Monday - May 25, 2026
Public Policy Tipoffs Involving Louisiana Newsletter for Friday May 15, 2026 ( 38 items )  

20 Members of the Class of 2026 Recognized at Commencement with Academic and Citizenship Awards
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, May 14 -- Vanderbilt Law School posted the following news: * * * 20 Members of the Class of 2026 Recognized at Commencement with Academic and Citizenship Awards * Twenty members of the Class of 2026 received academic honors, journal awards, citizenship and leadership awards, or recognition from the Vanderbilt Bar Association. Award recipients recognized in the Commencement program are listed below: Academic Awards Nicholas Wallenburgh of Lexena, Kansas received the   more

AG Campbell Issues Statement On Supreme Court Ruling On Mifepristone
BOSTON, Massachusetts, May 14 -- Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell issued the following news release: * * * AG Campbell Issues Statement On Supreme Court Ruling On Mifepristone * Boston -Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell issued the following statement in response to today's ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States in Louisiana v. FDA maintaining access to mifepristone, a safe and effective abortion medication: "Today's decision preserves access to m  more

Ahead of SCOTUS Ruling, Entire Senate Democratic Caucus Backs Resolution Affirming Abortion Pill as Safe, Effective
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news release: * * * Ahead of SCOTUS Ruling, Entire Senate Democratic Caucus Backs Resolution Affirming Abortion Pill as Safe, Effective FDA approved mifepristone for use over two decades ago Supreme Court set to rule on right-wing extremist attempt to roll back access to medication abortion "Law and policy governing access to lifesaving, time-sensitive medication abortion care in the United States should be e  more

Ahead of SCOTUS Ruling, Entire Senate Democratic Caucus Backs Resolution Affirming Abortion Pill as Safe, Effective
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona, issued the following news release: * * * Ahead of SCOTUS Ruling, Entire Senate Democratic Caucus Backs Resolution Affirming Abortion Pill as Safe, Effective * "Law and policy governing access to lifesaving, time-sensitive medication abortion care in the United States should be equitable, transparent, and based on the best available peer- reviewed evidence-based science." Read in HuffPost: Every Single Senate Democrat To Come Out In Support   more

Attorney General Rayfield Statement on SCOTUS Decision Preserving Mifepristone Access by Mail
SALEM, Oregon, May 14 -- Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Rayfield Statement on SCOTUS Decision Preserving Mifepristone Access by Mail * "Today's U.S. Supreme Court d ecision in the Louisiana mifepristone case protects something fundamental - the ability of Oregonians to access safe, effective, FDA-approved medication that millions of people have relied on for decades. "Without mifepristone, patients face longer delays in care,   more

Cassidy Delivers Floor Speech Urging Congress to Make Flood Insurance Affordable Again
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: * * * Cassidy Delivers Floor Speech Urging Congress to Make Flood Insurance Affordable Again * WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) delivered a speech on the U.S. Senate floor highlighting the growing flood insurance affordability crisis ahead of hurricane season and calling for long-term reform of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). He urged colleagues to address rising costs dri  more

Centenary College Awards More Than 100 Diplomas During Spring 2026 Commencement
SHREVEPORT, Louisiana, May 15 -- Centenary College of Louisiana issued the following news: * * * Centenary College awards more than 100 diplomas during Spring 2026 commencement Centenary College of Louisiana awarded diplomas to more than 100 students of the Spring Class of 2026 during the commencement on May 9, 2026, at the Gold Dome. Twenty-three students with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.9 or higher graduated summa cum laude. More than 20 graduated magna cum laude with GPAs between 3.  more

Chairman Cassidy Launches Investigation Into Health Providers Mutilating Children, Announces HELP Committee Hearing Next Week
WASHINGTON, May 15 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following news on May 14, 2026: * * * Chairman Cassidy Launches Investigation into Health Providers Mutilating Children, Announces HELP Committee Hearing Next Week U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, launched an investigation into alarming reports of federally funded hea  more

Chairman Cassidy Reacts to SCOTUS Decision on Dangerous Chemical Abortion Drugs
WASHINGTON, May 15 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following statement on May 14, 2026: * * * Chairman Cassidy Reacts to SCOTUS Decision on Dangerous Chemical Abortion Drugs U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released a statement on the Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana's lawsuit to protect women and their unborn ch  more

Chairman Cassidy, Tuberville Seek Answers on Canvas Cybersecurity Incident, Calls for More Safeguards to Protect Students
WASHINGTON, May 15 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following news: * * * Chairman Cassidy, Tuberville Seek Answers on Canvas Cybersecurity Incident, Calls for More Safeguards to Protect Students U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) raised concerns about the recent cybersecurity incident on Ins  more

