Louisiana
Louisiana poised to expand permitless concealed carry; will New Orleans be exempt?
Louisiana lawmakers are poised to expand a new law allowing law-abiding adults to carry concealed guns without permits even before it takes effect and are resisting efforts to create more gun-free zones, including within the tourist district of New Orleans.
The Legislature passed and new Republican Gov. Jeff Landry signed a bill by GOP New Iberia Sen. Blake Miguez to allow permitless concealed carry beginning on July 4 during a February Special Session designed to address the state’s crime problem.
Now lawmakers are advancing bills by Miguez that would allow permitless carry in restaurants that serve alcohol (Senate Bill 214) and make businesses subject to a $1,000 fine if they deny entry to an off-duty police officer carrying a concealed gun (Senate Bill 233).
Miguez said his bills, which now head to the full House for debate, largely will provide consistency to protect law-abiding citizens.
“We want to make sure law-abiding citizens who are good guys know what law is in every part of the state to avoid confusion,” he said while testifying on his bills in the House Criminal Justice Committee Wednesday.
All of the bills have already cleared the full Senate.
The House Criminal Justice Committee Wednesday also advanced Senate Bill 43 by Republican Covington Sen. Patrick McMath to allow retired reserve law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons at any public place in the state. Current law only allows retired regular full-time law enforcement officers the privilege.
Meanwhile, the same committee stalled House Bill 498 by Democratic New Orleans Rep. Alonzo Knox to create a gun-free zone for the tourist district in New Orleans and killed House Bill 750 by Democratic New Orleans Rep. Aimee Freeman to create gun-free zones at childcare centers and nursing homes.
Knox agreed to defer his bill to allow him to try to make changes that would give the measure a chance of passage.
New Orleans City Council Vice President Helena Moreno and members if the city police department and parish sheriff’s office testified in favor of the gun-free zone that would include the French Quarter, Convention Center and Downtown Development District.
“This is really about supporting the New Orleans Police Department … and try to prevent any incidents that could result in mass casualties,” Moreno said.
Knox played emotional news video footage of a family grieving the loss of their daugher in a Sunday shooting in New Orleans that left the daugher dead and 11 wounded.
But those opposing the bill said gun-free zones don’t stop criminals from carrying guns or using them for violence.
“This would become a zone where law-abiding citizens would be completely defenseless,” said Dan Zelenka of the Louisiana Shooting Association. “I can’t see anything about this bill that is good for law-abiding citizens.”
More: What will Louisiana’s concealed carry gun expansion mean for law-abiding adults, criminals?
Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1
Louisiana
Louisiana has the highest incidence of prostate cancer in the nation. See the parish data.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men, with an estimated 333,830 new cases and 36,320 deaths projected for 2026 for the disease, according to the American Cancer Society.
In the U.S., there are approximately 116 new prostate cancer cases per 100,000 people annually. Louisiana has the highest prostate cancer incidence rate in the country at 147.2 cases per 100,000 — a rate that has been steadily rising since 2014, according to data from the National Cancer Institute.
New prostate cancer drug can extend life expectancy by 8 months, Baton Rouge doctor says
These parishes had the highest rates, in cases per 100,000, of prostate cancer from 2018 to 2022, in descending order:
- West Feliciana Parish with 218.6 cases per 100,000;
- Iberville Parish with 182.3 cases per 100,000;
- Bienville Parish with 179.7 cases per 100,000;
- West Baton Rouge Parish with 179.4 cases per 100,000;
- Vermillion Parish with 176.5 cases per 100,000;
- Iberia Parish with 173.8 cases per 100,000;
- East Baton Rouge Parish with 173.6 cases per 100,000;
- East Carroll Parish with 172.9 cases per 100,000;
- East Feliciana Parish with 166.3 cases per 100,000;
- Tangipahoa Parish with 166.2 cases per 100,000;
- St. Martin Parish with 166 cases per 100,000;
- Jackson Parish with 165.3 cases per 100,000;
- and Lincoln Parish with 165.1 cases per 100,000.
These parishes had the lowest rates, in cases per 100,000, of prostate cancer from 2018 to 2022, in ascending order:
- Cameron Parish with 101 cases per 100,000;
- Evangeline Parish with 102.7 cases per 100,000;
- Union Parish with 106.9 cases per 100,000;
- Winn Parish with 108.2 cases per 100,000;
- Vernon Parish with 109.4 cases per 100,000;
- Grant Parish with 109.7 cases per 100,000;
- Franklin and La Salle parishes with 111 cases per 100,000;
- St. Bernard Parish with 113.9 cases per 100,000;
- Tensas Parish with 115.2 cases per 100,000;
- Terrebonne Parish with 117.5 cases per 100,000;
- Washington Parish with 121.1 cases per 100,000;
- Livingston Parish with 122.8 cases per 100,000;
- Sabine Parish with 122.9 cases per 100,000;
- Bossier Parish with 123.7 cases per 100,000;
- and La Fourche Parish with 124.8 cases per 100,000.
Data represents an annual average for all stages of prostate cancer.
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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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.
Copyright 2026 KNOE. All rights reserved.
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