Louisiana
Louisiana federal judge delays posting Ten Commandments in some schools until ruling
Louisiana sued over law requiring Ten Commandments in public schools
Gov. Jeff Landry signed a bill requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments. Parents say it violates their First Amendment rights.
A Louisiana federal judge has said five school systems will have to wait to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms until at least Nov. 15 as the case questioning the constitutionality of the state’s new law begins in Middle District Court in Baton Rouge.
This summer, Louisiana became the first state to require that the Ten Commandments be posted in every public school and university classroom by Jan. 1, 2025.
U.S. District Court Judge John deGravelles’s order said he will set a hearing Sept. 30 with a ruling expected by mid-November.
The ruling technically impacts only East Baton Rouge, Livingston, Orleans, St. Tammany and Vernon parishes, where parents and civil rights groups sued to block the new law, but the Louisiana Department of Education agreed not to issue its advice, rules and regulations on implementation before Nov. 15.
A spokesman for Republican Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill insisted the law that goes into effect Jan. 1, 2025 isn’t stalled unless the court rules otherwise.
“Specifically, the five defendant school boards and the defendant individuals agreed not to post the Ten Commandments in public schools or promulgate related advice, rules or regulations before Nov. 15,” said Lester Duhe’, a spokesman for Murrill, said in a statement. “But they and all other Louisiana schools remain subject to the law and its January 2025 compliance deadline. So once again — the law is not paused, blocked or halted.”
Louisiana’s new law, drafted by Republican Haughton state Rep. Dodie Horton and signed by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry, requires the Ten Commandments be displayed on posters at least 11 by 14 inches with “large, easily readable font.”
The new law has drawn intense national interest and attention, including from Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who voiced his support last month both on a social media post and during a campaign speech.
“Has anyone read the ‘Thou shalt not steal’? I mean, has anybody read this incredible stuff? It’s just incredible,” Trump said during a speech at the Faith & Freedom Coalition Conference. “They don’t want it to go up. It’s a crazy world.’’
Horton said the displays aren’t advocating for any specific religion, even though they are a key tenet in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible.
“The Ten Commandments are the plumb line on which all our laws are based,” Horton said in a previous interview with USA Today Network.
But others, including those who have sued to block the law, don’t believe it will stand up in court.
“The law violates the separation of church and state and is blatantly unconstitutional,” The American Civil Liberties Union, the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the Freedom from Religion Foundation said in a news release.
More: Trump touts Louisiana Ten Commandments law courting Christian voters ahead of Biden debate
Greg Hilburn covers Louisiana politics for the USA Today Network. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.
Louisiana
‘You ain’t getting it here.’ Louisiana store owner denies border patrol
Video of South Jersey ICE visit goes viral on Facebook
Watch this doorbell camera video from Burlington Township showing masked ICE agents speaking with a homeowner.
On Saturday, Dec. 6, a convenience store manager in Kenner, Louisiana locked out a group of Border Patrol agents, denying them entry to the store.
Wayne Davis, who is assistant manager of the store, was helping a customer when he noticed two unmarked SUVs pull into the parking lot and stop at the front of the store.
After seeing agents wearing border patrol vests exit the two vehicles, Davis locked the door from behind the counter as the agents approached, WWL Louisiana reported.
Video goes viral of Louisiana store manager who locked out Border Patrol agents
The agents kept trying to open the door, looking at Davis through the store window in confusion. This is when Davis began recording, WWL Louisiana reported.
In the video, Davis is seen raising his middle finger to the agents outside before moving from his place behind the counter and standing at the entrance of the store.
From behind the store’s closed door, Davis begins goading the agents lingering outside near the store’s front.
“What do you want man, you want some chicken? You ain’t getting it here… Go somewhere else, you ain’t getting no chicken,” Davis taunts.
After noticing Davis recording on his cellphone from within the store, one of the only agents seen without facial coverings turns his back to the door.
“Dang, you don’t wanna show your face now?… I know you can hear me… Why you not showing your face? You wanted to show your face everywhere else,” Davis provokes while still recording.
Davis told WWL Louisiana that, at this point, he realized the agent was Gregory Bovino, who is commander of Border Patrol and has been in New Orleans as part of Operation Catahoula Crunch.
“Bye, bye,” Davis said facetiously while waving from behind the store’s locked door as agents retreated back into their vehicles.
Davis is seen in the video raising his middle finger once more as the unmarked SUVS drive away and exit the parking lot
Can businesses refuse entry to Border Patrol agents?
Louisiana state law dictates interfering with immigration operations a felony offense, considering interfering actions an obstruction of justice.
However, businesses generally retain the right to refuse service to any person for any reason, unless that person belongs to a protected class, which immigration enforcement agents are not a part of.
Furthermore, if a business denies immigration enforcement agents entry, they cannot forcibly enter unless there is a judicial warrant signed by a judge, according to the ACLU.
Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
Louisiana
Louisiana film ‘Sinners’ earns seven Golden Globe nominations
DONALDSONVILLE, La. (WAFB) – The film “Sinners,” shot in parts of Louisiana, including Donaldsonville, has received seven nominations for the upcoming Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture Drama, Best Director, and Best Actor.
Michael B. Jordan earned the Best Actor nomination for his dual role in the film, which has dominated the box office since its April release, raking in nearly $370 million worldwide.
Golden Globe snubs and surprises: ‘Wicked,’ Julia Roberts, Sydney Sweeney and more
“Louisiana is known for having this incredible, creative economy. Well, pair that with film and film professionals and you get magic,” said Simonette Berry, a film labor union organizer.
Chris Welcker, a Louisiana native who works as a production sound mixer, has been nominated for the Critics Choice Awards for his work on “Sinners.” Welcker ensures audio and visuals meet production standards.
“I always assumed that I’d have to move somewhere like Los Angeles or New York or you know one of the places that seemed at the time like an obvious choice for getting into this kind of production,” Welcker said.
Berry said Louisiana films have distinctive qualities.
“The films that come out of Louisiana have a certain spark to them,” Berry said.
Welcker attributed the state’s film success to multiple factors.
“I think it’s a combination of the people, the landscape, and we have a lot of rich culture that seeps its way into the stories as well,” Welcker said.
Both Berry and Welcker said the project’s success could benefit Louisiana’s film industry.
“You know it could draw people to being interested in seeing what more we have to offer,” Welcker said.
“There is so much to mine here as far as a creative workforce, and I think you know we’re just getting started,” Berry said.
Currently, “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” is crushing the box office, achieving the record as the movie with the largest opening ever for the weekend following Thanksgiving.
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Louisiana
Burbank Arby’s shuts down
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – After only two years in business, the Arby’s on Burbank Drive has closed.
A sign placed on the restaurant’s door thanked customers who patronized the location.
The location, on Burbank Drive at Ben Hur, struggled for business, particularly over the past few months.
It opened around the same time the neighboring McAlister’s Deli location opened its doors.
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