Louisiana
Louisiana House advances prison-reimbursement rates, drunk driving bills
VIDEO: Louisiana 2026 Legislative Session Previewed in Lafayette
At One Acadiana’s Lafayette outlook event, business and policy leaders discussed the 2026 session and what it could mean for jobs, schools and voters.
BATON ROUGE — A bill to raise the daily reimbursement rate for housing state inmates advanced with broad bipartisan support Tuesday, as Louisiana lawmakers seek to ease financial pressure on local correctional facilities while acknowledging the increase still falls short of covering true costs.
The House Appropriations Committee also advanced House Bill 82 by Rep. Debbie Villio, R-Kenner, which seeks to impose stricter penalties on individuals convicted of a third or fourth offense for impaired driving.
Penalties include increasing mandatory minimum sentences and raising fines. A person guilty of a third DWI would spend at least five years in prison, while a fourth offense would result in 12 years with no parole or probation.
House Bill 143, the prison-reimbursement bill authored by Rep. Tony Bacala, R-Prairieville, focuses on increasing the per diem rate paid to local correctional facilities that house state inmates. The bill would increase the rate from $26.39 to $29.39 beginning in Fiscal Year 2027-28 and each year after.
The prison-reimbursement bill moved forward with no opposition, signaling widespread agreement among lawmakers that adjustments are overdue.
The bill carries a fiscal note of approximately $17 million, but Bacala said this would not be entirely new spending. He described the measure as a way to align existing appropriations with statutory requirements, noting that the increase has effectively already been budgeted for Fiscal Year 2026-27.
The discussion around HB 143 centers on the growing role of local correctional facilities, often overseen by parish sheriffs. These facilities have expanded services for inmates in recent years, offering programs such as GED education, technical training and work-release opportunities that allow certain inmates to transition back into the workforce.
Despite these enhancements, reimbursement rates from the state have not kept pace with the rising costs and expanded responsibilities.
Bacala acknowledged that the proposed increase still does not fully meet the needs of local facilities.
“This bill doesn’t even pay them a fair rate. It just pays them a more fair rate,” he said, highlighting that lawmakers see the measure as a step in the right direction rather than a final solution.
Rep. Alonzo Knox, D-New Orleans, voiced support for the proposal, calling it “more than fair,” while also suggesting that additional increases may be considered in the future as budget conditions allow.
The French Exchange copy of the Convention between the Republic of France and the United States signed by Napoleon finalizing the sale of the Louisiana Territory will be on display at Louisiana’s Old State Capitol beginning April 14. the document is on loan by the National Archives in Washington.
Napoleon Bonaparte’s signature was scribbled diagonally on the treaty as if it were an afterthought. Make no mistake, it was far from a haphazard gesture. Bonaparte needed the money, and Thomas Jefferson was willing to pay.
When the First Consul of the Republic of France scribbled “Bonaparte” on that document finalizing the sale of France’s Louisiana Territory to the United States, the world changed.
History calls this moment the Louisiana Purchase. For the U.S., it meant doubling in size. For the world, it meant the eventual emergence of a new superpower.
The French Exchange copy of the Convention between the Republic of France and the United States signed by Napoleon finalizing the sale of the Louisiana Territory will be on display at Louisiana’s Old State Capitol beginning April 14. the document is on loan by the National Archives in Washington.
Amazing to think how a simple, last-name-only signature could hold so much power. It still wields a certain power today, enough to make people put away their phones just to see it.
Which will happen on April 14, when Louisiana’s Old State Capitol opens the exhibit, “Bought for a Song: A Young Nation Expands.” The exhibit’s only artifact will be the French exchange copy of the convention between the Republic of France — the document bearing Bonaparte’s signature that finalized the Louisiana Purchase.
The show runs through July 11, coinciding with America’s 250th anniversary celebration year. Though admission is free, visitors are asked to sign up for a viewing time for the opening week through the museum’s website, louisianaoldstatecapitol.org.
A National Archives loan
The document is on loan from the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, D.C. Officials will transport and set it up days before the show’s opening in Baton Rouge.
Laurent Dabos’ circa 1803-1804 portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte as First Consul of France.
“This exhibit will display that original document, its cover page and a copy of the signature page,” museum curator Anne Mahoney said. “It also has small educational displays about the role of the Mississippi River in the transaction and who was involved. The exhibit will also be presented in both English and French.”
And though all of these original documents will be in the case, required precautions are being taken.
“Since this is such a historically significant document, and it pertains to treaties for the United States of America, it has special protections in terms of lighting, temperature and humidity,” Mahoney said. “Since light damage is cumulative and irreversible, we’ll keep the treaty closed so that the writing does not become faded by any contact with light. And then we’ll have an excerpt from it on display next to it that’s a reproduction.”
The exhibit, like Bonaparte’s signature, is small, consisting of the agreement displayed beneath thick glass in one of the Old Capitol’s octagonal rooms. Security guards will be stationed inside the room, and visitors will not be allowed to take photos.
