THE
ACADIANA
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T H E A C A D I A N A A D V O C AT E.C O M
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S at u r d ay, J u n e 21, 2025
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Court rejects commandments law
AG vows to appeal 5th Circuit ruling against placement in schools BY PATRICK WALL Staff writer
Louisiana’s controversial law requiring public schools and colleges to post the Ten Commandments violates the U.S. Constitution and cannot be enforced, a federal appeals court ruled unanimously Friday, upholding a lower court’s decision and raising the possibility that the U.S. Supreme Court will
be asked to weigh in. A three-judge panel on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the law, which took effect Jan. 1, is “plainly unconstitutional.” The ruling affirms a lower court’s order barring the state from enforcing the law, which says that Ten Commandments posters must be displayed in every classroom. Passed last year by Louisiana’s Republican-controlled Legislature,
the law turbocharged the national debate over religion’s proper place in public life. Critics say the law shatters the historic divide in the U.S. between church and state and restricts religious freedom, while supporters — including President Donald Trump and Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry — say it reflects America’s Christian roots and represents a much-needed return to traditional values in public educa-
tion. Just days after Landry signed the law last year, a multifaith group of public-school parents sued in federal court, saying the mandate violates students’ First Amendment right to practice their faith free of government interference. Attorneys for the state countered that the legal challenge was premature because schools had not yet put up the posters, and ar-
gued that the Ten Commandments have historical significance and educational value. In a 50-page decision, the 5th Circuit panel wrote that “unwanted exposure to government-sponsored religious displays” would violate students’ First Amendment rights. If the law goes into effect, “students will be subjected to unwelcome displays of the Ten Commandments for the entirety of
ä See COURT, page 4A
Deal brings net-zero refinery to Acadia
Company converting Evangeline Processing facility BY ADAM DAIGLE
Acadiana business editor
Clean Refineries Inc. built a refinery in California that utilizes its net-zero emissions technology.
PROVIDED PHOTO
Green Fuels Operating, by its title alone, is emerging as an anomaly in the energy industry. In an industry long recognized as a significant source of air pollution, the company that is planning a net-zero plant in Acadia Parish to produce marine-grade diesel and bunker fuel is touting its net-zero emissions technology, which is getting attention. And the comEVANGELINE pany is ambitious. Operating as a subsidiary of par10 ent company Clean Refineries Inc., the Riv ers Oklahoma-based ide Rd. company touts 12 facilities in proSite of duction in Oklaplanned homa, Texas, Wyorefinery ming and Alaska. Staff map Yet it’s the refinery planned for Acadia Parish that is expected to be its first when it’s expected to begin operation in May. “We’re a full-line answer to the problem of building refineries in 2025,” CEO Derek Williamson said. “That’s kind of why we’re going at the rate we’re going at right now. There are so many people that want us to be there. We had a proposal to do a facility in Westchester County, New York. Can you imagine building a refinery just north of New York City?” The company’s announcement last month to convert a former Evangeline Processing facility
ä See REFINERY, page 4A
COLLEGE WORLD SERIES FINALS GAME 1: LSU VS. COASTAL CAROLINA l 6 P.M. l ESPN
TIGER TAKEOVER
LSU baseball fans once again descend on Omaha
Scott Rabalais
WEATHER HIGH 92 LOW 75 PAGE 6A
OMAHA, Neb. — If anyone knows what to expect from LSU baseball fans pouring into town this weekend for the College World Series championship series, it’s LSU superfan Chris Guillot. His succinct appraisal at Thursday’s pep rally at the Tigers’ team hotel? “The zoo starts tonight.” You could say Guillot is the keeper of that zoo, the man who roams the stands whether at Alex Box
ä IN SPORTS TODAY: Coastal Carolina has history with LSU and with coach Jay Johnson. PAGE 1C Stadium or here in Omaha rallying the faithful with chants of “Go!” answered by “Tigers!” Or, “Geaux” and “Tigers,” if you prefer. Omaha is celebrating its 75th
LSU fans enjoy the patio at Rocco’s as Tigers faithful begin to fill up Omaha, Neb., for the College World Series on Friday. STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK
ä See RABALAIS, page 4A
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100TH yEAR, NO. 356