Louisiana

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry wants to rewrite the state Constition: What we know

Published

2 years ago

April 25, 2024

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry wants to rewrite the state Constition: What we know

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry is implementing a full-court press on lawmakers to approve a convention to rewrite the state Constitution, amplifying the priority from his bully pulpit on every platform.

The new Republican governor elevated his public campaign to convene a convention in May with a press conference Thursday morning. A political action committee that supports Landry has also launched a video campaign promoting the convention.

“This is about giving the Legislature the tools to address the problems we know are coming and the opportunity to make changes the people of state are demanding and waiting for,” Landry said during his press conference, describing the goal as “reorganizing” rather than “rewriting” the Constitution.

“It will make Louisiana competitive,” he said.

Landry and supporters of the convention note the Constitution, which was ratified in 1974, is considered bloated and unwieldy by most good government groups like the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana. It has been amended a staggering 216 times.

Much of the debate is expected to center on what constitutionally protected funds should be removed, which supporters say would allow for better and more flexible budgeting.

House Bill 800, the measure by Republican Rep. Beau Beaullieu to trigger what he called a “limited” convention, cleared its first hurdle Wednesday when it advanced from the House Governmental Affairs Committee on a 9-5 vote along party lines with all Republicans in favor and Democrats opposed.

It must get two-thirds approval by both the full House and later the Senate, where the bill is expected to meet more resistance.

Beaullieu’s bill would limit the convention to removal of items from the existing Constitution rather than making additions, which he said may mean delegates could complete their work in a shorter time frame that the two-month window.

“We’re not adding new provisions; we’re deciding what provisions can move moved to statute,” Beaullieu said in an interview with USA Today Network. “It’s an exciting opportunity for Louisiana.”

But skeptics like Democrat Rep. Ed Larvadain expressed concerns about the lack of details on what might be removed from the Constitution – from the $75,000 homestead exemption to the MFP funding formula for K-12 schools – and that private funds would be allowed to finance the convention.

“The whole document scares the hell out of me,” Larvadain said Wednesday during debate on House Bill 800.

Beaullieu’s bill calls for a convention with 171 delegates, including all 144 state legislators and 27 appointed by Landry.

It would begin May 20 with a July 15 finishing deadline, but could end earlier if delegates agree on a document before then.

The convention would run concurrently with the ongoing legislative Regular Session, which must end by June 3. Convention business would take place in the House chamber.

If lawmakers pass the bill and the delegates approve a document from the convention, Beaullieu said the goal is to present a new Constitution to voters on next fall’s Nov. 5 presidential ballot. Once it reaches voters, approval of a new Constitution would only require a majority vote of the people.

Landry said it’s important for the finished product to be on the ballot during the presidential election because that’s when the most people vote.

“To me if you’re going to make changes don’t you believe it should be when most people can have a say?” Landry said.

More: Here’s what we know about a proposed convention to create a new Louisiana Constitution

More: Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry wants to fast track new state Constitution

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.

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Louisiana

Louisiana Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for March 3, 2026

Published

2 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

The Louisiana Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 3, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from March 3 drawing

07-21-53-54-62, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 3 drawing

6-8-3

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 3 drawing

3-6-7-4

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from March 3 drawing

0-8-3-2-0

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Louisiana Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Louisiana Lottery offices. Prizes of over $5,000 must be claimed at Lottery office.

By mail, follow these instructions:

Sign and complete the information on the back of your winning ticket, ensuring all barcodes are clearly visible (remove all scratch-off material from scratch-off tickets).
Photocopy the front and back of the ticket (except for Powerball and Mega Millions tickets, as photocopies are not accepted for these games).
Complete the Louisiana Lottery Prize Claim Form, including your telephone number and mailing address for prize check processing.
Photocopy your valid driver’s license or current picture identification.

Mail all of the above in a single envelope to:

Louisiana Lottery Headquarters

555 Laurel Street

Baton Rouge, LA 70801

To submit in person, visit Louisiana Lottery headquarters:

555 Laurel Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, (225) 297-2000.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Louisiana Lottery.

When are the Louisiana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5: Daily at 9:59 p.m. CT.
Easy 5: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
Lotto: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Louisiana editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Louisiana

Brother of Louisiana mayor accused of raping 16-year-old has a hauntingly similar criminal past

Published

14 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Brother of Louisiana mayor accused of raping 16-year-old has a hauntingly similar criminal past

The brother of Louisiana mayor Misty Roberts — accused of raping her son’s teenage friend — is facing child sex crimes of his own.

Brandon Lee Roberts, 39, was accused of raping a teen girl and assaulting a young woman over the course of several years, KALB reported.

Brandon Lee Roberts, 39, is accused of raping a teen girl and assaulting a young woman over the course of several years. Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office

The alleged sexual abuse began when one of the victims was as young as 13, according to Beauregard Parish Sheriff Mark Herford.

He was arrested in October.

Booking photo of Misty Clanton Roberts. — Brandon’s sister, Misty, the ex-mayor of DeRidder, Louisiana, allegedly raped her son’s teenage friend. AP

That comes years after his big sister – ex-mayor of DeRidder, 43-year-old Misty Roberts – allegedly got hot and heavy with her son’s 16-year-old friend at a drunken party at their home.

Roberts was allegedly caught in the tryst by her own kids.

She was arrested months later, and is currently on trial for rape charges.

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Louisiana

Louisiana Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for March 2, 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

The Louisiana Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 2, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 2 drawing

02-17-18-38-62, Powerball: 20, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 2 drawing

3-9-9

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 2 drawing

4-1-1-0

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from March 2 drawing

0-5-2-9-5

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

By mail, follow these instructions:

Sign and complete the information on the back of your winning ticket, ensuring all barcodes are clearly visible (remove all scratch-off material from scratch-off tickets).
Photocopy the front and back of the ticket (except for Powerball and Mega Millions tickets, as photocopies are not accepted for these games).
Complete the Louisiana Lottery Prize Claim Form, including your telephone number and mailing address for prize check processing.
Photocopy your valid driver’s license or current picture identification.

Mail all of the above in a single envelope to:

Louisiana Lottery Headquarters

555 Laurel Street

Baton Rouge, LA 70801

To submit in person, visit Louisiana Lottery headquarters:

555 Laurel Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, (225) 297-2000.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Louisiana Lottery.

When are the Louisiana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5: Daily at 9:59 p.m. CT.
Easy 5: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
Lotto: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Louisiana editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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