A speech from a Democrat representative in favor of a school choice bill went viral as the Louisiana House voted overwhelmingly on Monday to pass the measure, which now goes on to the state Senate.
Rep. Jason Hughes, a Democrat representative from New Orleans since 2019, gave a passionate speech from the House floor in support of proposed legislation that would create an education scholarship program for parents to choose alternative options to the default public school system. The bill <a href="https://legiscan.com/LA/rollcall/HB745/id/1421857" target="_blank" rel="noopener">passed</a> the House 72-32 with 65 Republicans and seven Democrats backing the bill. 
“As I watch children in poverty, trapped in failing schools, who can hardly read, I&#8217;d be damned if I will continue to defend the status quo,” Hughes said in his speech, which was viewed over half a million times on X. “Too many of our children are dropping out, and then we wonder why we have to have a crime session.” 
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APPLAUSE FROM THE CHAMBER for Jason Hughes: 
&quot;I know the political ramifications for me for voting for this bill. 
But I don&#39;t need this $16,800 a year job bad enough to watch our children continue to live in poverty, trapped in failing schools, and not try to do something.… <a href="https://t.co/rgHSbo538A">pic.twitter.com/rgHSbo538A</a>
&mdash; Corey A. DeAngelis, school choice evangelist (@DeAngelisCorey) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeAngelisCorey/status/1777481614873800788?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;I know the political ramifications for me for voting for this bill,” Hughes added. “But I don&#8217;t need this $16,800 a year job bad enough to watch our children continue to live in poverty, and trapped in failing schools, and not try to do something.”
“And in the event I&#8217;m not re-elected, this is what I know: my steps are ordered. This is what I know: my heart is pure. I came here to do tough things. I came here to make tough decisions. And I came here to put children first,” he said. 
Last week, Hughes <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/media/louisiana-democrat-bucks-party-voting-school-choice-bill-poor-kids-trapped-failing-schools" target="_blank" rel="noopener">voted</a> alongside Republicans on the Louisiana Appropriations Committee to advance the legislation to the House floor. Democrats have historically been opposed to school choice proposals in part because of their strong ties to teachers unions. 
“I can&#8217;t close my eyes to the 67% of 3rd graders in public schools who cannot read. I cannot close my eyes to the number of kids living in poverty in our state that are trapped in failing schools,” he said. 
House Bill 745, known as the Giving All True Opportunity to Rise Scholarship Program, was <a href="https://www.thecentersquare.com/louisiana/article_9c9c0af2-f66f-11ee-b2b4-5f1e4cd0e84a.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">authored</a> by Republican Rep. Julie Emerson. It would create a three-phase education scholarship program starting with students in impoverished families before expanding out. 
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&#8220;This program will allow the money to truly follow the child and empower the parents to be able to choose the education that it is best for their child,&#8221; Emerson said. &#8220;I don&#8217;t believe this bill will shut down our public schools and nor is that my desire at all. I don&#8217;t believe there has been a single school closure in a state that has adopted an ESA program.&#8221;
If passed by the state Senate, Republican Governor Jeff Landry is expected to sign it as he praised the House’s passage of the bill. 
“The Louisiana House just passed the Gator Scholarship Program! This is a major step towards ensuring school choice, and empowering parents to choose the learning environments that align with their values and work best for their children,” he <a href="https://twitter.com/LAGovJeffLandry/status/1777473881407701449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1777473881407701449%7Ctwgr%5Ea670631e402b5ded86dcd62da9de2c25578f4764%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecentersquare.com%2Flouisiana%2Farticle_9c9c0af2-f66f-11ee-b2b4-5f1e4cd0e84a.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. 
Both Alabama and Georgia have already passed school choice measures this year and Tennessee is also looking to expand its school choice program as well as its legislative session winds down.

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Louisiana Democrat Votes For School Choice Bill, Says He Can No Longer Back ‘Failing Schools’

Democrats

Education

Louisiana

School Choice

U.S.

