The Senate Transportation committee is expected this morning to take up legislation that would make text messaging while driving illegal and prohibit minors from using a cell phone while behind the wheel. Senate Transportation Chairman Joe McPherson says these bills have a good chance at passing as legislation that bans text messaging and the use of a hand-held cell phone is awaiting debate on the House floor. McPherson likes the idea of Senator Donald Cravins Junior's bill, which prohibits drivers 17 or under from using a cell phone while behind the wheel. McPherson says they'll look at documenation that may support young drivers have more trouble than experienced drivers when it comes to talking on the cell phone and driving at the same time. A bill that prohibits the use of a radar detector is also on the committee's agenda.

A Senate committee today takes up a controversial bill that would allow teachers to discuss "controversial topics" in the classroom. National Center for Science Education spokesperson Barbara Forrest says it's an attempt to sneak religious creationism in the back door. Creationism is the belief that intelligent design created the universe, the planet and humankind in a relatively short span of time. Louisiana Family Forum spokesman Gene Mills says his group supports bill -- and it's not all about creationism. He says the bill is more about allowing teachers the freedom to address student queries into possible alternatives to scientific theories put forth in class. He says many teachers won't discuss these topics for fear of reprisal. Forrest says a long line of federal court rulings prevent the state from simply allowing the teaching of creation theory. The Senate Education Committee should hear that bill this morning.

The House Education Committee today is scheduled to discuss bills supported by Governor Jindal, and aimed at improving discipline in the classroom. Committee Chairman Don Trahan, of Lafayette, says the panel will hear 3 bills -- two of them his own -- that pertain directly to student discipline. Bills scheduled before the committee today include Trahan's "Teacher's Bill of Rights", which -- among other things -- gives teachers the right to discipline students appropriately, and assures them of their right to teach in a secure and orderly atmosphere. Trahan says teacher authority has eroded over the years.

The wife of a  Keithville man found murdered in his home Sunday has been arrested for hiring someone to kill her husband.

State Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham reopens part of the Mississippi River delta in Plaquemines Parish to recreational fishing.

First Lady Supriya Jindal was in Shreveport and Alexandria today to rally support for an effort to assist those affected by the Gulf oil spill crisis.

Here's a look at stories making national news.

A new national poll finds former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is currently the Republican with the chance of defeating President Obama in 2012. 

Arizona has filed an appeal in the federal lawsuit which resulted in an injunction against portions of the state's new immigration law.