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Jury deliberations set to begin in monumental oil and gas lawsuit | Louisiana

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Nolan McKendry | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-04-03 14:16:00

(The Center Square) – A historic trial that could compel oil and gas companies to pay billions for Louisiana’s coastal wetlands restoration reached its climax this week, with closing arguments delivered Thursday at the Louisiana 25th Judicial District Court in lower Plaquemines Parish. 

The lawsuit, pitting the parish against companies including Chevron USA, Inc., is the first of 42 similar cases filed since 2013 to reach trial, accusing the industry of violating state permitting laws and exacerbating wetlands loss.

Chevron, The Texas Company, Atlantic Richfield Company, ConocoPhillips, and The Louisiana Land and Exploration Company all filed a motion in opposition in 2022 to keep the case in federal court.

After over a decade of legal battles, Plaquemines Parish, led by attorney John Carmouche, is seeking nearly $3 billion in damages. A victory could set a precedent, potentially forcing oil companies to pay tens of billions across all cases — funds legally mandated for coastal restoration. 

The litigation has weathered three attempts by the companies to shift it to federal court, a venue they viewed as advantageous, with the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals last affirming its return to state court in October of 2022.

“If somebody causes harm, fix it,” Carmouche said in his opening statement. 

The parish alleges decades of unregulated oilfield activity, including canal dredging, devastated its coastline. 

Chevron says it’s being sued for Texaco’s pre-2001 oil and gas work under a 1980 law not meant to cover earlier activities. It also claims the case belongs in federal court since some work tied to World War II was under federal guidance. Chevron acquired Texaco in 2001.

As the jury prepares to deliberate, the outcome could mark a turning point, potentially delivering unprecedented industry accountability for Louisiana’s fading coast—or a major setback for restoration efforts.

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News from the South - Louisiana News Feed

New Orleans City Council overrides Mayor Cantrell’s veto on French Quarter trash contract, Charity Hospital

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wgno.com – Ashley Hamilton – 2025-07-10 16:11:00

SUMMARY: The New Orleans City Council voted 5-1 to override Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s emergency declaration, allowing Henry Consulting to take over trash collection in the French Quarter. Council President JP Morrell criticized the mayor for overstepping by ending IV Waste’s contract early and awarding Henry Consulting the contract without proper process. Residents and businesses favor keeping IV Waste, and concerns were raised about the quick contractor change. The city defends the emergency contract and selection process, emphasizing Henry Consulting’s top ranking in a competitive RFP. Henry Consulting expects to begin service on July 31. The council also overrode Cantrell’s veto on funding for Charity Hospital redevelopment.

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Kerrville native living in New Orleans reflects on heartbreak in his hometown

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www.youtube.com – WDSU News – 2025-07-10 10:26:51

SUMMARY: Parker Kennedy, a Kerrville native now living in New Orleans, reflects on the devastating flooding affecting his small hometown. Once a community of 20,000, Kerrville has been thrust into heartbreaking headlines due to the tragedy, including loss of life impacting people Parker personally knows. Though his family is safe, the pain is deep as he mourns friends lost, including a close friend’s daughter. Motivated to help, Parker is donating 10% of all sales from his Uptown New Orleans store in July to Kerrville relief foundations, supporting survivors and animals. He honors the memories of those lost and wants others to know Kerrville’s unique spirit beyond this tragedy.

Kerrville native living in New Orleans reflects on heartbreak in his hometown

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Marines to assist ICE at Louisiana detention centers

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thecurrentla.com – Alena Maschke – 2025-07-10 09:15:00

SUMMARY: Up to 200 Marines are deploying to Louisiana to support ICE by performing administrative, logistical, and clerical duties at detention facilities. They will not engage in law enforcement or have direct contact with detainees. This is part of a broader mobilization approved in May, involving up to 700 troops across several states, including Florida and Texas. Louisiana holds the second-largest immigrant detainee population after Texas, with facilities often operating over capacity. The Pine Prairie ICE Processing Center, near Lafayette, is nearly twice over capacity and has faced repeated complaints about human rights abuses and unsanitary conditions. ICE continues expanding its detention network amid rising detainee numbers.

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