Louisiana
Seafood cook-offs, Pride Month events, and exclusive sneak peeks in Louisiana entertainment news
![Seafood cook-offs, Pride Month events, and exclusive sneak peeks in Louisiana entertainment news](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2022/05/25/PLAL/06a5f3b1-bb67-4324-a316-e24451ab8b45-LA_Seafood_Cookoff-9413.jpg?auto=webp&crop=2999,1687,x0,y0&format=pjpg&width=1200)
In this week’s Louisiana entertainment news, one Lafayette chef was selected to compete for the 2024 King or Queen of Louisiana Seafood crown. If you’re into fictional books, an Alexandria author based a book on an uncle who invented a working helicopter. And take a sneak peek into Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s G-Unit Studios.
Goodbye May, hello June — Pride Month is officially here. Check out events to kick off Pride Month in northwestern Louisiana.
Seafood and Cook-offs
The annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off is set to kick off in Monroe for the first time. Twelve chefs will compete for the King or Queen of Louisiana Seafood crown.
Each chef will have one hour to prepare a dish featuring Louisiana seafood and present it to the judges. Born and raised in Lafayette, Sullivan Zant, an executive chef and one of the founders of a restaurant in downtown Lafayette, is set to compete for the Louisiana Seafood crown. The winner of LASCO will represent Louisiana at the Great American Seafood Cook-Off (GASCO) in New Orleans on Saturday, August 3, at the Ernest M. Morial Convention Center.
Read more about Sullivan Zant Lafayette chef selected to compete for the 2024 King or Queen of Louisiana Seafood crown
Fictional books, Movie studios
There aren’t many people who know that the first working helicopter was invented by an Alexandria man. His name was Leo Ortego, and he is the uncle of Alexandria author M.E. Nevill. Nevill wrote “Leo’s War” based on stories she heard growing up about her uncle.
Read about first working helicopter Niece writes book about Alexandria man who invented working helicopter
There is a new development out of G-Unit Studios in Shreveport. Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson posted May 30 on his Facebook page a sneak peek into G-Unit Studios.
Shreveport was buzzing with excitement on the steps of Government Plaza as members of the city council and Jackson gathered to symbolically sign the lease for the former Millennium Studios in April. This revitalization of Millennium Studios is expected to have a cascading effect on job creation, attracting talent to the area and contributing to the overall economic resurgence of Shreveport.
Check out new G-Unit Studios Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson posts sneak peek into his studio
Celebrating Pride Month
If you’re looking to get festive, check out these nine things to do in Shreveport-Bossier City that are perfect to celebrate Pride.
Join in some fun with great prizes and good food. For anyone in the mood for a great performance, Bear’s drag show happens the fourth Friday of the month. Or enjoy panelists, keynote speakers and community during the second annual LGBTQ+ Youth Summit happening at Louisiana State University in Shreveport.
Check out more events in Shrevport Pride Month is officially here.
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
Louisiana
Letters: Louisiana on wrong path to address insurance crisis
![Letters: Louisiana on wrong path to address insurance crisis](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/6/7d/67d1b64a-78c6-11ee-a025-63d237caf428/654266c3d1cb5.image.jpg?crop=1125%2C591%2C0%2C126&resize=1125%2C591&order=crop%2Cresize)
The increased threat of severe weather is driving Louisiana’s insurance crisis. There are no easy solutions, but state regulators should not make the situation worse. Unfortunately, this is precisely what Commissioner Tim Temple did during the 2024 legislative session.
Temple worked to pass legislation that makes it easier for insurers to cancel policies and harder for storm victims to file claims. His package does nothing to lower insurance rates. In fact, it allows insurers to raise rates more frequently.
The centerpiece of Temple’s package repeals Louisiana’s three-year rule, enabling insurers to non-renew tens of thousands of policies, which will result in more policies migrating to Citizens, the insurer of last resort. Louisiana won’t solve an insurance crisis that revolves around a lack of availability by forcing people to insure with “the last resort.”
Another part of Temple’s package allows rate increases to go into effect without prior approval from the Department of Insurance. It also allows more frequent rate changes. This follows Temple’s elimination of the cap on expected profits insurers file with the state. Temple’s push to deregulate the industry will lead to insurers raising rates on Louisiana policyholders more frequently.
Other bills in Temple’s package gut vital consumer protections and weaken laws that hold insurers who act in bad faith accountable. While Commissioner Temple advocated for these bills, he was sitting on the results of an investigation by his department that, according to the newspaper, found that after Hurricane Ida two companies “failed to pay claims on time in nearly a quarter of cases.” Temple kept his promise to the industry to be “a more friendly department,” choosing not to fine them.
