On May 27, 2025, the Louisiana House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 154, criminalizing the possession and sale of kratom statewide. The final vote—87 in favor, 6 opposed—marked the culmination of weeks of emotionally charged hearings, misinformation campaigns, and ultimately, a rejection of both scientific evidence and proposed compromise amendments that sought to regulate rather […]
In a striking development following the recent jailbreak at the Orleans Justice Center, Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson announced Tuesday that she is suspending her re-election campaign to focus solely on restoring public trust and addressing the security crisis facing the jail. The announcement came just hours after Sheriff Hutson appeared before the New Orleans […]
A bill that could offer meaningful property tax relief for Louisiana homeowners is one step closer to becoming law. On Thursday, State Representative Matthew Willard (D–New Orleans) announced that House Bill 271, which would allow parishes to raise their homestead exemption to $125,000, has advanced out of the House Ways and Means Committee and is […]
On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, reports confirmed that former Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards is actively considering a run for the U.S. Senate in 2026. According to KNOE News, Edwards has spoken with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and the New York Times about the possibility of challenging Republican Senator Bill Cassidy. He reportedly told […]
The Sales Tax Hike Has Already Hit, and It’s Bleeding Working Families In January 2025, the Louisiana sales tax hike and new tax structure went into effect, permanently shifting the burden of funding our state onto those least able to afford it. Politicians and their lobbyists dressed it up in the language of “modernization” and […]
Once again, kratom ban in Louisiana lawmakers are trying to legislate fear instead of facts. Senate Bill 154 would outlaw kratom entirely — a plant that thousands across the state rely on for relief, recovery, and resilience. It’s a move that speaks more to political performance and social control than public health. Let’s get this […]
The U.S. Supreme Court is once again positioned to decide the future of Black political power in Louisiana. This time, the case—Louisiana v. Callais—centers on whether a congressional district map, drawn under court order to comply with the Voting Rights Act (VRA), should be struck down as unconstitutional. The U.S. Supreme Court is once […]
When Democrat John Bel Edwards’ progressive legacy was elected governor of Louisiana in 2015, few expected the West Point graduate from Amite to become one of the most consequential leaders for New Orleans in recent memory. In a deep red state, Edwards defied expectations—not by loud partisanship, but by delivering quiet, pragmatic progress that reshaped […]
Louisiana voters reject amendments in a powerful statement at the ballot box, overwhelmingly turning down all four proposed Louisiana constitutional amendments on March 29, 2025. This resounding message made it clear that the public won’t be rushed into rewriting core aspects of the state’s tax code or justice system without thorough scrutiny and community input. […]
On Saturday, March 29, 2025, voters across Louisiana will be asked to weigh in on four proposed constitutional amendments. After reviewing the language, intent, and long-term impact of each proposal, Big Easy Magazine is encouraging voters to vote NO on all four amendments. This isn’t a decision rooted in politics—it’s a judgment based on principles. […]
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