louisiana

Track Hurricane Isaac in a Google map

The Google Crisis Response team has built a Hurricane Isaac Google map that provides a great deal of information and help for those experiencing Isaac's moderately powerful Category 1 intensity, capable of 95 mph wind speeds, heavy rain, and flooding from dangerous storm surge.

Compatible with nearly all modern Web browsers (including Android and iOS), the interactive map provides a clear look at the path of the storm, as well as the latest warnings for residents of impacted cities and counties. The dynamic map offers many helpful options, including the ability to display current radar and cloud imagery, evacuation routes, and active shelter/recovery center locations. … Read more

Louisiana law says sex offenders must state status on Facebook

Louisiana lawmakers are known for being tough on sex offenders. Today, a new bill was passed that requires all registered sex offenders to note their criminal status on all of their social network accounts -- like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn -- similar to how state registration requirements work, according to CNN.

"It provides the same notice to persons in whose home you are injecting yourself via the Internet," Louisiana State Rep. Jeff Thompson said, according to CNN. "I challenge you today to walk down the street to see how many people and children are checking Pinterest, Instagram, … Read more

Sex offenders battle state courts for Facebook accounts

Tens of thousands of registered sex offenders have been purged from social networks like Facebook and MySpace over the past several years -- banned by state laws prohibiting them from using chat rooms, social networks, or instant messaging.

However, some of these registered sex offenders are now trying to turn the tables in state courts. Legal battles over the right to use social networks have ensued across the U.S., from Indiana to Nebraska to Louisiana, according to the Associated Press.

The position of the registered sex offenders and civil liberties groups is that the state bans violate free speech … Read more

AT&T/T-Mobile merger finds more support in the states

Even as the federal government continues to weigh AT&T's proposed $39 billion takeover of T-Mobile, the deal continues to win support at the state level.

Yesterday, the Louisiana Public Service Commission approved the deal by a 4-to-1 vote. In addition to expressing confidence that the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice will review the merger thoroughly, the Louisiana commission said that "the proposed acquisition has received overriding support locally, as is evidence by the diverse number of groups and officials who are in support."

On May 20, Louisiana regulators said they were opening … Read more

Apple and AT&T targeted by iPhone MMS lawsuit

A new class-action lawsuit has been filed in a Louisiana district court against Apple and AT&T under the Unfair Trade Practices Act and other laws in that state.

The lawsuit accuses both companies of misrepresenting the availability of MMS on the iPhone. According to a report by TG Daily, the suit points out that both companies aggressively promoted the MMS features of iPhone OS 3.0 and the iPhone 3GS using advertising on TV, radio, newspapers, direct mailers, and on the Internet. The suit is expected to represent at least 10,000 people for the class action.

The … Read more