Louisiana is facing a climate-fueled insurance crisis. Unfortunately, Commissioner Temple’s approach focuses more on Big Insurance’s profit margins than on providing relief for suffering homeowners and small businesses.
BEN RIGGS
executive director, Real Reform Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana requires Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms
![Louisiana requires Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms](https://www.jurist.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/06/ten_commandments_1718829658.jpg)
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed a bill into law Wednesday making Louisiana the first state to require public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments. Schools will also be authorized, but not required, to display the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, and the Northwest Ordinance.
In creating the bill, HB 71, the Louisiana House relied heavily on the 2019 US Supreme Court case, American Legion v. American Humanists Association, and the 2005 case Van Orden v. Perry. The court in Van Orden held that the Establishment Clause under the First Amendment did not prohibit all forms of government legislation or action that had a religious intent or context. The American Legion case reapplied the test conducted in Van Orden, finding that a memorial cross did not violate the Establishment Clause. The House claimed to emphasize the intent of these cases by continuing “the rich tradition and ensure that the students in our public schools may understand and appreciate the foundational documents of our state and national government.”
On May 28th, the House passed the bill with 79 yeas and only 16 nays, with 10 absent. On Wednesday morning, the bill was signed into law during a press conference on education. Governor Landry took to X, formerly Twitter, to advertise, saying in part, “Today, we are fulfilling our campaign promise to bring reform to our education system and common sense back to our classrooms.”
Many are questioning the constitutionality of the law, warning of various legal battles that may arise. The Freedom From Religion Foundatation (FFRF) reposted an article on their X page where the Governor was quoted saying, “I can’t wait to be sued” and responded, “He won’t have to wait long.” Although other states including Texas and Oklahoma, have attempted to pass similar laws, the potential legal battles have left them with little success.
As it stands, the posters meant to be displayed will be provided through donations. No state funds will go towards the implementation of this law.
Update: Since the publication of this post, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) announced that it, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and FFRF will be suing Louisiana over the newly passed law.
Louisiana
Celebrate 125 years with Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home reunion
![Celebrate 125 years with Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home reunion](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/06/19/PSHR/74149332007-2024612-lbch-reunion-27.jpg?auto=webp&crop=1999,1125,x0,y187&format=pjpg&width=1200)
Recently, former and current residents, family, friends, and staff gathered for the 2024 Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home Reunion. This year was especially momentous as the ministry celebrated its 125th Anniversary. The reunion drew over 200 attendees, with alumni traveling from as far away as Canada and New Hampshire to reconnect and reminisce with their loved ones. The group not only enjoyed great food and entertainment but also found the most joy in perusing hundreds of photos and sharing deeply personal stories from their past with their “family.”
A former resident and current LBCH Trustee, Ricky Bullock, shared a heartfelt sentiment: “I keep telling everyone you know I left here 53 years ago, and I still tell people this is home.”
A standout moment of the reunion was the unveiling the Children’s Home’s new Legacy Room. This room displays a historical timeline of the ministry along with photos and artifacts collected over the years, beautifully narrating how God has provided love, care, and hope for children and families in need for 125 years. The Legacy Room is now open for tours by appointment.
The origins of this enduring ministry trace back to Pastor William Cooksey’s compassionate vision to start an orphanage in 1899. From the first donation—a silver dollar by fourteen-year-old Jim Bowen—to the present day, Louisiana Baptists have upheld their commitment to meeting needs and changing lives through the Christ-centered ministries of the Children’s Home. This legacy of love, care, and hope has touched countless lives, a testament to the enduring impact of our ministry.
Under the direction of President and CEO Dr. Perry Hancock, the services of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home & Family Ministries currently include:
-Residential Child Care (Private Placement and DCFS Placement)-Residential Family Care (Homeless children and mothers)-Foster & Adoption Ministries-Granberry Counseling Centers-Women’s Learning Center (includes HiSET training and testing)-Minister Care Residential Program-Compassion for Kids-International Orphan Care
For more information, visit lbch.org or call 318.343.2244
-
Politics1 week ago
GOP releases Jan. 6 clip of Pelosi saying 'I take responsibility' as she discussed National Guard absence
-
World1 week ago
Ukraine reconstruction official quits citing ‘systemic obstacles’
-
World1 week ago
Jury deliberations start in Hunter Biden’s gun trial
-
Politics1 week ago
Biden admin weighs going around Israel to negotiate release of US hostages directly with Hamas: report
-
News1 week ago
171,000 Traveled for Abortions Last Year. See Where They Went.
-
News1 week ago
In attempting to curtail immigration, the U.S. looks for allies in Latin America
-
Technology1 week ago
Resident Evil 7 is making its way to the iPhone, iPad, and Mac
-
Politics1 week ago
Trump travels to DC to meet with congressional Republicans, speak with nation's top business executives