Articles by Jack Brook

Loss of FEMA Program Spells Disaster for Hundreds of Communities and Projects

The textile mills that once served as the backbone of Mount Pleasant, North Carolina, have long been shuttered, and officials believed federal money would be key to the town’s overdue revitalization. They hoped an improved stormwater drainage system and secured …

Lawsuits Against BP Over Health Impacts of Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Stalled

Fifteen years after the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded off the Gulf Coast, killing 11 and sending 134 million gallons (500 million liters) of crude gushing into the ocean, the effects of the nation’s worst offshore oil spill are still …

Lawsuit Alleging Environmental Racism in Louisiana Parish Allowed to Proceed

A civil rights lawsuit alleging a south Louisiana parish engaged in racist land-use policies by placing polluting industries in majority-Black communities can move forward, a federal appellate court says. On Thursday, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New …

Chevron Ordered to Pay $744M for Damaging Louisiana Wetlands

Oil company Chevron must pay $744.6 million to restore damage it caused to southeast Louisiana’s coastal wetlands, a jury ruled on Friday following a landmark trial more than a decade in the making. The case was the first of dozens …

Fraternity Members Charged in Death of Southern University Student

Two more arrests have been made in connection with the death of a 20-year-old Southern University student who was repeatedly punched during an off-campus fraternity hazing ritual, Baton Rouge police announced. Kyle Thurman, 25, and Isaiah Smith, 28, have been …

Lawsuit Alleges City Failed to Protect Revelers in New Orleans Truck Attack

A group of victims of the New Orleans New Year’s Day terror attack filed suit against city officials and contractors, saying they failed to protect revelers from a “preventable” truck ramming incident that killed 14 people and injured dozens. The …

Airbnb Files Lawsuit Against City of New Orleans Over Regulation Dispute

Airbnb is suing the City of New Orleans for requiring the company and short-term rental platforms ensure properties they market are in compliance with city laws. “What we’re looking at now due to Airbnb’s lawsuit is that they do not …

Louisiana Parish Cleared of Violating Environmental Activist’s Freedom of Speech

Louisiana parish officials who threatened to arrest and imprison an environmental activist as she attempted to speak during a public meeting did not violate her right to freedom of speech, a unanimous civil jury ruled Wednesday. Joy Banner had sought …

Lawsuit Alleges City Failed to Protect Revelers in New Orleans Truck Incident

A group of victims of the New Orleans New Year’s Day terror attack have filed suit against city officials and contractors, saying they failed to protect revelers from a “preventable” truck ramming incident that killed 14 people and injured dozens. …

New Orleans Officials Confident in Security Plans Ahead of Super Bowl

New Orleans officials projected confidence in their security plans as the city prepares to host the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras in the aftermath of a terror attack that killed 14 people on New Year’s Day and questions linger over …