Louisiana
Does a bill to protect IVF in Louisiana go far enough?
A bill wending its way through the Legislature aims to protect in-vitro fertilization treatments in Louisiana—and prevent the state from going down the same road as Alabama, where a court decision equating frozen embryos to children temporarily halted care.
But even supporters of the legislation worry that, in its current form, the bill does not go far enough and could leave providers who accidentally destroy an embryo vulnerable to criminal prosecution.
This week, state Rep. Paula Davis, R-Baton Rouge, who sponsored House Bill 833, asked the Senate’s Judiciary A Committee to amend the bill so that it would remove language from existing law that describes an in-vitro fertilized human ovum as a “biological human being.” (An earlier version of HB 833 had already tweaked that language, changing “fertilized human ovum” to “embryo.”)
After a debate over whether life begins at fertilization or when an embryo implants in a uterus, that amendment failed to pass.
Because some Louisiana criminal statutes reference “human beings,” Katie Bliss, an attorney specializing in IVF contracts who helped craft HB 833, worries doctors could be entangled in criminal cases.
“In some of the homicide statutes…instead of a person, they refer to a human being,” she said. “That gives pause.”
Dr. Nicole Ulrich, a New Orleans-based IVF specialist who worked on the bill, said the team behind it is still hoping to strip that language to allow “full protection” for providers.
If the language were removed from the law, embryos would still have “juridical person” rights, a special status given to corporations that allows entities to sue, Bliss told the Senate committee. She added that current statute grants them those rights, and that the language describing embryos as human beings represented an inconsistency in the law.
Legally, once an embryo is implanted in a woman’s uterus, it is considered a natural person, Bliss said, adding that an embryo represented “the potential for life.”
But Louisiana has one of the most conservative, anti-abortion state governments in the country, and Bliss’ explanation didn’t sit well with Republican senators on the Judiciary A Committee.
This “could be a difficult definition for those of us that hold different positions on what an embryo is,” said Sen. Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge. “Many of us believe an embryo is life.”
Edmonds voted to reject the amendment, along with Sen. Beth Mizell, R-Franklinton, and Sen. Alan Seabaugh, R-Many. It failed along party lines, with Sen. Jay Luneau, D-Pineville, and Sen. Gary Carter, D-New Orleans, voting for it.
The bill then eked its way out of the committee, with Seabaugh and Edmonds attempting to stop it outright. Mizell cast the deciding “yes” vote.
If it passes, IVF providers would operate under updated legal standards. Initially, the bill granted them immunity so long as they were acting “in good faith.” But after Bliss’ research concluded that was not a reliable legal standard, the bill was amended so that IVF clinics would be subject to the typical medical malpractice laws and standards of care that govern other types of providers.
The debate over IVF in Louisiana comes as the Texas Supreme Court considers a case that could hamper IVF care in that state, as the Texas Tribune has reported.
Yasin Gungor
19 April 2026•Update: 19 April 2026
At least eight children were killed and two others were wounded in a shooting in the US state of Louisiana, local police said Sunday.
Shreveport Police Department spokesperson Christopher Bordelon said officers responded to the shooting just after 6 am (1100GMT), following a domestic disturbance call.
The age of the deceased ranged from one to 14 years, he said, adding that the incident involved at least 10 individuals across four separate locations.
The suspect attempted to flee by carjacking a vehicle and driving to neighboring Bossier City, where police located and shot him dead.
Bordelon said Shreveport police officers pursued the suspect’s vehicle into Bossier, where three officers discharged their firearms, killing him. He said investigators believe the suspect was the only person who opened fire at the locations.
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux described the attack as “maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had,” adding: “It’s a terrible morning.”
No immediate information was available about the condition of the injured.
Louisiana
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When it comes to retiring, the best places to do so often are affordable, have a high quality of life and access to quality healthcare.
If you’re looking for a place to retire, Niche has identified the best places for retirees in Louisiana.
In its list, Niche has taken into account factors like weather, crime rates, housing costs and access to amenities.
The 5 best places to retire in Louisiana according to Niche
These are the top five best places to retire in Louisiana, according to Niche.
1. Oak Hills Place
Oak Hills Place is a suburb of Baton Rouge and is the overall best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb, located in East Baton Rouge Parish, has a population of 9,038 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. The area is highly rated for families, diversity, as well as health and fitness. Here, the median home value is $437,900 and the median rent is $1,422, according to Niche.
2. Westminster
Westminster is another suburb of Baton Rouge and is the second-best place to retire in Louisiana. Located in East Baton Rouge Parish, this suburb has a population of 2,559 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. This area is highly rated for nightlife, diversity, families, health and fitness, as well as commute. The median home value here is $266,100 and the median rent is $1,482, says Niche.
3. River Ridge
River Ridge is a suburb of New Orleans, located in Jefferson Parish, and is the third-best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb has a population of 13,312 and offers residents a dense suburban feel. The area is highly rated for public schools, family, nightlife and diversity. The median home value is $357,400 and the median rent is $1,127, according to Niche.
4. Westlake
Westlake is a town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. With a population of 4,743, this town offers residents a rural feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, jobs, cost of living, nightlife and weather. Here, the median home value is $166,100 and the median rent is $1,049, says Niche.
5. Prien
Prien is another town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. This town has a population of 7,119 and offers residents a suburban rural mix feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, nightlife and weather. The median home value here is $278,000 and the median rent is $1,292, according to Niche.
Presley Bo Tyler is the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team reporter for USA Today Network. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
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