Louisiana

What we know about the first case of measles in Louisiana

Published

8 months ago

April 19, 2025

What we know about the first case of measles in Louisiana

Louisiana health department officials reported the state’s first confirmed case of measles in 2025 on Saturday, joining 24 other states in the worst outbreak in decades.

The Louisiana Department of Health reported that the adult patient is unvaccinated and lives in the New Orleans region.

Officials said the patient isn’t hospitalized, but will remain in isolation until no longer infectious. They believe the patient’s exposure is linked to international travel.

Louisiana health officials are working to identify and notify those who have come into contact with the infected patient.

Measles is highly contagious and can spread rapidly among unvaccinated individuals who have not received the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is recommended by Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham and other top medical experts.

Abraham told USA Today Network in a previous interview the measles vaccine has “proven to be safe and effective.”

“It’s good vaccine,” Abraham said. “I recommend it.”

Republican Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, a doctor and vaccine advocate who is chairman of the U.S. Senate Health Committee, also implored people to become immunized.

“Once measles starts spreading it is hard to stop,” Cassidy said in a text Saturday to USA Today Network. “If your children aren’t vaccinated, get them vaccinated!”

Measles cases can result in hospitalization and, in extreme cases, death. The measles virus can be particularly dangerous for babies and young children.

More than 700 cases of confirmed measles cases in the U.S. have been reported in 2025, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, resulting in 79 hospitalizations. Ninety-seven percent of the cases have occurred in patients who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown.

The largest outbreak – more than 500 cases – is in Texas, where two children have died with the virus.

Louisiana Legislature leaders House Speaker Phillip R. DeVillier and Senate President Cameron Henry also responded to the state’s first case of measles in 2025.

“As Louisiana learns of its first reported case of the measles, the Legislature will continue to monitor the situation and support our experts at the Department of Health,” Henry said. “Anyone in the New Orleans region who is concerned about potential exposure should contact their primary physician for guidance.”

“After speaking with the Louisiana Department of Health about the first reported case of the measles, I have been reassured that preparations had been taken ahead of the outbreak in Texas and that our Department of Health partners were ready for this possibility,” DeVillier said. “Families who have questions or might have a loved one experiencing symptoms can reach out to their local doctor for advice and additional information.”

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.

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Louisiana

What CBD is legal in Louisiana? See state law for 2026

Published

7 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

What CBD is legal in Louisiana? See state law for 2026

CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is a non-intoxicating compound from the cannabis or hemp plant that does not cause a “high,” unlike THC, according to the CDC.

CBD was first approved as a drug for the treatment of seizures in children with severe forms of epilepsy, but now, CBD is used for other purposes like pain relief, sleep and general wellness, says Brown University Health.

Despite CBD’s availability and supposed benefits, CBD products are not risk free, as there are possible side effects and risks associated with CBD use, according to Brown University Health.

What is Louisiana’s state law for CBD in 2025? What to know

Under the Agriculture Improvement Act in 2018, hemp was removed from the federal Controlled Substances Act, which effectively legalized CBD if it comes from hemp, according to the CDC.

Despite hemp-derived CBD being legal at the federal level, some states have not removed hemp from their state’s-controlled substances acts, meaning that the legality of CBD products varies across states, says the CDC.

Following the enactment of this legislation, Louisiana passed Act 164 in 2019, effectively legalizing the cultivation and production of industrial hemp in the state, says Louisiana State Cannabis.

The legislation defined hemp as a cannabis plant containing no more than 0.3% THC, therefore, CBD products derived from hemp are legal in Louisiana. However, marijuana-derived CBD remains illegal for recreational use in the state, according to Louisiana State Cannabis.

Although, Louisiana enacted Act 491 in 2015, which allows the use of medical marijuana, as well as marijuana-derived CBD, to treat certain diseases and medical conditions in the state, says Louisiana State Cannabis.

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

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Louisiana

‘One suicide is too many;’ Man runs across Louisiana to raise awareness for veteran, teen suicide

Published

19 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

‘One suicide is too many;’ Man runs across Louisiana to raise awareness for veteran, teen suicide

La. (KPLC) – A run across Louisiana has come to an end, but the conversation it sparked is far from over.

Jeremy Adams, a Louisiana veteran who served in Afghanistan, completed the run to raise money for a public high school while drawing attention to veteran and teen suicide.

The run began Friday, Dec. 18 at the Texas state line at Bon Weir and stretched more than 100 miles across the state, ending in Natchez, Mississippi.

“Finished around 10 o’clock last night (Dec. 21) in Natchez. I got a police escort by the Vidalia Police Department over the river bridge,” Adams said.

Adams says the run was not easy and hopes this inspires others to keep moving forward, no matter what battle they may be facing.

“I was tired. I ran at night. My feet are hurting; I got screws in my feet. I kept moving forward; I didn’t quit. That’s what I wanted to teach veterans and kids (contemplating) suicide, don’t quit. There’s somebody out there that cares. Don’t end the story before God gives you a chance to show you his plans,” he said.

Adams says the run raised money for East Beauregard High School, the school that Adams says gave him a second family.

“In 2017, a good friend of mine there died of a drug overdose, and that’s what got me running. I quit drinking that year, quit smoking the following May, and then I decided to start running,” Adams said.

Adams is a veteran himself and has overcome his own battles with drug and alcohol addiction, which led him to be interested in running.

“In 2011, the Lord changed everything. I got wounded by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. It shattered both my heel bones. They said it was a 50% chance I would walk again,” he said.

Although the run is over, Adams says the mission continues, urging people to talk, listen, and take action.

“One suicide is too many; there are gentlemen out there who went to battle, saw combat, and came home and still see that combat on a daily basis. If they need help, reach out and get help,” Adams said.

Adams says all proceeds from the run will go toward supporting students at East Beauregard High School.

If you’d like to donate to Adams’ cause, you can do so through his GoFundMe.

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Louisiana

Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis arrested on DWI count, State Police say

Published

1 day ago

December 22, 2025

Press Room

Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis arrested on DWI count, State Police say

Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis was arrested on a count of driving while intoxicated over the weekend, a Louisiana State Police spokesperson said.

Lewis, 33, was arrested in West Baton Rouge Parish, officials said.

It is the West Baton Rouge Parish jail’s policy to not book first-offense DWI offenders, therefore Lewis was not held.

First offense DWI is a misdemeanor charge.

State police said Lewis was initially stopped for driving without headlights.

In a statement, Lewis said he “will be working with lawyers to contest the charge.”

“I have great respect for the men and women who serve our community in law enforcement, and I believe everyone, myself included, is accountable to the law,” he said. “I appreciate the professionalism shown during the encounter.”

Lewis said he understands “the gravity of the situation” and why the community is concerned.

“As I always have, I plan to remain accountable through both my words and my actions, not just through my words,” he said in the statement. “My hope is that our focus remains on the consistent, good work we have accomplished advocating for Louisiana’s citizens.”

The five-member Public Service Commission regulates utilities in Louisiana, like electricity, water, gas and some telecommunications. Lewis’ district covers majority-Black communities stretching from New Orleans up to West Baton Rouge Parish.

Lewis, a Democrat, is the first openly gay person elected to state office in Louisiana. Since ousting longtime commissioner Lambert Boissiere III in a 2022 election, he has been a prominent critic of Entergy and other utilities.

Lewis is also a frequent foe of Gov. Jeff Landry. In February, the PSC board voted to remove him from his role as vice chair after he called Landry an “a**hole” on the social media app X in response to a post Landry made mocking a transgender Department of Health Official in former President Joe Biden’s administration. Lewis argued he was being held to a different standard because he is Black.

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