Michael Carroll News
Tech industry groups seek to resume legal battle over Florida social media law
In the wake of a July 1 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, tech-industry trade associations are attempting to reboot their litigation challenging a Florida law that limits how major social media companies moderate their platforms.
Florida TaxWatch: Property insurance, legal reforms showing promise
A recently passed ban on assignment of benefits (AOB) in Florida property insurance litigation has caused the number of “intentions to litigate” to plummet by more than 50%, from 8,345 in March of last year to 4,064 in November of last year, a new study concludes.
Plaintiff attorney: Injunction overturns 'warped' provision of 'Stop WOKE Act'
A federal judge has issued a permanent injunction against a key provision of Florida’s “Stop WOKE Act” that restricts private employers from holding mandatory employee training sessions that promote certain beliefs dealing with race, color, sex or national origin.
Embattled Miami commissioner's home deemed off-limits in ongoing civil litigation
A Miami commissioner has successfully blocked the forced sale of his home by plaintiffs who won a $63.5 million damages award against the commissioner over First Amendment issues.
Federal lawsuit filed in aftermath of crowd surge at Copa America soccer final
A Miami-Dade County soccer fan has filed a federal class-action lawsuit against Hard Rock Stadium and soccer playoff organizers after he and hundreds of other ticket holders were locked out of a playoff game after hundreds of fans stormed the stadium gates..
ACC agrees to share redacted ESPN contracts with Florida attorney general
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has agreed to turn over the details of media rights contracts involving Florida State University (FSU) and other schools as a result of a state Public Records Act lawsuit filed by Florida’s attorney general.
Florida fishermen sue National Marine Fisheries Service over new catch limits
Two Florida fishermen are suing federal officials over a new regulation advanced by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) that cuts the catch limit for a species of reef fish, the gag grouper, by 80% in the Gulf of Mexico.
Civil rights group seeks to reverse UF student's 3-year suspension during pro-Palestinian protests
A civil rights group is calling on the University of Florida to reverse its decision to suspend a student who was arrested after a pro-Palestinian protest, arguing that hastily imposed campus policies raised constitutional concerns.
Coalition of attorneys general agitates for Biden administration to kill new washing machine rule
A coalition of 23 state attorneys general, including Florida’s chief legal advisor, is calling on the Biden administration to abandon a new federal rule to improve the efficiency of washing machines.
Disney attempts to stay wrongful death lawsuit and force plaintiff into arbitration
Disney is pushing to stop a wrongful death lawsuit filed on behalf of a customer with food allergies who died after eating at Disney Springs, arguing the plaintiff created a Disney+ account requiring him to resolve disputes with Disney affiliates through arbitration.
19-year-old nude dancer challenges state's age limit for working in adult entertainment industry
A 19-year-old nude dancer who lost her job due to age restrictions in Florida’s new law on human trafficking is suing the attorney general and other state officials, alleging that the law violates her constitutional right to free expression.
Miami-Dade judge tosses lawsuit accusing former Miami commissioner of shakedown
A Miami-Dade County judge has dismissed a lawsuit against former Miami Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla, who was accused of attempting to pressure a lobbyist to provide financial benefits to an associate in a marina development deal.
Lawsuit alleges retaliation by DeSantis, FDLE; They say plaintiff had plenty of reasons to be fired
A former Florida administrator has filed a whistleblower lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), claiming that he was forced to retire for exposing the defendants’ “illegal practices.”
Chiquita hit with $38.3 million damages award for financing Colombian paramilitary group
A south Florida jury has found Chiquita Brands International liable for $38.3 million in damages related to the deaths of eight civilians because the banana company funded a U.S.-designated terrorist group during Colombia’s civil war.
Judge strikes down parts of Florida law that barred treatments to transgender minors
A federal judge has overturned key provisions of a new Florida law that bars minors whose gender identity differs from their sex at birth from receiving certain medical treatments, such as puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones.
Florida parents challenge new law providing appeals when local school districts retain targeted books
Three Florida parents have filed a federal lawsuit that challenges a state review process allowing school parents to appeal local school board decisions that decline to ban books and other instructional materials.
Seminole County sued over legality of its anti-panhandling ordinance
A Gainesville nonprofit has filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of two Seminole County residents, arguing that a county ordinance criminalizes the act of seeking charity donations in public spaces in violation of constitutional rights.
Investigators arrest 12 for auto insurance fraud in Miami over past 2 months, CFO's office reports
Twelve people were arrested in April and May in the Miami area for allegedly filing fraudulent auto insurance claims or staging car accidents, Florida’s chief financial officer reported, suggesting that such crimes remain a lucrative endeavor in the state.
New Florida immigration law seen as causing hit to state's agricultural economy
The provisions of a Florida immigration law passed last year is pushing farmworkers out of the state, will contribute to a $12.6 billion drop in Florida’s gross domestic product and result in a corresponding decline in state tax revenues, critics of the law predict.
Palestinian Americans sue Palm Beach County clerk over Israel Bonds investments
Two unnamed Palestinian Americans are suing the custodian of Palm Beach County’s financial assets over the investment of $700 million in Israel Bonds, which allegedly help to fund the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.