Louisiana

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signs tough-on-crime legislation

Published

2 years ago

March 6, 2024

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signs tough-on-crime legislation

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Eight recently passed bills, including legislation that will treat all 17-year-olds who commit crimes as adults and harsher penalties for carjackings, were signed by Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry on Wednesday.

Spurred by violent crime in Louisiana cities and a new tough-on-crime governor, the GOP-dominated Legislature gathered for a two-week special session last month to address crime — at which time they passed a slew of policies that will overhaul elements of the state’s criminal justice system.

Among one of the most controversial bills passed this session and signed by Landry is a measure that will roll back Louisiana’s “Raise the Age” law — a historic bipartisan criminal justice reforms passed in 2017. The new legislation will treat all 17-year-olds charged with crimes, including misdemeanors, as adults.

During Landry’s ceremonial signing bills into law in New Orleans on Wednesday, he also gave his seal of approval to legislation that makes certain juvenile criminal records public, funding for a new Louisiana State Police contingent in New Orleans — dubbed Troop Nola — and a measure that gives law enforcement officers “qualified immunity from liability.”

In addition, Landry signed several bills that toughen penalties for certain crimes — including a minimum of 25 years in jail in cases where someone distributes fentanyl in a way that appeals to children, such as the shape, color, taste or packaging design.

A day earlier, Landry signed a wave of bills that include expanding death row execution methods, concealed carry of a gun without a permit and legislation that effectively eliminates parole for most jailed in the future.

The new Republican governor has vowed to crack down on crime in Louisiana, a state that in recent years has had one of the highest homicide rates in the country. The issue became a pivotal part of his gubernatorial platform as he often pointed at New Orleans, which has been in the national spotlight for violent crime and will be the site of the 2025 Super Bowl.

As in other parts of the country, violence surged in Louisiana following the onset of COVID-19. And while data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation shows that crime has steadily decreased in Louisiana over the past decade, New Orleans has continued to struggle with a surge of killings.

Louisiana’s debates during the special session echo conversations taking place in statehouses across the country, including over how long someone should go to prison, how to handle juvenile offenders and if and when incarcerated people deserve a second chance.

Republicans say the bills passed this session prioritize victims and will keep criminals behind bars and off Louisiana streets. Democrats say most of the measures won’t deter crime and that lawmakers needs to take a holistic approach, digging deeper to address the root of the issue.

Lawmakers won’t have to wait long for another chance to tackle the challenges Louisiana faces, as the Legislature will convene again next week for the start of their regular three-month session.

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Louisiana

Louisiana leaders in Washington release statements on vote to end government shutdown

Published

15 hours ago

November 12, 2025

Press Room

Louisiana leaders in Washington release statements on vote to end government shutdown

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Washington has officially voted to reopen the government after the longest shutdown in history.

TALLY

Yea: 222, including 6 Democrats
Nay: 209, including 2 Republicans

Speaker Mike Johnson, Leader Steve Scalise, Whip Tom Emmer, and Chairwoman Lisa McClain released a joint statement after the vote:

“The Democrat Shutdown is finally over, thanks to House and Senate Republicans. There is absolutely no question now that Democrats are responsible for millions of American families going hungry, millions of travelers left stranded in airports, and our troops left wondering if they would receive their next paycheck. It was the Democratic Party that voted 15 times to keep the government closed and force the longest shutdown in U.S. history.

“All of it was pointless and utterly foolish. Democrats admitted they used the American people as ‘leverage’ and hurt their constituents on purpose — but they got nothing for their selfish political stunt. Voters will remember which party played political games in an attempt to ‘look tough’ to their base, while real people suffered.

“Now that Republicans have succeeded in ending the Democrat Shutdown, we look forward to continuing our important legislative work, delivering results for the American people.”

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), released the following statement:

“After weeks of pain for working American families, Democrats finally agreed to end their unnecessary shutdown,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Now that the government is open, it’s time to work together to address the health care affordability crisis.”

The Senate has already passed the measure.

This legislation will reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) retroactive to October 1^st, fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), pay our federal workers and troops, and get our airport operations back to normal.

The measure now heads to President Donald Trump for his signature.

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Louisiana

Louisiana Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Nov. 11, 2025

Published

1 day ago

November 12, 2025

Press Room

The Louisiana Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Nov. 11, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Nov. 11 drawing

10-13-40-42-46, Mega Ball: 01

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Nov. 11 drawing

4-6-5

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Nov. 11 drawing

6-4-7-9

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from Nov. 11 drawing

2-3-8-7-8

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Louisiana Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Louisiana Lottery offices. Prizes of over $5,000 must be claimed at Lottery office.

By mail, follow these instructions:

Sign and complete the information on the back of your winning ticket, ensuring all barcodes are clearly visible (remove all scratch-off material from scratch-off tickets).
Photocopy the front and back of the ticket (except for Powerball and Mega Millions tickets, as photocopies are not accepted for these games).
Complete the Louisiana Lottery Prize Claim Form, including your telephone number and mailing address for prize check processing.
Photocopy your valid driver’s license or current picture identification.

Mail all of the above in a single envelope to:

Louisiana Lottery Headquarters

555 Laurel Street

Baton Rouge, LA 70801

To submit in person, visit Louisiana Lottery headquarters:

555 Laurel Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, (225) 297-2000.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Louisiana Lottery.

When are the Louisiana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5: Daily at 9:59 p.m. CT.
Easy 5: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
Lotto: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Louisiana editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Louisiana

Sunpie Barnes and his Hot Spots will play in Covington

Published

2 days ago

November 11, 2025

Press Room

Sunpie Barnes and his Hot Spots will play in Covington

Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes and his Louisiana Sunspots band will fill Christ Episcopal Church with their distinctive fusion of zydeco, blues, gospel, jazz, Afro-Caribbean and African music on Nov. 16 as the Third Sunday Concert series continues in Covington.

Barnes’ powerful voice and the group’s distinctive sound are part of the rich soundtrack that defines New Orleans. It’s also a sound heard yearly at the city’s most significant music venues, including Jazz & Heritage Festival, as well as Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival and other major music events inside and outside of Louisiana.

But Barnes (born Bruce Barnes) and his band will curate and present a special hour of music for their 5 p.m. concert audience in Covington, and there’s plenty to choose from, having released six albums and played in more than 50 countries across Africa, Europe, Central America and South America.

Selections at Christ Episcopal are expected to include “Bunny Bread,” “Irene,” “Trouble In Mind” and “Island Man,” with Barnes on his accordion and harmonica; Matt Hampsey on guitar; Leroy Etienne on drums; and Kerry Lewis on bass.

In addition to the music, Barnes (who plays more than a half-dozen instruments) was a college All-American and NFL player; a book author and photographer who currently leads an iconic Mardi Gras Indian tribe in New Orleans and continues his longtime National Park Service employment as a ranger.

Come to the show for the music — this concert is just the latest concert in the church’s decades-long music ministry — and then meet Barnes and his band members in a reception immediately following the show.

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