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Governor calls for special session
Supreme Court case may affect election schedule BY TYLER BRIDGES Staff writer
Gov. Jeff Landry on Thursday called for a special legislative session to begin on Oct. 23 to adjust next year’s election schedule — because of a legal challenge to Louisiana’s voting map for Congress. But exactly what lawmakers will try to do remains unclear, in part because stringent election rules limit the changes that the Secretary of State’s Office can allow them to make. Whatever changes legislators agree on will likely have broad implications in determining which
areas of Congress the six members of the U.S. House will represent. “We’re waiting for legislation from the Governor’s Office since he issued the call,” said Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie. “He hasn’t articulated yet which dates and what changes he wants. Once we have that, then we can begin the bill drafting for the session.” Landry’s call, which establishes what issues legislators can consider in the session, contains a single item: “to legislate relative to the election code, election dates, election deadlines, and election plans for the 2026 election cycle, and to
provide for the funding thereof, if necessary.” It does not ask legislators to redraw the congressional map on a contingency basis, as Landry had wanted them to do. “We don’t want the Supreme Court to think we’re trying to step on their authority or influence their decision-making,” said state Rep. Beau Beaullieu, R-New Iberia, who chairs the House committee that will hear the election legislation. What’s driving the session — and the uncertainty — is a
STAFF FILE PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS
Gov. Jeff Landry on Thursday called for a special legislative session to ä See SESSION, page 5A begin Oct. 23 to adjust next year’s election schedule.
Early College Academy earns state recognition
La. Senate race draws millions of dollars
Republican incumbent Cassidy leads in fundraising BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer
n Caneview Elementary, Iberia Parish n Cecil Picard Elementary, Vermilion Parish n Haynes Academy, Jefferson Parish n Mulberry Elementary, Terrebonne Parish n South Live Oak Elementary, Livingston Parish n St. Dominic School, New Orleans Archdiocese n St. Jude School, Baton Rouge Diocese. “These schools have demonstrated a clear and consistent commitment to educational excellence,” Louisiana state Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley said in a
There’s more than a year until Louisiana elects its next U.S. senator, but millions of dollars in campaign contributions are already pouring in. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, is facing a crowded field of fellow Republicans in the state’s new closed primary system, in which GOP candidates will all face off in an election to decide which single Republican will be on the ballot in November. “It’s kind of Campaign finance data shows Cassidy has $9.5 amazing that this million in the bank, by far money is being the most of any candidate spent in a state in the race. But two other which is obviously candidates, state Sen. going to elect Blake Miguez and Louisiana Treasurer John Flema Republican ing, each have more than senator. I don’t $2 million. know of any viable Veteran political pollDemocrat who ster Jim Kitchens said would get in and the fundraising at this point in the race is note- make this a race.” worthy given that money JIM KITCHENS, is typically a crucial facpolitical pollster tor when two parties are vying for political control, like in swing state races. “It’s kind of amazing that this money is being spent in a state which is obviously going to elect a Republican senator,” he said. “I don’t know of any viable Democrat who would get in and make this a race.” No Democrat has yet filed to run for the seat; party leaders have said they are still recruiting one. Democratic former Gov. John Bel Edwards announced this week that he would not join the race. The dynamic in the Louisiana Senate contest reflects the battle inside the Republican Party, Kitchens said. “It’s a Republican war,” he said. Cassidy has $9.5 million in his campaign account
ä See RECOGNITION, page 5A
ä See SENATE, page 5A
STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRAD BOWIE
Graduate Samuel Nunez greets School Board representatives as the Early College Academy holds commencement exercises in 2024.
Eight schools named 2025 Louisiana Blue Ribbon Schools BY ASHLEY WHITE Staff writer
The Early College Academy was named a 2025 Louisiana Blue Ribbon School by the state’s Department of Education. The academy was one of eight schools statewide to be recognized for its outstanding academic performance and for making significant progress in closing student achievement gaps. “This recognition is a testament to the incredible students, teachers and leaders at Early College Academy,” Lafayette Parish Superintendent Francis Touchet Jr. said in a statement. “Their work represents the best of what public education can be — high expectations, strong
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relationships and a commitment to opportunity for every student.” The prestigious National Blue Ribbon Schools program was overseen by the U.S. Department of Education for more than 40 years. The Trump Administration abruptly discontinued the program in August and encouraged states to fashion their own programs. The academy allows juniors and seniors across the parish to earn a high school diploma and an associate degree through its partnership with South Louisiana Community College. The school was the top-performing high school in the state when assessing scores from the state’s annual standardized test. The other Blue Ribbon schools are:
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