A proclamation by the Caddo Parish Commission welcoming Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders to Shreveport last weekend has drawn the ire of Attorney General Liz Murrill, and she’s ordered the Louisiana Department of Justice to open an investigation. Andrew Greenstein reports.
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Festivities get underway today in Natchitoches for the 2025 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. Jeff Palermo has the story
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Attorney General Liz Murrill has instructed the Louisiana Department of Justice to open an investigation into the Caddo Parish Commission for issuing a proclamation welcoming Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders to Shreveport last weekend as part of his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour. Murrill says at issue here is there’s no mention of the resolution on any meeting agenda, and that’s a violation of the Open Meetings Act. Loyola University New Orleans Law Professor Dane Ciolino says there is merit to Murrill’s claims.
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That said, Ciolino says even if the commission acted improperly, the violation is a fairly minor one.
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In fact, Murrill went out of her way to call Sanders, in her words, “socialist Bernie Sanders” in her official release announcing the investigation. Ciolino says it’s important to note that this is different from a mayoral proclamation.
Cut 5 (08) “…public meetings law.”
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A recent traffic stop in St. Tammany Parish is going viral, and not for bad reasons. Lieutenant Carli Messina with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says last weekend, Deputy Dustin Byers pulled a driver over on Highway 21 near Bogalusa, and he noticed something about the driver.
Cut 6 (08) “…his tie properly.” (driver was en route to a funeral, and deputy helped him tie his tie)
The sheriff’s office posted the photo of Deputy Byers tying the driver’s tie on its Facebook page, and it’s been shared more than 25-hundred times and has received more than 17-hundred comments. The driver was going 20 miles over the speed limit; and in case you’re wondering, Messina says – yes – Deputy Byers did issue the driver a citation.
Cut 7 (06) “…importance to us.”
Messina says all in all, it was a very heartwarming encounter.
Hopefully, the driver can take the defensive driver course and get his citation dismissed.
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The 18th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off kicks off tomorrow at The Harbor Center in Slidell. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says twelve top chefs from across the state will compete to showcase their culinary skills using Louisiana seafood.
Cut 9 (11) “…the restaurant show.”
Held alongside the Tammany Taste of Summer, Nungesser says attendees can enjoy tastings from 15 local restaurants trying to find Louisiana on a plate.
Nungesser says the winner will travel the globe and be an ambassador for the state.
Cut 11 (09) “…hospitality industry.”
Tickets are available at Louisiana-Seafood-dot-com.
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A big celebration takes place this weekend in Natchitoches as nine former athletes and coaches will be inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday. Headlining the class is Nick Saban. CEO and president of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Foundation, Ronnie Rantz, says the legendary college football coach brought the LSU Tigers from relative mediocrity to a national championship in five years.
One of Saban’s former players is also part of the 2025 class. Rantz says Andrew Whitworth won multiple championships while playing offensive tackle at a high level.
Former NBA All-Star Danny Granger, former WNBA All-Star Vickie Johnson and LSU gymnast all-American April Burkholder will be enshrined on Saturday night. Rantz says The class also features some greats coaches like Delgado baseball coach Joe Scheuermann, St. Thomas More boys basketball coach Danny Broussard and former Catholic High football coach Dale Weiner.
You can watch this year’s ceremonies on Saturday night on Louisiana Public Broadcasting at 7 p-m.