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/louisiana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Louisiana</a> Governor Jeff Landry urged state officials this week to create a new policy that requires student-athletes to be present for the national anthem at sporting events after Louisiana State University&#8217;s (LSU) women&#8217;s basketball team missed the national anthem during its regional final game this week.
LSU faced intense criticism for not being on the court when the national anthem was played shortly before their game against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Iowa won 94-87.
“Honestly, I don’t even know when the anthem was played,” <a href="https://www.pennlive.com/sports/2024/04/lsu-basketball-teams-national-anthem-absence-comes-under-fire-on-social-media.html">said</a> LSU coach Kim Mulkey. “We kind of (have) a routine where we’re on the floor and then they come off at the 12-minute mark. I don’t know … we come in and we do our pregame stuff. I’m sorry … Listen, that’s nothing intentionally done.”
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Iowa players holding hands during the American National Anthem. LSU players left the court before the anthem was performed. <a href="https://t.co/GhCLHUXiBX">pic.twitter.com/GhCLHUXiBX</a>
&mdash; Dan Zaksheske (@RealDanZak) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealDanZak/status/1774938110192677111?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The Republican governor responded to the backlash that the team faced by saying that officials need to enact a policy requiring athletes to show up for face serious consequences.
&#8220;My mother coached women’s high school basketball during the height of desegregation, no one has a greater respect for the sport and for Coach Mulkey,&#8221; he said. &#8220;However, above respect for that game is a deeper respect for those that serve to protect us and unite us under one flag! It is time that all college boards, including Regent, put a policy in place that student athletes be present for the national anthem or risk their athletic scholarship! This is a matter of respect that all collegiate coaches should instill.&#8221;
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My mother coached women’s high school basketball during the height of desegregation, no one has a greater respect for the sport and for Coach Mulkey. However, above respect for that game is a deeper respect for those that serve to protect us and unite us under one flag !
It is…
&mdash; Jeff Landry (@JeffLandry) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffLandry/status/1775165096945229863?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Mulkey has recently been in the news after The Washington Post ran a hit <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/03/30/kim-mulkey-lsu-griner-reese/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">piece</a> on her that accused her of exploding at officials, treating reporters poorly, holding grudges, and clashing with players.
She reportedly has had an intense feud with Brittney Griner and the report claimed that she was harsh toward gay players — an accusation that she and her legal team have strongly pushed back against, including providing an affidavit that undercut one of the claims made against her.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry speaks during CPAC (

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry Pushes For Policy Change After LSU Misses National Anthem

College sports

Jeff Landry

Louisiana State University

National Anthem

Social Issues

A bill that would allow any non-felon <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/louisiana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Louisiana</a> resident to concealed carry a gun without a permit has passed both the state House and Senate and is expected to be signed by Governor Jeff Landry (R-LA). 
The Republican-backed proposal, SB 1, passed the House on Wednesday by a 75-28 vote and the Senate 28-10 last week. If signed, Louisiana would be the 28th state to enact a constitutional carry-style law. 
The Louisiana bill <a href="https://legis.la.gov/legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1348797">says</a> “that law-abiding persons eighteen years of age and not otherwise prohibited may carry a concealed weapon lawfully without a permit,” removing previous requirements for concealed carry in the state. 
“People are getting raped, murdered, carjacked and assaulted,” <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/bill-allowing-permitless-concealed-carry-louisiana-heads-governors-107656008" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> Louisiana state Rep. Mike Johnson on Wednesday. “A vote for this bill today gives the citizens of Louisiana the right to defend themselves.”
Republican state Sen. Blake Miguez was the sponsor of the legislation and noted it would take effect on Independence Day if signed. 
“Thank you to the LA House of Representatives for passing<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SB1?src=hashtag_click"> #SB1</a> (Constitutional Carry) without amendments. It will now head to Governor Jeff Landry’s desk for signature with an effective date of July 4th this year, in honor of the our nation’s Independence Day,” he said. 
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Thank you to the LA House of Representatives for passing <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SB1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SB1</a> (Constitutional Carry) without amendments. It will now head to Governor Jeff Landry’s desk for signature with an effective date of July 4th this year, in honor of the our nation’s Independence Day. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/2A?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#2A</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/lalege?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#lalege</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/lagov?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#lagov</a>
&mdash; Blake Miguez (@BlakeMiguezLA) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlakeMiguezLA/status/1762902046422733024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The proposal was passed after Landry asked the state legislature to pass tougher punishments for crime as well as pass a constitutional carry bill in a special session.
“While criminals carry guns without regard for the law, lawful gun owners are our most law-abiding citizens. Their armed presence helps deter violent crime,” Landry <a href="https://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/4425" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. “It is time Louisiana join 27 other states who have created a constitutional right to carry a firearm without the government’s permission. This body has repeatedly passed it. Now you have a governor who will sign it.”
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A constitutional carry bill was <a href="https://apnews.com/article/la-state-wire-gun-politics-laws-government-and-politics-e3d0715cb75456ffcb58391bf2850cb4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">vetoed</a> in June 2021 by then-Governor John Bel Edwards (D-LA) after both the state House and Senate passed the measure overwhelmingly. 
The governor’s office changed hands earlier this year after Landry <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/republican-jeff-landry-elected-louisiana-governor-by-huge-margin-flips-state-red" target="_blank" rel="noopener">won</a> over 50% of the vote in Louisiana’s “jungle primary” in October 2023. Since Landry won over 50% of the vote the race did not go on to the general election. 
Landry ran on getting crime under control and improving the economy and public school system. His campaign website blasted “woke” district attorneys for being soft on crime, and he says that as governor, Louisiana would “hold everyone, and I mean everyone, accountable for violent crime.&#8221;

