In a move energy advocates say will increase electric bills for Louisiana residents and allow the state’s utilities to keep earning money for electricity they don’t provide, Louisiana’s energy regulators voted 3-2 Wednesday to scrap plans for an independently operated energy efficiency program more than 14 years in the making.

The matter was added two days before the Louisiana Public Service Commission’s meeting, held at a remote golf club on the Texas border, 2 ½ hours from where the PSC regularly meets. The vote, along party lines, reversed decisions made last year establishing program standards and hiring an independent administrator.

“We today gave a punch to the face to all Louisianians who are struggling to pay their bills because we said we are not interested, as a commission, in ensuring that we can reduce your energy usage so you can afford your bills,” PSC member Davante Lewis, who opposed Wednesday’s motion along with fellow Democrat Foster Campbell, told Floodlight after

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/59816920

I published this story last week, but believe it or not, things have gotten even weirder since, and I haven't even checked the news today.

If you're in Louisiana, don't forget today is the last day to vote on 4 proposed constitutional amendments.

As is tradition in Louisiana, the amendments are vaguely worded and difficult to understand. Even legal experts seem to be confused about what exactly will be accomplished by these amendments.

I'll be honest and admit that I also don't fully understand, but I plan to vote No on all four. Given my recent discovery that a vaguely worded executive order was used to grant the Louisiana National Guard authority over a state of emergency related to cybersecurity, I feel secure in the decision to deny the government another chance to amend the state constitution: https://pimento-mori.ghost.io/comparing-edwards-original-state-of-emergency-cybersecurity-incident-with-land

https://federalnewsnetwork.com/workforce/2025/03/homeland-security-makes-cuts-to-offices-overseeing-civil-rights-protections/

Only 2 of those 3 offices are involved in immigration. The 3rd is the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL), which supports the Homeland Security's mission to secure the nation while preserving individual liberty, fairness, and equality under the law for all American citizens:

https://www.dhs.gov/office-civil-rights-and-civil-liberties

https://moskowitz.house.gov/posts/fema-independence-act-2025

https://federalnewsnetwork.com/congress/2025/03/lawmakers-introduce-bill-to-break-fema-out-of-dhs/?readmore=1

https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/5213057-noem-plans-eliminate-fema/

https://www.fema.gov/about/offices/civil-rights

This bill from a Florida Rep is proposing to liberate FEMA to allegedly free it from DHS red tape, but was introduced the same day DHS secretary said during a televised cabinet meeting she plans to eliminate FEMA

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/59525922

Hey Louisiana residents, don't know if you've heard about Landry's most recent cost saving efforts?

I'm sure I don't need to tell you why this would be very bad in any normal situation, but given some other things that are occurring at the federal level with Homeland Security's Office of Civil Rights, it's even worse than that.

So, I wrote a brief post with some information about why that is, and why all Americans should be concerned by these actions: https://pimento-mori.ghost.io/states-continue-to-push-law-and-policy-that-coincidentally-aids-federal-government-agenda/

My friend Paul Oswell, author and travel writer, also runs a newsletter for cool events happening during the day in NOLA! Check it out if you’re looking for things to do this weekend. He publishes every Wednesday, here’s this week’s events:

WEDNESDAY February 19th

Passing It On: The Art of John Scott
5pm @ Isidore Newman School
Sharing John Scott’s legacy beyond its walls across New Orleans and beyond. More info

Reel History: A Flicker in Eternity
5pm @ The National WWII Museum
A ​partnership with the Japan Society of New Orleans to commemorate the Day of Remembrance with a special documentary screening. More info

LPO Market Nights: Water Seed
5.30pm @ New Orleans Jazz Market
​New Orleans' own Water Seed teams up with the LPO for an unforgettable night fi

My friend Paul Oswell, author and travel writer, runs a newsletter for cool events happening in NOLA! Check it out if you're looking for things to do this weekend. He publishes every Thursday, here's this week's events:

Thursday February 20th

Featured

Van Ella Bordella
​7pm @ AllWays Lounge
​Join Madam Lola van Ella and her intoxicating and charming courtesans for an evening of debauchery, scandal, decadent delights and scintillating Victorian era brothel history. Tickets

CLASS: Burlesque With A Twist
​7.30pm @ AllWays Lounge
A bi monthly showcase featuring the most glamourous, decadent and most "classic" burlesque performers from all over the globe. Tickets

Open Decks
9pm @ The Rabbit Hole
​Come dance and check out 2025's fresh talent at Pure Intentions curated Open Decks. Tickets

Chaotic Good Time
10.30pm @ AllWays Lounge
Immerse yours

Hey folks! This Friday (y'all that's already tomorrow where does time go?! 😭) is Krewe Boheme's parade! Make yourself a Valentine's date to come out and see us! Catch a hand made throw, check out our cool costumes, and dance along to our amazing band, the Revel Force!

Here's the route (the news sites and trackers have been showing an outdated route):

And! Our ball is open to the public this year, and we got ABBA heavy metal cover band BAAB playing for us! Tickets to the ball are a little pricy but it's going to be a fun time, come join in!

Seems pretty dead around here but I'd like to start posting more relevant local content and rebooting this community seems a little more feasible than trying to spin up and moderate !bvlbancha@lemmy.dbzer0.com myself! Not to mention I have zero mod experience!

So anyone still around? Can you see this? Are you receiving me?! Got any Scrim hottakes? Lingering Superbowl gripes? Parade discussions? (I'll be posting one of those soon!)

A board which helps the Roman Catholic archbishop of New Orleans, Gregory Aymond, evaluate abuse allegations against priests and deacons in six cases found clergymen to be credibly accused only for Aymond to ignore the findings and conceal them from the public, a Guardian investigation has found.

Where are all my Nola refugee's!?!?

Trying to give a space for New Orleanians to get together. If you are a refugee from Reddit then you are in similar company!