Louisiana

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NY State of Mind Almost as Bad as Calif.'s
NY State of Mind Almost as Bad as Calif.'s
OPINION
Nov 30, 2009 1:43 PM CST

NY State of Mind Almost as Bad as Calif.'s

Both states' revenues, budgets, legislatures create cause for alarm

(Newser) - Don’t look now, New Yorkers, but your state government is sinking to California-like depths of lousiness. New York’s 2010 budgetary fitness ranks below that of 33 other states in Pew’s latest ranking, trailing the likes of Louisiana, Alaska, and South Carolina. And that’s unlikely to improve,...

Ex-Rep. Jefferson Sentenced to 13 Years
 Ex-Rep. Jefferson 
 Sentenced to 
 13 Years  
cold hard cash
Nov 13, 2009 5:19 PM CST

Ex-Rep. Jefferson Sentenced to 13 Years

Pol busted with $90K in freezer betrays little emotion

(Newser) - A federal judge sentenced former Congressman William Jefferson to 13 years in prison today, less than the 27-plus years prosecutors called for but more than the 10-year term the Louisiana Democrat's lawyer wanted. Jefferson, who was convicted in August of 11 of the 16 counts relating to the public corruption...

Ida Churns Toward Gulf Coast
 Ida Churns Toward Gulf Coast 
Nov 9, 2009 2:07 AM CST

Ida Churns Toward Gulf Coast

Oil companies shutting down rigs, evacuating workers

(Newser) - Hurricane Ida is surging toward the Gulf Coast, triggering emergency warnings in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida. Ida "threatens the safety and security" of citizens along the state's southeast coastline, said an emergency declaration by Lousiana Gov. Bobby Jindal. Forecasters are hoping Ida will lose force as it heads...

Meet the Lone GOP Rep to Vote for House Bill

La. freshman Cao cites district's health woes, abortion concession

(Newser) - House Democrats are wryly proclaiming their health care bill a bipartisan victory—and thanks goes to Ahn "Joseph" Cao, the New Orleans freshman who was the lone Republican to support the bill, reports the New York Times in a look at the man behind the vote. The new abortion...

La. Justice Quits in Interracial Wedding Flap

Officials, including Gov. Jindal, pressured Keith Bardwell

(Newser) - A Louisiana justice of the peace who refused to marry a couple because the bride was white and groom was black resigned today, after weeks of refusing to step down despite calls for his ouster. Keith Bardwell quit with no explanation of his decision; Gov. Bobby Jindal called it "...

Gator Biz Caught in Jaws of Recession

Egg collection shrinks

(Newser) - No industry is safe from the recession, no matter how many teeth it has. The demand for alligator-skin accessories like handbags, watches, and belts has plummeted this year, leaving even top US gator farmers in danger of going out of business, USA Today reports. “This is, by far, the...

Louisiana Judge Won't Marry Interracial Couple

'I'm not a racist. I just don't believe in mixing the races that way.'

(Newser) - A justice of the peace in rural Louisiana says he refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple out of concern for any children the couple might have. Keith Bardwell says it is his experience that most interracial marriages do not last long. "I'm not a racist....

Navy Ship Built With World Trade Center Steel Sets Sail

USS New York heads from Louisiana to namesake city for official commissioning

(Newser) - A US Navy ship built using materials from the World Trade Center has left the Louisiana yard where it was built and headed north for its official christening. The USS New York, an amphibious transport ship, features at its bow some 7½ tons of steel deemed still usable after the...

Vitter Rides High on Anti-Obama Sentiment

Hostility toward prez helps La. overlook hooker scandal

(Newser) - You might think an acknowledged client of a Washington prostitute would have a tough time being reelected to the US Senate. But you’d be wrong, the New York Times reports. David Vitter of Louisiana appears to be a strong favorite in his 2010 bid, and he owes it all...

Boustany: Obama Should Start Over on Bipartisan Plan

(Newser) - Charles Boustany, who was upstaged last night by the impromptu opposition from his colleague, Joe Wilson, delivered the official response to Obama's speech, opening with his "disappointment" that Obama hadn't announced a do-over in the effort to reform health insurance. “Most Americans,  the Louisiana congressman said, wanted...

