Louisiana

A Louisiana police officer was killed during a SWAT operation, officials say

Published

2 hours ago

July 26, 2024

BATON ROUGE, La. — A Louisiana police officer was killed this week during a SWAT operation, the Lafayette Police Department said Friday.

In a statement on its Facebook page, the department identified the officer killed as Senior Cpl. Segus Jolivette, a member of the Special Weapons and Tactics Team. The husband and father of five joined the department in November 2013 and had served as a school resource officer in the past.

The officer was killed during a SWAT operation Thursday in the small city of Jeanerette in southern Louisiana. Details about the situation leading up to Jolivette’s death were not immediately available.

Trooper Peggy Bourque, a spokesperson for the Louisiana State Police, told The Associated Press on Friday morning that a suspect “has been captured and is no longer a threat to the public.” Officials have not provided the name or details of the suspect.

Multiple police agencies and officials took to social media Thursday night to mourn the death of the officer.

“Today we lost one of our best in the line of duty,” Lafayette Parish Mayor-President Monique Blanco Boulet said in a written statement. “I offer my prayers, my sympathies and my support to his wife, his children, his parents, and his entire family. They are experiencing the most difficult and unimaginable kind of loss.”

Before joining the Lafayette department, Jolivette worked for the Opelousas Police Department. Lafayette police said Jolivette dedicated much of his free time supporting the Explorer Program, “helping Lafayette’s youth to gain a better understanding of law enforcement operations and the importance of relationship building in our community.”

“His legacy of bravery and dedication will be remembered and honored by all who knew him,” Lafayette police said in a statement.

——

Associated Press writers Kevin McGill in New Orleans and Jeff Martin in Atlanta contributed to this report.

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Louisiana

Kamala Harris wins donations from Democratic voters across Louisiana

Published

9 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Press Room

Kamala Harris wins donations from Democratic voters across Louisiana

Kamala Harris’ nascent run for president has inspired voters across the state to donate to her — some of whom had never before given to a political campaign.

Harris, the vice president, is the likely Democratic presidential nominee after President Joe Biden quit the race on Sunday and endorsed her. Over the next 24 hours, her campaign reported a whopping $81 million in donations.

It’s unclear how many of those came from Louisianans. Such data is not yet available from the Federal Election Commission, and Harris’ campaign did not return an inquiry.

But over two dozen Louisianans said this week that they were among those who gave to her campaign. Some were relieved that Biden had dropped out after his disastrous debate performance June 27. Others were excited by Harris’ track record and thrilled by the possibility of the country’s first female president.

Helena Moreno, the president of the New Orleans City Council and a Democratic delegate, said Harris’ candidacy has energized Democrats.

“People throughout New Orleans…are constantly reaching out to me, to my office, (to ask) how they can get involved, what they can do to volunteer,” she said. “There is a very invigorated constituency.”

Louisiana’s Democratic National Committee delegates quickly lined up behind Harris after Biden endorsed her. The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, which according to Open Secrets has given nearly $400,000 to Democratic groups and candidates during the current election cycle, also appears poised to back Harris.

“(Biden’s) administration has been a tremendous partner for us, and I am confident that a Harris Administration would continue that partnership,” Marshall Pierite, chairman of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe, said in a statement. “Vice President Kamala Harris is just beginning her campaign, and as a delegate to the convention, I look forward to listening to ensure Indian Country’s needs are being met.”

Hoping for an alternative to Biden

Louisiana is deep red and will almost certainly give its electoral votes to Donald Trump, but that hasn’t dampened the excitement among voters eager to avoid a second Trump presidency.

Roland Darby, a 60-year-old teacher from the New Orleans area, said he was watching the news with his mother when they found out Biden had left the race.

“Within the hour of that announcement I actually got a text message asking for me to provide a donation (for Harris),” he said. “I had been getting that throughout this campaign season (and) I ignored it, but when I heard the announcement, I immediately donated without hesitation because I wanted to be a part of that.”

Darby is “terrified” by the prospect of another Trump presidency but was afraid of Biden’s chances, given his age and debate performance. With Harris, he feels hopeful again.

Darby also is excited that a biracial woman is within a grasp of the presidency.

“Being a Black man, any time you have a person of that prominence representing you and your culture, your race, there’s something about that that makes you invested,” he said.

‘I just hope more people donate to her’

Meanwhile, in Meraux, the news prompted another teacher, Bridget Derbyshire, to give to a campaign for the first time in her life.

“I like that she’s young, she’s energetic, she doesn’t mudsling, she I feel is someone who is going to get things done,” Derbyshire, 54, said of Harris, adding that the possibility of having the first woman president also motivated her.

