THE
ACADIANA
ADVOCATE
T H E A C A D I A N A A D V O C AT E.C O M
|
T u e s d ay, M ay 12, 2026
$2.00X
Early voting points to amendments’ future
Democrats turn out in big numbers in advance of primary BY TYLER BRIDGES
ELECTION 2026
Staff writer
Democratic voters turned out in proportionally large numbers during the early voting period — and that could pose problems for the five constitutional amendments on Saturday’s ballot. Political analysts believe that the five amendments — four of which Gov. Jeff Landry strongly backs — may fall prey to a backlash caused by a recent U.S. Su-
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS preme Court ruling and moves by Landry and other Republicans to remove Black Democrats from political office. “There is one very obvious target for the energized Democratic voter base: the amendments,” said John Couvillon, a pollster and demographer in
Baton Rouge who closely tracks early voting data. “If you’re a Democrat, voting ‘no’ is a perfect way to express your anger.” The five amendments would give the Legislature power to remove civil service protections for state employees, create a school system in the city of St. George in East Baton Rouge Parish, give teachers a pay raise by dissolving three education
ä Crucial vote on Louisiana’s controversial redistricting push scheduled for Tuesday. PAGE 3A
ä See EARLY, page 3A
A sign points the way to vote at the Louisiana State Archives on May 4 in Baton Rouge.
STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON
Education trust funds back on the ballots BY ELYSE CARMOSINO Staff writer
Voters will head to the polls Saturday to decide whether Louisiana should revise its state constitution to give teachers a permanent pay raise. One of five constitutional amendments on the ballot, Amendment 3 seeks to dissolve
three constitutionally protected state education trust funds, which have contributed a total of nearly $2 billion toward various state education programs. If voters approve the change, money from the trust funds will be used to pay down teacher retirement system debt, with the savings going toward permanent raises for teachers and school support
staff. The amendment comes after teachers have repeatedly asked for lasting raises, but only received one-time stipends. It’s being pushed by Gov. Jeff Landry and the state’s teachers unions and is a reboot of a ballot measure that failed last year.
Landry
ä See TEACHER, page 5A
Comeaux students offered ‘hardship’ transfers System eyes closure of high school
BY CLAIRE TAYLOR Staff writer
The Lafayette Parish school system is offering hardship transfers to Comeaux High students who want to attend out-of-zone high schools if Comeaux High is closed. The Lafayette Parish School Board voted March 12 to close Comeaux High after the current school year and reassign those students to Lafayette High and Acadiana High. On April 15, the board rescinded the vote to close the school due to a lawsuit challenging the vote. The school system prevailed in that lawsuit last week with a 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal ruling. The school system’s communications director, Tracy Wirtz, in response to the ruling and what may be next for Comeaux, wrote, “The School Board will advise the superintendent on the appropriate next steps regarding Comeaux High School. Any future actions, including potential hearings or agenda items, will be determined through that process and communicated publicly once finalized.” Schools Superintendent Francis Touchet has received numerous requests from Comeaux High families who want to transfer their students to a certain school for various reasons such as their participation in dance or cheerleading, Wirtz said Monday in response to questions. Some of the parents want their children’s school assignment settled before the start of the 2026-27 school year, she said. In response to those concerns, Wirtz said, the school system is offering hardship transfers or alternative assignment requests to current Comeaux High students and incoming freshmen zoned for Comeaux. Letters went out Monday to Comeaux High families with a transfer request form for those who want to attend Northside High, Carencro High, Southside High, Lafayette High or Acadiana High next school year. The forms are due at 4:30 p.m. May 29. As with all out-of-zone requests, Wirtz said each application will be reviewed individually and as-
ä See COMEAUX, page 3A
Trump says Iran ceasefire on ‘life support,’ proposes gas tax pause Strait of Hormuz stays closed
Trump
CO ONFLICT
IN THE T MIIDDLE EAST AST
WEATHER HIGH 82 LOW 65 PAGE 6A
Trump also proposed suspending the federal gas tax to help with higher fuel prices caused by the war. The stalled diplomacy BY JON GAMBRELL, and recent exchanges of SAMY MAGDY fire could tip the Middle and SEUNG MIN KIM East back into open warAssociated Press fare and prolong the worldDUBAI, United Arab Emirates — wide energy crisis sparked President Donald Trump by the conflict. Iran still has on Monday said the Iran a chokehold on the Strait ceasefire is on “life sup- of Hormuz, a vital waterport” after rejecting Teh- way for global oil and gas ran’s latest proposal, which shipments, and America is officials said included blockading Iranian ports. Asked at the White House some nuclear concessions.
if the ceasefire was still in effect, Trump said it’s on “life support.” “I would call it the weakest right now after reading that piece of garbage they sent us,” Trump added. “I didn’t even finish reading it.” Trump also said he supported a suspension of the federal tax on gasoline — just over 18 cents per gallon and 24 cents for diesel. Congress, which is
ä See GAS TAX, page 5A
Business ...................10C Commentary ................3B Nation-World................2A Classified .....................5A Living............................5C Opinion ........................2B Comics-Puzzles .....7C-9C Metro ...........................1B Sports ..........................1C
A man waves an Iranian flag for a progovernment campaign under a billboard with a graphic showing the Strait of Hormuz and the sewn lips of President Donald Trump on Wednesday in a square in downtown Tehran, Iran. ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By VAHID SALEMI
101ST yEAR, NO. 316