Todd Settergren of Setterarms gun shop, handles pistols inside his display case on Friday Jan. 13, 2017, in Walnut Creek, Ca. Settergren says California gun laws have gone too far and he welcomes the chance that the federal government under the Trump admi

Louisiana Legislature Sends Constitutional Carry Bill To Republican Governor

Concealed Carry

Gun Rights

Politics

Second Amendment

An illegal alien was arrested this week in Louisiana for allegedly raping a minor and for a separate incident where he allegedly stabbed a victim in the face while committing an armed robbery.
The Kenner Police Department <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=791811786314248">arrested</a> 19-year-old illegal alien Angel Matias Castellanos-Orellana, a Honduran national, on Sunday &#8220;after he committed an armed robbery and stabbed the victim,&#8221; the department said.
WVUE <a href="https://www.fox8live.com/2024/02/27/undocument-immigrant-accused-rape-stabbing-separate-kenner-incidents/">reports</a> that the stabbing victim was approached by Castellanos-Orellana as they were getting out of their vehicle and Castellanos-Orellana demanded the victim&#8217;s property. Castellanos-Orellana allegedly stabbed the victim &#8220;multiple times in his face and his back,&#8221; the report said.
Law enforcement said that the victim is in stable condition at a local hospital.
Police started looking for Castellanos-Orellana last week after they named him as a suspect in the First-Degree Rape and Aggravated Assault case of a 14-year-old girl.
Throughout the course of their investigations, Kenner Police cooperated with Immigration and Customs and Enforcement (ICE) officials who have lodged a detainer request for the illegal alien. Castellanos-Orellana has allegedly used fraudulent aliases in the past.
Castellanos-Orellana has been charged with Armed Robbery, Aggravated Battery, First-Degree Rape and Aggravated Assault.
&#8220;Illegal immigrants continue to be a challenge to local law enforcement for many reasons,&#8221; said Police Chief Keith Conley. &#8220;Lack of access to data, false identification and language barriers put local law enforcement at a huge disadvantage. We cannot verify if an illegal alien is giving correct information as it pertains to names and date of births. It is not only a drain on police manpower, but a financial drain on local law enforcement’s budgets and taxpayer’s money.&#8221;
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&#8220;In a 25-day period, this illegal alien caused terror in our community,&#8221; he added. &#8220;We are glad he is off our streets, but will he be back? Will he have a new identity? What other crimes has he committed since he crossed our borders?&#8221;
Governor Jeff Landry (R-LA) said that his family was praying for those who were &#8220;harmed&#8221; by the illegal alien.
&#8220;This man should never have been in Louisiana!&#8221; Landry wrote on X. &#8220;We must close our borders and keep our communities safe!&#8221;
Under President Joe Biden, more than 7.2 million illegal aliens — a number <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/illegal-immigrants-biden-admin-amount-greater-population-36-states">greater than</a> the population of 36 U.S. states — have entered into the United States. Biden’s border crisis has now become the <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4422273-immigration-overtakes-inflation-top-voter-concern-poll/">top overall</a> issue for voters heading into this fall’s expected general election rematch between Biden and former President Donald Trump. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) <a href="https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/cbp-enforcement-statistics/criminal-noncitizen-statistics">reports</a> seeing a massive increase in the number of criminal illegal aliens encountered at the U.S. border under Biden.

Angel Matias Castellanos-Orellana

Illegal Alien Arrested For Alleged Child Rape, Stabbing Adult In Face During Armed Robbery: ‘Caused Terror’

