Louisiana
Louisiana adds second minority-majority district
ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) – It took only four days but the special session on redistricting is over, and the bill authored by Central Louisiana Senator Glen Womack, has been passed by both sides of the legislature.
The bill officially makes District 6, held by Republican congressman Garret Graves the new Black-majority district. District 6 will now run diagonally across the state, starting in Caddo Parish, and ending in the middle of East Baton Rouge. Ashley Shelton is the executive director of the Louisiana Power Coalition and was also a plaintiff in the case.
“This opportunity comes from the reality that after census, a third of the state is African American,” said Shelton. “That growth in population certainly affords us two minority seats versus the one that we currently held.”
It would effectively split Rapides Parish into two districts, removing not just Rapides, but Avoyelles, Natchitoches and Grant Parishes all from District 5.
Shelton adds that despite the imperfections; make no mistake, this is a win.
“And so even though we do have several parts of Rapides that are split, at least we were able to work them down to the version of the map that only split it two ways, versus having a three way split.”
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Copyright 2024 KALB. All rights reserved.
Louisiana
New ATV/UTV task force aimed at reducing the staggering deaths and injuries among young riders
Louisiana
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:
- 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.
Louisiana
Emancipation Jubilee: Louisiana’s Road to Freedom
Before freedom was celebrated, it was fought for. Journey through Louisiana’s complex road from slavery to emancipation, where revolutionaries, musicians, educators, and everyday people challenged a system built on bondage. From the drumbeats of Congo Square to the sugar plantations of the German Coast, from acts of resistance and self-purchase to jubilant celebrations of emancipation, this powerful documentary uncovers the people, places, and events that shaped Louisiana’s unique path to freedom. Through compelling interviews, historic sites, and stories long overlooked, Emancipation Jubilee reveals a legacy of resilience that still echoes across the state today.
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