Louisiana

Louisiana sued over law classifying abortion pills as “controlled substances”

Published

1 year ago

October 31, 2024

Louisiana sued over law classifying abortion pills as “controlled substances”

An abortion rights supporter outside the US Supreme Court in March, before oral arguments in a suit over the abortion drug mifespristone.Sue Dorfman/Zuma

Fight disinformation: Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily newsletter and follow the news that matters.

Earlier this month, Louisiana became the first state in the country to classify the two most common drugs used in medication abortions, mifepristone and misoprostol, as Schedule IV controlled substances, creating stiff penalties for their unauthorized use. Medical providers sounded alarms when the GOP-controlled legislature passed the law: Abortion is already banned in the state in nearly all cases, and the new classification would delay lifesaving care for people experiencing miscarriages and health conditions unrelated to pregnancy.

Now, in a just-filed lawsuit, doulas, medical providers, and women denied care under the state’s abortion law argue that the new classification of mifepristone and misoprostol runs afoul of Louisiana’s constitution. By separating the drugs from others with similar risk profiles, the suit contends, the new law discriminates against people on the basis of their physical conditions, ones that are treated with mifepristone and misoprostol.

In Louisiana, controlled substances fall into five categories depending on their medical indications and risk for abuse—Schedule I being the highest risk, and Schedule V the lowest risk. The current list of Schedule IV drugs includes opioids, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines, all drugs with high potential for addiction. The classification of mifepristone and misoprostol as dangerous drugs subjects them to tight regulations. But they’re not dangerous drugs, nor do they have abuse potential like their Schedule IV counterparts; more than 100 studies have shown them to be safe and effective in ending pregnancy. Contrary to their current classification in Louisiana as having addictive potential, the Food and Drug Administration—which approved the drugs decades ago—has never found the medications to lead to physical or psychological dependence.

Misoprostol and mifepristone have proven to be effective in a variety of contexts. Both are used in miscarriage care, mifepristone is used to treat ovarian cancer, and misoprostol is crucial to managing postpartum hemorrhages. Under Louisiana’s law, anyone in possession of either drug—except for pregnant women—is subject to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

The classification, the lawsuit argues, subjects the drugs to a “highly regulated legal scheme” that delays care. Previously, misoprostol was commonly stored in obstetric hemorrhage carts or in staff’s pockets. But under its new status, only a provider licensed to administer controlled substances can retrieve the drug from locked cabinets where other scheduled substances, like narcotics, are stored. As a New Orleans OB-GYN told my colleague Julianne McShane, in a medical emergency, time is of the essence, and even a delay of several minutes can have disastrous consequences.

Pregnant women were already being denied care before the medications were reclassified. One of the plaintiffs, Kaitlyn Joshua, was denied miscarriage care by two hospitals because of the state’s abortion ban. “Now lawmakers have passed yet another law making it harder to get care during a miscarriage, and they did it without following the requirements of the State’s constitution,” Joshua said in a news release.

Source link

Louisiana

Louisiana House advances prison-reimbursement rates, drunk driving bills

Published

2 hours ago

April 8, 2026

Press Room

Louisiana House advances prison-reimbursement rates, drunk driving bills

Sheridan White
| LSU Manship School News Service

A Louisiana bill to increase the daily reimbursement rate for housing state inmates advanced with bipartisan support.
The proposed rate would increase from $26.39 to $29.39 per day, starting in the 2027-28 fiscal year.
Lawmakers acknowledge the proposed increase is a step forward but still does not cover the full costs for local facilities.
A separate bill also advanced, seeking to impose stricter penalties for repeat DWI offenders.

BATON ROUGE — A bill to raise the daily reimbursement rate for housing state inmates advanced with broad bipartisan support Tuesday, as Louisiana lawmakers seek to ease financial pressure on local correctional facilities while acknowledging the increase still falls short of covering true costs.

The House Appropriations Committee also advanced House Bill 82 by Rep. Debbie Villio, R-Kenner, which seeks to impose stricter penalties on individuals convicted of a third or fourth offense for impaired driving.

Penalties include increasing mandatory minimum sentences and raising fines. A person guilty of a third DWI would spend at least five years in prison, while a fourth offense would result in 12 years with no parole or probation.

House Bill 143, the prison-reimbursement bill authored by Rep. Tony Bacala, R-Prairieville, focuses on increasing the per diem rate paid to local correctional facilities that house state inmates. The bill would increase the rate from $26.39 to $29.39 beginning in Fiscal Year 2027-28 and each year after.

