Louisiana

AG’s suggestions: Thou should not post Ten Commandments near a Louisiana teacher’s desk

Published

2 years ago

January 4, 2025

AG’s suggestions: Thou should not post Ten Commandments near a Louisiana teacher’s desk

BATON ROUGE — Louisiana’s attorney general on Friday issued four suggestions on how public schools should display the Ten Commandments. One says the document shouldn’t be posted behind any teacher’s desk and another says it should be displayed with other historical documents.

Lawmakers last year directed that a copy of the Protestant version of the Ten Commandments be posted in every public school classroom, including those at colleges and universities, beginning Jan. 1. A federal judge in November struck the law down as unconstitutional.

The attorney general’s office has said the judge’s order applies only to five school districts named in a lawsuit challenging the law and that other districts can post the Ten Commandments without violating an order from U.S. District Judge John de Gravelles.

The judge’s order, however, directed the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the state’s education secretary to tell all districts about his decision — not just districts covering students in East Baton Rouge, Livingston, Orleans, St. Tammany and Vernon parishes.

“Defendants (Cade) Brumley and BESE Members shall be responsible for providing notice of this order and H.B. 71’s unconstitutionality to all Louisiana public elementary, secondary, and charter schools, and all public post-secondary education institutions,” he wrote.

The American Civil Liberties Union wrote to school districts statewide last month saying that while they were not named defendants in the lawsuit, they could be sued if they didn’t protect the constitutional rights of their students.

“Even though your district is not a party to the ongoing lawsuit, and therefore is not technically subject to the district court’s injunction, all school districts have an independent obligation to respect students’ and families’ constitutional rights. Because the U.S. Constitution supersedes state law, public-school officials may not comply with H.B. 71,” it wrote.

Lester Duhe, a spokesman for the attorney general’s office, said state lawyers viewed the ACLU letter as giving tacit approval for posting the Ten Commandments.

“Even ACLU’s statement agrees non-parties can comply with the law,” he said this week.

In the guidance provided Friday, the attorney general’s office said that to avoid confusion about whether the display could be attributed to a teacher, “a school should place its displays on any classroom wall other than behind a teacher’s desk, podium or location from which a teacher ordinarily delivers instruction.”

It also said the Ten Commandments should be displayed “among others reflecting educational content, such as those displaying the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, and the Northwest Ordinance.”

The other suggestions included using one of four sample displays of the Ten Commandments the attorney general’s office provided and ensuring it was large enough to be read.

A court hearing on the challenge to the law is scheduled for Jan. 23.

Source link

Louisiana

Leadership Louisiana Health Fellows Welcomes Inaugural Class – Leaders for a Better Louisiana

Published

5 hours ago

July 8, 2026

Press Room

Leadership Louisiana Health Fellows Welcomes Inaugural Class – Leaders for a Better Louisiana

Nearly 40 years after launching Louisiana’s premier statewide leadership development program, Leaders for a Better Louisiana is proud to announce the inaugural class of Leadership Louisiana Health Fellows, marking an important new chapter in the organization’s longstanding commitment to developing informed, connected leaders equipped to address the state’s most pressing challenges.

Building on the proven model and legacy of Leadership Louisiana, the Health Fellows program brings together leaders from across healthcare, business, public policy, higher education, philanthropy, and community organizations to gain a deeper understanding of the systems, opportunities, and challenges shaping health outcomes across Louisiana. Throughout the year, fellows will participate in immersive sessions across the state, engaging directly with healthcare providers, researchers, policymakers, workforce leaders, and innovators while exploring the issues that influence the health and well-being of Louisiana’s people and communities.

“The strength of Leadership Louisiana has always been its ability to bring together accomplished leaders from different sectors and regions to learn from one another while developing a broader understanding of our state,” said Sheree Blanchard, Director of Leadership Louisiana. “The Health Fellows program extends that tradition by focusing on one of Louisiana’s most significant opportunities for improvement. We are excited to welcome this outstanding inaugural class.”

The inaugural class represents a broad cross-section of Louisiana’s healthcare and civic leadership, with participants serving in hospitals, health systems, higher education, business, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and community-based organizations throughout the state. Together, they bring diverse expertise and perspectives that will strengthen dialogue and collaboration around Louisiana’s health challenges and opportunities.

“From the beginning, our vision was to create a program that mirrors the excellence and impact of Leadership Louisiana while taking a comprehensive look at the many factors that influence health outcomes,” said Blanchard. “This first class reflects the caliber of leadership we hoped to attract, and we look forward to watching these fellows build lasting relationships and develop new ideas that will benefit communities across Louisiana.”

