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3 escapees captured in BR, Texas 2 of 10 still at large after May 16 jailbreak in N.O.
BY KASEY BUBNASH and JOHN SIMERMAN
tody on Monday, leaving two others still at large from the historic breakout. Staff writers Lenton Vanburen Jr., 26, was arThe intensive manhunt following rested in Baton Rouge while Leo the escape from the New Orleans Tate Sr., 31, and Jermaine Donjail earlier this month led to three ald, 42, were apprehended by the more inmates being taken into cus- Texas Department of Public Safety
in Walker County, Texas, north of Houston, police said. Gov. Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill lauded the captures. Monday’s arrests leave Derrick Groves and Antoine Massey, among those considered ringleaders in the brazen May 16 jailbreak
of 10 men, at large. Baton Rouge police confirmed Vanburen’s capture, saying he was arrested following an anonymous tip. “Vanburen was apprehended while sitting on a bench near a department store located at 9636 Hammond Aire,” the Baton Rouge Police Department said in a statement.
Can Louisiana speed up fortified roof adoption?
State Police confirmed the two captures in Texas. The jailbreak has prompted an interstate manhunt and state-led investigations into the New Orleans lockup’s operations, as well as the local criminal justice system. Sheriff Susan Hutson, who runs the jail, has suspended her
ä See ESCAPEES, page 7A
Proposals shrink firearm boundaries Gun toters would be allowed to walk up to schools, carry weapons at parades BY ALYSE PFEIL and SOPHIE KASAKOVE Staff writers
funding from serving or selling highly processed food and drinks. The state House of Representatives on Thursday passed two resolutions by Rep. Michael
Less than a year after Louisiana agreed to let people conceal their weapons without a permit, state lawmakers are weighing whether to allow permitless concealed guns near schools and on parade routes, sparking fresh criticism in New Orleans. Senate Bill 101, by state Sen. Blake Miguez, R-New Iberia, would allow anyone legally permitted to carry a gun to tote their weapon up to a school’s property line. That includes people Miguez without permits. Another bill, House Bill 393, would allow guns at parades. Miguez, who championed last year’s permitless carry law, said his latest bill is aimed at ensuring consistency for gun owners. “I want one set of rules that treats law-abiding citizens fairly, not … a patchwork of laws,” he said. “We never want a law-abiding citizen criminalized because of some complication in the law that they weren’t aware of.” The proposals come after state and New Orleans officials last year clashed over the city’s efforts to establish a firearm-free school zone in the city’s French Quarter to skirt the state’s relaxation of gun regulations. Though that plan appears to have stalled, Miguez’s bill, which removes a long-held ban on firearms near schools, would prevent it from resurfacing. They also come amid widespread local criticism of the state’s effort last year to allow people 18 or older to carry a gun in many public places, either openly or concealed. New Orleans Police Department leaders and Mayor LaToya Cantrell have said the ban would impede police’s ability to keep crowds on parade routes safe. The city “recognizes the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution; however, the city does not agree with
ä See FOOD, page 7A
ä See GUN, page 7A
STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD
A new roof is installed on Cohn Street in New Orleans as part of the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program. The state-run initiative offers grants of up to $10,000 to eligible homeowners to upgrade their roofs to the program standard, enhancing resistance to hurricane-force winds and severe weather. The program is administered by the Louisiana Department of Insurance.
Lawmakers consider requiring permits, offering $10K tax credit
2025 LEGISLATURE INSURANCE
has gained momentum this legislative session, which ends June 12. So has a bill to require local governments to permit BY SAM KARLIN ricane damage: fortified roofs. Now, lawmakers appear poised to pass new roofs, which can help to verify if Staff writer some bills that are expected to accelerate they’re built to correct standards. And While Louisiana lawmakers have strug- the pace at which stronger roofs are put some lawmakers are pushing to set up a dedicated funding source for a separate gled to rein in rising home insurance pre- on homes. A plan to give homeowners a $10,000 miums, one solution can both lower costs ä See FORTIFIED, page 4A and make homes more resistant to hur- tax credit if they pay for a fortified roof
School food bills align with U.S. health chief’s push State’s effort aims to get more local, less processed items into students’ meals
BY ELYSE CARMOSINO
administration in pushing for healthier food options. An assortment of bills and Louisiana lawmakers want resolutions making their way schools to serve more locally through the state Legislature made, nutritious meals and get aim to reshape Louisiana food rid of highly processed prod- policies to align with U.S. Health ucts, as they join the Trump Secretary Robert F. Kennedy
Staff writer
WEATHER HIGH 90 LOW 76 PAGE 6B
Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, which seeks to reduce chronic illness and obesity. Among the legislation are proposals meant to eventually prohibit public schools and private schools that receive public
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12TH yEAR, NO. 288