New Orleans Clinic Gives Jazz Musicians Free Care

Volunteer doctors eagerly treat musical idols

(Newser) - One New Orleans couple is so passionate about jazz that they give musicians free or low-cost health care, NBC News reports. The New Orleans Musicians' Clinic, founded 11 years ago, tries “to prevent death by lifestyle" for low-paid musicians who can’t afford treatment, says one founder. "We...

Ex-Congressman Caught With $90K in Freezer Is Guilty

(Newser) - A federal jury convicted a former Louisiana congressman today of taking bribes on 11 of 16 counts in a case in which agents found $90,000 in his freezer. Former Rep. William Jefferson, a Democrat who had represented parts of New Orleans, was accused of accepting more than $400,000...

My Client's Corrupt, But Who Isn't?
My Client's Corrupt, But
Who Isn't?
politics on trial
Jul 30, 2009 8:50 AM CDT

My Client's Corrupt, But Who Isn't?

All pols have bribes in the freezer, Jefferson's lawyer contends

(Newser) - Former Rep. William Jefferson’s lawyer tried a novel defense tactic in his closing arguments yesterday: putting all of the political class on trial. Sure, his client had stashed bribe money in his freezer—but hasn’t everyone, metaphorically speaking? “We all occupy the gray area,” said attorney...

Monster Fish Becomes Hunters' Fave

(Newser) - Fish don’t get much uglier than the alligator gar, but lately the dinosaur-like monstrosity has attracted a following… of crossbow-wielding sportsmen trying to kill it, the Wall Street Journal reports. Part fishing, part monster hunting, bagging an alligator gar is a thrilling exercise, and at up to 8 feet...

'Jena 6' Defendants Walk With No Jail Time

(Newser) - Five black students accused of beating a white classmate in Louisiana pleaded no contest to misdemeanor civil battery today, ending a trial that triggered a huge civil rights demonstration, the Alexandria Town Talk reports. Critics said that the so-called "Jena Six," originally charged with attempted murder, were...

With Friends Like These...
With Friends Like These...
OPINION
Jun 17, 2009 10:48 AM CDT

With Friends Like These...

My client was drunk, stupid, sleazy—oh, and black, argues Jefferson's lawyer

(Newser) - What do you say when you’re defending William Jefferson, on trial for allegedly taking $100,000 in bribe money and hiding it in his freezer? Pretty much whatever the heck you can think of, writes Dana Milbank of the Washington Post. The lawyer for the then-Congressman opened his defense...

Corruption Trial of Ex-Louisiana Rep Kicks Off

Feds say Jefferson took bribes, had $90K stashed in his freezer

(Newser) - Jury selection began today in the trial of former Louisiana Rep. William Jefferson, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports. The Democrat is charged with taking bribes and using his office to set up business deals in Africa. “It is good to have my family with me,” he said as...

FEMA Will Sell Katrina Trailers to Occupants for $1

Obama administration announces housing plan for victims

(Newser) - Nearly 4 years after Hurricane Katrina hit, the federal government is bringing its assistance program for displaced victims to a close by essentially giving residents the 1,800 mobile homes it has loaned out, the Washington Post reports. Occupants can buy their units for $1 or $5, depending on the...

La. Teen Fires at Teacher, Shoots Himself

(Newser) - A Louisiana teenager shot himself in the head today after firing at a middle school teacher who refused to praise Marilyn Manson, Houmatoday.com reports. The 15-year-old Larose-Cut Off Middle School student, identified as Justin Doucet, left a suicide note saying he planned to go on a shooting spree. He...

David Duke Goes to the Birds in Austria

Former Ku Klux Klan leader runs nature photography business

(Newser) - David Duke appears to have traded in burning crosses for a high-powered camera lens, reports the Telegraph, which tracked the former Ku Klux Klan honcho to a village in Austria. The onetime US presidential candidate now sells photos of birds and other wildlife he’s taken as he traipses through...

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