Latest Louisiana state government News

Appeals court blocks hearings on drawing a second majority-Black congressional district in Louisiana
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A federal judge’s plan to hold hearings next week to draw up congressional boundary lines giving Louisiana a second majority-Black district was blocked Thursday by a divided appeals court panel. Supporters of establishing a second such district had hoped a...

In a win for Black voters in redistricting case, Alabama to get new congressional lines
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama is headed to the first significant revamp of its congressional map in three decades after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the state's bid to keep using a plan with a single majority-Black district. The decision on Tuesday sets the stage for a new map...

The Supreme Court will let Alabama's congressional map be redrawn to better represent Black voters
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed the drawing of a new Alabama congressional map with greater representation for Black voters to proceed. The new districts also could help Democrats trying to flip control of the House of Representatives. The justices, without...

What is saltwater intrusion and how is it affecting Louisiana's drinking water?
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — For months, residents in the southeast corner of Louisiana have relied on bottled water for drinking and cooking, with the water from the faucet coming out salty. Plaquemines Parish Councilman Mark “Hobbo” Cognevich, who represents the affected area,...

A Supreme Court redistricting ruling gave hope to Black voters. They're still waiting for new maps
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court’s decision siding with Black voters in an Alabama redistricting case gave Democrats and voting rights activists a surprising opportunity before the 2024 elections. New congressional maps would have to include more districts in Alabama and...

Supreme Court pauses order curbing Biden administration efforts to block social media posts
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday temporarily blocked a lower court order curbing Biden administration efforts to combat controversial social media posts on topics including COVID-19 and election security. White House communications staffers, the surgeon general and the FBI are...

Outrage intensifies over New Mexico governor's temporary gun ban as sheriff vows not to enforce it
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Federal lawsuits, cries for impeachment and outside protests. Democratic New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said she would welcome a fight after announcing an emergency order to suspend the right to carry firearms in most public places around...

Appeals court scales back order squelching Biden administration contact with social media platforms
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A federal appeals court Friday significantly whittled down a lower court's order curbing Biden administration communications with social media companies over controversial content about COVID-19 and other issues. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New...

Louisiana gubernatorial candidates debate crime, economy and other issues 5 weeks from vote
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — With Louisiana's Election Day just five weeks away, candidates running for governor outlined their ideas on how to address the state's most pressing issues during the first major televised gubernatorial debate Thursday in the hopes of standing out from the pack and...

Shuttered EPA investigation could’ve brought 'meaningful reform' in Cancer Alley, documents show
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — As industrial plants have overtaken historic Black communities and burdened neighborhoods with toxic air pollution, environmental advocates and residents of Louisiana’s chemical corridor have spent decades calling for change. So when the country’s top...
