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Jazz funeral procession, second line honors Louisiana lives lost during COVID pandemic

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Jazz funeral procession, second line honors Louisiana lives lost during COVID pandemic


NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Stepping in time, the walking track at City Park became a memorial long overdue for the many local lives lost to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Saturday (May 25) jazz funeral and second line through City Park provided the chance to properly grieve those not formally laid to rest because of public health restrictions preventing large gatherings.

The Krewe of Black and Gold hosted this inaugural event.

With those lost loved ones in mind, the day brought closure to many in a way that is uniquely New Orleans.

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“I’m a COVID ventilator survivor. I spent a month on it,” said Marvin Belisle, the Wild Man of the Wild Magnolias Mardi Gras Indian tribe. “I mean I had a 20 percent chance to live. So, it touched me deeply. And so, I had to participate in this.”

The illness touched so many in New Orleans, sparking a call to action even in Saturday’s stifling heat.

“The fact that we lost a lot of culture bearers, it touched me dearly,” said Belisle.

Fernando Rivera, CEO of the VA healthcare system’s southeastern Louisiana branch, remembers the earliest days of the 2020 pandemic.

The new VA hospital on Tulane Avenue saw some of the very first U.S. disease cases.

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“We diagnosed, about 12 days after Mardi Gras, the first hospitalized COVID patient in Louisiana.

Rivera says the hospital quickly became inundated and overwhelmed as case numbers skyrocketed.

“As you can imagine, becoming the second epicenter after New York, New Orleans was a hotbed,” said Rivera.

The CDC reports more than 18,000 deaths statewide from COVID-19.

Those following close behind the TBC Brass Band say Saturday’s tribute brought mixed emotions.

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“Great memories from second lines of the past. And sad, because of what we’re thinking about,” said one longtime resident of New Orleans. “And then celebrating the resilience of people, getting out and doing it in the hot sun!”

The event attracted a few visitors experiencing the New Orleans tradition for the first time, like Zeke Davis, making his first visit to the city and selected from the crowd to lead the procession.

“I wasn’t expecting anything like this!” said Davis. “I’ve seen all these parades on tv and stuff, but this was a blast!”

With the memory of those who passed and the gratitude for frontline workers who risked their lives to keep them comfortable came a reminder that New Orleans will always rebuild.

Kim Bergeron//Krewe of Black and Gold, founder

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“How many times have we been knocked down? We always get back up,” said event organizer Kim Bergeron. “And we do so stronger and better, and we keep bringing our joy and our unique culture to the world. And so, that’s what this story is about. It’s a love letter to the city, basically.”

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Louisiana

Louisiana has the highest incidence of prostate cancer in the nation. See the parish data.

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Louisiana has the highest incidence of prostate cancer in the nation. See the parish data.


Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men, with an estimated 333,830 new cases and 36,320 deaths projected for 2026 for the disease, according to the American Cancer Society. 

In the U.S., there are approximately 116 new prostate cancer cases per 100,000 people annually. Louisiana has the highest prostate cancer incidence rate in the country at 147.2 cases per 100,000 — a rate that has been steadily rising since 2014, according to data from the National Cancer Institute. 






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New prostate cancer drug can extend life expectancy by 8 months, Baton Rouge doctor says


These parishes had the highest rates, in cases per 100,000, of prostate cancer from 2018 to 2022, in descending order: 

  • West Feliciana Parish with 218.6 cases per 100,000; 
  • Iberville Parish with 182.3 cases per 100,000; 
  • Bienville Parish with 179.7 cases per 100,000; 
  • West Baton Rouge Parish with 179.4 cases per 100,000; 
  • Vermillion Parish with 176.5 cases per 100,000; 
  • Iberia Parish with 173.8 cases per 100,000; 
  • East Baton Rouge Parish with 173.6 cases per 100,000; 
  • East Carroll Parish with 172.9 cases per 100,000; 
  • East Feliciana Parish with 166.3 cases per 100,000; 
  • Tangipahoa Parish with 166.2 cases per 100,000; 
  • St. Martin Parish with 166 cases per 100,000; 
  • Jackson Parish with 165.3 cases per 100,000; 
  • and Lincoln Parish with 165.1 cases per 100,000. 