The prison-reimbursement bill moved forward with no opposition, signaling widespread agreement among lawmakers that adjustments are overdue.

The bill carries a fiscal note of approximately $17 million, but Bacala said this would not be entirely new spending. He described the measure as a way to align existing appropriations with statutory requirements, noting that the increase has effectively already been budgeted for Fiscal Year 2026-27.

The discussion around HB 143 centers on the growing role of local correctional facilities, often overseen by parish sheriffs. These facilities have expanded services for inmates in recent years, offering programs such as GED education, technical training and work-release opportunities that allow certain inmates to transition back into the workforce.

Despite these enhancements, reimbursement rates from the state have not kept pace with the rising costs and expanded responsibilities.

Bacala acknowledged that the proposed increase still does not fully meet the needs of local facilities.

“This bill doesn’t even pay them a fair rate. It just pays them a more fair rate,” he said, highlighting that lawmakers see the measure as a step in the right direction rather than a final solution.

Rep. Alonzo Knox, D-New Orleans, voiced support for the proposal, calling it “more than fair,” while also suggesting that additional increases may be considered in the future as budget conditions allow.

Source link

Louisiana

Police identify dirt Bike rider killed while allegedly fleeing from police during traffic stop

Published

14 hours ago

April 7, 2026

Press Room

The Louisiana State Police have identified the dirt bike rider who was involved in a deadly crash while evading police on Canal Boulevard.Landon Smith, 24, of Winnfield, was killed in the crash. Police say the crash happened around 5 p.m. on Canal Boulevard at City Park Avenue. Preliminary investigation revealed that New Orleans police were attempting to conduct a traffic stop on Canal Street in the French Quarter involving a dirt bike, driven by Smith. Police say Smith was driving recklessly and refused to stop, and continued to flee from police. Troop NOLA was made aware of the attempted traffic stop, and minutes later, they say Smith was traveling at a high rate of speed on Orleans Avenue while driving the wrong way into oncoming traffic. Troopers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but Smith continued to evade police.Both NOPD and the troopers lost sight of the dirt bike. Troopers eventually located a crash involving the dirt bike and a truck at the intersection of City Park Avenue and Canal Boulevard.Law enforcement rendered aid to Smith, and he was transported to a local hospital, where he later died. According to state police, Smith was traveling west on City Park Avenue at a high rate of speed on the right shoulder, while passing westbound traffic stopped at a red light. As he approached the intersection of Canal Boulevard and disregarded the red light and continued straight through the intersection, hitting the right side of the truck, which was making a left turn onto Canal Boulevard from eastbound City Park Avenue. This is an ongoing investigation.

The Louisiana State Police have identified the dirt bike rider who was involved in a deadly crash while evading police on Canal Boulevard.

Landon Smith, 24, of Winnfield, was killed in the crash.

Police say the crash happened around 5 p.m. on Canal Boulevard at City Park Avenue.

Preliminary investigation revealed that New Orleans police were attempting to conduct a traffic stop on Canal Street in the French Quarter involving a dirt bike, driven by Smith.

Police say Smith was driving recklessly and refused to stop, and continued to flee from police.

Troop NOLA was made aware of the attempted traffic stop, and minutes later, they say Smith was traveling at a high rate of speed on Orleans Avenue while driving the wrong way into oncoming traffic.

Troopers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but Smith continued to evade police.

Both NOPD and the troopers lost sight of the dirt bike.

Troopers eventually located a crash involving the dirt bike and a truck at the intersection of City Park Avenue and Canal Boulevard.

Law enforcement rendered aid to Smith, and he was transported to a local hospital, where he later died.

According to state police, Smith was traveling west on City Park Avenue at a high rate of speed on the right shoulder, while passing westbound traffic stopped at a red light.

As he approached the intersection of Canal Boulevard and disregarded the red light and continued straight through the intersection, hitting the right side of the truck, which was making a left turn onto Canal Boulevard from eastbound City Park Avenue.

This is an ongoing investigation.

Source link

Louisiana

Why this New Orleans rooftop bar is considered one of the best in US

Published

1 day ago

April 7, 2026

Press Room

Why this New Orleans rooftop bar is considered one of the best in US

During the Gilded Age in New York City, rooftop bars originated as a way to escape the busy streets and enjoy refreshing drinks while observing the city with a birds-eye view.