The French Exchange copy of the Convention between the Republic of France and the United States signed by Napoleon finalizing the sale of the Louisiana Territory will be on display at Louisiana’s Old State Capitol beginning April 14. the document is on loan by the National Archives in Washington.
“Visitors can’t take their phones out when they enter the room,” Mahoney said. “We don’t want any accidental flashes. We have high security and high environmental controls, so you won’t be able to take pictures. But we do have a little handout you can take as a souvenir.”
Irony in Baton Rouge
The irony in this situation is that Baton Rouge was a part of Spanish West Florida when the Louisiana Territory was sold to the U.S.
“There was a neutral strip that wasn’t technically a part of the purchase,” Mahoney said. “That didn’t happen until after Philemon Thomas and the West Florida revolt.”
Thomas is buried in the Baton Rouge National Cemetery on 19th Street. He was a revolutionary war general who led the revolt that eventually annexed Baton Rouge into the U.S. in 1810, seven years after the flag of Spain was lowered at the Cabildo to make way for the French flag, which was immediately lowered and replaced by the American flag.
France ceded the Louisiana territory to Spain in 1762 to prevent the British from taking it during the Seven Years’ War. Spain agreed to return it to France when the time came.
Thure de Thulstrup’s 1903 painting, ‘Hoisting American Colors, Louisiana Cession, 1803,’ hangs in the Louisiana State Museum, Cabildo in New Orleans.
And that time came when Bonaparte decided to unload the territory to fund his imminent war with Great Britain. The Louisiana Purchase happened in three parts, beginning with the Treaty of Cession, followed by the two conventions defining the financial aspects of the sale.
Bonaparte signed the final bill of sale on April 30, 1803. The flag ceremony followed on Dec. 20, 1803.
What did the country gain?
The U.S. gained approximately 828,000 square miles of land for $15 million from that diagonal scribble of a signature. That’s roughly 4 cents per acre, which accounts for the sale’s historical description as “bought for a song,” along with the exhibit’s title.
The price of a song bought a chunk of real estate that stretched from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains. It also secured control of the port of New Orleans, which reshaped trade, migration, culture and political power across the continent.
“This will actually be the second time this document has come to the Old State Capitol,” Mahoney said. “The first time was at our inaugural opening in 1994.”
Jacques-Louis David’s 1801 painting, “Napoleon Crossing the Alps.” This version hangs in Versailles. David painted five versions of this painting, one of which hangs in the Cabildo in New Orleans.
Secretary of State Nancy Landry says she’s proud to partner with the National Archives for this exhibit.
“With the stroke of a pen, this agreement more than doubled the size of our nation and stands as one of the most significant real estate transactions in American history,” Landry said. “We invite everyone to join us as we welcome this remarkable piece of history back to the land it helped create.”
“Bought for a Song: A Young Nation Expands” will show April 14-July 11 at Louisiana’s Old State Capitol, 100 North Blvd., Baton Rouge. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. To accommodate anticipated demand during the exhibition’s opening week, April 14-18, the museum will operate on timed entry slots of 10 a.m. to noon, noon to 2 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. For tickets, visit louisianaoldstatecapitol.org.
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Louisiana’s return to closed-party primaries is prompting some voters to change their registration ahead of the state’s high-profile U.S. Senate race.
Cheron Brylski, a longtime Democratic political strategist and consultant, said she changed her registration from Democrat to No Party so she could choose which primary to vote in on May 16.
“I felt that this whole exercise is meant to disenfranchise urban voters who are largely Democrats,” Brylski told FOX 8.
Louisiana voters will cast ballots May 16 in closed-party primaries for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Louisiana Supreme Court, Public Service Commission and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Under the system approved by lawmakers in 2024 for the 2026 elections, registered Democrats can vote only in Democratic primaries and registered Republicans can vote only in Republican primaries.
Voters registered as No Party can choose either the Democratic or Republican ballot at the polls.
“So, when you get ready to vote in the May election, when you go to the polls, you will be given a form asking if you’re, if you’re “No Party”, asking if you want to vote in the Republican or the Democratic closed primary or not vote in any of them. And so, you have that choice. And so, you will select them. You will go into the voting booth and vote on that ballot,” said Trey Williams, Deputy Secretary of State for Communications and Policy.
If a runoff is needed in June, No Party voters must stick with the same party primary they selected in May. In the November general election, they can vote for any candidate on the ballot.
“When the runoff occurs in June, you would still need to vote in that party primary that you selected. Then when we get to the general election in November you can vote for anybody you would like, Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Green party, whoever is on the ballot there.” Williams said.
Brylski her decision was about making sure her voice is really heard during the primary election.
“I wanted to have a say in who I could choose between in November, whether it was the Republican or the Democrat, that the only way to vote against the MAGA-endorsed candidate was to change to No Party. And that way, by participating in the primaries, the Republican primary, as a no party voter, then I could vote basically against the MAGA-endorsed candidate,” she said.
Still, she said the move was difficult.
