The U-S Supreme Court ruled today Louisiana’s Congressional maps are unconstitutional racial gerrymandering. In a six to three decision, the conservative justices on the court say race played too big of a factor in drawing the Congressional district that Cleo Fields represents, which stretches from Baton Rouge to Shreveport. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the court is telling all states race can not be intentionally used to draw a map…

Cut 10 (09) “…going forward”

Governor Landry hopes the result of the Supreme Court’s decision is an end to the court’s involvement in redistricting…

Cut 8 (14) “..our roads.”

Once again our big story today, the U-S Supreme Court has said Louisiana lawmakers relied too heavily on race when it drew its Congressional map that creates a second-majority minority district. Attorney General Liz Murrill was pleased with today’s Supreme Court ruling.

Cut 12 (14) “…to do that.”

So now, a new congressional map for Louisiana will need to be drawn. Whether that can be done in time for the 2026 general election remains to be seen. Congressman Cleo Fields says changing the rules at this point in the 2026 election cycle would be counterproductive.

Cut 15 (06) “…my view, unwise.”

Fields says the best course of action is to have a new map in place for the 2028 election cycle.

The US Supreme Court has thrown out Louisiana’s congressional map. In a six-to-three ruling that fell right along ideological lines, the court ruled that Cleo Fields’ district, which stretches from Shreveport to Baton Rouge, relied too much on race. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says the state intentionally went to extraordinary lengths to create that district, and that’s what the court took exception to.

Cut 9 (10)  “…unconstitutional racial gerrymander.”

Fields says the Supreme Court’s ruling is a grave setback to voting rights and to the promise of equal political representation for all Americans.

So what happens now that the nation’s highest court has struck down Louisiana’s second majority Black congressional district. Governor Jeff Landry says they are still analyzing the ruling…

Cut 6 (08) “…moving forward”

Secretary of State Nancy Landry says the case has been sent back to the Western District of Louisiana. Fields says the Supreme Court’s ruling does not require a new map to be drawn so the upcoming federal elections should go on as scheduled. Early voting for the May 16^th primary is Saturday.

Ground breaking takes place this afternoon on a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Funeral services for the 17-year-old Lafayette Parish girl who was killed last week during a mass shooting at the Mall of Louisiana will be next Saturday 10 AM at the Episcopal Church of Ascension in Lafayette. The public can donate to the Martha Odom Legacy of Joyful Grace in Motion fund at the Community Foundation of Acadiana.

The Supreme Court has thrown out Louisiana’s congressional map. In a six-to-three ruling that fell right along ideological lines, the court ruled that by creating a second majority-Black district, one that stretches diagonally from Shreveport to Baton Rouge, relied too much on race. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says what’s important to note is that this ruling does not strike down the 1965 Voting Rights Act – states can still keep certain groups in mind when drawing their congressional maps.

Cut 9 (10)  “…of racial gerrymander.”

It’s unclear what happens next. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says her lawyers are currently analyzing the opinion.

A proposed constitutional amendment that would prohibit a governor from serving more than two terms fails to receive approval in the House by three votes. It’s the second time this session Chalmette Representative Michael Bayham’s bill came up three votes short and he’s disappointed…

Cut 3 (06) “…vote”

The legislation needs 70 “Yes” votes to pass. It received 67 votes. Seventeen lawmakers abstained from voting.

A groundbreaking ceremony happens in Lake Charles this afternoon on the new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. The 2.3-billion-dollar bridge is being built immediately next to the existing bridge that first opened in 1952. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Brian Abshire says the bridge is of utmost importance, with 75-thousand vehicles passing over it every day.

Cut 4 (08) “…a screeching halt.”

It will take seven years to construct and tolls will be needed to pay for it.

Baton Rouge-based Turner Industries announces it’s creating one-thousand jobs, as it’s building state-of-the-art nuclear fabrication facilities in New Iberia and Port Allen. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says the facilities will be dedicated to the production of high-precision modules and nuclear-grade piping for the next generation of nuclear power.