Derbyshire said she does not vote based on political party but bases her decisions off the candidates. She was a registered Republican until 2018, when she switched her voter registration to Independent, she said.

Another first-time donor was Kevin Barnes, a 38-year-old from New Orleans who said he owns his own security company. For Barnes, it’s not Harris’ background but her qualifications that matter, he said. The vice president previously served as a U.S. senator and as California’s attorney general.

He gave $1,000, he said.

“It’s going to be an uphill battle for her. In order to really make her relevant she’s going to need money to run,” Barnes said. “I just hope more people donate to her.”

Other donors included Jason Petitjean, a 36-year-old physician from Covington, and Emily Rasch, a 27-year-old from Pearl River.

Bellah Bultron, a 20-year-old LSU student, said she gave $5 – what she could afford on her college budget.

Harris’ candidacy has excited her college friends, even some who are moderate or right-leaning.

Everyone is excited “to at the very least have another option,” Bultron said.

Where do bigger donors stand?

It’s unclear whether Harris can rely on support from some of the state’s biggest Democratic donors. Morris Bart, a trial attorney, declined comment through a spokesperson. His company, Morris Bart LLC, has given nearly $300,000 to Democratic groups and candidates during the 2024 election cycle, according to Open Secrets.

The Gordon McKernan Law Firm and MMR Group, an electrical contractor, did not provide comment.

McKernan’s group gave $150,000 to Napoleon PAC this election cycle, a political action committee that supports Democratic candidates, Open Secrets shows. The group also directly gave smaller donations to several Republican candidates, and one Democratic contender.

MMR Group has given tens of thousands of dollars both to Republican and Democratic groups and candidates.

Meanwhile, the state’s Black sororities and fraternities are working to mobilize voters — particularly voters of color — through outreach efforts.

Those organizations typically do not endorse political candidates because of their nonprofit status. But their outreach efforts could prove a boon to Harris, who was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

Brian Turner, the vice president of the Sigma Lambda chapter of the Black fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha, said it’s a critical time to vote, especially on issues that could impact communities of color, Turner said.

“We want to make sure that people understand the issues, understand candidate positions,” he said, while noting that the fraternity does not endorse specific candidates.

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Louisiana

Louisiana Department of Health confirms four cases of West Nile neuroinvasive disease

Published

16 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Press Room

Louisiana Department of Health confirms four cases of West Nile neuroinvasive disease

Staff Reports
| Shreveport Times

The Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Public Health has confirmed four human cases of West Nile neuroinvasive disease in the Northeast Louisiana community of Winnsboro.

These cases were reported between July 5-24.

Louisiana has reported a total of eight West Nile neuroinvasive disease cases in the state in 2024.

According to a press release, LDH says it is not uncommon to see increased West Nile disease activity in Louisiana during the summer months, a cluster of cases in a small locality is unusual.

LDH recommends taking protective measures against mosquito bites, especially for residents of Caldwell, East Carroll, Franklin, Jackson, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, Union and West Carroll parishes.

What is West Nile Virus

West Nile virus (WNV) is spread by mosquitoes and can cause illness in people and animals. While 80% of human cases are asymptomatic, many people can develop West Nile fever. Symptoms are similar to the flu and may include fever, headache, body aches, nausea and rashes.

Many patients have low-grade or no fever.

A small percentage of people can develop a severe form of infection called West Nile neuroinvasive disease, or West Nile encephalitis.

Individuals with pre-existing medical conditions and those who are over 60 years of age are at greater risk. Symptoms may last several weeks and can include high fever, stiff neck, disorientation, muscle weakness, numbness, coma and paralysis. In rare cases, West Nile neuroinvasive disease may result in death.

In 2023, Louisiana experienced 65 West Nile cases, including 46 neuroinvasive disease cases and four deaths. Last year’s cases occurred throughout the state, with multiple regions reporting their highest case counts in years.

Tips to protect yourself against mosquitoes

Wear EPA-registered mosquito repellent outside and always follow product label instructions.
Apply repellent on exposed skin and clothing, but do not apply under your clothes or on broken skin.
If you will be outside for an extended period, consider a travel-size container of repellent that can easily be carried with you.
If you wear sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.
To protect yourself from being exposed to mosquitoes indoors, ensure windows and doors are tight-fitting and that all screens are free of holes.

Protecting your home from mosquitoes

Reduce the mosquito population by eliminating standing water around your home, where mosquitoes breed.
Turn over wheelbarrows, plastic wading pools, buckets, trash cans, children’s toys or anything that could collect water.
Try to quickly discard or store any unnecessary containers around your property to reduce the chances of water accumulating.
Check and clean roof gutters routinely. Clogged gutters can produce millions of mosquitoes each season.
Water gardens and ornamental pools can become major mosquito producers if allowed to stagnate. Take steps to prevent stagnation, such as adding fish or aeration.
Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used. A swimming pool left untended for as little as a month can produce enough mosquitoes to result in neighborhood-wide complaints. Be aware that mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on swimming pool covers.

