Louisiana
Louisiana bill to restrict concealed guns near parade routes fails; debate continues over THC products
BATON ROUGE, La. (WVUE) – A bill to create a 100-foot buffer zone around parade routes and demonstrations for concealed gun carriers without permits failed to pass in the State House.
The proposed legislation by State Rep. Mandie Landry aimed to establish this zone to enhance public safety during permitted events, as Louisiana’s new permitless carry laws are set to activate in less than two months.
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New Orleans law enforcement and other critics of the new permitless carry laws had expressed concerns about the laws’ ambiguity regarding parade routes, fearing it could restrict their ability to detain individuals suspected of carrying weapons illegally.
Opponents of the bill argued that existing laws, such as those against negligent carry and negligent discharge at parade routes, were sufficient.
Another bill is progressing through the state legislature that would prohibit consumable hemp products from containing any THC.
This bill has passed the State Senate and is now under review in a House committee. The legislation emerges as Louisiana experiences significant tax revenue increases from the burgeoning consumable THC industry, which includes products like gummies and seltzers.
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According to the Louisiana Hemp Association, tax revenue from this sector escalated from $64,000 in 2020 to approximately $4.1 million last year.
In 2022, state lawmakers passed a measure allowing THC-infused products to contain up to eight milligrams of THC per serving. However, supporters of the current bill are concerned about selling these products in non-specialized venues like gas stations and convenience stores and the potential risks posed by products with multiple servings.
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Louisiana
Louisiana softball advances to Lafayette Regional finals after defeating Princeton on Saturday
No. 13 Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns defeated Princeton for the second time in two days, 2-1, clinching a spot in the Lafayette Regional championship against Baylor.
The Ragin’ Cajuns started sophomore Chloe Riassetto in the circle for the second time in as many days against the Tigers, and she was great once again pitching a complete eight innings with just four hits allowed, one strikeout, no walks and one run allowed.
MORE: Louisiana softball advances to Lafayette Regional semifinals after defeating Princeton on Friday
MORE: UL-Lafayette softball: scouting report for the Lafayette Regional in the NCAA Tournament
Louisiana began its scoring in the second inning with a bases loaded sac fly from sophomore catcher Victoria Valdez, bringing in a run and giving the Ragin’ Cajuns an early 1-0 lead.
The Tigers responded right away with a two-out single to center field to tie the game at one at the bottom of the third inning.
There was no scoring from either team until the eighth inning where junior Alexa Langeliers began the inning with a triple, which then led to a sacrifice fly from Cecelia Vazquez to give the Rajun’ Cajuns the 2-1 win.
With tonight’s win, Louisiana advances to the Lafayette Regional final where they will face Baylor in a rematch of Saturday’s matchup where the Bears mercy ruled the Ragin’ Cajuns.
Since it is double elimination, Louisiana must win two games against the Bears to be Lafayette Regional champions, while the Bears need to win just once to be the champions.
The time for the championship is to be determined.
Louisiana
Baylor softball shuts out No. 13 Louisiana, wins 8-0
WACO, Texas (KWTX) – The Baylor softball team pulled off a shutout victory Saturday, beating No. 13 University of Louisiana 8-0 in five innings.
After a scoreless first inning, the Bears offense erupted in the second inning with 7 runs.
Baylor’s Sydney Collazos got the scoring started after advancing to first on an error by Louisiana’s first baseman, allowing Ana Watson to score.
The Bears secured the win in the fifth inning after Baylor’s Shaylon Govan hit a homerun into left field, prompting the NCAA’s “run-ahead” rule.
The NCAA’s “run-ahead” rule in D1 softball states that if a team is winning by eight or more runs after at least five innings have been played, the umpire can declare the team leading as the winners.
Baylor’s pitcher RyLee Crandall picked up the win, getting three strikeouts and only allowing two hits the entire game.
Copyright 2024 KWTX. All rights reserved.
Louisiana
Readers React: Doulas can help address deficiencies in maternal care • Louisiana Illuminator
With regards to “Doctors plead with Congress to help improve U.S. maternal mortality rate,” by Jennifer Shutt, May 3, 2024.
Our nation is failing its mothers. In Louisiana, Black mothers are four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white mothers. Worse, still, is the fact that 92% of these deathsmay have been preventable.
As States Newsroom reports, health care experts have pleaded with Congress for “creative ideas” to address these maternal health disparities. Specifically, the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act combines thirteen individual bills to provide sweeping maternal healthcare reform. While the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act is a crucial step in reducing maternal mortality, this legislation omits a creative and cost-effective solution that has a proven record of improving health outcomes and equitability—doula care.
Doulas are trained professionals that provide physical and emotional support to mothers before, during and after birth. Doulas reduce the risk of medical interventions, which leads to better birth outcomes for the mother and the child. Specifically, a doula can reduce the rate of a risky C-section by 40% and can reduce the risk of a low-birth-weight delivery by nearly 10%.
These benefits are amplified for women that are marginalized or may encounter barriers in the healthcare system. This is because doulas serve as advocates, which is essential for Black women and people of color that face discrimination and biases in our healthcare system. Doulas are also empowering, as they ensure that a mother’s voice is heard and body is respected during birth.
Doula care can complement current health initiatives such as the expansion of HBCU medical schools and the reduction of financial barriers for future doctors. In increasing the number of doulas, we will not only address the medical side of birth, but the emotional side, too.
As Louisiana citizens dream up creative ideas to solve the maternal health crisis, let them not overlook the importance of doulas in providing equitable and essential care.
- Amelia Hartshorn, Hanover, New Hampshire
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