Crime

Illegal Immigration

Governor Jeff Landry (R-LA) declared a state of emergency in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/louisiana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Louisiana</a> on Friday over a shortage of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/police" target="_blank" rel="noopener">law enforcement</a> officers in the state.
Landry made the declaration in an <a href="https://gov.louisiana.gov/assets/ExecutiveOrders/2024/JML-Executive-Order-22.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">executive order</a> that comes just days before the legislature will meet for a special session on crime, which the governor said will focus on strengthening the criminal justice system and repealing soft-on-crime policies. According to the Louisiana Sheriffs Association, there is a shortage of 1,800 deputies as of July 2023.
“As a former police officer and sheriff’s deputy, I understand the vital role our law enforcement officers play in our communities. Currently, our state is facing a shortage of officers, resulting in increased crime and less public safety. Today’s executive order, and the upcoming crime special session, will ensure our law enforcement officers are supported and we can begin to bring law and order back to our state,” Landry <a href="https://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/4423" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.
Landry’s order comes as cities around the country have <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/more-than-2500-nypd-cops-have-quit-this-year" target="_blank" rel="noopener">struggled to retain</a> police officers and recruit amid increasing crime and a push by some activists to “Defund the Police.” Some entities are <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/denver-considers-allowing-non-citizens-to-be-cops-firefighters" target="_blank" rel="noopener">even considering</a> letting non-citizens join the ranks of the police.
The executive order says that the “national police officer shortage has affected Louisiana with departments experiencing record-low employment and an increase in police officer response times resulting in an increased threat to the lives, property, and safety of persons within the state of Louisiana.”
The Louisiana Sheriff&#8217;s Association praised the executive order, saying that it highlighted “the importance of the law enforcement profession and our state’s desperate need to fill valuable front line deputy positions.”
During the special session, Landry <a href="https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/24414844/13-jml-2024-call-and-convene-legislature-into-extraordinary-session.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wants</a> the legislature to look at restricting parole eligibility, expanding the criteria to revoke parole and probation, increasing penalties for carjackings, upgrading illegal use of weapons to the violent crime category, granting immunity under certain conditions to peace officers, and creating a criminal offense for the marketing of fentanyl to minors.
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“This special session begins to fulfill the campaign promises we made to the people of Louisiana to make our State Safe Again. No one, regardless of their neighborhood or zip code, should feel unsafe. We all want safer communities,” Landry <a href="https://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/4416" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. “We will defend and uplift our law enforcement officials and deliver true justice to crime victims who have been overlooked for far too long.”
New Orleans, whose police force Landry <a href="https://www.police1.com/nola/la-governor-slams-nopd-consent-decree-announces-return-of-state-police-troop" target="_blank" rel="noopener">previously said</a> was in “shambles,” consistently ranks as one of the most violent cities in America. Landry took office in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/republican-jeff-landry-elected-louisiana-governor-by-huge-margin-flips-state-red" target="_blank" rel="noopener">January</a> after his election in October flipped control of the governor&#8217;s mansion in after promising to crack down on crime in the state.

Republican Governor Declares State Of Emergency Over Police Officer Shortage

Law Enforcement

New Orleans

Police

A shrimper interest group is suing the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/biden-administration" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Biden administration</a> over a costly new rule that threatens the livelihoods of many Louisiana fisherman, the Louisiana Shrimp Association (LSA) announced Wednesday.
The LSA, in partnership with the conservative Pelican Institute, challenged a requirement by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) that skimmer trawl vessels 40 feet and longer in length use Turtle Excluder Devices (TED). The devices are designed to <a href="https://www.businessreport.com/business/louisiana-shrimpers-suing-federal-government-over-turtle-protection-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">help</a> sea turtles escape if caught in shrimpers nets.
“The bureaucrats who instituted this rule ignored the economic devastation it will cause to shrimpers,” Pelican Institute founder James Baehr said in a statement. “This unnecessary and unconstitutional rule is a direct attack on Louisiana livelihoods and culture.”
The new rule mandates an expensive new update to shrimpers boats, and one that is, by the data, unnecessary, the lawsuit argues.
“These [NMFS] bureaucrats ignored data showing 1) the devastating financial impact the rule would have on Louisiana shrimpers and 2) the complete lack of environmental threat facing inshore turtles – as only two documented interactions with sea turtles have occurred in 55 years and neither was harmed – and turtle nests are thriving,” said the lawsuit, a copy of which was obtained by The Daily Wire.
In addition, the LSA filing accused the Biden administration of violating the regulatory protocol when implementing the new rule.
“Defendants have violated the [Administrative Procedures Act (APA)] by (1) failing to show the need for a new rule without any evidence that sea turtles inhabit Louisiana’s inshore waters and thereby encounter skimmer trawls, (2) refusing to consider relevant data supporting an exclusion zone for inshore waters of Louisiana despite the State of Louisiana’s request for an exclusion zone, and (3) ignoring significant industry reliance interests by the shrimpers,” the lawsuit said.
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The NMFS issued the final rule requiring TEDs in 2019, but the implementation of the rule was delayed several times. The rule was first delayed until April 1, 2021, to give time for local shrimping shops to acquire and affix the TEDs to shrimp boats. The rule was delayed again after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic until August 1, 2021, to allow for travel and business restrictions.
“[D]espite a request from the Louisiana Department of Fish and Wildlife for the NMFS to delay the rule again in light of continuing challenges, the Defendants refused to delay the Final Rule’s effective date and Plaintiffs have paid the price,” the lawsuit states.
An NMFS economic analysis completed prior to the rule’s implementation found that “that the financial conditions for many vessels are and have been poor” and that shrimpers operate on small margins. The analysis also found that &#8220;a high number of the part-time vessels may not continue operating” after the costly new rule is put in place, according to the lawsuit.

