Latest John Bel Edwards News

Editorial Roundup: Louisiana

Mar. 13, 2024 21:19 PM EDT

The Advocate. March 10, 2024. Editorial: Turnaround at DCFS stalled by dysfunction The ongoing problems at the Department of Children and Family Services should be familiar to people across our state. They have been well documented by this newspaper in the series “...

Louisiana lawmakers set out on a clear path for conservative priorities

Mar. 11, 2024 20:23 PM EDT

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Under new Republican leadership, Louisiana's GOP-dominated Legislature gathered at the Capitol Monday to convene their three-month regular session, pushing conservative priorities that could reshape education policies, toughen certain criminal penalties, reduce regulations...

A lawsuit seeks to block Louisiana's new congressional map that has 2nd mostly Black district

Feb. 01, 2024 16:41 PM EST

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Louisiana Legislature's redrawn congressional map giving the state a second mostly Black district is being challenged by 12 self-described “non-African American” voters in a new lawsuit. The challenge filed Wednesday and assigned to a judge in Lafayette...

LGBTQ+ advocates' lawsuit says Louisiana transgender care ban violates the state constitution

Jan. 08, 2024 20:47 PM EST

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A lawsuit to block enforcement of Louisiana's new ban on transgender health care procedures for anyone under 18 was announced Monday by LGBTQ+ advocates. The lawsuit was prepared by Lambda Legal and others on behalf of five Louisiana minors and their parents,...

Louisiana Gov.-elect Jeff Landry has been inaugurated, returning the state's highest office to GOP

Jan. 07, 2024 21:26 PM EST

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana Gov.-elect Jeff Landry, a Republican endorsed by former President Donald Trump and known for his conservative positions on issues like abortion, was inaugurated Sunday evening — marking a political shift of leadership in a state that has had a Democratic...

A look back at Louisiana Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards' eight years in office

Jan. 06, 2024 18:52 PM EST

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — It was 2012 and Louisiana was spiraling toward a historic budget crisis, with public colleges bracing for another round of cuts that campus leaders said were chasing away students and shuttering programs. John Bel Edwards, then-a rural state representative,...

Suit challenges required minority appointments to Louisiana medical licensing board

Jan. 05, 2024 17:44 PM EST

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A law requiring that some members appointed to the board that licenses and regulates physicians in Louisiana be from minority groups is being challenged in federal court as an unconstitutional racial mandate. The lawsuit filed Thursday by the conservative group...

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards will join law firm after leaving office

Jan. 04, 2024 14:37 PM EST

BATON ROUGE, La (AP) — Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Thursday that once he leaves office next week he will join a New Orleans-based law firm where he will focus on renewable energy litigation. During Edwards' past two terms as governor, which has spanned eight years,...

Editorial Roundup: Louisiana

Jan. 04, 2024 07:22 AM EST

The Advocate. January 2, 2023. Editorial: New year, same old challenges for Louisiana ’Tis the season of best intentions, the time of year when many of us are recommitting ourselves to attack long-festering issues, whether it’s that extra 20 pounds that just...

Outgoing Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards touts accomplishments in farewell address

Jan. 03, 2024 21:55 PM EST

BATON ROUGE, La (AP) — Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards used his farewell speech Wednesday to recount his administration’s accomplishments over the last eight years, including the state's Medicaid expansion, climbing out of a historic budget deficit, advancing criminal justice reform, increasing...