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“The best way to end race-based discrimination is to stop making decisions based on race.” GOV. JEFF LANDRy
La. leaders postpone U.S. House elections
In a dramatic move with statewide ramifications, Gov. Jeff Landry on Thursday postponed Louisiana’s upcoming elections for the U.S. House, a day after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Louisiana’s congressional map is an illegal racial gerrymander. Landry, who has the authority under state law to change the election schedule in case of an “emergency,” moved quickly because absentee ballot voting has already begun for the May 16 pri-
ä See PRINCIPAL, page 5A
Trump blasts Cassidy over surgeon general
Police piecing together mall shooting evidence That will help authorities Ballistics test paint a fuller narrative of events that led up to the shootresults should be ing in the food court, which left available in a week, a Youngsville teenager dead and five other people wounded, DA says authorities said.
B. Saphier. The third nominee for President calls the post, Saphier is a radiologist New York and a Fox News consenator ‘very disloyal’ intributor. for holding up vote On Truth Social, Trump called
for Louisiana voters to defeat Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, in the May 16 closed party primary. Trump has Staff writer endorsed U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, RWASHINGTON — President Donald Baton Rouge, in Cassidy’s effort to Trump on Wednesday called U.S. win a third six-year term — early Sen. Bill Cassidy “very disloyal” voting starts Saturday. Letlow is for not scheduling a confirmation also backed by the MAHA movevote for Casey Means, the contro- ment. “Hopefully all of the Great Reversial MAHA influencer, as the nation’s surgeon general. publican People of Louisiana, Trump then withdrew Means’ ä See TRUMP, page 5A nomination and tapped Dr. Nicole
BY MARK BALLARD
WEATHER HIGH 68 LOW 54 PAGE 10C
Staff writers
ä See ELECTIONS, page 7A
Move comes in wake of Supreme Court map ruling mary election and early voting begins on Saturday. Lawmakers are planning for the House races to take place later this year, only after the Legislature and governor have redrawn the map for the six congressional districts. The election plans are likely to cause chaos for voters and election officials because Landry and legislative leaders are keeping the existing May 16 primary schedule for other races, most notably the hotly contested Senate election in which Sen. Bill Cassidy is facing a tough challenge from U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow and state Treasurer
BY JA’KORI MADISON and ASHLEY WHITE
John Fleming. The five constitutional amendments scheduled for May 16 also would continue as planned, according to sources. So would a heated state Supreme Court race on the northshore, two Public Service Commission races — one in northwest Louisiana and the other to represent the suburban districts around New Orleans — a seat on the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and local races around the state. Landry said having all but the six
STAFF FILE PHOTO By JOHN BALLANCE
Staff writer
Rapper with felony conviction visited school
Northside High School Principal James Rollins has been placed on administrative leave, school officials said Thursday. Officials with the Lafayette Parish school system confirmed the disciplinary action but have not released a reason for the decision, saying they can’t comment on personnel issues. A spokesperson did not verify whether Rollins was on paid leave or for how long. Social media posts have raised questions about the timing of Rollins’ leave following a Wednesday appearance by rapper Rollins Torrence “Boosie” Hatch at Northside High School. Sources told The Acadiana Advocate that Hatch visited Northside High on Wednesday afternoon with state Rep. Tehmi Chassion, D-Lafayette, without district approval, violating LPSS policy. Hatch was scheduled to visit Carencro High School on Tuesday but his travel was delayed and the visit was scrapped. A social media video appears to confirm Wednesday’s visit to Northside. School Board member Josh Edmond and Carencro High School athletic officials, including coach Gavin Peters, also met the rapper at Northgate Mall, which is adjacent to the Northside campus. Edmond said he did not accompany the rapper to Northside but that he did follow protocol to arrange his visit to Carencro, which involved getting approval from Superintendent Francis Touchet, getting the proper security and other logistical arrangements. Chassion has not responded to requests for comment from The Acadiana Advocate. The school system has not confirmed a connection between the rapper’s appearance and Rollins’ leave.
Gov. Jeff Landry said Thursday that ‘allowing elections to proceed under an unconstitutional map would undermine the integrity of our system and violate the rights of our voters.’
BY TYLER BRIDGES
Northside principal on leave
BY OLIVIA TEES and QUINN COFFMAN Staff writers PROVIDED PHOTO
President Donald Trump signed Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act, legislation sponsored by Sen. Bill Cassidy, right, on July 16.
Ballistics testing of evidence gathered in the investigation of the fatal mass shooting in the Mall of Louisiana should be available in a week, East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore said Thursday.
Business ......................6A Commentary ................3B Nation-World................2A Classified .....................4A Living............................5C Opinion ........................2B Comics-Puzzles .....7C-9C Metro ...........................1B Sports ..........................1C
Police so far have arrested one suspect. Initially, four people were detained for questioning immediately after the shooting, but they were released after a short time. It remains unclear how many shooters were involved, though authorities have said they believe it stemmed from
ä See SHOOTING, page 5A
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