Louisiana

What we know about the first case of measles in Louisiana

Published

1 year 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

Silver Alert issued for missing New Orleans man

Published

5 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

17 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

1 day 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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