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T h u r s d ay, J u ly 10, 2025
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Council to review FEMA holds N.O. meeting Report: State ranks high for recovery funds
BY ALEX LUBBEN Staff writer
STAFF FILE PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER
Balloons are released at a park on America Street in New Orleans during a 2023 memorial. A bill that would have made it illegal to intentionally release balloons into the air was vetoed by Gov. Jeff Landry.
Landry vetoes ban on balloon releases Governor says bill would be difficult to enforce; environmental advocates express disappointment
BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer
Some wildlife advocates, a lieutenant governor with a passion for Louisiana’s natural environment and at least one state lawmaker are dismayed after Gov. Jeff Landry vetoed a bill that would have made it illegal to intentionally release balloons into the air, a regulation that supporters say would protect wildlife and their habitat. But others — even some who say caring for the natural environment should be a priority — were OK with the governor blocking the balloon release ban, which could have led to
civil penalties between $150 and $500 for anyone over age 16. Baton Rouge Audubon Society Treasurer Mark Pethke said his organization is “tremendously disappointed by the governor’s veto.” The organization says that balloons can end up littering the natural environment, including lakes, streams, beaches and oceans. Fish, sea turtles and dolphins sometimes eat those balloons, causing a slow, painful death by starvation, the society says, and birds can get wrapped in or even strangled by balloon string. Pethke said the anti-litter measure would have caused organizations that
frequently release balloons into the air, such as schools and businesses, to find “another, more environmentally friendly way to conduct celebrations.” State Rep. John Illg Jr., a Harahan Republican who sponsored the proposed ban in House Bill 581, echoed those ideas. “It’s just something Illg that needs to be recognized, that it is litter. It’s basically releasing litter into the air and who knows where it comes down,” he said.
Associated Press
The U.S. is having its worst year for measles spread in more than three decades, with a total of 1,288 cases nationally and another six months to go in 2025. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday that the national case count surpassed 2019, when there were 1,274 cases for the year and the country almost lost its status of having
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eliminated the vaccine-preventcases of able illness. That measles could happen this have been year if the vihas nonstop reported rus spread for 12 in the U.S. months. this year. This year’s outbreaks, some of them interconnected, started five months ago in undervaccinated communities in West Texas. Three people have died — two children in Texas and
1,288
an adult in New Mexico — and dozens of people have been hospitalized. Public health experts maintain the true case count may be higher than state health departments have confirmed. North America has three other major measles outbreaks, with 2,966 cases in Chihuahua state, Mexico, 2,223 cases in Ontario, Canada and 1,230 in Alberta, Canada. Thirteen other states have confirmed outbreaks of three or more people — Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois,
ä See FEMA, page 5A
STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER
Gov. Jeff Landry holds a news conference Wednesday after a Federal Emergency Management Agency Review Council meeting in New Orleans.
Former city marshal admits to probation violations BY CLAIRE TAYLOR
Staff writer
Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Utah — and four other states saw their outbreaks end. The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is 97% effective at preventing measles after two doses. The World Health Organization said in 2000 that measles had been eliminated from the U.S.
The probation of former Lafayette City Marshal Brian Pope on malfeasance and perjury charges was revoked in June during an unscheduled Zoom meeting, according to court records. Pope was arrested in March when he failed to appear in court for a hearing on probation and parole violations. He had been found guilty in 2016 and 2018 Pope on charges of perjury and malfeasance in office and was ordered to abide by probation and parole restrictions, including community service and paying restitution. He remained in jail after the March arrest and a revocation hearing was scheduled for July 21. For unknown reasons, the hearing was taken up on June 16 by 15th Judicial District Judge David Smith, according to court records. Pope was not in court in person. He appeared via Zoom.
ä See MEASLES, page 5A
ä See PROBATION, page 5A
ä See BALLOON, page 5A
U.S. measles numbers highest in decades BY DEVI SHASTRI
The council that President Donald Trump established to overhaul the Federal Emergency Management Agency met in New Orleans on Wednesday, promising a complete remake of the agency that Louisiana has relied upon to recover from disasters ranging from destructive hurricanes to saltwater intrusion. Led by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, the FEMA Review Council is tasked with reporting on the agency‘s strengths and failures and making a list of recommendations for overhauling it. As the council met, natural disasters were unfolding in parts of the U.S., with severe flooding in Texas and New Mexico claiming the lives of more than 100 people. In Louisiana, hurricane season is just getting underway.
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101ST yEAR, NO. 10