Louisiana
Tributes pour in for Louisiana cultural icon. Who was Pableaux Johnson?
WATCH: Runners, walkers support Manna House
The 25th annual Spirits 5K & Beer Mile raised funds for Manna House, Alexandria’s non-profit soup kitchen.
Pableaux Johnson died Sunday at the age of 59 on Jan. 26, 2025 after collapsing while he was photographing the Ladies and Men of Unity second-line parade in New Orleans.
Johnson, who was born on Jan. 8, 1966 in New Iberia, was an American writer, photographer, filmmaker, cook and designer based in New Orleans.
Who was Pableaux Johnson?
Johnson has published four books, predominately about New Orleans culture. Johnson has also written for numerous publications, such as The New York Times, Southern Living, The Kitchn, Saveur, Imbibe and many more.
Johnson’s photography has been exhibited in a number of museums and galleries around the U.S., as well as published in magazines and on websites, and these photographs feature New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians and second-line parades.
Additionally, Johnson ran the Red Beans Road Show for several years, which was a traveling production that brought New Orleans cuisine to various “pop-up” events in restaurants around the country.
Johnson was also credited as a co-producer and still photographer for two companion documentary films about New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians, “The Spirit Leads My Needle: The Big Chiefs of Carnival” and “It’s Your Glory: The Big Queens of Carnival.”
Louisiana reacts to Pableaux Johnson’s passing
Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
Louisiana
Gov. Landry declares state of emergency after flooding, severe weather across Louisiana
BATON ROUGE, La. (KLFY) — Governor Landry has officially declared Louisiana under state of emergency.
The state emergency declaration covers Avoyelles, Lafourche, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Tammany and Terrebonne parishes.
The declaration was issued Thursday following the impacts of Tropical Storm Arthur, which brough rainfall and strong storms to parts of the state on June 17 and 18.
Officials said the National Weather Service has confirmed three tornadoes tied to the storm system.
Officials also reported record or near-record rainfall totals in Avoyelles and Pointe Coupee parishes over a 12-hour period.
The order allows the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness to coordinate resources and provide assistance to local governments if needed.
Certain state purchasing and bidding requirements have been temporarily suspended to speed up emergency response efforts.
The declaration took effect immediately and will remain in place through July 18 unless it is lifted or extended.
State officials are urging residents to stay weather aware, avoid flooded roadways and follow guidance from local emergency managers.
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Louisiana
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Louisiana
North Louisiana Crime Lab warns of cyclorphine cases, counterfeit pill “footprint”
MONROE, La. (KNOE) – The North Louisiana Crime Lab released a June 2026 law enforcement bulletin warning of additional cases tied to cyclorphine, a synthetic opioid the lab says can be significantly more potent than fentanyl.
The bulletin, titled “Cyclorphine Update — Additional Cases & Footprint,” notes that drug evidence submissions testing positive for cyclorphine have been received from multiple parishes in North Louisiana.
What is cyclorphine?
According to the bulletin, cyclorphine is a synthetic opioid in the emerging orphine drug class. The lab said current toxicity data are limited, but laboratory studies indicate cyclorphine may be up to 10 times more potent than fentanyl.
Reported effects
The crime lab said cyclorphine can produce effects similar to other narcotic analgesics, including:
- Central nervous system depression
- Lethargy or stupor
- Respiratory depression with slow, shallow breathing
- Pinpoint pupils
The bulletin said Narcan should be administered to someone suffering from cyclorphine toxicity, and that multiple doses may be needed.
What the bulletin says about trends
The crime lab said national data indicate cyclorphine will likely continue spreading through the region, including becoming more common in seized and submitted drug evidence.
Where cyclorphine has been detected
The bulletin includes a “detection timeline and counterfeit tablet types,” showing evidence submissions tied to specific parishes and dates, including:
- Caddo Parish (Feb. 19; April 14)
- Ouachita Parish (March 18; May 13)
- DeSoto Parish (March 25)
- Natchitoches Parish (May 14)
The lab also noted counterfeit pill types associated with these submissions, including tablets labeled “M30,” “M15,” “K56,” “1259,” and “M367.” Officials warned it may be impossible to know what a pill contains, even if it resembles a known tablet.
The North Louisiana Crime Lab said it will continue tracking trends and sharing updates as additional evidence is submitted.
Copyright 2026 KNOE. All rights reserved.
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