Louisiana

Louisiana’s top Democrat hopes next generation will help rebuild party

Published

1 year ago

September 24, 2024

Louisiana’s top Democrat hopes next generation will help rebuild party

Louisiana Democratic Party Chairman Randal Gaines speaks to the Baton Rouge Press Club on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. (Photo credit: Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator)

Louisiana Democratic Party Chairman Randal Gaines is counting on young people to help rebuild what many political onlookers see as a floundering organization that has been losing power for nearly four decades.

The former state lawmaker addressed the Baton Rouge Press Club Monday, sharing his thoughts on the future of the party in Louisiana.

Gaines, who is from LaPlace, said he is working to broaden his party’s appeal by holding town hall meetings and speaking with voters to get a sense of how Democrats can better serve them. He also hopes to get more college students and younger people interested in the organization.

“Our goal is to re-attract those who have left the party, but more importantly to attract those younger voters, 18 to 35, who are looking for a place that’s gonna provide an answer to the things that are important to them,” he said.

The statewide electoral power of the Democratic Party has been sliding steadily since about 1980. Democrats haven’t held a majority in Louisiana’s congressional delegation since the 1990s and have been outnumbered in the state legislature since 2010.

Although Democrats still hold a slight edge on the total share of registered voters in Louisiana, many have been switching their affiliations to Republican and independent. The Democratic Party has lost 58% of its voter plurality in the state since 2021, according to Baton Rouge pollster John Couvillon.

Of Louisiana’s roughly 3 million registered voters, 1,130,553 are Democrats, 1,035,961 are Republicans, and 834,164 have minor or no party affiliations.

It is Gaines’ first year chairing the state central committee after he ousted former chair Katie Bernhardt in April. Bernhardt oversaw disastrously poor results and low turnout during the 2023 elections that ceded all statewide offices to Republican, and Democrats failed to field candidates in 44 statehouse elections.

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Louisiana

Louisiana delegation responds with mixed reaction to leadership change at DHS

Published

2 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

Louisiana delegation responds with mixed reaction to leadership change at DHS

WASHINGTON (WAFB) — President Donald Trump has removed Kristi Noem as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and nominated Sen. Markwayne Mullin to replace her. Noem will take on the role of Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas. Members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation responded to the change in leadership.

FILE – Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem appears for an oversight hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, at the Capitol in Washington, March 3, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)(J. Scott Applewhite | AP)

FILE - Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla. speaks during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing,... — FILE – Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla. speaks during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Jan. 14, 2025, on Capitol Hill in Washington.(Jacquelyn Martin | AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Kennedy clash preceded removal

Noem led DHS since the beginning of Trump’s second term. One of the most noted controversies of her tenure was the department’s spending of $220 million on television ads across the country, which drew scrutiny from Sen. John Kennedy during a committee hearing.

“Did the President know you were going to do this?” Kennedy asked during the hearing.

“Yes,” Noem replied.

Kennedy said the spending and other issues had weighed on him.

“You just add all of this up and the other turmoil and it’s been stuck in my craw,” Kennedy said. “I want to secure the border and I want to enforce our immigration laws, but I’m tired of trying to explain behavior that is inexplicable to me.”

wafb — (Source: ASSOCIATED PRESS, POOL, U.S. SENATE TV, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT)

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Louisiana

Louisiana has the highest incidence of prostate cancer in the nation. See the parish data.

Published

15 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Louisiana has the highest incidence of prostate cancer in the nation. See the parish data.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men, with an estimated 333,830 new cases and 36,320 deaths projected for 2026 for the disease, according to the American Cancer Society.

In the U.S., there are approximately 116 new prostate cancer cases per 100,000 people annually. Louisiana has the highest prostate cancer incidence rate in the country at 147.2 cases per 100,000 — a rate that has been steadily rising since 2014, according to data from the National Cancer Institute.

New prostate cancer drug can extend life expectancy by 8 months, Baton Rouge doctor says

These parishes had the highest rates, in cases per 100,000, of prostate cancer from 2018 to 2022, in descending order:

West Feliciana Parish with 218.6 cases per 100,000;
Iberville Parish with 182.3 cases per 100,000;
Bienville Parish with 179.7 cases per 100,000;
West Baton Rouge Parish with 179.4 cases per 100,000;
Vermillion Parish with 176.5 cases per 100,000;
Iberia Parish with 173.8 cases per 100,000;
East Baton Rouge Parish with 173.6 cases per 100,000;
East Carroll Parish with 172.9 cases per 100,000;
East Feliciana Parish with 166.3 cases per 100,000;
Tangipahoa Parish with 166.2 cases per 100,000;
St. Martin Parish with 166 cases per 100,000;
Jackson Parish with 165.3 cases per 100,000;
and Lincoln Parish with 165.1 cases per 100,000.

These parishes had the lowest rates, in cases per 100,000, of prostate cancer from 2018 to 2022, in ascending order:

Cameron Parish with 101 cases per 100,000;
Evangeline Parish with 102.7 cases per 100,000;
Union Parish with 106.9 cases per 100,000;
Winn Parish with 108.2 cases per 100,000;
Vernon Parish with 109.4 cases per 100,000;
Grant Parish with 109.7 cases per 100,000;
Franklin and La Salle parishes with 111 cases per 100,000;
St. Bernard Parish with 113.9 cases per 100,000;
Tensas Parish with 115.2 cases per 100,000;
Terrebonne Parish with 117.5 cases per 100,000;
Washington Parish with 121.1 cases per 100,000;
Livingston Parish with 122.8 cases per 100,000;
Sabine Parish with 122.9 cases per 100,000;
Bossier Parish with 123.7 cases per 100,000;
and La Fourche Parish with 124.8 cases per 100,000.

Data represents an annual average for all stages of prostate cancer.

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Louisiana

Shavers leads ULM past Louisiana 79-63

Published

1 day ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

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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