Louisiana
Louisiana Supreme Court throws out law that lets lawyer-legislators push back court dates
A Louisiana law that allows legislators who are also lawyers to get hearings in their legal cases postponed is unconstitutional, the state Supreme Court ruled Friday.
Under the “legislative continuance” statute, Louisiana lawmakers serving as legal counsel in court proceedings had the ability to ask for a delay of those proceedings on a “peremptory” basis — without needing to demonstrate a particular reason for requesting the delay.
And, under the law, judges were also required in many instances to grant the request to postpone proceedings within 72 hours of the request being filed.
But Justice Jeff Hughes wrote in the opinion that the law gives the legislative branch too much sway over the daily operations of the judicial branch.
“The law subverts the courts’ constitutional and statutory powers, as the Legislature has usurped the courts’ power to decide when fixed court dates may be continued or extended; thereby violating the separation of powers doctrine,” Hughes wrote.
In a concurring opinion, Chief Justice John Weimer said the law “intrudes on the inherent powers of the judiciary to administer the business of the courts,” noting that the law makes mandates certain actions by judges and removes their discretion.
Justice Jay McCallum, a former state lawmaker, dissented and argued that “the Legislature has enacted entire systems of laws that limit and proscribe the actions of judges and parties in our courts.”
Several recent cases have brought scrutiny to legislative continuances.
The case that led to the Supreme Court’s ruling stems from a 2018 car crash, after which a plaintiff who was rear-ended sued a teen driver and his father. The defendants hired state Sen. Alan Seabaugh, R-Shreveport, and state Rep. Michael Melerine, R-Shreveport, as their defense attorneys.
A district court judge ruled the teen driver was liable, but the plaintiffs argued the legislators got ‘numerous’ continuances that unduly delayed the ruling from being carried out.
Melerine declined to comment on the Supreme Court’s ruling and Seabaugh did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday.
“This ruling not only underscores the importance of upholding individual rights to have one’s case timely heard within our legal system but also highlights the critical role that our judiciary plays in interpreting and protecting our Louisiana Constitution,” said Attorney Joe Gregorio, who represents plaintiff Theresa Fisher in the case.
The Supreme Court’s opinion also mentions a case out of Baton Rouge.
Metro Councilman Cleve Dunn Jr.’s neighbors sued him, arguing a new kitchen and fence he built without proper permits was causing flooding. After Dunn and his attorney, State Rep. Edmond Jordan, D-Baton Rouge, missed a court hearing, a district judge ruled in the neighbors’ favor and ordered Dunn to pay more than $57,000.
But Dunn and Jordan have fought that ruling, arguing the judge wrongly denied Jordan’s requests for legislative continuances. The two have also tried to have the judge, Beau Higginbotham, removed from the bench, claiming he is biased against Black defendants.
Jordan did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.
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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