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Redistricting hearing gets heated
GOP lawmakers poised to ax one or both majority-Black congressional districts BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer
Over the course of more than eight hours Friday, dozens of Louisiana residents demanded the state Legislature shut down a push to eliminate congressional districts held by African Americans. The marathon hearing, which veered between solemn and fiery, showed the historic consequences
of a redistricting battle inflamed by a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The high court substantially weakened the Voting Rights Act, telling lawmakers who draw voting maps they can’t take race into account when determining district lines. That opened the door to eliminate majority-Black congressional districts across the South. Now, GOP lawmakers are poised
2026 LEGISLATURE to ax either one or both of Louisiana’s majority-Black congressional districts, which are represented by two Democrats. Louisiana has six U.S. House seats. “This is not democracy. It is the deliberate dilution of Black politi-
cal power,” said Keturah ButlerReed, of the NAACP Youth and College Division. “The country is watching.” Butler-Reed was just one of dozens of people, most of them Black, who traveled to the State Capitol to formally testify against the effort, chant in protest or watch the discussion. Some who spoke to the Senate and Governmental Affairs Com-
‘This entire place tells a story’
mittee, which handles redistricting legislation, expressed indignation, frustration, anger and even fury, while others took a respectful tone. Among the latter group were the only four Black congressmen who Louisiana has elected since Reconstruction: current U.S. Reps. Troy Carter, D-New Orleans, and Cleo
ä See HEARING, page 4A
Limit on four-day school weeks stalls
Legislators seeking exemption for their districts BY CHARLES LUSSIER Staff writer
STAFF PHOTOS By LESLIE WESTBROOK
Students enjoy a morning of carnival games on the front lawn during the centennial celebration of the historic Dr. Raphael A. Baranco Elementary School building, which was formerly named for N.P. Moss, on Friday.
Students, alumni celebrate 100 years of Lafayette’s historic Baranco Elementary BY JA’KORI MADISON Staff writer
Principal Cayce Otwell, students, alumni and community members gathered Friday to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Dr. Raphael A. Baranco Elementary School building in north Lafayette, honoring a century of education, legacy and community history. Otwell, who attended school in the building when it housed
WEATHER HIGH 81 LOW 70 PAGE 6A
N.P. Moss Middle School, described returning to the campus as a deeply personal, fullcircle moment. “This place holds a special place in my heart,” she said. “Over 43 years ago, I was Cayce Clement as I ran these hallways, sat in this auditorium and had class here myself as a middle school student.” Alongside speeches and
Members of the Bucket Drum Club perform during Friday’s
ä See BARANCO, page 5A celebration.
ä See SCHOOL, page 4A
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Legislation to make it much harder to shift to a four-day school week in Louisiana is on hold after a bevy of lawmakers sought exemptions for districts they represent that are considering the idea. Senate Bill 82, by Sen. Beth Mizell, R-Franklinton, seeks to bring a halt to a recent wave of shifts from a traditional five-day to a four-day week by forbidding all but those with an A letter grade from making the change. Over the past six years, 12 school districts have gone to four-day-a-week classes. Mizell’s bill had sailed through the Senate and cleared the House Education Committee. But when it reached the House floor this week, it was greeted by a dozen proposed amendments. All but one sought to exempt specific school districts so they would be free in the future to adopt a fourday week. “It’s a good day for an amendment,” quipped Speaker of the House Philip Devillier, R-Eunice. Rep. Kim Carver, R-Mandeville, who was handling the legislation for Mizell, accepted several
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