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Edwards: Lean State Police numbers limit more local law enforcement help
HARVEY – The ability for Louisiana State Police to help supplement local law enforcement in areas seeing spikes in violent crime is limited because the agency is about 300 troopers short of ideal numbers, Gov. John Bel Edwards said Monday. After a speaking engagement in the New Orleans area, reporters asked the governor about whether […]
5th Circuit stays redistricting ruling, throwing wrench into special session
A federal appellate panel has issued a temporary stay for a lower court ruling that called for the Louisiana Legislature to redraw the congressional districts it approved earlier this year. Gov. John Bel Edwards has called lawmakers into special session next week to meet the U.S. district court judge’s deadline for new maps, but the […]
Clutch or not so much: Rating the 2022 Legislature standouts
The regular session of the Louisiana Legislature produced clutch performances from lawmakers in 2022. While everyone might not agree with the merits of their legislation, they were effective in getting bills through the Legislature from what was at times a jam-packed calendar. Others, not so much Before another round of redistricting begins, it’s worth looking […]
White House weighs in on criminal penalties in Louisiana abortion law
The Biden Administration offered its take Monday on a bill the Louisiana Legislature approved last week that would increase the criminal consequences for abortion providers. It would take effect once, as expected, the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that makes abortion legal. “The Louisiana Legislature has taken the latest step […]
Louisiana’s ‘constitutional carry’ bill turned into ‘school protection officers’ proposal
A bill that would have allowed Louisiana residents to carry a concealed firearm without a permit or training was transformed Wednesday into a proposal to arm teachers in classrooms. A Senate committee amendment to Rep. Danny McCormick’s so-called “constitutional carry” legislation appears to have derailed his pro-gun campaign for the second straight year. Gov. John Bel […]
Off-label uses of prescription drugs could be allowed in Louisiana, with a fail-safe
A proposal in the Louisiana Legislature seeks to clear prescription drugs for uses that federal authorities have not approved. But an amendment to the measure gives state officials the right to step in if any such prescription stands to harm the public. In legislatures and state assemblies around the country, lawmakers have attempted to clear […]
Attempt to raise retirement age for judges in Louisiana fails
A proposed constitutional amendment to raise the mandatory retirement age for Louisiana judges won’t go before voters after legislation to put it on the ballot failed Tuesday in a state Senate committee. Rep. Larry Frieman, R-Abita Springs, sponsored the bill because he said there are very competent judges who are approaching 70 and “are being aged […]
Former State Police leader turns over journals to committee probing Ronald Greene’s death
The former superintendent of Louisiana State Police has turned over his hand-written work journals to a legislative committee investigating allegations that troopers purposely concealed the in-custody death of Ronald Greene in May 2019. House Speaker Pro Tempore Tanner Magee, who leads the committee, confirmed receipt of the journals with the Illuminator Friday afternoon. The path […]
New Mississippi River bridge sites narrowed down to 3
Using a fast-tracked public feedback process, Louisiana transportation officials have narrowed down the options for a new Mississippi River bridge near Baton Rouge to three locations, all connecting the east and west banks of Iberville Parish. Commissioners for the Capital Area Road and Bridge District got their first look at the remaining options Friday morning […]
Despite mass shootings, Louisiana likely to lose gun law ‘island’ status
I took a walk around the neighborhood Tuesday evening to clear my head before I sat down to write this column. Stepping away my work and social media was needed given the news of the day from Uvalde, Texas, and my 10-year-old daughter decided to come along to release some pent up energy. We shield […]
Who is Sgt. William Henry Johnson, the recommended new namesake for Fort Polk?
The Naming Commission has recommended updating Fort Polk, named after a Confederate Army commander, to honor World War I legend Sgt. William Henry Johnson. (Department of Defense photo)
Louisiana lawmakers ponder gasoline stockpile for hurricanes
Louisiana already has 1 million gallons of fuel available if needed for its hurricane response efforts. State lawmakers are considering setting aside another 4 million gallons to address critical shortages in the wake of major storms. Rep. Daryl Deshotel, R-Hessmer, has proposed the Louisiana Strategic Fuel Reserve in House Bill 1057. It calls for the […]