Jan 19 Louisiana lawmakers pass new congressional map with a second majority-Black district By Sara Cline, Associated Press The Louisiana Legislature passed a congressional map with a second majority-Black district on Friday, marking a win for Democrats after a legal battle and political tug-of-war that spanned nearly two years. Continue reading
Jan 18 Why the battle over Louisiana’s voting map could have national election implications By Roby Chavez Lawmakers face a Jan. 30 deadline to submit a redesign of the state’s six congressional districts after a federal court said the current map violates the Voting Rights Act by diluting the power of Black voters. Continue reading
Jan 16 Trans youth ‘terrified’ of what Louisiana’s new health care ban will mean By Roby Chavez A new law banning gender-affirming care for minors in Louisiana took effect at the start of the year. Since the legislation was passed last summer, parents have been scrambling for help. Continue reading
Jan 08 LGBTQ+ advocates’ lawsuit says Louisiana transgender care ban violates the state constitution By Kevin McGill, Associated Press The lawsuit was prepared by Lamda Legal and other advocates on behalf of five Louisiana minors and their parents, identified in the lawsuit by pseudonyms. Continue reading
Jan 08 Newly sworn in, Louisiana’s Gov. Jeff Landry calls for special session to draw new congressional map By Sara Cline, Associated Press Louisiana is among states still wrangling over congressional districts after the U.S. Supreme Court in June ruled that Alabama had violated the Voting Rights Act. Continue reading
Jan 05 Watch 4:19 Extreme drought in Louisiana threatens to create a crawfish shortage By Geoff Bennett, Roby Chavez, Dorothy Hastings Nearly 80 percent of Louisiana remains in a severe drought which will lead to fewer crawfish and higher prices for the state’s multi-million dollar "mudbug" industry. Communities correspondent Roby Chavez has been following the story and joined Geoff Bennett to… Continue watching
Jan 03 Why farmers are worried about Louisiana’s beloved crawfish By Roby Chavez It's uncertain whether the tiny lobster-like crustaceans survived the months of hot and dry conditions that hit the state last summer. Continue reading
Dec 28 Biden administration grants Louisiana power to approve carbon capture wells By Michael Phillis, Associated Press The EPA said the Louisiana agreement includes safeguards to protect poorer, often majority-Black communities that live near those facilities — and that those standards will serve as a model for other states. Continue reading
Dec 20 Watch 10:18 What’s behind the shortage of workers who support people with disabilities By Judy Woodruff, Layla Quran The nearly five million direct care workers who support older adults and people with disabilities are the largest workforce in the U.S. But despite high demand, many are paid little more than minimum wage. A longstanding workforce shortage means people… Continue watching
Dec 08 The Christmas Eve bonfire tradition that almost wasn’t By Roby Chavez A statewide burn ban, which was a response to unusually dry weather, threw into question whether this year’s 300-year-old tradition of lighting up bonfires would move forward in Louisiana. Continue reading