Louisiana
Lawsuit alleging environmental racism in Louisiana parish allowed to proceed, federal court says
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A civil rights lawsuit alleging a south Louisiana parish engaged in racist land-use policies by placing polluting industries in majority-Black communities can move forward, a federal appellate court says.
On Thursday, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans ruled that a trio of faith-based community groups could proceed with a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination in the petrochemical buildout in St. James Parish, a region in the heart of Louisiana’s heavily industrialized Chemical Corridor. It is often referred to by environmental groups as “Cancer Alley” for its high levels of pollution.
The lawsuit calls for a moratorium on the construction and expansion of petrochemical plants in St. James Parish. When the lawsuit was filed in March 2023, 20 of the 24 industrial facilities were in two sections of the parish with majority-Black populations.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found in a 2003 report that St. James Parish ranked higher than the national average for certain cancer deaths. Both majority-Black sections of the parish are ranked as having a high risk of cancer from toxic pollutants according to an EPA screening tool based on emissions reported by nearby facilities, the lawsuit notes.
“We have been sounding the alarm for far too long that a moratorium is needed to halt the expansion of any more polluting industries in our neighborhoods, and too many lives have been lost to cancer,” said Gail LeBoeuf, a lifelong parish resident and co-founder of Inclusive Louisiana. She is a plaintiff in the case.
The case will now go back to the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Louisiana, which had previously ruled the lawsuit was filed too late by Inclusive Louisiana and other community groups because the allegations centered on a 2014 parish land-use plan.
But the federal court said the complaint was filed on time and noted that the lawsuit was “replete with allegations of discriminatory land use decisions” in the parish, of which the 2014 plan was just one example.
The court also recognized that the groups had a right to sue the parish for authorizing industrial development which “desecrates, destroys, and restricts access” to the cemeteries of their enslaved ancestors in the parish. Many of the petrochemical facilities in Louisiana are built on former plantations, and few of the burial sites of the enslaved have been preserved.
“I think it’s a real vindication of their struggle,” said Pamela Spees, a lawyer with the Center of Constitutional Rights representing the plaintiffs. “This is a case about long-running ongoing discrimination and now we get to deal with the claims on their merits.”
St. James Parish did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
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Chris Rogers and Megan Wiley are among 33 finalists selected across a four-state service area
Acadian ambulance outlines transports, services, and divisions
Acadian Ambulance: gold-standard EMS since 1971 — emergency, non-emergency, specialized & air transport; 8 divisions.
Acadian Ambulance has named paramedic Chris Rogers and EMT Megan Wiley as its Southwest Louisiana finalists for Medic and EMT of the Year.
The company selects 33 finalists annually from across its four-state service area based on peer nominations for patient care, work ethics and professionalism, according to a news release. Winners will be announced May 19 in Lafayette, according to Acadian Companies.
Paramedic Rogers and EMT Wiley represent the company’s Southwest Louisiana service area.
Acadian Ambulance has operated in Southwest Louisiana since 1973, when it began serving Jeff Davis and Acadia parishes, the release said. The company has nearly 200 employees in the region, which encompasses Calcasieu, Jeff Davis and Acadia parishes.
Chris Rogers, Paramedic
Rogers, based in Calcasieu Parish, has served with Acadian Ambulance for 10 years and is also an Associate Quality Improvement Coordinator (AQIC) for the Southwest Louisiana region.
A graduate of Acadian’s National EMS Academy, Rogers is recognized for his work ethic, advanced paramedic skills, and the respect he commands among his peers for his positive attitude and strong leadership.
He leads by example, encouraging his teammates to uphold the highest standards of patient care. His upbeat demeanor and energy make every shift more productive and collaborative, the release said.
In his role as AQIC, Rogers helps ensure that Southwest Louisiana team members deliver patient care and prepare new hires for success in emergency medical services. A natural problem solver, he is dependable, professional, and a pleasure to work alongside, Acadian Companies said.
Every patient interaction reflects his commitment to excellence and the highest standards of Acadian Ambulance.
Megan Wiley, EMT
Wiley, also based in Calcasieu Parish, began her career with Acadian Ambulance in March 2025. She is known as a patient care provider, anticipating the needs of her paramedic partners and ensuring a smooth, high-quality ride for patients to the hospital. Her professionalism, skill and dedication make every call safer and more efficient.
She is currently enrolled in the paramedic program at the National EMS Academy, and she serves as an adjunct EMT course instructor at the Academy’s Lake Charles campus, helping train the next generation of EMTs. She has made an impact as an EMT, instructor and student and she is a valued member of the Southwest Louisiana team.
Aaron Gonsoulin is the General Assignment/Trending Reporter for The Daily Advertiser. Contact him at AGonsoulin@theadvertiser.com.
Louisiana
LIV Golf may postpone Louisiana event scheduled for the end of June to avoid World Cup clash
LIV Golf may postpone its Louisiana event scheduled for June due to concerns the FIFA World Cup could impact attendance and viewership.
Issues such as high temperatures and course conditions are also factors in the decision.
The Saudi-funded circuit has been working in coordination with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry’s office and economic officials to find a new date for the tournament in either September or October, the sources with knowledge of LIV Golf operations said.
The tournament is currently scheduled for June 25-28 at Bayou Oaks at City Park.
The World Cup takes place in the US, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
LIV Golf, Landry and the Louisiana Economic Development are expected to issue a statement on the matter on Tuesday.
The sources’ comments come less than two weeks after LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil said the breakaway circuit’s 2026 season would proceed as planned amid reports that the series is at risk of losing its funding.
The Louisiana event is the only LIV tournament on the schedule during the World Cup.
LIV Golf Virginia at Trump National Golf Club is scheduled to begin May 7 in Washington, DC.
PGA CEO considering pathways to reinstate LIV Golfers
Brian Rolapp says the PGA Tour is considering opening up more pathways to acquire LIV Golf players in the future
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp says the American circuit is thinking about establishing new pathways to reinstate LIV Golf players, amid speculation over the breakaway league’s future.
Rumours have swirled in the past weeks that LIV Golf could lose its financial backing from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), after the breakaway league was not mentioned in its four-year investment strategy.
McGinley: It’s not going to be plain sailing for the LIV guys
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Paul McGinley discusses LIV’s future, what it means for the players and why the concept hasn’t resonated
Sky Sports Golf analyst Paul McGinley believes LIV players interested in returning to the PGA Tour or the DP World Tour could face multiple “roadblocks” on their way to regaining membership, adding that the landscape on both circuits has vastly changed since LIV’s inception.
“Over the last four years since LIV has been going, all of the spots these 56 players have had on the DP World Tour or the PGA Tour have been filled,” McGinley said during Sky Sports Golf’s coverage of the final round of The RBC Heritage.
“You can’t just muscle your way back into what is going to be smaller fields than the bigger fields that they left.
“It’s not going to be an easy way back in, should they be allowed to do so.
“Also, there are a lot of roadblocks in the way. There would be suspensions, there would be fines, all the kinds of things that have been talked about in the last few years would have to remain in place in order to be equitable and fair to the guys who remained with the main tours over the last four years.
“There’s a lot of negotiation to be done between the main tours and the LIV players, if LIV is going to fold, in terms of what the future may be.
“It’s not going to be plain sailing for the LIV guys.”
Watch the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, majors and more live on Sky Sports, with the PGA Championship (May 14-17), US Open (June 18-21) and The Open (July 16-19) all exclusively live on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract.
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