Legislature

Jeff Landry, Liz Murrill blast New Orleans city ID program: 'Stupidest idea I've ever seen'

By JAMES FINN | Staff writer
Jul 30, 2025

Top Republican Louisiana officials took aim Wednesday at a New Orleans program to distribute identification cards to homeless people, immigrants and others who don't have IDs, with Gov. Jeff L…

After Legislature passes Baton Rouge bills, Metro Council pushes for more lobbying muscle

BY PATRICK SLOAN-TURNER | Staff writer
Jul 23, 2025

After the Louisiana Legislature passed a wave of bills that specifically affected Baton Rouge, the Metro Council has taken steps to strengthen its voice at the Capitol.

The Louisiana teachers who save, scrimp and even borrow sick days to afford parental leave

BY ELYSE CARMOSINO | Staff writer
Jul 13, 2025

Erika Musgrove held her youngest son Matthew for only the briefest of moments last August before nurses at Baton Rouge General whisked him to the hospital’s neo-natal intensive care unit.

Years into home insurance crisis, when will Louisiana residents get relief?

BY SAM KARLIN | Staff writer
Jun 29, 2025

While Louisiana lawmakers debated auto insurance this spring during their legislative session, sky-high home insurance premiums continued to crush residents along the state’s coast.

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Gov. Jeff Landry signs bill allowing state, local law enforcement to take down drones

BY MATTHEW ALBRIGHT | Staff writer
Jun 21, 2025

Gov. Jeff Landry announced this week that he had signed a bill that gives state and local law enforcement the authority take down unmanned drones, calling it the first of its kind.

Proposed Medicaid cuts could be a big problem for Louisiana's budget, officials say

BY MARK BALLARD | Staff writer
Jun 18, 2025

WASHINGTON – State Senate President Cameron Henry said he’s worried Louisiana won’t be able to cover the losses should Congress ratchet back Medicaid spending the way the U.S. Senate Finance C…

Louisiana state Sen. Blake Miguez announces run against Bill Cassidy for U.S. Senate

BY ALYSE PFEIL | Staff writer
Jun 17, 2025

Louisiana state Sen. Blake Miguez, R-New Iberia, announced his candidacy Tuesday for U.S. Senate, with an opening salvo targeting Republican incumbent Bill Cassidy's vote to convict President …

These are the biggest bills that passed in the Louisiana Legislature during the 2025 session

By JULIA GUILBEAU | Staff writer
Updated Jun 13, 2025

After 60 days, the Louisiana Legislature has wrapped up its latest session, having created new laws on auto insurance, education, food safety and more, and having passed a new state budget for…

Longtime Mississippi River pilot Mark Delesdernier honored with dedication of new vessel

By STEPHANIE RIEGEL | Staff writer
Updated Jun 13, 2025

In the tight-knit world of Mississippi River mariners, few are as well-known as Capt. Mark Delesdernier Jr.

Louisiana Legislature could get more power over civil service if constitutional amendment passes

BY ALYSE PFEIL | Staff writer
Jun 13, 2025

The Louisiana Legislature could gain authority over which state employees get civil service protections after lawmakers approved a proposed constitutional amendment this week — but voters will…

Louisiana Senate kills pharmacy bill; Gov. Jeff Landry could call special session

BY ALYSE PFEIL and MEGHAN FRIEDMANN | Staff writers
Updated Jun 24, 2025

With just an hour left in the regular session, the Louisiana Senate on Thursday killed a controversial bill that would have barred companies from owning both pharmacy benefits managers and pharmacies.

Donald Trump Jr. posts support for Louisiana bill targeting pharmacy benefit managers

BY MATTHEW ALBRIGHT | Staff writer
Updated Jun 12, 2025

With about two hours left in Louisiana's legislative session, Donald Trump Jr. posted on X that he was supporting Gov. Jeff Landry and legislators who are backing a bill targeting pharmacy ben…

Louisiana teachers will get $2,250 permanent pay raises under new law, if voters approve

BY ELYSE CARMOSINO | Staff writer
Jun 12, 2025

Louisiana voters will return to the polls to decide whether to approve a constitutional amendment that would permanently raise teacher salaries by $2,250 and support staff salaries by $1,125 u…

Louisiana attorney general investigating CVS texts on pharmacy benefit managers controversy

BY MEGHAN FRIEDMANN | Staff writer
Jun 12, 2025

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says she is investigating CVS after the company sent mass text messages to customers urging them to tell their legislators to oppose a bill on pharmacy b…

How a can of flavored nitrous oxide prompted new laws around laughing gas in Louisiana

BY MEGAN WYATT | Staff writer
Jun 12, 2025

A can of grape-flavored nitrous oxide sits under State Sen. Brach Myers’ desk at the Louisiana Capitol.