These parishes had the lowest rates, in cases per 100,000, of prostate cancer from 2018 to 2022, in ascending order: 

  • Cameron Parish with 101 cases per 100,000; 
  • Evangeline Parish with 102.7 cases per 100,000; 
  • Union Parish with 106.9 cases per 100,000; 
  • Winn Parish with 108.2 cases per 100,000; 
  • Vernon Parish with 109.4 cases per 100,000; 
  • Grant Parish with 109.7 cases per 100,000; 
  • Franklin and La Salle parishes with 111 cases per 100,000; 
  • St. Bernard Parish with 113.9 cases per 100,000; 
  • Tensas Parish with 115.2 cases per 100,000; 
  • Terrebonne Parish with 117.5 cases per 100,000; 
  • Washington Parish with 121.1 cases per 100,000; 
  • Livingston Parish with 122.8 cases per 100,000; 
  • Sabine Parish with 122.9 cases per 100,000; 
  • Bossier Parish with 123.7 cases per 100,000;
  • and La Fourche Parish with 124.8 cases per 100,000.

Data represents an annual average for all stages of prostate cancer.



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Shavers leads ULM past Louisiana 79-63

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Shavers leads ULM past Louisiana 79-63


PENSACOLA, Fla. — Marcavia Shavers posts 21 points and 13 rebounds to lead ULM Warhawks women’s basketball past Louisiana 79-63 in the Sun Belt Conference tournament.

ULM (15-15, 7-11 Sun Belt) took control early, outscoring Louisiana 17-7 in the first quarter and extending the lead to 41-21 by halftime. The Warhawks never trailed and led by as many as 28 points in the second quarter.

Shavers anchored the inside for ULM, finishing 9-of-15 from the field with 13 rebounds. Jazmine Jackson added 17 points off the bench, knocking down four 3-pointers, while J’Mani Ingram scored 16 points and dished out six assists.

ULM shot 46.9% from the field and held a 42-27 advantage on the boards. The Warhawks also converted Louisiana turnovers into 29 points and scored 26 second-chance points.

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Louisiana (5-26, 2-16 Sun Belt) was led by Mikaylah Manley with 18 points and Imani Daniel with 17 points and seven rebounds. Amijah Price chipped in 12 points.

After struggling early, Louisiana shot better in the second half, scoring 42 points after the break. However, the early deficit proved too much to overcome.

ULM advances in the Sun Belt tournament, while Louisiana closes its season with the loss.
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State Treasurer John Fleming accuses Jeff Landry of interfering in Louisiana Senate race

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State Treasurer John Fleming accuses Jeff Landry of interfering in Louisiana Senate race


BATON ROUGE (KNOE) – Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming is accusing Governor Jeff Landry of interfering with the state Senate race, which Fleming is a part of.

Fleming took to social media to accuse Landry of working “behind the scenes” to get Congresswoman Julia Letlow elected to the Senate.

According to Fleming, Dr. Ralph Abraham offered him the position of Deputy Director of the CDC shortly before announcing he was stepping down. Fleming said he politely declined.

A week later, news broke that Abraham is now leading Letlow’s Senate campaign.

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“We know that Jeff has been heavily lobbying the Trump campaign team for the endorsement, he is pressuring the Republican Party of Louisiana and the Republican Executive Committees to support and endorse Letlow as well,” Fleming wrote on Facebook. “And, he is personally calling his donors to raise big money to save the Letlow campaign.

Landry formally endorsed Letlow for the U.S. Senate on March 4. Letlow also has the endorsement of President Donald Trump.

“We need a warrior who stands with the President to Make America Great. And there’s no greater warrior than a Louisiana mom,” Landry wrote on Facebook.

Fleming continued his commentary, asking when Landry will stop interfering with the state’s Senate race.

“Who is best to decide who represents you in Washington? Jeff Landry, or YOU?” Fleming asked.

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Also in the heated race is incumbent Bill Cassidy, M.D.

Party primary elections in Louisiana are set for May 16, 2026.



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