Cut 7 (05) “…one as well.”

This just in to the LRN Newsroom – the Supreme Court has ruled Louisiana’s current congressional map unconstitutional, saying that it relied too much on race. The vote was six to three, right down ideological lines.

Construction officially begins today on the new two-point-three billion dollar I-10 Calcasieu River bridge that will be built right next to the existing bridge. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Brian Abshire says the bridge will be an economic boost for the City of Lake Charles.

Cut 6 (07) “…downtown Lake Charles.” 

Turner Industries announces plans to create one-thousand new jobs in Louisiana by building nuclear fabrication facilities in New Iberia and Port Allen. Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says it’s exciting to see a homegrown company meet the new demand.

Cut 9 (12)  “…state but others.”

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The House Education Committee approves legislation that would give public colleges the ability to raise tuition rates by up to ten percent for all graduate, professional and specialized programs and undergraduate programs identified as high-cost. The state’s four management boards currently have that authority. But the bill’s author, Ruston Representative Christopher Turner, says that authority should really reside with each public institution.

Cut 12 (12) “…with basic needs.”

Representative Josh Carlson asks why universities need to raise tuition when enrollment is dropping, a four-year degree is no longer a necessity to get a good-paying job, and the state has more public universities than it really needs.

Cut 13 (12) “…percent every year.”

The bill heads to the House floor for more discussion.

An agreement has been reached between Louisiana Tech and Conference USA that allows Tech to leave Conference USA and join the Sun Belt this summer. Terms of the out-of-court settlement have not been released. It’s been reported that La Tech would have to pay an eight-million-dollar exit fee.

LIV Golf has cancelled the golf tournament it was planning to hold in June at City Park in New Orleans. The announcement is not a surprise. It was previously reported that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is pulling back funding after providing the professional golf league with billions of dollars. LIV will reportedly pay back the one-million dollars it received from the state. Two-million dollars in state money has already gone to upgrades at City Park golf course.

LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson says Casan Evans may pitch this weekend against South Carolina. He was scratched from his start last Friday because of arm soreness.

The Tigers host Southeastern Louisiana tonight and La Tech is at ULM.

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin spoke to the media to talk about the end of spring practice. Kiffin says that quarterback Sam Leavitt participated in 7-on-7 drills in Saturday’s final day of practice. Kiffin says Leavitt only had limited snaps, but he’s trending in the right direction.

Cut 16 (16): ‘with the guys more.”

LSU junior linebacker Davhon (DAY-von) Keys led the team with 92 tackles last season after stepping in for the injured Whit Weeks. Keys says the opportunity to play significant snaps last year has been very helpful to his development.

Cut 19 (15) “…those throwing windows.”

A candlelight vigil was held at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge in memory of the Lafayette Parish girl who was killed in a shooting at the mall last week. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Federal prosecutors have charged a 22-year-old Fort Pok soldier who threatened to walk into a synagogue with his assault rifle and kill every single jew inside. The U-S Attorney’s Office says Jakob Marcoulier made the threat on the platform known as Discord.

Gas prices rose another five cents overnight, and regular unleaded is now averaging $3.73 a gallon in Louisiana. Don Redman with Triple-A says stalled peace talks between the United States and Iran have led to an increase in oil prices.

Cut 7 (07) “..energy up.”

The average cost for a gallon of diesel is just above five dollars.

The Louisiana House has approved a bill that raises the amount the state compensates spouses and dependents if a police officer or firefighter is killed in the line of duty. Retired Ascension Parish sheriff and now state lawmaker, Jeff Wiley, is the author of the legislation. Wiley says family members left behind deserve adequate financial support from the state…

Cut 13 (07) “…as this”

The measure, which would raise the compensation to 404-thousand dollars, heads to the Senate for more discussion.