We’re still awaiting a ruling by a three-judge panel on a federal lawsuit seeking to reinstate the U.S. House election that Governor Landry suspended in response to the Supreme Court ruling the congressional map unconstitutional. The lead plaintiff, fifth district Democratic candidate Lindsay Garcia, says Landry was out of bounds in calling off the House elections.

Cut 14 (11) “…he contradicts himself.”

At issue is the sixth district, which was created in 2024 as the state’s second majority minority district and Democrat Cleo Fields represents it. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says not only does the sixth district’s boundaries need to be changed, several others need to be redrawn too.

Cut 19 (08) “…different configurations.”

Lawmakers plan to begin public discussions on new proposed congressional maps on Friday.

A 28-year-old Lafayette Parish man is behind bars after allegedly setting a fire that killed a nine-year-old girl. An apartment caught fire early Sunday morning in an unincorporated area of Duson. Two adults escaped the blaze, but fire fighters could not locate the girl in time as she died at a local hospital. Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Chris Cormier says detectives believe Julian Jacob set the fire…

Cut 12 (06) “….apprehend him”

Cormier says Jacob was booked into the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center on numerous charges, including first degree murder. A motive is not known.

While the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living is hailing a new report from the New England Journal of Medical Evidence that shows the national smoking rate falling below ten-percent, it acknowledges that it has more work to do in the state. Director Taslim van Hattum (HATE-um) says 14-percent of Louisiana adults smoke cigarettes, and that’s just the beginning.

Cut 3 (12) “…amongst certain populations.”

Van Hattom says among the keys to reducing those numbers even further is countering the aggressive advertising campaigns geared towards young people.