Louisiana lawmakers issue statements after Trump rally shooting

Published

2 years ago

July 14, 2024

Louisiana lawmakers issue statements after Trump rally shooting

Louisiana lawmakers are sharing their thoughts and reactions after former President Donald Trump was shot at on Saturday during a rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania.

The Louisiana Legislative Leadership issued the following statement to this evening’s shooting:

Senate President Cameron Henry joins Speaker of the House Phillip DeVillier in responding to this evening’s shooting of former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania.
“We, as leaders of of the Louisiana Legislature, stand together in strong condemnation of the recent act of violence against President Trump. This attack is not just an act of cowardice; it is a grave affront to the democratic principles that form the bedrock of our nation. Such despicable actions must be met with unwavering condemnation and swift justice.
In this difficult time, we unite in our prayers for President Trump and his family. We hope they find strength and solace amidst this adversity.
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Moreover, we extend our prayers to the United States of America, wishing for our nation to emerge from this dark moment stronger and more resilient. It is our shared values of democracy, justice, and peace that will guide us through. Let us not succumb to fear but instead come together in solidarity and resolve to ensure that such acts of violence never tear apart the fabric of our great nation.
God bless Louisiana and the United States of America.”

Governor Jeff Landry:

It’s a dark time in our nation. Now more than ever we need to pray for America and pray for President Trump. There is no one who stands up more for our country than @realDonaldTrump.

Attorney General Liz Murrill:

I’m praying for President Trump and for our country.

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy:

Praying that President Trump’s wounds are not serious and for the Americans wounded in the crowd. All violence should be condemned, but particularly political violence which attempts to shape the direction of the country. We do not bow to political terrorists.

U.S. Senator John Kennedy:

Becky and I are praying for the family of the attendee who died this evening at Pres. Trump’s rally as well as for the quick recovery of all others who are injured.
Political violence has no place in America.

State Senator Blake Miguez:

I am appalled and deeply saddened by the assassination attempt on former President Trump at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. This is an outright attack on our democracy and the peaceful ideals we cherish as a nation. My thoughts and prayers are with President Trump and all those affected by this terrible event. We must stand together against such violence and uphold our commitment to democracy and civil discourse.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise:

Praying for President Donald Trump. There is never any place for political violence.

House Speaker Mike Johnson:

Kelly and I are praying for President Trump and all the attendees of the campaign rally today in Pennsylvania, and we send our gratitude to the law enforcement who responded at the scene. I have been briefed by law enforcement and am continuing to monitor the developments. This horrific act of political violence at a peaceful campaign rally has no place in this country and should be unanimously and forcefully condemned.

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AI regulation clashing with business lobby in Louisiana

Published

5 hours ago

March 30, 2026

Press Room

AI regulation clashing with business lobby in Louisiana

Nolan Mckendry
| The Center Square

(The Center Square) − Louisiana lawmakers have filed more than 20 bills this session touching on artificial intelligence, but only a narrow slice of them has moved so far.

The clearest momentum has come on bills dealing with child exploitation. Senate Bill 42 by Sen. Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge, which prohibits using artificial intelligence to create child sexual abuse materials, passed the Senate 36-0 and was sent to the House the next day.

Senate Bill 110 by Sen. Heather Cloud, R-Turkey Creek, bars using a child’s image to train an artificial intelligence model to produce child sexual abuse materials, also advanced out of the Senate and is now pending in the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee. But the broader regulatory push has moved far more slowly.

Rep. Josh Carlson, R-Lafayette, told The Center Square the efforts have run into familiar resistance from business groups wary of state-by-state regulation.

“Anything that effects business they say is bad for business,” Carlson told The Center Square.

Carlson has a bill that would create a Louisiana AI Bill of Rights, restrict certain chatbot uses involving minors, create disclosure rules for bots and AI-generated advertising, and bar the state from contracting for AI products tied to foreign countries of concern. Carlson is still working to get his bill added to the Commerce committee’s agenda.Another bill that has managed to make progress is HB190 by Rep. Laurie Schlege, R-Metarie. It passed the House 98-0. Two days after, an op-ed submitted to The Center Square from Citizens for a New Louisiana charged the law as “one that threatens to stifle innovation, burden small businesses and startups.” The op-ed suggested amending the bill, but Schlegel hasn’t budged so far.

Senate Bill 246 by Sen. Jay Luneau, D-Alexandria, was scheduled for Senate floor debate Monday but was postponed twice, first to Tuesday and then to Wednesday. The delay followed Luneau’s promise to the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry that he would amend the bill after the group sent a memo warning it could create “unnecessary compliance burdens for businesses operating across the state.”

“AI systems are inherently interstate and global, making them better suited for a consistent federal framework rather than fragemented state oversight,” the memo continued. “SB246 risks placing Louisiana at a competitive disadvantage while duplicating efforts more appropriately handled by Congress.” The memo mentioned a December executive order from the Trump administration which instructed federal officials to identify “onerous” state AI laws and said states with such laws could be barred from receiving certain remaining BEAD broadband funds, to the maximum extent allowed by federal law.

Louisiana has $800 million in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program funding that could be revoked. Responding to questions about concerns that his bill might violate that order, Edmonds told The Center Square, “I don’t see this as over regulation.” He said that, so far, he has heard no concerns with his bill.

Edmonds acknowledged concerns that overregulation could inhibit the use and development of AI, but said that his bill was specific and would not.

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Louisiana

Venture Global CP2 construction site in Cameron cleared after no threat found

Published

17 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Venture Global CP2 construction site in Cameron cleared after no threat found

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – The Venture Global CP2 construction site in Cameron has been cleared after a bomb threat was made Sunday, according to a spokesperson from Venture Global.

The bomb threat came in around noon on Sunday, according to officials. Louisiana State Police hazmat and bomb squads were called to investigate.

No shelter in place was deemed necessary and no roads were closed, according to the Cameron Parish Sheriff’s Office.

A Venture Global spokesperson released the following statement:

“Venture Global was made aware of a bomb threat at our CP2 site and immediately activated our established emergency response protocols. We are coordinating closely with state and local authorities as they investigate. The safety and security of our employees and the surrounding community remain our highest priority.”

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Louisiana

Louisiana Children’s Museum hosts fifth annual Mud Fest

Published

2 days ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Louisiana Children’s Museum hosts fifth annual Mud Fest

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — For the fifth consecutive year, the Louisiana Children’s Museum hosted its annual environmental festival, Mud Fest, on Saturday, March 28.

From 10 a.m.-4 p.m., parents and their little ones had the opportunity to have fun in the sun and enjoy the “highlight” of the museum’s spring season.

This event was inspired by the iconic New Orleans festival culture which includes good food, live music and a nice, high-energy atmosphere. Mud Fest is tailored for the “youngest environmental stewards” to have fun and make all the mess they want with mud.

Due to the Crescent City being surrounded by wetland habitats, we interact with water daily in both our rural and urban communities.

The festival generates positive associations with our region and also builds critical thinking skills for future educators, engineers, fishermen and farmers. According to LCM, engaging with nature, water and plants “builds a child’s confidence and fosters a lifelong connection to the Earth.”

“As the Louisiana Children’s Museum celebrates its 40th anniversary, events like Mud Fest reflect our long-standing commitment to hands-on learning that sparks curiosity and connects children to the world around them,” LCM CEO Tifferney White said.

This year, Mud Fest had performances from young musicians of the School of Rock, the Louisiana Sunspots and more. There were also a storytelling stage and various family-friendly activities for visitors to engage in.

Mud Fest partnered with Pontchartrain Conservancy, STEM NOL, Whimscapes and Sugar Roots to put on the event.

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