Louisiana
Plaintiffs ask Louisiana judge to bar implementation of Ten Commandments law immediately – Baptist News Global
Plaintiffs in the lawsuit against mandatory Ten Commandments displays in Louisiana public classrooms have asked a federal court to bar implementation of the new law as their litigation proceeds.
Signed into law June 19, House Bill 71 requires the posting of framed or poster copies of the Decalogue in every state-funded grade school and college classroom no later than Jan. 1, 2025.
The plaintiffs’ July 8 motion for preliminary injunction in Roake v. Brumley asks the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana also to prevent the displays from going up prior to next year’s deadline.
Darcy Roake
“We are eager to ensure that our family’s religious-freedom rights are protected from day one of the upcoming school year,” said co-plaintiff Darcy Roake, a Unitarian Universalist minister and parent of two children.
“The Ten Commandments displays required under state law will create an unwelcoming and oppressive school environment for children, like ours, who don’t believe in the state’s official version of Scripture,” she said. “We believe that no child should feel excluded in public school because of their family’s faith tradition, and we are optimistic that the court will grant our motion for a preliminary injunction.”
Attorneys for the plaintiffs have requested a hearing on the motion during the week of July 29 and hope for a ruling before school starts Aug. 8, according to Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
AU, the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Louisiana, the Freedom from Religion Foundation and the Simpson Thacher and Bartlett law firm are representing the nine Christian, Jewish and non-religious families in the action. The complaint filed June 24 alleges Louisiana’s law, which also mandates use of a Protestant version of the Ten Commandments, violates plaintiffs’ rights under the U.S. Constitution’s Establishment and Free Exercise clauses.
“This lawsuit is necessary to protect the religious freedom of Louisiana public school children and their families,” AU President Rachel Laser said when the suit was filed June 24.
“Not just in Louisiana, but all across the country, Christian nationalists are seeking to infiltrate our public schools and force everyone to live by their beliefs. Secular, inclusive public schools that welcome all students regardless of their belief system form the backbone of our diverse and religiously pluralistic communities,” she said. “This nation must recommit to our foundational principle of church-state separation before it’s too late. Public education, religious freedom and democracy are all on the line.”
“This lawsuit is necessary to protect the religious freedom of Louisiana public school children and their families.”
Louisiana’s translation and its specific redacting of the commandments is especially troublesome, Freedom from Religion attorney and legal fellow Sammi Lawrence said during a recent edition of the organization’s “Ask an Atheist” webinar.
“This is problematic for a wide variety of reasons, including that the government is choosing a specific interpretation and translation of the Ten Commandments. I’m sure our audience knows, and probably Christians and religious people in the U.S. know that the Ten Commands vary from sect to sect, religion to religion. There are many different interpretations and translations of them.”
This is why Louisiana’s mandated version of the scriptural passage is not numbered and actually presents 12 commandment lines, FFRF Legal Director Patrick Elliott added. “Even Christians are surprised that these are excerpts from the Bible and from, in this instance, one specific translation of the Bible which seems to exclude not just Jews and other individuals that wouldn’t use that translation, but even some Christians.”
Separately, the Christian social action group Faithful America issued a petition and statement July 9 condemning Oklahoma’s new requirement that the Bible be physically present and taught in all public school classrooms. The call to action included a warning about Louisiana’s Ten Commandments law.
“Forcing Christianity on others is theocracy — and coercion is the opposite of Christ-like love. Let’s speak out publicly together to make it clear … that Christians support religious freedom for all,” the organization said.
Related articles:
Jesus and the Ten Commandments | Opinion by Chuck Poole
That Ten Commandments law isn’t the worst thing about Louisiana’s ‘Dream Big’ act for public education | Analysis by Mara Richards Bim
The Ten Commandments meet the Golden Rule | Opinion by Greg Hunt
Fighting Ten Commandments law is part of ‘the civil rights movement of our generation,’ ACLU leader says
Why is this still happening? | Opinion by Holly Hollman
PENSACOLA, Fla. — Marcavia Shavers posts 21 points and 13 rebounds to lead ULM Warhawks women’s basketball past Louisiana 79-63 in the Sun Belt Conference tournament.
ULM (15-15, 7-11 Sun Belt) took control early, outscoring Louisiana 17-7 in the first quarter and extending the lead to 41-21 by halftime. The Warhawks never trailed and led by as many as 28 points in the second quarter.
Shavers anchored the inside for ULM, finishing 9-of-15 from the field with 13 rebounds. Jazmine Jackson added 17 points off the bench, knocking down four 3-pointers, while J’Mani Ingram scored 16 points and dished out six assists.
ULM shot 46.9% from the field and held a 42-27 advantage on the boards. The Warhawks also converted Louisiana turnovers into 29 points and scored 26 second-chance points.
Louisiana (5-26, 2-16 Sun Belt) was led by Mikaylah Manley with 18 points and Imani Daniel with 17 points and seven rebounds. Amijah Price chipped in 12 points.
After struggling early, Louisiana shot better in the second half, scoring 42 points after the break. However, the early deficit proved too much to overcome.
ULM advances in the Sun Belt tournament, while Louisiana closes its season with the loss.
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BATON ROUGE (KNOE) – Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming is accusing Governor Jeff Landry of interfering with the state Senate race, which Fleming is a part of.
Fleming took to social media to accuse Landry of working “behind the scenes” to get Congresswoman Julia Letlow elected to the Senate.
According to Fleming, Dr. Ralph Abraham offered him the position of Deputy Director of the CDC shortly before announcing he was stepping down. Fleming said he politely declined.
A week later, news broke that Abraham is now leading Letlow’s Senate campaign.
“We know that Jeff has been heavily lobbying the Trump campaign team for the endorsement, he is pressuring the Republican Party of Louisiana and the Republican Executive Committees to support and endorse Letlow as well,” Fleming wrote on Facebook. “And, he is personally calling his donors to raise big money to save the Letlow campaign.
Landry formally endorsed Letlow for the U.S. Senate on March 4. Letlow also has the endorsement of President Donald Trump.
“We need a warrior who stands with the President to Make America Great. And there’s no greater warrior than a Louisiana mom,” Landry wrote on Facebook.
Fleming continued his commentary, asking when Landry will stop interfering with the state’s Senate race.
“Who is best to decide who represents you in Washington? Jeff Landry, or YOU?” Fleming asked.
Also in the heated race is incumbent Bill Cassidy, M.D.
Party primary elections in Louisiana are set for May 16, 2026.
Copyright 2026 KNOE. All rights reserved.
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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