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La. execution back on for next week Federal appeals court vacates district court ruling BY ANDREA GALLO, MEGHAN FRIEDMANN, JOHN SIMERMAN and JOSEPH CRANNEY
death row inmate Jessie Hoffman Jr. next week with nitrogen gas. The New Orleans-based federal appeals court on Friday night vaStaff writers cated a Tuesday ruling from U.S. The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Ap- District Judge Shelly Dick of Loupeals has cleared the way for Lou- isiana’s Middle District, who had isiana to resume plans to execute blocked the state from moving
Eighth Amendment. Attorneys for the state issued a notice of appeal within minutes of Dick’s ruling. forward with Hoffman’s execuThe 5th Circuit vacated the preliminary injunction. tion, scheduled for Tuesday. “In sum, the district court didn’t Dick issued a preliminary injunction, allowing time for a full just get the legal analysis wrong trial on whether death by nitrogen — it turned the Constitution on its gas amounts to cruel and unusual head, by relying on an indisputably punishment, which is forbid- more painful method of execution den under the U.S. Constitution’s as its proposed alternative,” the
A NEW HOPE
appeals court’s ruling states, written by Judge James Ho, an appointee of President Donald Trump. Dick’s ruling had said that Hoffman’s team had given enough evidence that death by a firing squad could be a more humane way for Hoffman to die. In an emergency appeal brief, at-
ä See EXECUTION, page 5A
Diversity efforts at Tulane probed 45 universities part of investigation by Dept. of Education BY PATRICK WALL
Staff writer
into what stands as a stark reminder of one of the darkest chapters in the clergy abuse scandal, said Republican state Sen. Pat Connick, who represents the area and has been leading efforts to facilitate the deal between the parish, state, archdiocese and abuse survivors. As part of the deal, the parish has agreed to create a memorial on the site in honor of the victims. “This could be a win-win-win for everybody — to put the property back into commerce and bring good life back to the campus,” Connick said. “Evil, sick things took place there, but it is time to try to heal.” The archdiocese, which filed for bankruptcy court
The Department of Education is investigating Tulane University for alleged racial discrimination because its graduate programs have partnered with a group that promotes diversity, federal officials said Friday in a move that aligns with the Trump administration’s crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. The department’s Office for Civil Rights is targeting Tulane and 44 other universities that have partnered with the PhD Project, a 30-year-old nonprofit that aims to increase diversity in the corporate world by helping people of color earn doctorates in businesses. Federal officials say that partnership may violate federal laws barring racial discrimination, known as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, because the PhD Project exclusively aids people of color. “Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin,” U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement. “We will not yield on this commitment.” In a statement Friday, Tulane spokesperson Michael Strecker said the university is prepared to work with investigators to ensure Tulane is complying with the law. “We’re committed to fostering a community where everyone can thrive, without bias for or against any groups,” he said. Diversity efforts like the ones targeted by the Trump
ä See HOPE, page 4A
ä See TULANE, page 4A
STAFF PHOTOS By BRETT DUKE
The deteriorating main building is the centerpiece of the 15-acre Hope Haven property in Marrero.
Jefferson Parish readies to buy former orphanage site from archdiocese BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staff writer
The Jefferson Parish Council has reached a deal with the Archdiocese of New Orleans to purchase Hope Haven in Marrero, the former orphanage where dozens of children were physically, sexually and psychologically abused decades ago by priests, brothers and nuns charged with caring for them. The parish has been leasing the 15-acre campus, with its sprawling grounds and century-old, Spanish missionstyle buildings, from the local Roman Catholic Church since 2018, and has already built a walking trail and recreational area on a portion of the site. Now, it is moving forward with plans to purchase the
People use the Hope Haven Fitness Trail and Park in Marrero on Thursday. property for $3.8 million and turn it into a multiuse complex that could include expanded recreational areas, festival grounds, educational attrac-
tions and, potentially, offices or apartments. The redevelopment of Hope Haven by the parish is seen as a way to breathe new life
Raises for La. teachers would come at a cost, critics say years of promised raises, they’ve money for teacher pay, it would which ones would receive that Vote on constitutional only received one-time stipends mean diverting millions of dollars money and which risk being cut or past two years. Gov. Jeff that help fund education efforts reduced if the amendment passes. amendment on ballot the Critics have also voiced concern Landry has strongly expressed throughout the state each year, in-
BY ELYSE CARMOSINO Staff writer
Louisiana residents will vote March 29 on a constitutional amendment that may seem cutand-dry: Permanently raise teacher pay by $2,000 and support staff pay by $1,000. Louisiana teacher salaries are much lower than their counterparts in other states, and, despite
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support for increasing educator pay, saying in November that doing so would be “a much-deserved win for our unsung heroes.” “The truth is, we have the money to pay our teachers properly,” he said, “if we make the changes to unshackle ourselves from the bad decisions of the past.” But there’s a trade-off: If voters approve the constitutional change, known as Amendment 2, to free up
cluding early education programs and scholarships for aspiring teachers. “This is not free money,” said Jan Moller, executive director of Invest in Louisiana, a nonpartisan research and policy think tank that opposes the proposed amendment. Though state leaders have said they will likely be able to find other funding for some of the affected programs, it remains unclear
that the pay hikes wouldn’t be protected by the state’s education funding formula, pointing out that the amendment would instead shift responsibility to individual districts to provide the raises. They also note that the money would essentially make the stipends teachers received permanent but would not additionally increase their pay.
ELECTION 2025
EARLY VOTING
Early voting runs from March 15 to March 22, excluding Sunday, and early voting locations are open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Voters can find out where to vote at www.GeauxVote.com, on the GeauxVote mobile app or by calling their parish registrar of voters. ä See RAISES, page 6A ä Story, Page 1B
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