Democracy Forward Issues Statement on Supreme Court Decision to Consider Decision Restricting Access to Medication Abortion
WASHINGTON, May 15 -- Democracy Forward, an organization that says it advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy and public education and regulatory engagement, issued the following statement on May 14, 2026: * * * Democracy Forward Issues Statement on Supreme Court Decision to Consider Decision Restricting Access to Medication Abortion Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay in GenBioPro, Inc. v. Louisiana and Danco Laboratories, LLC v. Louisiana. The Court's decis  more

Entergy Arkansas connects classroom learning to real-world careers
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, May 14 [Category: BizEnergy] -- Entergy posted the following news release: * * * Entergy Arkansas connects classroom learning to real-world careers * Classrooms came to life outside the school walls as students from CrossPointe Preparatory School visited Entergy Arkansas's Searcy service center for a hands-on look at how electricity powers their everyday lives. The students spent the day exploring science, math and engineering concepts through real-world demonstrati  more

FERC Opens Review of Louisiana Gas Compression Project Proposed by Kinetica Energy Express
WASHINGTON, May 14 (TNSFR) -- The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission opened a public review period for a proposed $40 million natural gas infrastructure project in Louisiana filed by Kinetica Energy Express LLC, Houston, Texas. According to the commission, Kinetica filed a request on May 1 seeking authorization under its blanket certificate to construct and install an 11,110-horsepower compressor unit along with metering and related facilities tied to the KP-FIN Project. The facilities would  more

FHLB Dallas and Woodforest National Bank Award $150K Grant to Mexican American Unity Council
DALLAS, Texas, May 14 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following news release: * * * FHLB Dallas and Woodforest National Bank Award $150K Grant to Mexican American Unity Council * SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, May 14, 2026-A $150,000 Pathway Fund grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) to the Mexican American Unity Council (MAUC) will help families prevent and address heirs' property issues in San Antonio, T  more

Governor Ron DeSantis Unveils Statue Honoring "Father of the Constitution" James Madison in Florida's Madison County
TALLAHASSEE, Florida, May 14 -- Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Florida, issued the following news release: * * * Governor Ron DeSantis Unveils Statue Honoring "Father of the Constitution" James Madison in Florida's Madison County * MADISON, Fla. -Today, Governor Ron DeSantis unveiled a new statue honoring President James Madison as part of Florida's continued celebration of the nation's 250th anniversary. Madison is known as the "Father of the Constitution" because of his contributions during the Amer  more

Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis: 'Ammonia Build-out: Recipe for Risks'
LAKEWOOD, Ohio, May 14 (TNSLrpt) -- The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis issued the following report on March 12, 2026 by Todd Leahy, Trey Cowan, Anika Juhn and Michelle (Chaewon) Kim entitled "Ammonia build-out: Recipe for risks." Here are excerpts: * * * Key Findings Ammonia build-out would likely have only a limited impact on local jobs, as the ratio of jobs per unit of ammonia production has plummeted--from 2001-2024, production rose by 53.5% while the number of dire  more

Kennedy announces $18.9 million in Hurricanes Ida, Francine aid for Lafourche, Jefferson and Terrebonne Parishes, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- Sen. John Kennedy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: * * * Kennedy announces $18.9 million in Hurricanes Ida, Francine aid for Lafourche, Jefferson and Terrebonne Parishes, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development * WASHINGTON - Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $18,928,243 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Louisiana disaster recovery efforts and repairs in Louis  more

Kennedy introduces bill to lock in $35 insulin price cap for all Americans: "My bill saves money"
WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Sen. John Kennedy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: * * * Kennedy introduces bill to lock in $35 insulin price cap for all Americans: "My bill saves money" * WASHINGTON - Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today introduced the Affordable Insulin Now Act to ensure that every American, including those without health insurance, has access to a 30-day supply of insulin for no more than $35 per month. Kennedy also penned this op-ed in RealClearHealth explaining how c  more

Kennedy on the cost of living: "It is as painful as hell"
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- Sen. John Kennedy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: * * * Kennedy on the cost of living: "It is as painful as hell" * Watch Kennedy's comments here. WASHINGTON - Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) addressed the high cost of living in the United States and explained what Congress is doing to mitigate it in a speech on the U.S. Senate floor. Key excerpts of the speech are below: "But, unfortunately, many moms and dads, when they lie down to sleep at night, can  more