“And it was a very hard decision for me to make. I’ve been a lifelong Democrat. I still consider myself a Democrat. But I do think this whole process is disenfranchising voters. It’s limiting actually, I think it’s a move to destroy the Democratic Party in Louisiana, because it’s taken our votes completely out of who will be on that November ballot,” Brylski said.
Williams said voters who want to change their registration in person or by mail have until April 15. Those making the change online through GeauxVote have until April 25.
The Secretary of State’s Office said it is already seeing movement in voter registration.
“Well, we’ve actually seen a trend over the past year. So, we have seen the number of no party voters in the state increase by about 8,200 voters. We’ve also seen the Republican, numbers increase as well by about 6,500, uh, voters,” Williams said.
Some political observers think the state returned to the closed party system to hurt Sen. Bill Cassidy’s re-election bid after he voted to convict President Donald Trump during one of his impeachment trials.
“I definitely think that the purpose was to empower MAGA-endorsed candidates, and he has not,” Brylski said.
There are three Democrats running for the Senate seat.
“And so Democratic voters in the primary won’t be able to say they support [Sen. Bill] Cassidy if they like him. They’ll just choose between three candidates or they will choose between Democratic candidates who haven’t even gotten support from the National Democratic Party.
Brylski said she plans to switch back.
“I will be voting as a Democrat in November, but not right now. I’ll be voting as a No-Party person in the Republican primaries,” Brylski said.
Williams said voters can change their party registration whenever they choose, as long as they meet the deadline before an election.
Third-party voters, such as Libertarians and Greens, cannot vote in either party’s May primary, though they can still vote on other items on the ballot and in the fall general election.
“If you register Green Party you cannot participate. So yes, so if you were in a third-party, like Libertarian Party, Green Party then you cannot participate in the Republican or Democratic closed-primaries, but there are other items on the ballot that you can participate in,” Williams said.
Early voting for the May 16th primary is May 2-May 9.
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Leading ice cream franchise targets New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette for continued expansion
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., April 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cold Stone Creamery®, one of the nation’s premier ice cream creameries, revealed today its strategic plans to expand its presence in Southern Louisiana, specifically targeting New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette. The expansion into these markets presents a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to grow alongside a proven and fast-growing brand with nationwide experience and brand recognition. Cold Stone Creamery plans to open two to three stores in the next five years.
Southern Louisiana continues to emerge as a key growth market for families and businesses statewide. According to Louisiana Economic Development, in 2025, Louisiana experienced record-breaking results, marking the largest year of investment and job creation in state history. New Cold Stone locations in these markets provide an opportunity to contribute to the state’s economic growth for the communities.
“Cold Stone Creamery has been a part of communities across the country for more than 35 years, delivering premium products and personalized experiences that keep guests coming back,” said Blake Borwick, brand leader at Cold Stone Creamery. “Louisiana presents a strong opportunity for growth, with its vibrant communities, steady economic momentum, and deep appreciation for food and hospitality. As we expand in the state, we’re excited to partner with entrepreneurial talent looking for a proven brand, strong support system, and the opportunity to build a business that creates jobs, brings people together, and becomes a meaningful part of their local community.”
Cold Stone Creamery is thriving in Louisiana, with five locations currently serving the Bossier City, Baton Rouge, Elmwood, Metairie and Harvey communities. The brand is also preparing to open a new location in New Orleans, coming soon. The brand’s continued momentum reflects strong demand across the state and the opportunity for prospective owners to join a trusted, nationally recognized brand.
Cold Stone Creamery offers a flexible, scalable model rooted in premium ice cream, memorable guest experiences and comprehensive operational support. Franchise owners benefit from proven systems, advanced tools and resources, and leadership guidance that empowers franchisees to grow efficiently and achieve business goals.
Cold Stone Creamery is actively seeking qualified candidates to support its expansion in Louisiana, offering flexible opportunities for both first-time franchisees and experienced multi-unit operators. To join a fast-growing brand with more than three decades of experience and a proven team, the initial franchise fee to start a new traditional Cold Stone Creamery franchise is $27,000*.
To learn more about franchising with Cold Stone Creamery, visit the franchise website here.
*This information is based on the 2026 Cold Stone Creamery Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). See the current FDD Item 7 here and the current FDD for full details. This is not an offer. See more information here.
About Cold Stone Creamery
Cold Stone Creamery® delivers the Ultimate Ice Cream Experience® through a community of franchisees who are passionate about ice cream. The secret recipe for smooth and creamy ice cream is handcrafted fresh in-store, and then customized by combining a variety of mix-ins on a frozen granite stone. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Cold Stone Creamery is owned by parent company Kahala BrandsTM, one of the fastest-growing franchising companies in the world. With a portfolio of nearly 30 fast-casual and quick-service restaurant brands operated by Kahala Brands or its affiliates, across approximately 3,000 locations in 35 countries. The Cold Stone Creamery brand operates nearly 1,500 locations globally in approximately 30 countries worldwide.
For more information about Cold Stone Creamery, visit www.ColdStoneCreamery.com.
SOURCE Cold Stone Creamery
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