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Updated voting map clears House Final approval close but legal challenges loom
BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer
The Louisiana Legislature is on the brink of passing a new congressional map after the House approved an updated version Thursday and Republican leaders in both
chambers have thrown their support behind the plan. But court challenges by Republicans and Democrats loom, creating uncertainty about if and when the map will be finalized ahead of the November midterm elections. Legislative leaders helming the
redistricting effort have said legal action is an inevitability they’re prepared to confront with a map they believe will withstand court challenges. “The map is constitutional. That’s why I like it,” said Sen. Caleb Kleinpeter, a key Republican
in the redistricting effort. “I think 2026 it will pass a constitutional chalLEGISLATURE lenge.” The House passed a map with ELECTIONS five Republican-leaning districts and one Democratic-leaning dis- tionally protesting the elimination trict that ties together Black com- of one of the state’s two majoritymunities from New Orleans to Ba- Black districts. “If you vote for this bill, you ton Rouge. Lawmakers did so after over seven hours of debate, with ä See MAP, page 3A Democrats in the chamber emo-
CELEBRATING
HISTORY AND CULTURE
Louisiana, Exxon agree to deal Coastal land disputes settled, Landry says
BY ALEX LUBBEN Staff writer
STAFF PHOTOS By SOPHIA GERMER
The ARA Libertad, a sailing vessel from Argentina, docks on the downtown riverfront for Sail 250 in New Orleans on Wednesday.
New Orleans welcomes historic marine vessels for America’s 250th birthday BY VIOLET BUCARO Staff writer
Nearly 3,000 sailors and a fleet of historic and modern vessels began descending on New Orleans Thursday to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, including 18th-century-style tall ships that once served in trade and wartime missions around the world. The global gathering of tall and military ships, known as Sail 250, made its first American stop in the Crescent City through Monday. The ships will continue on a multicity tour that will finish in Boston in late July. The vessels, often asso-
show up to see their multiple masts and billowing stacks of sails. As she welcomed the ships’ arrival, New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno said Wednesday the city’s more than 300-year-old maritime industry remains central to its identity because of its longstanding role as an international port. “Our riverfront has long been the gateway connecting New Orleans to Navy Band Southeast performs during a welcome the nation and also to the celebration for Sail 250 at the Julia Street Pier in New world,” Moreno said. “We Orleans on Wednesday. value and honor that connection because it is one of ciated with pirates, naval docked along the Missis- the main reasons New Orbattles and maritime ex- sippi River near downtown leans developed the rich ploration, are open for free New Orleans. Thousands public tours as they are of visitors are expected to ä See VESSELS, page 4A
Gov. Jeff Landry announced Thursday that the state had reached an agreement with oil giant Exxon Mobil to resolve lawsuits seeking compensation from the company for damaging the state’s rapidly eroding coastline, but details of the deal are likely to remain secret. The announcement raised questions over not only the contents of the agreement, but also what effect it would have on similar pending cases. It was also unclear to what degree the deal would Landry benefit Louisiana’s vital coastal restoration efforts, which face a severe reduction in funding in the years ahead. It may even add to mounting speculation over whether Elon Musk’s SpaceX is seeking to expand its rocket operations to a site along Louisiana’s coast. Exxon owns a vast tract of land in Vermilion Parish, and a settlement removing its legal liability there could ease the way for a potential sale. “The State of Louisiana has reached a deal with @ExxonMobil, which resolves the coastal land disputes,” Landry posted to X. “A major part of the resolution includes ExxonMobil partnering with the state to ensure the state’s orphan wells along Louisiana’s coast are addressed.” Attorney General Liz Murrill issued a more cautious statement, saying Louisiana has a deal “in principle” but that “documents still need to be drawn up and signed.” “Any settlements in the coastal cases are under seal by court order, but I am happy to confirm that we were able to find common ground with Exxon and look forward to a great future together,” she said. An Exxon spokesperson, Curtis Smith, also indicated that the deal was still being finalized. “We continue to work diligently and in good faith with the governor to resolve legitimate regulatory claims and dismissal of the coastal lawsuits in a reasonable and equitable manner,” Smith said. Exxon is a defendant in 25 of the 42
ä See EXXON, page 4A
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