Kennedy urges Congress to pass the Build Now Act: "If we had more housing, the price would go down"
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- Sen. John Kennedy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: * * * Kennedy urges Congress to pass the Build Now Act: "If we had more housing, the price would go down" * Watch Kennedy's comments here. WASHINGTON - Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) urged Congress to pass his Build Now Act, a bill that would address the soaring cost of housing, in a speech on the U.S. Senate floor. Key excerpts of Kennedy's speech are below: "You know, it wasn't that many years ago-I t  more

National Right to Life Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Lower Court Orders Regarding Mifepristone
WASHINGTON, May 14 [Category: Sociological] -- National Right to Life, a pro-life organization, issued the following news release: * * * National Right to Life Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Lower Court Orders Regarding Mifepristone * National Right to Life expressed deep disappointment today following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision that allows loosened regulations surrounding the abortion drug mifepristone to remain in place while broader legal and scientific questions continue to  more

NetChoice Sues Nebraska to Stop Digital Censorship Imports to the Cornhusker State
WASHINGTON, May 14 [Category: Business] -- NetChoice, a coalition of trade associations that says it makes the internet safe for free enterprise and expression, posted the following news release: * * * NetChoice Sues Nebraska to Stop Digital Censorship Imports to the Cornhusker State * LINCOLN, Neb.-Today, NetChoice sued Nebraska to stop the portions of LB 383 that force Nebraskans to surrender digital I.D.'s just to access lawful information and use everyday digital services like social med  more

New study provides rule of thumb to estimate land sustainability in river deltas
CHAMPAIGN, Illinois, May 14 -- The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus issued the following news: * * * New study provides rule of thumb to estimate land sustainability in river deltas * As densely populated coastal communities struggle to keep up with rising sea levels, new research reveals a way to predict how river deltas build land and protect coastal regions from encroaching oceans. This insight will help engineers and policymakers estimate how much new land can be created or  more

No Labels Issues Commentary: Voters Should Choose
WASHINGTON, May 9 -- No Labels, a political organization that advocates for centrism and bipartisanship, issued the following commentary: * * * Voters Should Choose Yesterday morning, the Virginia Supreme Court voided a redistricting referendum that voters had approved just two and a half weeks ago. Virginia Democrats drew a new map that would likely flip four of the state's 11 House seats from Republican to Democratic. Republicans challenged the process on constitutional grounds, and in a 4-  more

NPNA Stands with Black, Brown, and AANHPI Voters; Denounces Supreme Court Ruling as Further Assault on Civil Rights
CHICAGO, Illinois, May 14 [Category: Sociological] -- The National Partnership for New Americans posted the following news: * * * NPNA Stands with Black, Brown, and AANHPI Voters; Denounces Supreme Court Ruling as Further Assault on Civil Rights * WASHINGTON, D.C. -The National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) denounces the U.S. Supreme Court's (SCOTUS) ruling that clears the way for Louisiana, Tennessee, Alabama, and other states to redraw congressional district maps and eliminate major  more

NWLC: SCOTUS Ruling on Abortion Pill Preserves Access, but Threat Remains
WASHINGTON, May 14 [Category: Law/Legal] -- The National Women's Law Center posted the following news release: * * * NWLC: SCOTUS Ruling on Abortion Pill Preserves Access, but Threat Remains * The Supreme Court tonight extended its temporary order blocking the 5th Circuit Court's ruling that prohibited mail-order and pharmacy distribution of mifepristone, a safe, effective medication used in most U.S. abortions as well as in early miscarriage care.  The decision will allow patients and pro  more

Ochsner Children's cardiologist named one of several principal investigators in $15 million initiative to treat heart valve disease
JEFFERSON, Louisiana, May 14 [Category: BizHospital] -- Ochsner Health System issued the following news release: * * * Ochsner Children's cardiologist named one of several principal investigators in $15 million initiative to treat heart valve disease * NEW ORLEANS - Ochsner Health proudly announces that Craig Sable, MD, a pediatric cardiologist with Ochsner Children's, has been named one of several principal investigators in a project that's part of a landmark $15 million research network fu  more

President Trump signs Kennedy, Daines, colleagues' bill to protect Louisiana hydropower plants
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- Sen. John Kennedy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: * * * President Trump signs Kennedy, Daines, colleagues' bill to protect Louisiana hydropower plants * WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump signed into law a bipartisan bill from Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), and John Fetterman (D-Pa.) to increase hydropower production in Louisiana and elsewhere. The 'Build More Hydro' bill requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) t  more

