Louisiana

New Law Mandates People Back Up If Police Ask You To

Published

2 years ago

May 29, 2024

New Law Mandates People Back Up If Police Ask You To

Governor Jeff Landry has signed a bill into law that requires that if asked to do so by a police officer to back up at a crime scene you must do so according to Louisiana Radio Network.

Governor Jeff Landry says he signed the bill because it helps to keep police officers safe while they are doing their jobs.

Police officers often find themselves in potentially dangerous situations. By asking individuals to stand back, officers can maintain a safe distance from potential threats and have a clearer view of their surroundings. This helps them to better assess and control the situation.

State Representative Brian Fontenot

Photo courtesy of house.louisiana.gov

The legislation authored by Representative Brian Fontenot is designed to enhance the ability of police officers to perform their duties safely and effectively by legally mandating that individuals must stand back when requested. This contributes to the overall safety of crime scenes and aids in the proper administration of justice.

Unless you are involved in the crime scene, when you are asked to back up you will need to move 25 feet away from the scene.

Fontenot says he was motivated to file the bill during the legislation session because violence against police officers is on the rise, and this gives them more space to do their jobs.

Fontenot says,

There was a delicate balance of finding a safe distance for police officers doing their job and the person being affected an arrest on.

If you fail to do what the offer’s asks you to do, the penalty can be up to 60 days in jail or a fine of up to $500.

American Civil Liberties Policy Strategist Stephanie Willis says they are worried about what kind of impact this law will have on a citizen’s ability to hold police officers accountable. She also says this violates a person’s 1st amendment rights. It is likely that the law will be tested in court.

Willis says

Having the ability to observe police interaction is fundamental in our constitution and it’s one of the ways we can hold police officers and law enforcement accountable.

State Representative Edmond Jordan

Photo courtesy of house.louisiana.gov

In addition to Willis, State Representative Edmond Jordan of Baton Rouge told WBRZ says he is critical of the bill because he believes it will make it harder to monitor police.

He says,

If you have to be 25 feet away, you’re not going to be able to help bring some type of change. You need to see and be able to report. I just think it’s a bad law. I think we need to challenge it. I think we need to fight it.

Last year, Governor John Bel Edwards said he wouldn’t sign the bill because he believed it was unconstitutional.

The ACLU of Louisiana did issue a statement this week about Governor Landry signing the measure into law:

The twenty-five-foot buffer legislation fundamentally seeks to curtail Louisianians’ ability to hold police accountable for violence and misconduct. If law enforcement officers were operating in a manner that safeguarded the well-being and constitutional rights of the public, there should be no objections to being observed. Moreover, HB 173 is impractical to enforce consistently and will exacerbate tensions in any situation involving law enforcement. We denounce the passage and signing of this legislation and urge our communities to stay vigilant and safe in response to these developments.

Those in support of the bill point out that the majority of police departments have body cameras.

LOOK: What major laws were passed the year you were born?

Data for this list was acquired from trusted online sources and news outlets. Read on to discover what major law was passed the year you were born and learn its name, the vote count (where relevant), and its impact and significance.

Gallery Credit: Katelyn Leboff

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Louisiana

Cuban families in Louisiana celebrate Christmas with traditional lechon feast

Published

8 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Press Room

Cuban families in Louisiana celebrate Christmas with traditional lechon feast

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – For many Cuban families in Louisiana, Christmas means gathering for a traditional lechon, a pig roast that serves as the centerpiece of their holiday celebration.

Vivian Nieto, owner of Churro’s Cafe in Metairie, said the Cuban tradition parallels Louisiana’s French Acadian cochon de lait but uses distinct seasonings and preparation methods.

“The Cuban use, basically, is the garlic, the naranja agria, and salt,” Nieto said. “If you don’t add anything else, that would be perfect.”

Traditional mojo marinade starts with citrus and garlic

The marinade, called mojo, always starts with garlic and citrus, specifically bitter orange juice known in Spanish as naranja agria. Nieto adds cumin and oregano to the base mixture.

At her Cuban restaurant, Nieto uses a Boston butt instead of a whole pig and lets it marinate overnight.

“I remember when I was a kid, the night before, they cleaned, they marinated,” Nieto said. “In our family, we exposed our babies early to the big pig that gets seasoned and marinated the night before.”

Pig roasted all day on Christmas Eve

Like the Acadian cochon, the lechon is roasted all day on Christmas Eve. Nieto said the taste testing during preparation bonds families together.

“Not too many people realize how tight is Cuba with New Orleans,” Nieto said. “The food, you respond deeply.”

The pork is served with congri, black beans and rice with onions and garlic, and yuca.

Nieto said she finds deep joy in making food that connects Cuban culture across generations.

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Louisiana

Louisiana Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Dec. 23, 2025

Published

20 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Press Room

The Louisiana Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 23, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 23 drawing

15-37-38-41-64, Mega Ball: 21

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 23 drawing

3-1-8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 23 drawing

4-6-9-2

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from Dec. 23 drawing

9-0-4-5-0

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

What CBD is legal in Louisiana? See state law for 2026

Published

1 day ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

What CBD is legal in Louisiana? See state law for 2026

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

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