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T h u r s d ay, M ay 21, 2026
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Political battles factor in redistricting Lawmakers tweak congressional maps based on colleagues’ addresses
BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer
In public, the debate over redrawing Louisiana’s congressional map centers on big-picture political questions, like how many majority-Black districts there should be and how Republicans can secure another seat in Congress. But behind closed doors, state
lawmakers are also wrestling with 2026 how to draw districts that help — LEGISLATURE or hurt — some of their colleagues’ chances to climb the political ladder. “Reapportionment is personal, ä La. could close primaries to persnickety and political,” said Jay unaffiliated voters. PAGE 4A Dardenne, a veteran of Louisiana politics who was on the legislative committee that handles redistrictThis year, redistricting is pering in the 1990s and 2000s. sonal because some legislators
are contemplating congressional bids, Dardenne said. And it’s persnickety because of the detail and difficulty that goes into actually drawing the lines — and the risk of getting “people’s dander up” if those districts run afoul of their preferences, he said. “The end result can be an offensive one or a defensive one, depending on what you’re trying
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to do,” Dardenne said of the linedrawing process. “You can make sure somebody is in a particular district or you can make sure somebody is out of a particular district.” Current lawmakers are generally loath to publicly discuss internal debates about district lines. But former lawmakers say it’s often one of the fiercest fights in politics. “There’s nothing more dear to an
ä See POLITICAL, page 4A
U.S. indicts ex-leader of Cuba Charges stem from 1996 downing of civilian planes
BY JOSHUA GOODMAN and ALANNA DURKIN RICHER Associated Press
PHOTOS By ROBIN MAy
Guests enjoy the new sundial and stepping stones at the new Kergan Meditation Garden, located in Moncus Park, on Sunday.
Moncus Park opens meditation garden with winding paths, water features BY KRISTIN ASKELSON
Staff writer
A new meditation garden has opened at Moncus Park, adding another public space focused on quiet reflection and outdoor gathering at the growing Lafayette park. The Kergan Meditation Garden officially opened over the weekend with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Located near the back of the park beyond the historic Oak Allée, the garden features winding pathways, water elements and ornamental plantings designed to create a quieter, more secluded environment within the park’s 100 acres. The project was funded through donations from Ted, Ann and Jean-Luc Kergan and designed by local firms LAND Architecture
ä See REFLECT, page 4A
Guests wander the spaces of the Kergan Meditation Garden.
MIAMI — Federal prosecutors on Wednesday announced criminal charges against former Cuban President Raúl Castro in the 1996 downing of civilian planes flown by Miami-based exiles as the Trump administration escalated pressure on the island’s socialist government. The indictment accuses Castro of ordering the shootdown of two small planes operated by the exile group Brothers to the Rescue. Castro, who turns 95 next Castro month, was Cuba’s defense minister at the time. The charges, which were secretly filed by a grand jury in April, included murder and destruction of an airplane. Five Cuban military pilots were also charged. “For nearly 30 years, the families of four murdered Americans have waited for justice,” acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in Miami at a ceremony coinciding with Cuban independence day to honor those killed. “They were unarmed civilians and were flying humanitarian missions for the rescue and protection of people fleeing oppression across the Florida straits.”
ä See CASTRO, page 4A
Mall shooting victim attends torch run
athlete — had recovered see his friends.” Special Olympics athlete Olympics After the torch run, 28 days after the enough to attend the Law Enforcement Run hosted by Special Olympics horrific tragedy, Donnie Guillory was returning to routines Torch heading back to the mall once again. Louisiana.
BY OLIVIA TEES
Staff writer
Every week, Donnie Guillory went to the Mall of Louisiana, stopping in at stores to say hi to his favorite workers. That’s what he was doing on April 23 when gunfire broke out in the crowded mall food court, killing a teenager from Youngsville, Martha Odom, and wounding Guillory and four others. By Wednesday, Guillory — a Special
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When asked about the shooting, he had a simple message: “I’m so lucky to be alive.” Although he was unable to run in the race this year and wore a large cast covering his entire left arm, Guillory showed up to support his friends and ride in the police escort vehicle. “It means a lot to him to be able to interact with his friends,” his father, Charles Guillory, said. “That’s what he’s missed the most, not being able to
The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office sent him with a team of officers to show their support. “That’s his social activity. He goes and visits everybody at the stores so they all know him,” Carla Guillory, his mother, said. His first stop? GameStop to pick up some new video games. His parents were out at an
STAFF PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS
East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sid Edwards fist bumps Donnie Guillory, a survivor of the Mall of Louisiana shooting, during the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special ä See MALL, page 4A Olympics Louisiana on Tuesday.
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