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Louisiana

LSU Football: No. 1 Wide Receiver in Louisiana Visiting LSU on Friday

Published

23 hours ago

July 25, 2024

Press Room

LSU Football: No. 1 Wide Receiver in Louisiana Visiting LSU on Friday

The LSU football staff has kept tabs on one of the best wide receivers in The Boot as they continue their pursuit of Destrehan (La.) four-star Jabari Mack.

Mack, the No. 1 wideout in Louisiana, received a scholarship from his hometown program earlier this year with wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton monitoring the 2026 star.

Now, Mack will make his way to Baton Rouge on Friday for LSU’s annual Bayou Splash recruiting event alongside several of the top prospects in America.

For the top-ranked wideout in the Bayou State, he’s seen premier programs turn up the heat, but LSU is certainly making a move in his recruitment.

The 6-foot, 170-pounder has received offers from Auburn, Florida State, Mississippi State, Nebraska and Penn State, among others as his rise continues.

Now, LSU has entered the mix for the No. 1 wide receiver in the Bayou State as this program looks to continue stockpiling the state’s top players after an impressive 2024 cycle.

The NCAA Recruiting Dead Period was lifted on Thursday. Just 24 hours later, the top receiver will make his first stop in Baton Rouge.

A Top 10 receiver in his class, he’s become a hot commodity on the recruiting trail.

It’s clear the 2025 cycle has the chance to change the program with LSU boasting the No. 3 overall class, but the 2026 cycle could carry the momentum with players like Mack, Jahkeem Stewart and Blaine Bradford, among others, on the Tigers’ radar.

It’s been made shown that head coach Brian Kelly is looking to build a wall around the state, and with a 2026 class bursting with talent, the motive remains the same.

Mack will be joined by teammate Phillip Wright who will also make the drive to Baton Rouge for the Bayou Splash recruiting event.

Phillip Wright: Wide Receiver (2025)

Destrehan (La.) three-star wide receiver Phillip Wright will visit Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers on Friday for the program’s annual “Bayou Splash” recruiting event.

Wright, a 5-foot-11, 160-pound speedster, recently revealed a commitment to the Michigan Wolverines, but it hasn’t stopped the Tigers from ramping up their push for the coveted wideout.

He’s become a hot commodity on the recruiting trail after an impressive junior campaign with premier programs across the country extending scholarships.

With a verbal pledge to the Wolverines now public, it won’t stop LSU from continuing to pursue the in-state star.

A source confirmed to LSU Tigers On SI that they’ll press to get Wright in town for a game day experience as they look to add another wide receiver to the 2025 recruiting class.

LSU currently holds commitments from a pair of wideouts in the current cycle: Derek Meadows (five-star) and TaRon Francis (No. 1 receiver in Louisiana).

Now, they’re in search of one or two more wideouts to fill out the 2025 receiver haul.

The full breakdown of Wright’s game via 247Sports:

“Big-play receiver who can stretch the field vertically or hit the long ball as a short game catch-and-run threat. Capable of aligning at multiple receiver spots and represents the type of speed-oriented weapon who can allow a coaching staff ample creativity. Verified between 5-10 and 5-11 at 175 pounds in Jan. 2024 at the All-American National Combine. Posted encouraging testing data with a 4.52 40 and a 10-foot, 1-inch broad jump. Perhaps a bit more to the frame than suspected on tape. Certifiable burner with elite track numbers in multiple sprint categories, including a 10.46 100 and 21.41 200. Uses that speed to get on top of DBs quickly and take the top off a secondary. Dynamic run-after-catch threat in the screen and quick games. Capable of stacking cuts in the open field. Shows some promising route snap that should help enhance ability to consistently create late separation when needed. Adding a bit of mass and strength should also help that cause. Possibly could squeeze just a tad more out of the top end of that track speed when in pads. Could supply an early special teams option as a return threat and a dangerous receiving weapon who could move around the formation. Projects as a high-major prospect with the multi-sport evidence and verified athleticism that could lead beyond the college game.”

The prized in-state prospect will make the drive down to Baton Rouge where he will be alongside several top recruits in not only Louisiana, but all of America.

LSU Football Lands Commitment From Five-Star Cornerback DJ Pickett, America’s No. 1 CB

LSU Baseball Flips Prized Pitcher, Texas A&M Commit Cooper Williams

SEC Media Days Notebook: Brian Kelly, LSU Eyeing Growth in 2024

Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and LSU Tigers On SI: @LSUTigersSI for all coverage surrounding the LSU program.

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