Reaction to yesterday’s Supreme Court decision that ruled Louisiana’s congressional map unconstitutional is split down the same ideological lines as the ruling itself. Andrew Greenstein reports.
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The Supreme Court ruling that throws out Louisiana’s congressional map is not good news for Democrat Cleo Fields, who represents the district at the heart of the case. Andre Champagne has more.
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Ground has been broken on the 2.3-billion-dollar I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles. Jeff Palermo has the story.
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The Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Louisiana’s congressional map fell along ideological lines, and so is reaction to that ruling. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says the ruling vindicates a position that the state has taken from the beginning in that it shouldn’t be sorting voters by race.
Cut 4 (12) “…and state constitution.”
Murrill says the Supreme Court made it clear that race cannot be the overriding factor in drawing the new congressional map.
Cut 5 (11) “…kind of scrutiny.”
The district at the heart of the case that the Supreme Court just ruled on is the Sixth District that runs diagonally from Shreveport to Baton Rouge and is represented by Democrat Cleo Fields. Fields says while the Supreme Court did not strike down the 1965 Voting Rights Act with its ruling, it might as well have.
Cut 6 (08) “…register to vote.”
Fields says the Voting Rights Act was the only way for a state like Louisiana to get a Black person elected to Congress.
Cut 7 (10) “…over a third.”
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The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that strikes down Louisiana’s current congressional map is not good news for sixth district Congressman Cleo Fields. It’s his district that has resulted in the court calling Louisiana’s U.S. House map an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says the next map will not be kind to Fields politically.
Cut 8 (07) “…will be elected.”
Hogan says Louisiana’s new congressional map will likely result in the Republicans gaining a seat in the U.S. House, which is why there will be pressure to redraw the map this year.
Cut 9 (08) “…to do it.”
Hogan says the Supreme Court decision has impacts across the country, since state legislatures now know that they do not have to make race the biggest factor when drawing political boundaries.
Cut 10 (07) “…how they’re drawn.”
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Ground has been broken on the long-awaited I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles. The 2.3-billion-dollar project will replace the existing bridge that was built in the 1950s with a state-of-the-art structure engineered to meet 21st century demands. Lake Charles Mayor Marshall Simien says this is a huge day in the city’s history.
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Ninety-thousand vehicles cross the current Lake Charles bridge that was completed in 1952.
When Governor Landry took office in 2024, he made it one of his priorities to find a way to fund a new Lake Charles Bridge. His solution was a public-private partnership with Calcasieu Bridge Partners that will use federal, state and toll dollars to build the bridge. Landry says 15-percent of the tolling revenues will go right back into the area.
Cut 12 (10) “…Imperial Calcasieu forever.”
The new bridge will not open until 2031, and it will be several years before toll rates will be determined. Landry says in the meantime, he’ll ask the federal government for more money.
Cut 13 (09) “…around the area.”
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Manning Family Children’s Hospital New Orleans has been designated as the only hospital in the State of Louisiana approved to offer the new FDA-approved gene therapy treatment for sickle cell disease. Gene Therapy Program Director Dr. Benjamin Watkins says Children’s Hospital is also one of only 13 hospitals across the country providing this sickle cell gene therapy, and New Orleans is the ideal place for one.
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Dr. Watkins says the FDA has approved this therapy for patients 12 years old and older; as such, despite the fact that it’s a pediatric hospital, they will treat older patients with this therapy.
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In fact, the first patient to receive the therapy at Children’s Hospital was a 23-year-old man who sought it so that he could get his pilot’s license. Watkins says for patients older than 30, they will work with them to be treated at one of the non-pediatric hospitals offering this treatment.
Cut 16 (07) “…here in Louisiana.”
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The LSU baseball team picked up a much-needed win over Southeastern Louisiana Tuesday. The Tigers have recently seen strong production from their freshmen, and coach Jay Johnson believes the young stars have made the team more competitive.
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Even though LSU’s bats are heating up at the right time, the pitching staff continues to struggle. The Tigers have allowed 36 runs over their last five games and rank last in the SEC with a 5.32 ERA. Johnson says Pitching Coach Nate Yeskie and Director of Pitching Development Jamie Tutko met to address the issues and says the staff has to execute better in order to turn things around.
Cut 18 (16) “…than they have.”
Despite the pitching struggles, the Tigers received some positive news. Johnson says sophomore pitcher Casan Evans’ tests came back clean, but his status for the weekend still remains uncertain.
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To make the postseason, LSU will likely need to win seven of its final nine conference games.
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LSU football’s cornerback room took a hit earlier this month when sophomore Aidan Anding suffered a torn Achilles during the scrimmage. Head coach Lane Kiffin says the position group is a concern due to limited depth and believes the Tigers will need several players to step up this summer.
Cut 20 (17) “…what you have?”