shrimp trawler

Costly Biden Rule Threatens To Put Louisiana Shrimpers Out Of Business, Lawsuit States

Biden Administration

Executive

Food

Republican Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has moved to have all of his state&#8217;s agencies track the costs of illegal immigration to taxpayers.
Landry signed an <a href="https://gov.louisiana.gov/assets/ExecutiveOrders/2024/JML-Executive-Order-05.pdf">executive order</a> on Tuesday that focuses on &#8220;identifying, quantifying, and mitigating the adverse effects of illegal immigration in Louisiana,&#8221; his office <a href="https://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/4369">said</a> in a statement. &#8220;This order will require the head of every executive branch entity throughout the state of Louisiana to capture certain data in order to determine the costs the state is having to incur due to those entering our country illegally.&#8221;
Landry said that the cost of illegal immigration in the state was &#8220;falling on the shoulders of hard-working Louisianans&#8221; and the order sought to determine the full extent that the state&#8217;s citizens are being burdened with &#8220;because of those who do not follow the law.&#8221;
&#8220;Louisiana will always welcome those who legally immigrate, but taxpayers cannot continue to foot the bill for individuals who break the law and skip the line,&#8221; he said.
Every state agency, department, office, commission, board, and entity of the state of Louisiana has 120 days to provide a written report to the governor stating their duties and responsibilities &#8220;relative to the provision of public services or the expenditure of public funds directly or indirectly to, or for the benefit of illegal aliens, which reports shall contain one or more recommendations for collecting and analyzing data related to the provision of public services or expenditure of public funds directly or indirectly to, or for the benefit of illegal aliens.&#8221;
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The Executive Order also dictates that law enforcement in the state must report to him on a monthly basis about &#8220;the total number of persons charged or convicted of a criminal offense, which reports shall include information regarding the citizenship or nationality and immigration status of the alien, whether the alien is lawfully or unlawfully present in the United States, the specific offense(s) for which the alien was charged or convicted, the alien&#8217;s criminal history, any known or suspected gang affiliation, and the jurisdiction of arrest and/or conviction.&#8221;
Landry also ordered the state to regularly publish on state websites all data being collected so that the public can see the most up to date information.

House Select Subcommittee On Weaponization Of Federal Government Hearing

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry Orders All State Entities To Report Costs Of Illegal Immigration

Seven people were killed, and at least two dozen others were injured on Monday when a dense &#8220;super fog&#8221; over New Orleans severely limited visibility for drivers on an interstate and caused a massive multi-car pileup, authorities said.
The series of crashes — involving at least 158 vehicles — began just before 9 a.m. on Interstate 55 and stretched along a one-mile span of the highway, Louisiana State Police spokesperson Sgt. Kate Stegall <a href="https://weather.com/news/weather/news/2023-10-23-smoke-fire-fog-new-orleans-visibility" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> weather.com. According to reports, at least three 18-wheelers were involved in the crash, with at least two fully engulfed in flames.
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RAW VIDEO: Scene of multiple crashes and fires on I-55 northbound near the Manchac exit&gt;&gt;<a href="https://t.co/p2ctyyrKaS">https://t.co/p2ctyyrKaS</a> <a href="https://t.co/eYJIPb7bw9">pic.twitter.com/eYJIPb7bw9</a>
&mdash; FOX 8 New Orleans (@FOX8NOLA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOX8NOLA/status/1716480829960917212?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Stegall said they expect the highway to remain closed until crews complete the interstate inspection.
&#8220;We are working from the outside, in,&#8221; Stegall reportedly said.
The fatal incident left at least 25 people injured, some in critical condition, who were transported to nearby hospitals.
Louisiana State Police reportedly said more fatalities could be discovered as crews continue to clear up the debris of charred and crumbled vehicles that crashed in both directions of the Louisiana expressway.
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I55 south bound south of manchac. Stay away <a href="https://t.co/aByuvzUsxg">pic.twitter.com/aByuvzUsxg</a>
&mdash; NorthShore Gladiators (@NSGladiators) <a href="https://twitter.com/NSGladiators/status/1716459763788021832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards confirmed the accident in a <a href="https://twitter.com/LouisianaGov/status/1716568910567240053" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> Monday on social media.
&#8220;Please join me and Donna in praying for those hurt and killed in today&#8217;s tragic I-55 crash, as well as their families. The combination of wildfire smoke and dense fog is dangerous, and I want to encourage all Louisianans in affected areas to take extreme caution when traveling,&#8221; Gov. Edwards said.
&#8220;I also want to thank the first responders and medical personnel who have worked so diligently to save lives and render aid. The best way you can help them, besides exercising caution on the road, is to donate blood at your local blood donation center. It will help replenish supplies that are being drained today to care for the wounded,&#8221; Gov. Edwards said.
According to Tyler Stanfield, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in New Orleans, the mix of moisture and smoke from a wildfire across the Mississippi River caused the dense fog.
&#8220;It&#8217;s the perfect storm,&#8221; Stanfield <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/23/us/fog-new-orleans-louisiana-crash.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> said.
Stanfield said New Orleans typically sees the super fog twice a year, usually from swamp fires that frequently occur in the region in the Fall due to dry conditions.
Clarencia Patterson Reed <a href="https://www.nola.com/news/traffic/at-least-2-dead-in-pileups-of-hundreds-of-vehicles-on-i-55-in-louisiana/article_c929e2ae-71bf-11ee-a0e6-c7222d3ca0d2.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate the thick fog forced her to come to an abrupt stop to avoid crashing into vehicles ahead of her on the interstate early Monday. But as soon as she hit the brakes, she was in the pileup when other cars began slamming into her vehicle.
&#8220;It was &#8216;Boom. Boom,'&#8221; she said. &#8220;All you kept hearing was crashing for at least 30 minutes.&#8221;
Reed escaped her vehicle relatively unharmed, but her wife suffered an injury on the side of her leg.
&#8220;We&#8217;re grateful because we&#8217;re alive,&#8221; Reed said. &#8220;We&#8217;re here to tell you what we see up here because some people will not get that chance. It&#8217;s bad.&#8221;
Christopher Coll told the outlet he had already started pumping the breaks when he noticed the cluster of vehicles crashed in front of him.
&#8220;I was already on the brakes, slowing down when an F-250 drove up on top of my work trailer and took me for a ride,&#8221; Coll said.
The impact from the pickup truck pushed Coll&#8217;s vehicle into the pileup, where he eventually had to kick open his passenger door to flee the chaos. He told the outlet he escaped without injuries, but the series of crashes totaled his vehicle, and he lost all of his work tools and supplies.
&#8220;I&#8217;ve never seen anything like this before,&#8221; Coll said. &#8220;It was horrible. It was the worst wreck I&#8217;ve ever seen.&#8221;