Bill that divided Gov. Jeff Landry and Louisiana's oil industry advances after compromise

BY DAVID J. MITCHELL | Staff writer
Jun 12, 2025

The heavily amended bill would give state regulators a strong hand in determining court-ordered cleanups of old oil field sites.

A plan to overhaul how Louisiana handles roads and bridges has passed the Legislature

BY ALYSE PFEIL | Staff writer
Updated Jun 13, 2025

For the last year, Gov. Jeff Landry and state lawmakers have been calling for fundamental change at the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, demanding quicker fixes to the s…

Pharmacy benefits managers are at the center of Louisiana's drug debate. What are they?

By JULIA GUILBEAU | Staff writer
Updated Jun 12, 2025

With less than 24 hours left in the legislative session, Louisiana lawmakers are locked in a fierce battle over a proposal that would change the way pharmacies are allowed to operate in the state.

Louisiana pharmacy bill stirs fierce debate, prompts CVS texts warning of closures

BY ALYSE PFEIL, MATTHEW ALBRIGHT AND MEGHAN FRIEDMANN | Staff writers
Jun 11, 2025

A bill that could reshape the landscape of Louisiana pharmacies emerged on the second-to-last day of the legislative session, provoking a furious debate on the House floor and a massive public…

Legislature approves bill to reform civil service promotion process for Lafayette Police

BY MEGAN WYATT | Staff writer
Updated Jun 11, 2025

A proposed state law that would reform the police civil service promotion process for high-ranking positions in Lafayette has been sent to the governor’s desk after sailing through the Legislature.

Legislature approves new way for Lake Charles marshal to pay for community policing

BY MEGAN WYATT | Staff writer
Jun 10, 2025

A proposed state law that would allow the Lake Charles city marshal to spend a portion of his salary on community policing has been sent to the governor’s desk after sailing through the Legislature.

Charity Hospital project got city money but what about state funds?

By STEPHANIE RIEGEL | Staff writer
Jun 10, 2025

Tulane University took a key step last week towards the redevelopment of Charity Hospital, agreeing to a deal with the New Orleans City Council that will commit $20 million in city funds for t…

Louisiana Legislature approves ivermectin sales without prescription

By EMILY WOODRUFF | Staff writer
Jun 9, 2025

A bill that will allow ivermectin sales in pharmacies without a prescription is headed to Gov. Jeff Landry’s desk for signature after the Senate on Monday concurred with amendments added by the House.

Louisiana's inventory tax credit, created decades ago, is on the way out. Here's why.

BY TYLER BRIDGES | Staff writer
Updated Jun 9, 2025

The state Senate is killing the extension of a tax break sought by business groups that would have cost taxpayers $200 million over three years.

As LA debates raising their pay, some teachers can't make ends meet: 'How is this my life?'

BY ELYSE CARMOSINO | Staff writer
Updated Jun 22, 2025

Melanie Cade wasn't sure how she felt when the package arrived on her doorstep last year with a red DoorDash delivery bag inside.

Louisiana Senate adds $1.2 billion in projects; here's where it could be spent

BY MEGHAN FRIEDMANN | Staff writer
Updated Jun 9, 2025

The Louisiana Senate on Monday added $1.2 billion in one-time spending to state government’s budget for the coming fiscal year, allocating money to roads and bridges, economic development ince…

Gov. Jeff Landry and Louisiana's oil industry are at odds over bill heading for key vote

BY DAVID J. MITCHELL | Staff writer
Jun 7, 2025

Gov. Jeff Landry turned heads this week when he accused the oil-and-gas industry of "hypocrisy" in a dispute over a bill making its way through the state Legislature. That bill drawing the oil…

St. George one step closer to its own school district. Here are next steps.

BY CHARLES LUSSIER | Staff writer
Jun 5, 2025

One of the two bills that would create a school district to match the city of St. George cleared the Louisiana House Wednesday after the authors addressed concerns of a key Baton Rouge lawmake…