Notes from the field.

Win in Louisiana! In August 2002, a U.S. District Judge ordered the Louisiana Governor's Program on Abstinence to stop funding organizations or individuals that use abstinence education to "convey religious messages or otherwise advance religion in any way" in materials or events paid for by program funds. This landmark ruling is the first against any state using federal abstinence-only-until-marriage funds made available under the 1996 Welfare Reform Law. The Louisiana program funded religious revivals, the purchase of bibles, radio messages, and school skits and clubs that preached abstinence in a Christian context. The Judge who made the ruling said he would take steps to ensure the state's abstinence-education programs conform to law.