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Black Caucus leader confident in Gov. Edwards’ handling of Ronald Greene death
The new head of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus reassured the Baton Rouge Press Club Monday that the caucus remains in full support of Gov. John Bel Edwards after an Associated Press report alleged Edwards misled the public about the death of Ronald Greene. “I think the governor has done everything he possibly can to […]
Louisiana senators kill 5 maps that would have favored Black candidates for Congress
The chance Black Louisiana voters will see their votes for Congress reflect their share of the state’s population grew slimmer Friday after a state Senate committee killed five maps that proposed adding a second majority-Black district. Several similar proposals remain in the Senate and House of Representatives that have yet to be considered. With a […]
Democrats pitch second majority-minority district in Congress for Louisiana; Republicans resist
A state Senate committee stopped short of advancing any maps of revised district lines for Louisiana’s seats in Congress, choosing Thursday to defer multiple options submitted this week. Nonetheless, members of the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee studied six proposed versions – five submitted by Democrats and one from a Republican. Sen. Cleo Fields, D-Baton […]
Senators pick 2 nominees for Louisiana Ethics Board
The Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee on Wednesday settled on two candidates to serve on Louisiana’s Board of Ethics, while its counterpart in the House has not yet decided from a list of 10 nominees. The Senate committee chose Camille Bryant of New Orleans and William Grimley of Baton Rouge, each of whom would serve […]
Louisiana Legislature starts working on new political maps
The Louisiana Legislature opened its special session on political redistricting Tuesday with 22 proposals for reworking boundaries for the state’s seats in Congress, the state Senate, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Public Service Commission and on the state Supreme Court. More proposals are in the works for the Louisiana House of Representatives. Dozens of […]
Panel reviewing how Louisiana courts are funded needs more time for recommendations
A legislative commission studying ways to fund Louisiana’s criminal justice system without burdening defendants with fees and fines postponed its approval of a report that leaves a crucial item unaddressed. On Friday commission members received a 21-page draft report compiled by staff and had hoped to review and vote on its recommendations Monday. Some members […]
Court rules against unvaccinated students at Louisiana medical school
Three students who sued a Monroe medical school over its coronavirus vaccine mandate lost their motion to hold the college in contempt. The ruling, issued Friday, means a settlement from October will remain in place. Rachel Lynn Magliulo, Matthew Shea Willis and Kirsten Willis Hall initially sued the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) […]
Gov. John Bel Edwards’ office says he’ll take questions on Ronald Greene death
In a statement Monday afternoon, the governor’s office said that text message informed Edwards of the death of an unnamed individual. It was not until September 2020 when Edwards first learned of the “serious allegations against Louisiana State Police surrounding the arrest and death of Mr. Ronald Greene,” the statement said.
Derek Chauvin trial expert calls Hammond police use of force among ‘most abusive’ he’s seen
Council members have renewed talk of calling on Mayor Pete Panepinto to fire Police Chief Edwin Bergeron, who was a sergeant at the time and one of the officers in the video.
Louisiana utility regulators rescind contract given to suspended lawyer
The Louisiana Public Service Commission on Tuesday rescinded a state contract it awarded to a consultant with ties to one of the commissioners who approved the deal last month. In a 3-2 vote, the Public Service Commission reversed its Dec. 14 decision to hire Scott McQuaig as a consultant on electric vehicle charging stations. The commission […]
GOP lawmakers reluctant to add majority-minority districts in Louisiana
State lawmakers tasked with redrawing political boundaries to reflect the latest Census figures made the final stop Thursday of their statewide redistricting roadshow in Baton Rouge. Although the data show a population increase of Black residents in urban areas and decreases of white residents in rural areas, Republican lawmakers voiced skepticism and probed for ways […]
Louisiana’s Voting System Commission weighs paper ballot option
Louisiana’s Voting System Commission met Wednesday to learn about new certification standards for voting machines, part of its assigned task to upgrade the state’s outdated equipment. A group of residents that has closely followed the commission — while peddling false information about the 2020 presidential election — continued to pressure the commission to reject voting […]