Louisiana

Louisiana’s MAGA governor went on 'weeklong jaunt' in Europe while hurricane hit his state

Published

2 years ago

July 26, 2024

Louisiana’s MAGA governor went on 'weeklong jaunt' in Europe while hurricane hit his state

While Hurricane Beryl crossed into Louisiana as a tropical storm, Republican Governor Jeff Landry was on vacation in Europe, according to a new report.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based newspaper the Advocate reported Friday that Landry and his wife, Sharon were on a “weeklong jaunt” through Croatia, Greece and Italy when Beryl hit Louisiana, killing one person and damaging homes and businesses and leaving thousands without power. Beryl — which hit southeast Texas as a category 1 hurricane earlier this month, later moved east into the Bayou State and caused coastal flooding and wind speeds in excess of 60 miles per hour. A 31 year-old woman in Benton, Louisiana was killed when a tree fell on her home.

“All the governors I’m familiar with made a business to be around during hurricane season, especially when there was one in the Gulf,” Terry Ryder — who was an attorney for three former Louisiana governors — told the Advocate. “They were always completely engaged before, during and after a storm or a serious threat of a storm. You would not have seen them way out of the country.”

READ MORE: Experts alarmed as Louisiana gov gives himself control of state ethics board he’s in dispute with

While Landry reportedly told Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser (R) about his European vacation in advance, he notably did not make a public announcement. Nungesser told the Advocate that he doesn’t “sleep during a hurricane ever since Katrina,” in reference to the 2005 storm that killed more than 1,500 Louisiana residents. He added that it was a “tough call” for Landry to decide postponing his vacation in light of the hurricane as it was approaching from the Caribbean.

“So many of them don’t affect us,” he said. “But if becomes a major threat, you have to be in a position to come back.”

Landry’s press secretary, Kate Kelly, told the publication via text message that the characterization of her boss as absent during a major emergency was unfair, and that Landry was plugged in with state emergency response officials throughout his vacation.

“It was not much of a vacation as he sprang into action with multiple calls a day with the FEMA director, local leaders, GOHSEP [Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness], & State Police in order to monitor Hurricane Beryl,” Kelly said. “He issued a disaster declaration for affected parishes on July 9 and requested a Federal Emergency Disaster Declaration on July 10. Gov. Landry always puts Louisiana and her people first, and it’s disingenuous for this paper to try and imply otherwise — solely for clickbait.”

READ MORE: Ten Commandments governor declares no church-state separation in rough Fox News interview

Michael Steele, who is a spokesperson for GOHSEP, told the paper that “there was never a moment when the governor was out of communication” with emergency responders.

“GOHSEP was never activated beyond the first level of activation,” he said.

Landry’s European trip had reportedly been postponed more than once: The Covid-19 pandemic initially scuttled his plans to visit the continent, followed by the death of his mother-in-law and the 2023 gubernatorial race.

Click here to read the Advocate’s report in its entirety (subscription required).

READ MORE: Facts GOP gov should’ve looked up before signing Ten Commandments bill: constitutional lawyer

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Louisiana

Silver Alert issued for missing New Orleans man

Published

12 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

24 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

2 days 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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