Louisiana
Questions surround Ten Commandments law set to take effect in Louisiana on Jan. 1
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) — For 67 public school districts in Louisiana, the new law that requires them to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms goes into effect Wednesday (Jan. 1), despite a federal judge issuing an injunction on behalf of plaintiffs who sued from five other school boards to block the measure.
The American Civil Liberties Union threatens to sue any school district that follows through with the law, sending mixed signals for educators going into the new year.
The ACLU joined other free speech and religious freedom groups in a lawsuit against the state after Gov. Jeff Landry signed HB 71 into law over the summer. The law requires public K-12 and state-funded university classrooms to display a poster-sized, state-approved version of the Ten Commandments with “large, easily readable font.”
Federal judge John W. DeGravelles ruled the plaintiffs have adequately demonstrated the likely unconstitutionality of the law and that it would lead to unconstitutional religious coercion of students. The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals then ruled that the injunction only applies to the school boards named in the lawsuit: East Baton Rouge, Livingston, Orleans, St. Tammany and Vernon.
“If you are not part of the lawsuit, you are not under the judge’s order,” said Andrew Perry, staff attorney for the ACLU of Louisiana.
Before schools let out for winter break, the ACLU of Louisiana sent a letter to all superintendents for school boards not in the lawsuit, warning them of the federal judge’s ruling and that if any other district displays the Ten Commandments, it also would be sued.
“Compliance with the law would be engaging in unconstitutional conduct and we urge them not to post the Ten Commandments,” Perry said.
The letter said in part: “Even though your district is not a party to the ongoing lawsuit, and therefore is not technically subject to the district court’s injunction, all school districts have an independent obligation to respect students’ and families’ constitutional rights. Because the U.S. Constitution supersedes state law, public school officials may not comply with H.B. 71.”
In response, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill sent out her own statement, saying she will support any school district that hangs up the Ten Commandments in 2025. She said guidelines will be offered to show districts how they can abide by the new law, and how citizens can print and donate posters that meet the state guidelines. Murrill’s office did not say when those guidelines will be available.
Her statement reads: “HB 71 requires Louisiana classrooms to reflect certain displays of the Ten Commandments as students return from winter break. This week, I will publish guidance to schools on how to comply — in a constitutionally sound manner — with HB 71, including specific displays that citizens may print and donate to their schools.
“I have received inquiries regarding whether a federal court injunction against five school boards (Livingston, St. Tammany, Vernon, East Baton Rouge, and Orleans) prevents other schools from complying with HB 71. It does not. The injunction does not bind schools who are not parties to that litigation, which is ongoing in the Fifth Circuit. Accordingly, I look forward to working with the remainder of our schools as they come into compliance with HB 71.”
Meanwhile, Murrill and the state face another lawsuit tied to HB 71 that was filed by New Orleans history teacher Chris Dier. He says he recently brought up his lawsuit to his high school class before the semester exams.
“I remember asking how many know that I am currently suing the state, and all but one raised their hand. And then the questions started flowing,” Dier said.
Dier says he wanted to file his own lawsuit to emphasize constitutional protections for educators and students in the classroom.
“This would inevitably alienate Catholics, non-Christians, Muslims, Jewish students, Hindu students, atheist students,” Dier said. “Students want to feel seen. They want to be heard and valued.”
While the legal battles play out, Dier says he wants to spend time in the new year educating his class on the impact of the Ten Commandments law in Louisiana and the rest of the country.
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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.
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.
Louisiana
Brother of Louisiana mayor accused of raping 16-year-old has a hauntingly similar criminal past
The brother of Louisiana mayor Misty Roberts — accused of raping her son’s teenage friend — is facing child sex crimes of his own.
Brandon Lee Roberts, 39, was accused of raping a teen girl and assaulting a young woman over the course of several years, KALB reported.
The alleged sexual abuse began when one of the victims was as young as 13, according to Beauregard Parish Sheriff Mark Herford.
He was arrested in October.
That comes years after his big sister – ex-mayor of DeRidder, 43-year-old Misty Roberts – allegedly got hot and heavy with her son’s 16-year-old friend at a drunken party at their home.
Roberts was allegedly caught in the tryst by her own kids.
She was arrested months later, and is currently on trial for rape charges.
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