Louisiana law enforcers will soon have a new message: Don't Tweet and Drive. The latest bit of legislation to make its way through the House and Senate (twice in fact) is one that prohibits updating your Facebook status, Twitter feed or other social media accounts while driving.

Mayor Mitch has to stay in the NOPD consent decree whether he wants to or not. A federal judge denied the administration's attempt to get out of the consent decree that would bring 500 reforms to the police department Thursday, waving off a City's motion to vacate. However, the City will keep the legal wheels churning when it appeals the decision to a higher court.

Rep. Austin Badon's legislation that would have greatly reduced the sentences and fines for marijuana offenders in the state found a majority of support in the House of Representatives when it went to vote, but unfortunately certain restrictions will keep that bill from becoming law.

The recent deluge debate is set for its next round in the ring otherwise known as the U.S. Capitol. Following the defeat of a measure to curtail skyrocketing flood rates last week, U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu introduced a new act today. Last week, Sen. Toomey (R-PA) blocked a Landrieu amendment on flood rates that was made to a large Water Resources bill from going to vote. Landrieu fired back today with the Strengthen Modernize and Reform the National Flood Insurance Program Act (SMART NFIP). 

Three years after the Big Oozy, BP is now worried about a leak on the other side of the pond. Unsurprisingly, the British oil giant is worried about the money flowing out of their coffers into Louisiana and the other Gulf states that saw oil on their shores in 2010. According to a report by the BBC, BP HQ thinks their company is in jeopardy because of "fictitious" claim payments. The company is so worried that they want the prime minister to get involved, according to the report.

Questions surrounding the Iberville Redevelopment, a multi-million dollar project that plans to demolish large blocks of public housing, came to the fore at last week's City Council meeting. The legislative debate reopened the public discourse not just on housing, but also the lack of opportunity that many New Orleans residents face. 

If there is one issue Louisiana politicians understand, it’s the prison system. Gov. Bobby J ventured outside of Baton Rouge yesterday to speak at Virginia’s GOP Convention, and Jindal called for jail time for IRS officials who allegedly targeted conservative organizations, maintaining his conservative drum beat against the IRS scandal. 

In the wake of last weekend's Mother's Day shooting, New Orleans has been focused on the play-by-play of arrests, safehouses and finding what we can do to help those who were injured in the tragedy. Nationally, however, the story continues to have legs as the gun debate rolls along. On Saturday morning, our resident national TV host Melissa Harris-Perry put the shootings in the context of the national gun debate.

by Caroline Lewis 

On Thursday, May 16, Louisiana marked Behavioral Health Day with a rally that drew coalition of mental health advocates to the state capitol. Crowds aimed to shed light on those battling mental illness and addiction, and to promote better access to treatment. The gathering falls in the middle of Mental Health Month, and a trying time for those caught in the cross hairs of Louisiana's budget crisis. 

A lawsuit filed by a former Parish President in St. Bernard who alleged a smear campaign by his successor was thrown out by a federal judge Friday.