Louisiana

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry wants to rewrite the state Constition: What we know

Published

2 years ago

April 25, 2024

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry wants to rewrite the state Constition: What we know

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry is implementing a full-court press on lawmakers to approve a convention to rewrite the state Constitution, amplifying the priority from his bully pulpit on every platform.

The new Republican governor elevated his public campaign to convene a convention in May with a press conference Thursday morning. A political action committee that supports Landry has also launched a video campaign promoting the convention.

“This is about giving the Legislature the tools to address the problems we know are coming and the opportunity to make changes the people of state are demanding and waiting for,” Landry said during his press conference, describing the goal as “reorganizing” rather than “rewriting” the Constitution.

“It will make Louisiana competitive,” he said.

Landry and supporters of the convention note the Constitution, which was ratified in 1974, is considered bloated and unwieldy by most good government groups like the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana. It has been amended a staggering 216 times.

Much of the debate is expected to center on what constitutionally protected funds should be removed, which supporters say would allow for better and more flexible budgeting.

House Bill 800, the measure by Republican Rep. Beau Beaullieu to trigger what he called a “limited” convention, cleared its first hurdle Wednesday when it advanced from the House Governmental Affairs Committee on a 9-5 vote along party lines with all Republicans in favor and Democrats opposed.

It must get two-thirds approval by both the full House and later the Senate, where the bill is expected to meet more resistance.

Beaullieu’s bill would limit the convention to removal of items from the existing Constitution rather than making additions, which he said may mean delegates could complete their work in a shorter time frame that the two-month window.

“We’re not adding new provisions; we’re deciding what provisions can move moved to statute,” Beaullieu said in an interview with USA Today Network. “It’s an exciting opportunity for Louisiana.”

But skeptics like Democrat Rep. Ed Larvadain expressed concerns about the lack of details on what might be removed from the Constitution – from the $75,000 homestead exemption to the MFP funding formula for K-12 schools – and that private funds would be allowed to finance the convention.

“The whole document scares the hell out of me,” Larvadain said Wednesday during debate on House Bill 800.

Beaullieu’s bill calls for a convention with 171 delegates, including all 144 state legislators and 27 appointed by Landry.

It would begin May 20 with a July 15 finishing deadline, but could end earlier if delegates agree on a document before then.

The convention would run concurrently with the ongoing legislative Regular Session, which must end by June 3. Convention business would take place in the House chamber.

If lawmakers pass the bill and the delegates approve a document from the convention, Beaullieu said the goal is to present a new Constitution to voters on next fall’s Nov. 5 presidential ballot. Once it reaches voters, approval of a new Constitution would only require a majority vote of the people.

Landry said it’s important for the finished product to be on the ballot during the presidential election because that’s when the most people vote.

“To me if you’re going to make changes don’t you believe it should be when most people can have a say?” Landry said.

More: Here’s what we know about a proposed convention to create a new Louisiana Constitution

More: Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry wants to fast track new state Constitution

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.

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Louisiana

Silver Alert issued for missing New Orleans man

Published

11 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

Silver Alert issued for missing New Orleans man

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Louisiana State Police issued a Silver Alert Friday for a 76-year-old New Orleans man who has been missing since Wednesday.

Elbert Welch was last seen in the 1700 block of Holiday Drive on May 6 at approximately 11 a.m. State police received the request to issue a Silver Alert at approximately 6:54 p.m. Friday on behalf of the New Orleans Police Department.

Welch is a white male with brown eyes and black and gray hair. He is 5′10″ and weighs approximately 170 pounds. He was last seen wearing a khaki shirt, black pants and a blue baseball cap.

Family reports that Welch has a medical condition that may impair his judgment.

Welch is believed to be walking on foot in an unknown direction.

Anyone with information regarding Welch’s whereabouts is asked to immediately contact the New Orleans Police Department, 4th District, at (504) 821-2222 or dial 911. All questions should be directed to the New Orleans Police Department.

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Louisiana

Louisiana baseball vs App State live score, TV and more from SBC series

Published

23 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Press Room

Louisiana baseball vs App State live score, TV and more from SBC series

Pressure is back on for Louisiana baseball, especially on the weekend in Sun Belt Conference play.

The Ragin’ Cajuns (30-19, 12-12) dropped their final midweek game of the season, losing 9-6 to the University of New Orleans in extra innings. Now, the Cajuns are back on the road for SBC play, needing every win they can get to better their chances of snagging a regional spot. They travel to Appalachian State for what will likely be a chilly three-game series against the Mountaineers.

Seventh-year head coach Matt Deggs will go with junior Cody Brasch to start Game 1, a spot the right-hander is becoming accustomed to. Saturday’s are for Andrew Herrmann, the most reliable of the Cajuns’ arms through the year. App State will start junior righty Nick DiRito on Friday, followed by junior righty Gage Peterson and junior lefty Tanner Nolan to close out the series.

Here’s how to watch Ragin’ Cajuns baseball in its SBC series vs App State (28-18, 15-9), including time, TV schedule, live score and streaming information.

Watch Louisiana baseball vs App State on ESPN+

Louisiana baseball vs App State live score

What channel is Louisiana baseball vs App State on?

TV: None

Livestream: ESPN+

Radio: Varsity Network, 96.5 FM

Louisiana vs. App State will be available live on ESPN+ streaming service for the teams’ ninth SBC series of the 2026 college baseball season. Matt Present will provide commentary from Beaver Field at Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium.

What time does Louisiana baseball play App State today?

5 p.m. Friday, May 8
2 p.m. Saturday, May 9
12 p.m. Sunday, May 10

The Louisiana vs. App State series starts at 5 p.m. Friday at Beaver Field in Boone, N.C., followed by Game 2 at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The Cajuns will close out the series at noon on Sunday.

Louisiana baseball vs App State weather update

Friday’s matchup will be played in semi-cloudy weather with sunshine throughout the day. It’ll be a high of 62 degrees and a low of 44 degrees. Winds will get up to about five to 10 mph, and there is less than a 7% chance of rain in the afternoon. Saturday’s game will be played in warmer weather with a high of 67 degrees, followed by Sunday’s high of 73 degrees.

Louisiana baseball vs App State history

Series record: Louisiana leads 14-9

In Lafayette: Series tied 6-6

In Boone: Louisiana leads 6-3

Louisiana’s last win: April 2, 2023 (6-0)

App State’s last win: April 1, 2023 (8-5)

Shannon Belt covers high school sports and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow her high school and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ShannonBelt3. Got questions regarding HS/UL athletics? Send them to Shannon Belt at sbelt@gannett.com.

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Louisiana

Behind the Curtain: How Louisiana’s Parole System and Courts Shape Who Goes Free | The Lens

Published

1 day ago

May 8, 2026

Press Room

Behind the Curtain: How Louisiana’s Parole System and Courts Shape Who Goes Free | The Lens

This week on Behind The Lens, the public gets a rare look inside one of the most powerful and least understood parts of Louisiana’s criminal justice system: the parole process.

A sign posted on the door at the live parole hearing on the campus of Loyola University. (Photo by Gus Bennett / The Lens)

In Louisiana, Parole Board hearings are sometimes held in public, offering families, victims, attorneys, advocates, and reporters an opportunity to witness how decisions are made about who is granted freedom and who remains incarcerated. But those hearings reveal more than individual cases. They expose the broader tensions shaping punishment, rehabilitation, public safety, and political pressure across the state.

Reporters Bernard Smith and Gus Bennett join editor Katy Reckdahl to examine how parole decisions are influenced not only by testimony inside the hearing room, but also by a growing wave of legal and political changes moving through Louisiana’s courts and legislature. From rulings connected to the Louisiana Supreme Court to election season politics and criminal justice reforms, the episode explores how policy decisions made at the highest levels can directly affect incarcerated people, victims’ families, prosecutors, and entire communities.

The discussion also breaks down how recent state actions involving sentencing, parole eligibility, election dynamics, and judicial oversight are reshaping Louisiana’s criminal justice landscape in real time. Together, the team examines the human consequences behind those decisions and what they reveal about accountability, power, and transparency inside the system.

Theme music by Podington Bear. Additional music “Fading Prospects” by Podington Bear (soundofpicture.com)

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