What the Senate GOP Health Care Bill Means for Louisiana

On January 12th, 2016, John Bel Edwards sat down at his desk on his second day of office as Governor of Louisiana. His predecessor Bobby Jindal had depleted the state budget (which prior was experiencing a rare surplus) to a $2 billion deficit. Edwards signed an executive order to allow an influx of $184 million in federal dollars to the state economy, as part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The ACA had been passed, Louisiana was subject to it, Jindal just refused to accept the money. As Edwards said, “the easiest decision I will ever make as governor.”

Paul Trévigne: From L'Union to Plessy v. Ferguson

Each week, historian Sean Michael Chick will highlight some of the country's unsung heroes during the Civil War era who could serve as positive replacements following the takedown of New Orleans' Confederate monuments. This week, learn about the South's first black newspaper editor, Paul Trévigne.

Perfect Gentlemen and Dignified Achievable Men & Women Second Line (Photos)

The annual Father’s Day second line was put on by The Perfect Gentlemen’s Social Aid & Pleasure Club along with The Dignified Achievable Men & Women Social & Pleasure Club (DAM). The paraders strut through Central City, stopping along the way for refreshments and “street-meat” straight-off-the-smokers that are resting on the backs of various pick-up trucks. The event featured TBC Brass Band, and started and ended at the historic Gladstone Bar & Lounge.

This week we bloom in the abundant daylight of summer solstice. We attune to Mother Nature and her bounty and unite, even if for a moment, with vibrations that call us to shine and be free. It is in Cancer’s amniotic waters that we find the divine power to (re)birth ourselves into the primal perfection that runs deep within us, that perfection we cannot shake even if we try. It is in the sun’s vibrant light we fully let go of winter and step into our most radiant selves.

A Hurricane Katrina Murder Mystery

Each week, J.A. Lloyd will take readers through the secret and sometimes unexamined legends, myths, and folklore of New Orleans past. This week, learn about the star-crossed lovers of the French Quarter, Zack and Addie. 

Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie is based off the children’s comic book series from the turn-of-the-century (the 21st century, obviously). As children’s books, it is chalk full of fart and toilet jokes — humor perfectly tailored for its prepubescent readers. The story lines throughout the 12 books have elementary themes of friendship and basic morality, ideas that fit the maturing mind of a child. These are great for a child to laugh at the incredibly juvenile jokes, pun fully intended, but lose all entertainment value as the reader ages. That is not necessarily a bad thing, but shows its roots as solely children’s entertainment. The film does not stray far from the source material: It is full of Uranus jokes and quips about gross names. This is not necessarily a poor decision; it pleases its target audience, and not much else, due to its one-dimensional perspective.

Ladies First

As a father of two daughters who knows there can be no shortage of successful role models for young women, I am not going to exploit the recent, clichéd Wonder Woman analogy when I say it’s a good sign that two of the city’s declared candidates for mayor are women.  Rather, I’m going to yank out a line from one of my favorites, The Matrix. Near the end of the original film, as he holds Neo’s head close to the subway rail, Agent Smith asks, “You hear that, Mr. Anderson? It’s the sound of inevitability.”

That, New Orleans, is now your reality.

I just went to see Wonder Woman for the second time in three days. My family had yet to see it, so I joined them to watch this summer blockbuster for a repeat viewing. As I entered the Dolby Cinema, a flagship theater that brings the most complete movie experience, it was sold out. There was a different crowd in the theater. This time it was filled with girls, mostly tweeners, wearing Wonder Woman shirts, socks, decals on their face, and various stylish apparel options. I grinned and let out a soft chuckle; they were me as a child. I remember watching Spiderman in my own costume times, spewing spidey webs from my wrists, imagining that I can be Peter Parker.

Michael Hahn vs. a Brick

Each week, historian Sean Michael Chick will highlight some of the country's unsung heroes during the Civil War era who could serve as positive replacements following the takedown of New Orleans' Confederate monuments. This week, learn about Louisiana politician Michael Hahn.