Supreme deny Edwin Edwards' petition for cert.

Yesterday the U.S. Supreme Court denied a petition for certiorari filed by former governor Edwin Edwards, his son Stephen Edwards, and Andrew Martin. The Times-Picayune's story is here; yesterday's order list is here (see p. 5, case no. 05-1504).

Death of John Hainkel

The Associated Press reports that State Senator John Hainkel has died at the age of 67.

Get While the Getting is Good

The Times-Picayune reports that Louisiana Independent Oil and Gas Association is claiming that environmental suits over wells drilled decades ago are now draining today's Louisiana oil production.

The so-called "legacy lawsuits" involve fields that were drilled years ago by the major oil companies with since-discarded technology. Through the years, as the majors left the state, the leases were assumed by other companies that had to take on liability for environmental effects.

"This isn't it," said Don Carmouche, a Donaldsonville attorney who frequently represents landowners in suits against oil companies. "This is a mess that these companies have left in this state. It's time that they clean them out."

19th JDC Judge Invalidates Amendment Banning Same-Sex Marriage

District Judge William Morvant has invalidated the Louisiana constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, on grounds that the amendment had more than one purpose: banning both same-sex marriage and civil unions. The AP story reporting this development is here.

"Legal Incidents" Clause Stirs Debate

The News Star reports on the proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to ban same-sex marriages. In addition to banning such marriages, the amendment also has a clause that prevents "the legal incidents" of marriage from flowing to same-sex unions. The language of the amendment, which has passed both the house and senate, raises an issue as to whether some legal arrangements entered into by same-sex couples will be valid.

Representative Tauzin to take over Jack Valenti's post at the MPAA

The New York Post is reporting that Congressman Billy Tauzin will take over from Jack Valenti as head of the Motion Picture Association of America. 

Representative Tauzin to leave House?

The Christian Science Monitor reports on the possibility that Rep. Billy Tauzin may give up his post to take over Jack Valenti's job as head of the Motion Picture Association of America. Tauzin has insisted that he is running for reelection.

Jindal Flier offends US Judge from Houma

WWLTV's website reports that: "A campaign mailing by supporters of Louisiana governor hopeful Bobby Jindal has a New Orleans-based federal judge and members of his Houma family seeing red. The literature, though it doesn’t specifically name him, labels U.S. District Judge Stanwood Duval II as a 'left-wing' jurist."

Senator Breaux to retire?

Political Wire is reporting that Senator John Breaux may annouce his retirement shortly after the Louisiana Governor's race is completed on November 15th.