Presidential Trump Issues Statement on Anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
WASHINGTON, May 15 -- President Trump issued the following statement on May 14, 2026, on the anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition: * * * Today, we celebrate the 222nd anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the moment when American pioneers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, together with their team of explorers, embarked on a daring expedition into the American West, testing the limits of human endurance and forever altering the very destiny of our Nation. With the promise   more

Pressley, Murray, Duckworth Introduce Bicameral Bill to Help Women with Disabilities Access Reproductive Health Care
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news: * * * NEWS: Pressley, Murray, Duckworth Introduce Bicameral Bill to Help Women with Disabilities Access Reproductive Health Care * Pressley: "With a nationwide assault on reproductive healthcare deeply impacting our siblings with disabilities, this bill is timely, urgent and responsive." Bill Text | Bill Summary WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Co-Chair of the Reproductive Fr  more

Rep. Nancy Mace Delivers Win For South Carolina's Shrimpers, Save Our Shrimpers Act Passes House
WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Rep. Nancy Mace, R-South Carolina, issued the following news release: * * * Rep. Nancy Mace Delivers Win For South Carolina's Shrimpers, Save Our Shrimpers Act Passes House * WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 13, 2026) - Today, Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC) announced the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2071, the Save Our Shrimpers Act, by a vote of 391-18. Rep. Mace was a lead cosponsor of the bipartisan legislation, which requires United States representatives at inter  more

Reproductive Freedom for All Responds to Supreme Court Decision to Restore Access to Mifepristone
WASHINGTON, May 14 [Category: Political] -- Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly the NARAL Pro-Choice America) posted the following news release: * * * Reproductive Freedom for All Responds to Supreme Court Decision to Restore Access to Mifepristone * Today, the Supreme Court left its temporary stay in Louisiana v. FDA in place, preserving access to mifepristone for the time being while litigation continues at the lower court. Justices Alito and Thomas wrote separate dissents and relied on  more

Senate HELP Committee to Hold Hearing on Protecting Children From Irreversible Gender Transition Procedures
WASHINGTON, May 15 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following news on May 14, 2026: * * * Senate HELP Committee to Hold Hearing on Protecting Children from Irreversible Gender Transition Procedures The U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee will hold a hearing next Thursday on how Congress can protect children from the dangers of irreversible gender procedures. As the first physic  more

Senate HELP Committee to Hold Hearing on Strengthening Charter Schools, Expanding Students' Access to Quality Education
WASHINGTON, May 15 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following news on May 13, 2026: * * * Senate HELP Committee to Hold Hearing on Strengthening Charter Schools, Expanding Students' Access to Quality Education The U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee will hold a hearing next Wednesday on how charter schools meet the students' unique learning needs, empowering parents to give the  more

Senate passes Kennedy resolution to halt senators' pay during government shutdowns
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- Sen. John Kennedy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: * * * Senate passes Kennedy resolution to halt senators' pay during government shutdowns * WASHINGTON - The United States Senate today passed Sen. John Kennedy's (R-La.) resolution to withhold pay from senators during government shutdowns. Kennedy's resolution, which passed by voice vote, will take effect following the midterm elections in November. "This is about shared sacrifice. If senators are goin  more

Southeastern Continues to Share Research With the Public
HAMMOND, Louisiana, May 11 -- Southeastern Louisiana University issued the following news: * * * Southeastern continues to share research with the public Southeastern Louisiana University's Research Council recently presented "PechaKucha, A Research and Innovation Showcase," at Blackened Brew in Hammond. By: Tonya Lowentritt Southeastern Louisiana University's Research Council recently presented "PechaKucha, A Research and Innovation Showcase," at Blackened Brew in Hammond. PechaKucha means  more

Supreme Court Says Abortion Pill Can Be Dispensed by Mail, For Now
NEW YORK, May 15 -- The Center for Reproductive Rights issued the following news release on May 14, 2026: * * * Supreme Court Says Abortion Pill Can Be Dispensed by Mail, For Now While a lawsuit continues, patients will be able to pick up mifepristone at their local pharmacy or have it delivered via mail after a telehealth visit * Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an order allowing people to continue getting the abortion pill mifepristone through telemedicine while a lawsuit surrounding   more

The Leader's Floor Lookout: Thursday, May 14, 2026
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: * * * The Leader's Floor Lookout: Thursday, May 14, 2026 * Here's what to watch for on the House Floor today: Preventing Violent Offenders from Being Released by Bail Charities In the summer of 2020, charitable bail funds like the Minnesota Freedom Fund received massive donations from far left activists, politicians, and celebrities - including then-Senator Kamala Harris - to bail   more