Rooftop bars have held onto their novelty, as they serve as social hotspots for locals and as a perfect place for visitors to take in a new city.

Whether watching the day unfold or on a night out under the stars, rooftop bars remain popular spots for enjoying libations.

Mambo’s in New Orleans named best rooftop bar in Louisiana

Mambo’s in New Orleans is the best rooftop bar in Louisiana, according to Foodie, and is the only rooftop bar on Bourbon Street.

This rooftop bar offers a unique vantage point of the infamous Bourbon Street, with panoramic views and a lively atmosphere making the bar a perfect place to take in New Orleans’ ambience.

The open-air space seats over 50 guests, and is the perfect place for a night out or for laid-back afternoon cocktails with a view of New Orleans’ iconic French and Spanish architecture.

The rooftop bar is not the only feature attracting patrons, as this three-story building holds a hidden entrance to a secret courtyard on the main floor that leads to a patio garden. On the second floor, there is another, more intimate bar adorned with Louisiana-themed decor.

Each floor retains a rustic, historical feel, with exposed brick and reclaimed cypress planks making up the building’s interior structure. Decorating the space are pieces of local art and cultural Louisiana artifacts, making the space feel somewhat like a museum.

Not just a spot for good drinks, Mambo’s offers a dining menu full of traditional Cajun and Creole flavors. Using only the freshest local ingredients, Mambo’s chefs create a menu rich in New Orleans heritage, offering dishes like jambalaya, seafood gumbo, crawfish étouffée and a variety of po’boys.

The best rooftop bar in every state according to Foodie

Alabama: GunRunner Rooftop Bar in Florence
Alaska: 49th State Brewing in Anchorage
Arizona: The Perch Brewery in Chandler
Arkansas: Celeste at The Preacher’s Son in Bentonville
California: Florentín Rooftop Bar in Los Angeles
Colorado: 54thirty Rooftop in Denver
Connecticut: Sign of the Whale in Stamford
Delaware: The Quoin Hotel + Restaurant in Wilmington
Florida: Rosa Sky in Miami
Georgia: 9 Mile Station in Atlanta
Hawaii: Tikis Grill & Bar in Honolulu
Idaho: Crave Kitchen & Bar in Eagle
Illinois: Raised | An Urban Rooftop Bar in Chicago
Indiana: 3UP Rooftop Lounge in Carmel
Iowa: Wellman’s Pub & Rooftop in Des Moines
Kansas: Tallgrass Tap House in Manhattan
Kentucky: Lost Palm in Lexington
Louisiana: Mambo’s in New Orleans
Maine: Luna Rooftop Bar in Portland
Maryland: Hip Flask Rooftop Bar in Bethesda
Massachusetts: Apex Rooftop Bar and Lounge in Boston
Michigan: The Monarch Club in Detroit
Minnesota: Brit’s Pub in Minneapolis
Mississippi: 10 South Rooftop Bar and Grill in Vicksburg
Missouri: 360 Rooftop Bar in St. Louis
Montana: Bozeman Taproom & Spirits in Bozeman
Nebraska: The Rooftop in Lincoln
Nevada: Chéri Rooftop in Las Vegas
New Hampshire: Rooftop at The Envio in Portsmouth
New Jersey: RoofTop at Exchange Place in Jersey City
New Mexico: Coyote Cantina in Santa Fe
New York: 230 Fifth in New York City
North Carolina: Aura Rooftop in Charlotte
North Dakota: Camp Lonetree in Fargo
Ohio: VASO Rooftop Lounge in Dublin
Oklahoma: Social Capital in Oklahoma City
Oregon: The Roof Deck at Revolution Hall in Portland
Pennsylvania: Standard Tap in Philadelphia
Rhode Island: Rooftop at the Providence G in Providence
South Carolina: Rip Tydz in Myrtle Beach
South Dakota: Juniper at Vertex Sky Bar in Rapid City
Tennessee: The Lookout at Ole Red in Nashville
Texas: Upstairs at Caroline in Austin
Utah: The Green Pig Pub in Salt Lake City
Vermont: Juniper Bar & Restaurant in Burlington
Virginia: The Lost Fox Hideaway in Ashburn
Washington: The Pink Door in Seattle
West Virginia: LaFontaine’s Rooftop Lounge in Huntington
Wisconsin: People’s Park in Waukesha
Wyoming: Bear Bottom Bar and Grill in Centennial

Presley Bo Tyler is the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team reporter for USA Today Network. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com

Source link