Connect with us

Louisiana

Hearing underway on attempt to overthrow La.’s congressional map

Published

on

Hearing underway on attempt to overthrow La.’s congressional map


SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) — Testimony continued Tuesday (April 9) in Day 2 of a trial over an attempt to overthrow Louisiana’s new congressional map.

The hearing before a three-judge panel is being held in Shreveport and could last at least one more day.

Earlier this year, Louisiana lawmakers were tasked with making the map after a judge said a previous one violated the Voting Rights Act. The judge said Louisiana must have two majority-minority districts since one-third of its population is African-American. The previous map had one such district.

Under the latest map, the new 6th Congressional District extends from southern Caddo Parish through Natchitoches and Alexandria to Baton Rouge. The new boundaries jeopardize Republican Congressman Garret Graves’ place in Congress.

Advertisement

Longtime Democratic politician Cleo Fields already has announced he’s running for the post. Fields previously served in Congress but declined to seek re-election in 1996 after two terms representing a district that ultimately was thrown out by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Republican state Sen. Alan Seabaugh, who represents state District 31 in Northwest Louisiana, doesn’t approve of Louisiana’s latest congressional map. He explained why to KSLA News 12 in January:

Louisiana State Senator Alan Seabaugh discusses his views on the new Louisiana redistricting to include a second minority-majority district.



Source link

Advertisement

Louisiana

Gov. Landry declares state of emergency after flooding, severe weather across Louisiana

Published

on

Gov. Landry declares state of emergency after flooding, severe weather across Louisiana


BATON ROUGE, La. (KLFY) — Governor Landry has officially declared Louisiana under state of emergency.

The state emergency declaration covers Avoyelles, Lafourche, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Tammany and Terrebonne parishes.

The declaration was issued Thursday following the impacts of Tropical Storm Arthur, which brough rainfall and strong storms to parts of the state on June 17 and 18.

Officials said the National Weather Service has confirmed three tornadoes tied to the storm system.

Advertisement

Officials also reported record or near-record rainfall totals in Avoyelles and Pointe Coupee parishes over a 12-hour period.

The order allows the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness to coordinate resources and provide assistance to local governments if needed.

Certain state purchasing and bidding requirements have been temporarily suspended to speed up emergency response efforts.

The declaration took effect immediately and will remain in place through July 18 unless it is lifted or extended.

State officials are urging residents to stay weather aware, avoid flooded roadways and follow guidance from local emergency managers.

Advertisement

Latest news



Source link

Continue Reading

Louisiana

New ATV/UTV task force aimed at reducing the staggering deaths and injuries among young riders

Published

on

New ATV/UTV task force aimed at reducing the staggering deaths and injuries among young riders


“Four-wheelers and side-by-sides carry equal and significant dangers. They don’t care if the rider or driver is responsible, mature, intelligent, or loved by their family; physics does not make exceptions,” said Lacey McManus, who lost her son in an ATV accident.



Source link

Continue Reading

Louisiana

North Louisiana Crime Lab warns of cyclorphine cases, counterfeit pill “footprint”

Published

on

North Louisiana Crime Lab warns of cyclorphine cases, counterfeit pill “footprint”


MONROE, La. (KNOE) – The North Louisiana Crime Lab released a June 2026 law enforcement bulletin warning of additional cases tied to cyclorphine, a synthetic opioid the lab says can be significantly more potent than fentanyl.

The bulletin, titled “Cyclorphine Update — Additional Cases & Footprint,” notes that drug evidence submissions testing positive for cyclorphine have been received from multiple parishes in North Louisiana.

What is cyclorphine?

According to the bulletin, cyclorphine is a synthetic opioid in the emerging orphine drug class. The lab said current toxicity data are limited, but laboratory studies indicate cyclorphine may be up to 10 times more potent than fentanyl.

Reported effects

The crime lab said cyclorphine can produce effects similar to other narcotic analgesics, including:

Advertisement
  • Central nervous system depression
  • Lethargy or stupor
  • Respiratory depression with slow, shallow breathing
  • Pinpoint pupils

The bulletin said Narcan should be administered to someone suffering from cyclorphine toxicity, and that multiple doses may be needed.

What the bulletin says about trends

The crime lab said national data indicate cyclorphine will likely continue spreading through the region, including becoming more common in seized and submitted drug evidence.

Where cyclorphine has been detected

The bulletin includes a “detection timeline and counterfeit tablet types,” showing evidence submissions tied to specific parishes and dates, including:

  • Caddo Parish (Feb. 19; April 14)
  • Ouachita Parish (March 18; May 13)
  • DeSoto Parish (March 25)
  • Natchitoches Parish (May 14)

The lab also noted counterfeit pill types associated with these submissions, including tablets labeled “M30,” “M15,” “K56,” “1259,” and “M367.” Officials warned it may be impossible to know what a pill contains, even if it resembles a known tablet.

The North Louisiana Crime Lab said it will continue tracking trends and sharing updates as additional evidence is submitted.

Copyright 2026 KNOE. All rights reserved.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending