Louisiana

Louisiana House passes bill to prohibit DEI offices, training in state agencies, colleges

Published

10 months ago

May 20, 2025

Press Room

Louisiana House passes bill to prohibit DEI offices, training in state agencies, colleges

The Louisiana House passed a bill banning DEI offices, training, and hiring policies in state agencies and public colleges.
The bill sparked a heated debate, dividing largely along racial lines, with Black representatives opposing it as racially insensitive.
Supporters argue the bill promotes unity and merit-based practices, while opponents express concern over its potential impact on minority groups and community relations.
The bill now moves to the Senate, and if passed, Louisiana will join other Republican-led states restricting DEI policies.

BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana House Monday night passed a controversial bill that would prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion offices, training and hiring policies in state agencies and public colleges.

The bill passed, 57-32, after an emotional and deeply divided debate that largely fell along racial lines.

House Bill 685, by Rep. Emily Chenevert, R-Baton Rouge, now moves to the Senate. It is part of Gov. Jeff Landry’s legislative agenda.

Ten Black representatives spoke in opposition to the bill, calling it divisive, unnecessary, and racially insensitive.

“This is the most racially oppressive piece of legislation I have ever had to debate since I have been in office,” said Rep. Candace Newell, D-New Orleans.

The bill would ban mandatory DEI training and race- or gender-based hiring or admissions preferences. It also would eliminate public DEI offices and initiatives, including prohibiting required DEI coursework at public universities.

Chenevert said the bill aims to keep Louisiana compliant with President Donald Trump’s executive orders and protect the state’s federal funding. The Trump administration is investigating several universities nationwide, though Louisiana universities have not been targeted so far.

She stressed the bill does not ban teaching DEI concepts, only the requirement of DEI-focused coursework for graduation. She also raised concerns about fairness in sports.

“My biggest concern is that it has hurt more female athletes across this country than it has helped,” she said. “Biological men have taken the places of biological women.”

Rep. Denise Marcelle, D-Baton Rouge, called the bill “a step backwards” and accused Chenevert of ignoring the benefits DEI programs have provided, especially for white women.

“Are you aware that more white women, like you, have benefitted from DEI than whoever you’re referring to?” Marcelle said. “If we had equal opportunity to be at the table, there would be no need for the program.” She added she was appalled a woman would bring this bill.

Rep. Terry Landry, D-New Iberia, sworn in just hours before the vote, said voters he spoke to during his campaign were not focused on DEI.

“They’re worried about schooling for their children, the economy, state issues,” he said. “This bill is unnecessary.”

Rep. Rodney Lyons, D-Harvey, questioned the bill’s economic impact, particularly the elimination of the Department of Agriculture’s Minority Affairs Program, which supports minority and veteran farmers, a large portion of the state’s agricultural community.

Marcelle also warned the bill could interfere with police training on race and community relations.

Supporters said the legislation promotes unity and merit.

“I keep hearing diversity is what makes us strong, but it is not,” said Rep. Beryl Amedee, R-Gray, defending Chenevert. “What makes us strong is unity… There’s only one race, and it’s human.”

Rep. Chuck Owen, R-Rosepine, expressed his frustration with the debate. “I see us talking past each other,” he said. “I hear us talking past each other.”

The bill requires annual compliance reports and tasks the legislative auditor with enforcement. An accompanying fiscal note projects minor cost savings, including $174,000 from cutting the Agriculture Department’s DEI office.

If passed by the Senate and signed into law, Louisiana would join a growing number of Republican-led states rolling back public DEI policies.

Chenevert became emotional in her closing remarks, saying everyone views the issue differently. She framed her perspective from a biblical viewpoint, emphasizing that no matter our skin tone, “we all share the same blood.”

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Louisiana

Shavers leads ULM past Louisiana 79-63

Published

10 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

PENSACOLA, Fla. — Marcavia Shavers posts 21 points and 13 rebounds to lead ULM Warhawks women’s basketball past Louisiana 79-63 in the Sun Belt Conference tournament.

ULM (15-15, 7-11 Sun Belt) took control early, outscoring Louisiana 17-7 in the first quarter and extending the lead to 41-21 by halftime. The Warhawks never trailed and led by as many as 28 points in the second quarter.

Shavers anchored the inside for ULM, finishing 9-of-15 from the field with 13 rebounds. Jazmine Jackson added 17 points off the bench, knocking down four 3-pointers, while J’Mani Ingram scored 16 points and dished out six assists.

ULM shot 46.9% from the field and held a 42-27 advantage on the boards. The Warhawks also converted Louisiana turnovers into 29 points and scored 26 second-chance points.

Louisiana (5-26, 2-16 Sun Belt) was led by Mikaylah Manley with 18 points and Imani Daniel with 17 points and seven rebounds. Amijah Price chipped in 12 points.

After struggling early, Louisiana shot better in the second half, scoring 42 points after the break. However, the early deficit proved too much to overcome.

ULM advances in the Sun Belt tournament, while Louisiana closes its season with the loss.
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Louisiana

State Treasurer John Fleming accuses Jeff Landry of interfering in Louisiana Senate race

Published

22 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

State Treasurer John Fleming accuses Jeff Landry of interfering in Louisiana Senate race

BATON ROUGE (KNOE) – Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming is accusing Governor Jeff Landry of interfering with the state Senate race, which Fleming is a part of.

Fleming took to social media to accuse Landry of working “behind the scenes” to get Congresswoman Julia Letlow elected to the Senate.

According to Fleming, Dr. Ralph Abraham offered him the position of Deputy Director of the CDC shortly before announcing he was stepping down. Fleming said he politely declined.

A week later, news broke that Abraham is now leading Letlow’s Senate campaign.

“We know that Jeff has been heavily lobbying the Trump campaign team for the endorsement, he is pressuring the Republican Party of Louisiana and the Republican Executive Committees to support and endorse Letlow as well,” Fleming wrote on Facebook. “And, he is personally calling his donors to raise big money to save the Letlow campaign.

Landry formally endorsed Letlow for the U.S. Senate on March 4. Letlow also has the endorsement of President Donald Trump.

“We need a warrior who stands with the President to Make America Great. And there’s no greater warrior than a Louisiana mom,” Landry wrote on Facebook.

Fleming continued his commentary, asking when Landry will stop interfering with the state’s Senate race.

“Who is best to decide who represents you in Washington? Jeff Landry, or YOU?” Fleming asked.

Also in the heated race is incumbent Bill Cassidy, M.D.

Party primary elections in Louisiana are set for May 16, 2026.

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Louisiana

Louisiana Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for March 3, 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

The Louisiana Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 3, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from March 3 drawing

07-21-53-54-62, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 3 drawing

6-8-3

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 3 drawing

3-6-7-4

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from March 3 drawing

0-8-3-2-0

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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