Louisiana
Louisiana Tech University recognized for efforts to protect student free speech
RUSTON, La. (KNOE) – The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) gave Louisiana Tech University a “green light” rating, making it one of only two universities in Louisiana and one of 65 institutions nationwide to receive such recognition from the organization.
A green light rating means FIRE has found no written policies that have serious potential to threaten student free speech practices.
Louisiana Tech had a red light rating only one year ago during the summer of 2023, but that quickly changed after FIRE notified the university of what an analysis of its policies found. That winter, Louisiana Tech moved to a yellow light rating when it removed a sexual misconduct provision from its student handbook. FIRE and Louisiana Tech continued to work together and have revised 11 policies in the first quarter of 2024.
“Louisiana Tech, with its commitment to sharing knowledge, expanding ideas, and pursuing discovery, must also provide an environment that upholds free expression in its broadest sense,” said Louisiana Tech President Jim Henderson. “A culture of inquiry and informed argument generates lasting ideas. We appreciate FIRE’s partnership in evaluating our policies to ensure we can meet this ideal we have for our community at large.”
Changes to Louisiana Tech policies include allowing students to decorate their rooms with no restrictions on the content of decorations and allowing student organizations to display signs in university buildings regardless of viewpoints unless the sign violates the law or other university policies. The university also has a bulletin board where students can post without prior approval.
“The ability to post without administrative approval in at least one area on campus is absolutely critical to a healthy campus climate for free expression,” said FIRE Senior Program Officer Mary Griffin. “At a time when other institutions are sharply limiting student expression by censoring unpopular views, Tech’s policy revisions signal to its community that its campus is a place to engage in robust dialogue on the issues of the day.”
FIRE and the University of Louisiana System, which Louisiana Tech is a part of, have worked together for two years to protect students’ free speech. FIRE works with other universities nationwide, free of charge, to revise policies to ensure institutions meet First Amendment standards.
For more information about FIRE and what the organization does, contact FIRE’s campus Policy Reform team at speechcodes@thefire.org.
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CBD can help treat various health conditions
A new scientific review highlights CBD’s potential to treat various conditions such as epilepsy, pain, cancer, schizophrenia and diabetes.
unbranded – Lifestyle
CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is a non-intoxicating compound from the cannabis or hemp plant that does not cause a “high,” unlike THC, according to the CDC.
CBD was first approved as a drug for the treatment of seizures in children with severe forms of epilepsy, but now, CBD is used for other purposes like pain relief, sleep and general wellness, says Brown University Health.
Despite CBD’s availability and supposed benefits, CBD products are not risk free, as there are possible side effects and risks associated with CBD use, according to Brown University Health.
What is Louisiana’s state law for CBD in 2025? What to know
Under the Agriculture Improvement Act in 2018, hemp was removed from the federal Controlled Substances Act, which effectively legalized CBD if it comes from hemp, according to the CDC.
Despite hemp-derived CBD being legal at the federal level, some states have not removed hemp from their state’s-controlled substances acts, meaning that the legality of CBD products varies across states, says the CDC.
Following the enactment of this legislation, Louisiana passed Act 164 in 2019, effectively legalizing the cultivation and production of industrial hemp in the state, says Louisiana State Cannabis.
The legislation defined hemp as a cannabis plant containing no more than 0.3% THC, therefore, CBD products derived from hemp are legal in Louisiana. However, marijuana-derived CBD remains illegal for recreational use in the state, according to Louisiana State Cannabis.
Although, Louisiana enacted Act 491 in 2015, which allows the use of medical marijuana, as well as marijuana-derived CBD, to treat certain diseases and medical conditions in the state, says Louisiana State Cannabis.
Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
Louisiana
‘One suicide is too many;’ Man runs across Louisiana to raise awareness for veteran, teen suicide
La. (KPLC) – A run across Louisiana has come to an end, but the conversation it sparked is far from over.
Jeremy Adams, a Louisiana veteran who served in Afghanistan, completed the run to raise money for a public high school while drawing attention to veteran and teen suicide.
The run began Friday, Dec. 18 at the Texas state line at Bon Weir and stretched more than 100 miles across the state, ending in Natchez, Mississippi.
“Finished around 10 o’clock last night (Dec. 21) in Natchez. I got a police escort by the Vidalia Police Department over the river bridge,” Adams said.
Adams says the run was not easy and hopes this inspires others to keep moving forward, no matter what battle they may be facing.
“I was tired. I ran at night. My feet are hurting; I got screws in my feet. I kept moving forward; I didn’t quit. That’s what I wanted to teach veterans and kids (contemplating) suicide, don’t quit. There’s somebody out there that cares. Don’t end the story before God gives you a chance to show you his plans,” he said.
Adams says the run raised money for East Beauregard High School, the school that Adams says gave him a second family.
“In 2017, a good friend of mine there died of a drug overdose, and that’s what got me running. I quit drinking that year, quit smoking the following May, and then I decided to start running,” Adams said.
Adams is a veteran himself and has overcome his own battles with drug and alcohol addiction, which led him to be interested in running.
“In 2011, the Lord changed everything. I got wounded by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. It shattered both my heel bones. They said it was a 50% chance I would walk again,” he said.
Although the run is over, Adams says the mission continues, urging people to talk, listen, and take action.
“One suicide is too many; there are gentlemen out there who went to battle, saw combat, and came home and still see that combat on a daily basis. If they need help, reach out and get help,” Adams said.
Adams says all proceeds from the run will go toward supporting students at East Beauregard High School.
If you’d like to donate to Adams’ cause, you can do so through his GoFundMe.
Copyright 2025 KPLC. All rights reserved.
Louisiana
Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis arrested on DWI count, State Police say
Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis was arrested on a count of driving while intoxicated over the weekend, a Louisiana State Police spokesperson said.
Lewis, 33, was arrested in West Baton Rouge Parish, officials said.
It is the West Baton Rouge Parish jail’s policy to not book first-offense DWI offenders, therefore Lewis was not held.
First offense DWI is a misdemeanor charge.
State police said Lewis was initially stopped for driving without headlights.
In a statement, Lewis said he “will be working with lawyers to contest the charge.”
“I have great respect for the men and women who serve our community in law enforcement, and I believe everyone, myself included, is accountable to the law,” he said. “I appreciate the professionalism shown during the encounter.”
Lewis said he understands “the gravity of the situation” and why the community is concerned.
“As I always have, I plan to remain accountable through both my words and my actions, not just through my words,” he said in the statement. “My hope is that our focus remains on the consistent, good work we have accomplished advocating for Louisiana’s citizens.”
The five-member Public Service Commission regulates utilities in Louisiana, like electricity, water, gas and some telecommunications. Lewis’ district covers majority-Black communities stretching from New Orleans up to West Baton Rouge Parish.
Lewis, a Democrat, is the first openly gay person elected to state office in Louisiana. Since ousting longtime commissioner Lambert Boissiere III in a 2022 election, he has been a prominent critic of Entergy and other utilities.
Lewis is also a frequent foe of Gov. Jeff Landry. In February, the PSC board voted to remove him from his role as vice chair after he called Landry an “a**hole” on the social media app X in response to a post Landry made mocking a transgender Department of Health Official in former President Joe Biden’s administration. Lewis argued he was being held to a different standard because he is Black.
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