Massive 150-Vehicle Pileup In Louisiana Leaves 7 Dead, 25 Injured: Reports

Massive 150-Vehicle Pile-up In Louisiana Leaves 7 Dead, 25 Injured: Reports

Car Crash

Severe Weather

Wildfires

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, a conservative Republican, was elected governor of the state in a landslide victory on Saturday night. 
He <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/10/14/us/elections/results-louisiana-governor.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">beat out</a> his next closest challenger, Democrat Shawn Wilson, by 51.6% to 25.9% in Lousiana’s all-party primary election. Landry, who flipped control of the governor&#8217;s mansion after eight years of Democratic rule, was endorsed by former President Donald Trump. 
&#8220;Today&#8217;s election says that our state is united,&#8221; Landry <a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/10/15/1206005097/republican-jeff-landry-wins-louisiana-governors-race-reclaims-office-for-gop" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in his victory speech. &#8220;It&#8217;s a wake-up call and it&#8217;s a message that everyone should hear loud and clear, that we the people in this state are going to expect more out of our government from here on out.&#8221;
Louisiana has a “jungle primary&#8221; system, meaning that the expected runoff was averted because Landry garnered more than 50% of the vote in the 16-candidate <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/jeff-landry-wins-louisiana-governorship-flipping-state-gop-rcna119882" target="_blank" rel="noopener">field</a>, including Republicans, Democrats, and independents. It’s the first time that’s happened since the 2007 and 2011 elections, with former Republican Governor Bobby Jindal winning both contests handily. 
Landry is a former U.S. congressman from Louisiana’s 3rd district, a seat he held from 2011 to 2013. In 2016, he was elected attorney general of Louisiana and was easily re-elected four years later. Saturday’s gubernatorial election was <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/republicans-flip-democrat-held-louisiana-governor-seat-first-major-contest-ahead-of-2024-elections" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the</a> first major contest preceding the 2024 elections. 
In May, Trump <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffLandry/status/1655578165769654273?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1655578165769654273%7Ctwgr%5E1ea1abd9b668a2c68acfdf7bc30aee845555f2fa%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fiframe.nbcnews.com%2FkXAdbTN%3F_showcaption%3Dtrueapp%3D1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">endorsed</a> Landry, saying, “I am endorsing your Attorney General Jeff Landry for Governor. He has been a fantastic Attorney General. He wants to stop crime. He loves the people of Louisiana just like I do.”
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Landry also had the <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/meetthepressblog/trump-endorses-landry-louisiana-gubernatorial-race-rcna83350" target="_blank" rel="noopener">backing</a> of the state GOP heading into the primary. In a Saturday post to Truth Social, Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/111236901328097128" target="_blank" rel="noopener">congratulated</a> Landry on the win and said he would be a “truly GREAT GOVERNOR.” 
Landry <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/republicans-flip-democrat-held-louisiana-governor-seat-first-major-contest-ahead-of-2024-elections" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ran on</a> getting crime under control and improving the economy and public school system. His campaign website <a href="https://jefflandry.com/values/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">blasts</a> “woke” district attorneys for being soft on crime, and he says that as governor, Louisiana would “hold everyone, and I mean everyone, accountable for violent crime.” He describes himself as a “fearless champion” for the pro-life cause, receiving a 100% score from the National Right to Life. 
The governor-elect has also been a strong voice for parental rights in education, saying he would <a href="https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/hold-louisiana-attorney-general-jeff-landry-vows-sign-parental-rights-bills-if" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sign</a> a parental rights bill as governor and <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/14/us/politics/landry-republican-louisiana-governor.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pledging</a> to stop the “woke agenda” in schools throughout the state.  
Following the election on Saturday night, Landry said he was “Thankful beyond belief” and “ready to get to work.” He will succeed Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards, who congratulated Landry in a <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffLandry" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> and said he campaigned on &#8220;important kitchen table issues.&#8221;