Leadership Louisiana has graduated more than 1,600 leaders over nearly four decades, creating one of the state’s strongest cross-sector leadership networks. Leadership Louisiana Health Fellows builds on that foundation by providing participants with a focused exploration of Louisiana’s healthcare landscape while reinforcing the program’s longstanding commitment to collaboration, informed leadership, and service to the state.

The 2027 Health Fellows class will begin its yearlong experience this summer with sessions held in multiple regions of Louisiana.

View the complete roster of the Leadership Louisiana Health Fellows inaugural class.

Source link

Louisiana

Heart of Louisiana: Lafitte Wetlands

Published

15 hours ago

July 8, 2026

Press Room

NEW ORLEANS, La (WVUE) – A new education center in the town of Jean Lafitte is giving visitors a chance to learn about south Louisiana’s coast.

Dave McNamara explores how the center combines history, culture, science, and a walk through a cypress swamp in the heart of Louisiana.

For more, visit the Heart of Louisiana archive here.

See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Click Here to report it. Please include the headline.

Subscribe to the Fox 8 YouTube channel.

Source link

Louisiana

Looking for a luxurious place to stay? These are Louisiana’s 6 best resorts

Published

1 day ago

July 7, 2026

Press Room

Looking for a luxurious place to stay? These are Louisiana’s 6 best resorts

When you think of resorts, you probably think of hotels with expansive grounds, upscale amenities and all-inclusive packages.

While these types of resorts can surely be found in major-destination cities and foreign countries, Louisiana has its own resorts that are just as nice.

At Louisiana’s resorts, you can enjoy all the same amenities and stay at locations that are just as luxurious.

Plan your stays with Booking.com

Why these 6 resorts are the best in Louisiana for 2026

Travel US News has ranked the six best resorts in Louisiana based on hotel class rating, property type and guest reviews.

1. L’Auberge Casino Resort in Lake Charles

L’Auberge Casino Resort in Lake Charles is the best resort to stay in Louisiana, with a guest rating of 8.7 out of 10. More than just a nice place to stay, this resort offers premiere casino games, plenty of shopping, golfing opportunities, a spa, relaxing cabanas and upscale restaurants. The hotel also has business and fitness centers, and the rooms are in the modern arts and crafts style.

2. Caesars in New Orleans

Caesars in New Orleans is the second-best resort in Louisiana and has a guest rating of 7.9 out of 10. This resort has a great location within the Central Business District, making it near all the top attractions in the Crescent City. Here, there are plenty of dining and gambling opportunities. The rooms are equipped with standard amenities and are in a Louisiana-inspired style.

3. Margaritaville Resort Casino in Bossier City

Margaritaville Resort Casino in Bossier City is the third-best resort in Louisiana, with a guest rating of 8.7 out of 10. Strategically located across the Red River from Shreveport, this resort offers plenty to do, like testing your luck at the casino, spending a day by the pool, relaxing at the spa, eating delicious food at one of the restaurants or enjoying live entertainment at the performance hall.

4. Bally’s Casino & Hotel in Shreveport

Bally’s Casino & Hotel in Shreveport is among the best resorts in Louisiana and has a guest rating of 7.6 out of 10. Bally’s offers plenty of casino games and dining opportunities, and you can keep the night going with drinks and dancing at one of the lounges. The hotel offers business and fitness centers and the rooms come with standard amenities, like flat-screen TVs and minifridges.

5. Nottoway Plantation Resort in White Castle

Nottoway Plantation Resort in White Castle is one of the best resorts in Louisiana, as it is among the 4.0 star hotel class. This historic antebellum plantation, originally constructed in 1859, includes nine Acadian-style cottages, a salon, an outdoor pool, a fitness center and tennis courts. Visitors can tour the plantation house itself and embark on a guided tour of the on-site museum.

6. Cypress Bend Resort, a Wyndham Hotel in Many

Cypress Bend Resort, a Wyndham Hotel in Many is among the best resorts in Louisiana, with a guest rating of 7.7 out of 10. This hotel features two restaurants, a golf course, fitness center indoor and outdoor pools, as well as a bar and lounge. Belonging to the 3.0 star hotel class, this casual resort is the perfect spot for a quick getaway, as it’s set on 600 acres on Toledo Bend Lake.

Presley Bo Tyler is the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for USA Today Network. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com

Source link