Eileen Fleming

A federal judge in New Orleans has declared a mistrial in the case of a retired police officer accused of covering up a deadly shooting of unarmed civilians days after Hurricane Katrina. Eileen Fleming reports the judge is basing the decision on a statement the prosecutor made in front of jurors.

A federal judge in New Orleans has ruled BP is primarily responsible for damage caused by the oil spill in 2010. But, Eileen Fleming reports, the owner of the drilling rig that blew up could still have to pay punitive damages and civil penalties.

A new study released at the Port of New Orleans says sediment in the Mississippi River is building up at rates that could severely clog commerce. Eileen Fleming reports maritime interests say more dredging is essential to the U.S. economy.

A non-profit civil rights group is organizing young men to test the city's new 8 p.m. curfew for those 16 years old or younger. Eileen Fleming reports the effort is aimed at challenging the new restriction.

The Louisiana Justice Institute is sending what attorney Tracie Washington says are testers of the 8 p.m. curfew.

The New Orleans City Council has approved an 8 p.m. weekend curfew for 16-year-olds and those younger in the French Quarter and in the area around Frenchmen Street in the Faubourg Marigny.

The move comes as officials try to curb shootings involving minors. Mayor Mitch Landrieu says he supports the move.

Football will be taking over New Orleans in the next few days. Mayor Mitch Landrieu and others are asking the public to plan for heavy traffic and massive crowds.

The Saints are getting ready for tomorrow's first-round playoff game with the Detroit Lions, while crowds continue celebrating ahead of Monday's BCS Championship. Mayor Landrieu says residents must be prepared to accommodate the quarter-million visitors.

Tulane University is getting a $5 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to help universities in areas prone to disasters establish education and development programs.

Ky Luu is executive director of Tulane's Disaster Resilience Leadership Academy. He says New Orleans has experience dealing in natural disasters, such as hurricanes, and man-made ones, including the BP oil spill. That experience will be shared with centers in Thailand and another in east Africa.

The city of New Orleans is launching a midnight basketball program at the St. Bernard community center. Eileen Fleming reports it's part of the Save Our Sons initiative designed to keep young men out of trouble.

Mayor Mitch Landrieu says the midnight basketball league is linked to his Crime Action Summit held last September, where residents suggested that young people have recreational options for using their spare time.

A state advisory panel has voted against an effort led by the grassroots group Levees.org to mark two spots where levees breached during Hurricane Katrina. However, the drive continues, despite the opposition.