Gov. John Bel Edwards says he could announce a decision as soon as Wednesday (Sept. 9) if Louisiana will roll out Phase III of its reopening amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The current executive order that details the state's Phase II reopening and restrictions is set to expire on at midnight on...
ACLU of Louisiana Wants U.S. Rep. Higgins Censured
The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana wants the House of Representatives to censure U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins for comments threatening violence against protesters. As communities in and around Lafayette continued to protest against the killing of Trayford Pellerin by police, Higgins made Facebook post accompanied by a photo of armed Black men Rep....
Gov. Edwards Says State is Examining Unemployment Payment Options Under Trump’s Executive Order
Though it wouldn't last long or even cover all of the state's unemployed workers, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced today that the state is looking into the logistics of implementing enhance unemployment benefits through Pres. Donald Trump's executive order. Trump's order would provide an additional $300 in benefits that would...
ACLU Demands Louisiana City Mayor Immediately Rescind Ban on Nike Products
The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Louisiana today sent a letter to city of Kenner Mayor Ben Zahn demanding he immediately rescind his memo banning booster clubs that use city facilities from purchasing Nike products. “The city’s recreation facilities should be open to everyone — not just those who happen...
H & W Pharmacy Gets One of State’s 10 Medical Marijuana Permits
The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy recently selected H&W Drug Store to get the first of ten permits to dispense medical marijuana. The store, which will be located at 4718 Paris Rd. in New Orleans, will serve Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes. Eight more regions are spread out throughout the...
Bill to Remove Non-Violent Crimes from Habitual Offender Law Fails in Committee
By Anitra Brown Tribune Staff In a 9-7 vote, the Louisiana House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee on Tuesday (April 17) to kill House Bill 355, which would remove non-violent offenses from the list of offenses that can result in habitual offender sentencing enhancements. The move comes as a disappointment...
What We’re Saying: It’s time for Louisiana to Get Rid of Non-Unanimous Verdicts
One of only two states in the nation that actually allows juries to render verdicts in felony criminal trials without all 12 jurors agreeing, Louisiana is long overdue in changing its jury system. First, the system is steeped in racism—a remnant of Jim Crow, the post-emancipation de facto and de...
Louisiana Senate Committee Passes Bipartisan Bill to Repeal the Death Penalty a Second Year in a Row
Committee Votes 4 to 1 in Favor of Ending Death Penalty Earlier today (April 10), Louisiana’s Senate Judiciary Committee voted 4 to 1 to repeal the state’s death penalty and replace it with a life sentence. This is the second year in row that a bipartisan bill to replace Louisiana’s...
What We’re Saying: Just Scrap TOPS and Start Over
The state legislature has money problems and that means TOPS, the state's tuition scholarship program, is once again on the chopping board. We have an idea. End it—at least as it exists now. Quite frankly, TOPS recipients are already too White and too wealthy to actually consider the program a...
Our Endorsements for the March 24 Special Election
Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal Civil Court Clerk Dale Atkins or Judge Robin Pittman The New Orleans Tribune issues a dual endorsement in the race for the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal. We believe each candidate is well-qualified and would bring unique perspectives and experiences to the post. Atkins has been a public...