Republican Jeff Landry Elected Louisiana Governor By Huge Margin, Flips State Red

Donald Trump

Elections

gubernatorial race

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/louisiana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Louisiana</a> Tech announced on Saturday that the program is suspending a player who appeared to stomp on the head of an opposing player during a game on Friday night.
Brevin Randle, a 6-foot 230-pound linebacker, was suspended by the school for his actions during the second quarter of the team&#8217;s matchup against the University of Texas at El Paso.
Louisiana Tech athletic director Eric Wood said in a statement, &#8220;Coach Cumbie and I met with Brevin Randle today and informed him that he has been suspended indefinitely as a result of the incident during last night&#8217;s game versus UTEP.&#8221;
&#8220;In speaking with Brevin, he acknowledges that his action was wrong and understands the consequence of that action,&#8221; the statement continued. &#8220;Our university, athletic department, and football program believe in culture, class, and competitive excellence and in no way was that displayed in that moment.&#8221;
Sports Illustrated <a href="https://www.si.com/fannation/college/cfb-hq/ncaa-football/brevin-randle-punishment-stepped-on-players-head-during-game" target="_blank" rel="noopener">noted</a> that Randle pushed UTEP offensive lineman Steven Hubbard into the turf after a play and that while he was on the ground he &#8220;stepped on the player&#8217;s head and neck area with his right foot.&#8221;
Officials appear to have missed seeing the incident as no penalty flags were thrown.
Louisiana Tech beat UTEP by two touchdowns, 24-10.
The incident sparked widespread condemnation online.
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&#8220;This is disgusting &#8211; Louisiana Tech LB Brevin Randle deliberately stomped over a defenseless player&#8217;s head,&#8221; football analyst Dov Kleiman wrote on X. &#8220;Somehow this wasn&#8217;t flagged but he should be suspended immediately.&#8221;
Some called for Randle to be banned from playing football for the rest of his life.
WATCH:
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This is disgusting &#8211; Louisiana Tech LB Brevin Randle deliberately stomped over a defenseless player&#39;s head.
Somehow this wasn&#39;t flagged but he should be suspended immediately.<a href="https://t.co/qMGr3W0n4J">pic.twitter.com/qMGr3W0n4J</a>
&mdash; Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL_DovKleiman/status/1708097462374715897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2023</a></blockquote>
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COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 02 Louisiana Tech at SMU

WATCH: College Football Player Suspended After Appearing To Stomp On Player’s Head

WATCH: College Football Player Suspended After Appearing To Stomp On Player's Head

