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.
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When it comes to retiring, the best places to do so often are affordable, have a high quality of life and access to quality healthcare.
If you’re looking for a place to retire, Niche has identified the best places for retirees in Louisiana.
In its list, Niche has taken into account factors like weather, crime rates, housing costs and access to amenities.
The 5 best places to retire in Louisiana according to Niche
These are the top five best places to retire in Louisiana, according to Niche.
1. Oak Hills Place
Oak Hills Place is a suburb of Baton Rouge and is the overall best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb, located in East Baton Rouge Parish, has a population of 9,038 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. The area is highly rated for families, diversity, as well as health and fitness. Here, the median home value is $437,900 and the median rent is $1,422, according to Niche.
2. Westminster
Westminster is another suburb of Baton Rouge and is the second-best place to retire in Louisiana. Located in East Baton Rouge Parish, this suburb has a population of 2,559 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. This area is highly rated for nightlife, diversity, families, health and fitness, as well as commute. The median home value here is $266,100 and the median rent is $1,482, says Niche.
3. River Ridge
River Ridge is a suburb of New Orleans, located in Jefferson Parish, and is the third-best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb has a population of 13,312 and offers residents a dense suburban feel. The area is highly rated for public schools, family, nightlife and diversity. The median home value is $357,400 and the median rent is $1,127, according to Niche.
4. Westlake
Westlake is a town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. With a population of 4,743, this town offers residents a rural feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, jobs, cost of living, nightlife and weather. Here, the median home value is $166,100 and the median rent is $1,049, says Niche.
5. Prien
Prien is another town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. This town has a population of 7,119 and offers residents a suburban rural mix feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, nightlife and weather. The median home value here is $278,000 and the median rent is $1,292, according to Niche.
Presley Bo Tyler is the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team reporter for USA Today Network. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
A motorcyclist is recovering after a West Monroe crash involving an 18-wheeler, while Chevron won a Louisiana Supreme Court ruling shifting a major coastal lawsuit back to lower courts. Ouachita deputies arrested a suspect and recovered more than a dozen guns, Mississippi passed a new school social-media safety requirement, and Louisiana’s House advanced a unanimous state budget. A new recovery center opened, and multiple weekend events are underway across northeast Louisiana, plus national updates include stock-market stress guidance, a Ford F-150 recall, Spirit Airlines uncertainty, and tax-refund tips.
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