in a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against Boh Brothers Construction Company. The worker won the award in 2009 after the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a lawsuit on his behalf. He... more »

• LAE says 2 schools are "holding off" on vouchers after lawsuit threat Play Video

  July 28, 2012 7:23 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Two schools are backing away from taking voucher money after being threatened with a lawsuit, according to the Louisiana Association of Educators. "Some of them couldn't be contacted but at least two of them said they will hold off. " Says LAE President Joyce Haynes Earlier... more »

• Man sues for proof of Obama's eligibility

  July 27, 2012 11:02 AM

  JUNEAU, Alaska - A Juneau man has filed a lawsuit trying to compel the state of Alaska to prove that President Obama is qualified to be on the ballot. Gordon Warren Epperly claims in the lawsuit that Obama's citizenship status is unknown, and that Obama was illegally inaugurated in 2009.... more »

• Appeals court allows La. voucher program to begin

  July 26, 2012 2:27 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A state appeals court has upheld a decision that allows Gov. Bobby Jindal's statewide voucher program to begin in August. Teacher unions and local school boards sought to block the start of the program as they challenge its constitutionality. But a three-judge appellate court panel agreed with... more »

• Going gaga over a doll

  July 25, 2012 8:04 PM

  Singer Lady Gaga was sued by a toy company over a deal to make a doll in her likeness that plays snippets of her music. MGA Entertainment contends it paid a $1 million advance to Gaga's merchandising company and spent lots more to meet deadlines to ship the dolls this... more »

• Citizens pays $104M award over slow storm claims

  July 23, 2012 5:41 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's property insurer of last resort has paid a $104 million judgment that will benefit more than 18,500 policyholders who sued over slow adjustment of claims after hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck in 2005. Plaintiffs' attorney Fred Herman said Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. transferred the money... more »

• Ex-Saints CB Randall Gay sues NFL

  July 19, 2012 12:40 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Former New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots cornerback Randall Gay is among the plaintiffs in a newly filed lawsuit accusing the NFL of failing to protect players from concussion risks. The federal suit was filed Wednesday in New Orleans on behalf of 18 former NFL players.... more »

• Lawyer defending voucher program to get up to $50K

  July 18, 2012 4:01 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The attorney general's office will pay up to $50,000 to Gov. Bobby Jindal's former executive counsel to defend the governor's signature education revamp in court. Amanda Larkins, spokeswoman for Attorney General Buddy Caldwell, said Tuesday that the contract with lawyer Jimmy Faircloth hasn't been completed. But she... more »

• Judge rejects suit to block contraception mandate

  July 17, 2012 5:53 PM

  LINCOLN, Neb. - A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by seven states and joined by religious plaintiffs seeking to block the contraceptive coverage mandate in the federal health care law. The lawsuit was filed by attorneys general from Nebraska, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas. Plaintiffs... more »

• Voucher lawsuit set for Oct. 15 hearing date

  July 17, 2012 5:04 PM

  BATON ROUGE - An Oct. 15 date has been set for arguments in a lawsuit by teacher unions and local school boards challenging the constitutionality of Gov. Bobby Jindal's statewide voucher program. Judge Tim Kelley chose the hearing date Tuesday in a meeting with lawyers for both sides in the... more »

• 3 judges recuse themselves from La. justice's suit

  July 6, 2012 5:11 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Three federal judges in New Orleans have recused themselves from presiding over Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Bernette Johnson's lawsuit seeking to block her colleagues from debating and voting on whether she is legally entitled to be the court's next chief justice. The case was transferred Friday to... more »

• Jindal's former counsel hired for education suits

  June 22, 2012 4:44 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Gov. Bobby Jindal has tapped his former chief lawyer to defend the governor's education laws in court. Jimmy Faircloth is the attorney representing the state, the education department and the state education board in lawsuits seeking to throw out the governor's signature education policies, including the creation... more »

• New lawsuit filed against Jindal voucher program

  June 22, 2012 8:36 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Association of Educators boarded buses this morning on their way to file a lawsuit against Gov. Bobby Jindal's voucher program. The organization's leaders lodged their challenge against the education changes Friday in Baton Rouge district court. They object to the use of the state's public... more »

• More teachers filing suit to stop education changes Play Video

  June 21, 2012 3:27 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Teachers say new education laws touted by Governor Bobby Jindal do not support them, despite what Jindal's administration may say, and they're filing a lawsuit to stop the laws from going into effect. The Louisiana Association of Educators plan to file the suit tomorrow morning in... more »

• Ron Paul supporters sue GOP, claiming intimidation

  June 20, 2012 3:25 PM

  WASHINGTON - Supporters of GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul have filed a lawsuit against the Republican National Committee and nearly every state party claiming they improperly helped Mitt Romney during the primaries while using intimidation and threats of violence to thwart them. Paul's campaign says the Texas congressman doesn't support... more »

• Jury sides with Costner in BP spill lawsuit

  June 15, 2012 2:21 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - Kevin Costner says his reputation was at stake as he defended himself against accusations that he cheated fellow actor Stephen Baldwin out of millions of dollars in a lucrative BP contract for oil-cleaning machines after the 2010 spill. Baldwin and a friend were seeking $17 million in... more »

• Teachers file lawsuits against governor's education reform plan Play Video

  June 7, 2012 6:36 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The state's largest teacher associations among others filed two lawsuits Thursday morning challenging parts of Governor Bobby Jindal's education reform plan. It took the Louisiana Federation of Teachers and other smaller teacher groups less than an hour to file two lawsuits at the 19th Judicial District... more »

• Oregon woman wins $900k in lawsuit over herpes claim

  June 7, 2012 12:56 PM

  PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - An Oregon jury has awarded $900,000 to a 49-year-old woman who claimed that a 69-year-old Portland man intentionally gave her a sexually transmitted disease after they met on an online dating website. The Oregonian reports that it was the first time that a case of a... more »

• Teachers union challenging new education laws

  June 7, 2012 10:32 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Federation of Teachers will hold a news conference at 11am in front of the 19th Judicial District Court in Downtown Baton Rouge to discuss a lawsuit to be filed against the state and Governor Bobby Jindal. It targets the administration's recently signed laws changing... more »

• Trial opens for suit against Costner over BP deal

  June 4, 2012 10:48 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - Jury selection has begun in a legal fight between two Hollywood stars over investments in a device used to try to clean up BP's 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. In his lawsuit, actor Stephen Baldwin claims Kevin Costner and a business partner duped Baldwin... more »