College Football

General

Sports

A man who has been on the run for the past 32 years after being convicted of attempted murder has finally been captured in Mexico.
Greg Lawson, 63, could be seen laughing as he was handcuffed and returned to U.S. soil, the New York Post <a href="https://nypost.com/2023/09/21/greg-lawson-captured-in-mexico-after-32-years-on-run/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. He has spent half his life on the run.
The FBI has been searching for Lawson since 1991, and has chased down numerous leads over the past three decades across the United States, though the bureau had long suspected he had fled to Mexico. Then, earlier this month, the FBI’s office in New Orleans received a tip that Lawson was, indeed, in Mexico. Shreveport agents as well as those in Mexico coordinated with FBI Headquarters and the Mexican immigration authorities to locate Lawson and take him into custody. He was arrested on September 19 in Huatulco, Mexico, and deported for immigration violations.
“We want to thank our partners and the public in this case, who never gave up hope that justice could be served for Mr. Lawson’s victim,” Douglas A. Williams Jr., special agent in charge of FBI New Orleans, said in <a href="https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/neworleans/news/tip-to-fbi-ends-32-year-long-manhunt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a statement</a>. “There is no doubt that Mr. Lawson might still be in the wind if our partners in Mexico had not been willing to deal with this so swiftly.”
When he was 31 years old, Lawson attempted to run his childhood friend Seth Garlington’s car off the road. The two ended up in a gas station parking lot and a shootout ensued. Garlington survived his injuries and Lawson was convicted, but he didn’t stick around to hear the verdict. He fled and his truck was found just a block away from where the trial was held at the Claiborne Parish Courthouse. For 32 years, he remained on the run. In 2007, the FBI started offering a $10,000 reward for information on his whereabouts, KTBS <a href="https://www.ktbs.com/news/bienville-parish-man-on-the-run-for-32-years-back-in-custody/article_012a7df2-57fe-11ee-8846-b3a978b92c53.html?utm_campaign=blox&amp;utm_source=facebook&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;fbclid=IwAR1qumX4aukDfTehfhYgjqipkOsVwJXioYrEtXTk5Xac_swnTRWjmzJdP_Q" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>.
Lawson came from a prominent family in Bienville Parish, and allegedly had gotten away with other crimes due to his family’s influence.
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On Wednesday afternoon, Bienville sheriff’s deputies went to Houston, Texas, to pick up Lawson at the airport. From there, they will take him to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center.

Handcuffs

Louisiana Fugitive Caught In Mexico After 32 Years On The Run

Mexico

World

The Democrat governor of Louisiana has ordered a clemency review of 56 of the 57 inmates on death row — <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12391661/Louisiana-Governor-orders-clemency-review-56-57-inmates-death-row-filed-applications-time.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">including</a> a man convicted of raping and stabbing a 4-year-old girl — after the 56 inmates filed applications.
Governor John Bel Edwards decided to order the review after the leading GOP challenger to replace him in November, State Attorney General Jeff Landry, issued an advisory opinion urging the state&#8217;s parole board — all of whom were appointed by Edwards — to consider all applications as non-viable. Landry said the board should not ignore its policy — which requires clemency requests to be made within one year of judges issuing appeal rulings — unless extenuating circumstances applied, such as an imminent execution date. Landry pointed out that the execution dates for the prisoners were not imminent.
“The broad and ill-defined waiver in (the rules) ostensibly empowers the board to repeal portions of its own rules and enact new ones at will, on an ad-hoc basis, and without any notice to the public,&#8221; Landry wrote, The Advocate <a href="https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/courts/jeff-landry-deals-blow-to-louisiana-death-row-clemency-pleas/article_1e9d15ae-883d-51ac-92eb-4b3e5763e2e7.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. &#8220;Such a result is impermissible under Louisiana law.”
In late July, Louisiana&#8217;s Board of Pardons and Committee postponed hearing clemency applications death row prisoners had submitted in June in which they asked for life sentences instead of execution.
“Beyond moral justifications, there are a number of reasons, whether based in law or science, that support the need for mercy while considering these applications,” Edwards wrote to the parole board. “Over the last 20 years in Louisiana, there have been six exonerations and more than 50 reversals of sentences in capital cases.”
“The governor is out there right now trying to circumvent a constitutional pardon and parole system,” Landry said in an interview with <a href="https://www.nola.com/news/politics/gov-john-bel-edwards-continues-push-to-empty-death-row/article_5e19bb3e-36cc-11ee-a7eb-e3b0c23f269e.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NOLA</a>. “Every one of those people on death row has had a jury of their peers convict them not once but twice.”
Loren Lampert, the executive director of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, <a href="https://www.nola.com/news/politics/gov-john-bel-edwards-continues-push-to-empty-death-row/article_5e19bb3e-36cc-11ee-a7eb-e3b0c23f269e.html">called</a> Edwards’ action “inappropriate and a direct affront to the victims and their families.”
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Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore III, a Democrat, agreed with Landry, <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12391661/Louisiana-Governor-orders-clemency-review-56-57-inmates-death-row-filed-applications-time.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">saying</a>, “Because of the governor&#8217;s request today, deep wounds have been re-opened yet again for victims who thought this issue was decided. When will this emotional roller coaster for these victims end?”

Senate Budget Committee Holds Hearing On The Fiscal Consequences Of Climate Change On Infrastructure

‘Deep Wounds Have Been Reopened’: Dem Louisiana Gov Orders Clemency Review For 56 Death Row Inmates

Dem Louisiana Gov Orders Clemency Review For 56 Death Row Inmates

Death Penalty

John Bel Edwards

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