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NAACP proposes travel advisory for Louisiana after recent ‘Legislative Policies and Actions’

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - The NAACP Louisiana State Conference has formally requested a national travel advisory for the state from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Officials said this comes after, “A disconcerting trend of policies and actions taken by Republican legislators in the State of Louisiana that target and marginalize specific groups within the population, including African Americans, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, immigrants, and those who exercise their right to free speech.”

Read the rest of the news release below from the NAACP Louisiana State Conference:

Recent actions under the influence of Republican legislators have fostered an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, marked by a blatant, relentless, and systemic attack on democracy and civil rights. Such policies undermine the principles of diversity and inclusion, disregarding the well-being and rights of the African American community and other marginalized groups.

In 2023, some members of the Louisiana Legislature proposed several bills with the potential to negatively impact African Americans,the LGBTQIA2S+ community, and other marginalized groups. (A detailed breakdown of these bills can be found in the appendix of this release.) In response to this legislative climate, we implore Governor John Bel Edwards to veto any or all of these pieces of legislation should they achieve endorsement from the Louisiana legislature.

Furthermore, a recent decision to halt the investigation into the death of Louisiana motorist Ronald Greene and the alleged coverup only underscores the need for this advisory. The prioritization of public safety, specifically that of African Americans and those traveling to Louisiana, cannot be guaranteed under the current state of affairs.

In consideration of these developments, we urge individuals, particularly African Americans, people of color, and members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, to exercise extreme caution when traveling to or within the State of Louisiana. Visitors should be aware that the state may not prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion and may have discriminatory laws or policies that disproportionately affect marginalized communities.

We encourage Louisiana residents to join us in our advocacy campaigns against the regressive laws that Republican legislators are enacting. We can amplify our voices to protect our democracy and civil rights when we stand together.

About the NAACP: The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to secure political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all people.

Appendix: A complete list of the potentially damaging bills proposed by the Louisiana legislature in 2023

For the African American community:

• HB 70 : Amends the present law to reduce the opportunity for the reduction of a sentence and parole eligibility for offenders convicted for the fourth or subsequent time of a nonviolent felony offense.
• HB 464 : Increases the minimum term of imprisonment for the possession of a firearm by a felon from five years to 10 years.
• HB 646 : Provides for the annual canvass of registered voters
• SB 23  makes the Secretary of State the only official who can determine the locations of alternative locations for early voting.
• SB 46 : Provides for the review of textbooks and other instructional materials
• SB 54 : Repeals provisions relative to police officers making arrests for certain misdemeanors and felonies.
• SB 130 : Authorizes retired law enforcement officers and retired elected law enforcement department heads to carry concealed firearms if POST certified at the time of retirement.
• SB 159 : Allows seventeen-year-olds (17) to be held and tried as adults under certain circumstances.

For the LGBTQIA2S+ community:

• HB 466, “Don’t Say  LGBTQ+,” prevents students and educators across the state from having and providing safe, inclusive classrooms. It will block teachers from talking about LGBTQ+ issues or people, further stigmatizing LGBTQ+ people and isolating LGBTQ+ kids. HB 466 silences educators by banning the instruction and discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity during any extracurricular academic, athletic, or social activities in grades K–12. It also bans school employees and other presenters from discussing their own sexual orientation or gender identity.
• HB 648: Gender Affirming Care Ban : Bans physicians from providing age-appropriate, best-practice health care for transgender minors under the age of 18. This bill contradicts guidelines recommended by every major medical association, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, and more, because gender-affirming care saves lives.
• HB 81: Pronoun Restriction : Allows schools to forcibly out and intentionally misgender transgender and non-binary students.
• Summary: State lawmakers are targeting LGBTQIA2S+ rights by limiting the ability to update gender information on IDs and records, weakening nondiscrimination laws, restricting free speech and expression, banning affirming care for trans youth, and blocking access to medically necessary health care. This puts transgender people at risk of losing jobs, facing harassment, and other harms.

Recognizing the unlikely event of all the proposed legislative measures gaining favorable passage through the Louisiana Legislature, we are nonetheless extending a crucial preemptive plea to Governor John Bel Edwards. In an effort to protect his entire citizenry and tourists visiting the state, we vehemently request that he employ his authority to veto any or all of these pieces of legislation that succeed in obtaining endorsement from the Louisiana legislature.

President Michael McClanahan, NAACP Louisiana State Conference

President Eugene Collins, NAACP Baton Rouge Branch

Click here to report a typo.

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Louisiana NAACP seeks travel advisory warning Blacks, LGBTQ to avoid state

Louisiana's NAACP State Conference is requesting a "travel advisory" from its national organization to warn Blacks and members of the LGBTQ community to avoid coming to Louisiana because of legislation it believes has created a hostile environment in the state.

"Recent actions under the influence of Republican legislators have fostered an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, marked by a blatant, relentless and systemic attack on democracy and civil rights," the Louisiana NAACP said in a letter making a formal request to issue the warning.

Among the legislation noted: Senate Bill 159 to allow 17-year-olds to be held and tried as adults for certain violent crimes; Senate Bill 23 making the secretary of state the only official who can determine locations of alternative early voting sites; House Bill 648 that bans gender-affirming healthcare for minors; and House Bill 466, referred to by opponents as "Don't Say Gay," that restricts the discussion of gender and sexuality in public school classrooms.

"It's hateful, hurtful and disgusting," Baton Rouge NAACP President Eugene Collins said of the legislation in an interview with USA Today Network. "It's terribly troubling for our state."

The Louisiana NAACP also urges Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards to veto any of the bills it sites that win final passage and make it to his desk.

USA Today Network is seeking comment from the governor's office.

Republican Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser said he wasn't aware of the Louisiana NAACP's request, "but I'd hate to see any boycott of Louisiana that would harm the people who work in the state's fifth biggest industry." Nungesser said he needed to know more before expanding his comments.

In its letter, the Louisiana NAACP blames Republicans, which control a supermajority in both the state House and Senate, for creating "an atmosphere of fear and intimidation" in Louisiana.

Last month the NAACP issued a travel advisory in Florida because of similar legislation.

More: Louisiana set to join other states in LGBTQ bans, restrictions unless governor vetoes

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1

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NAACP Is Considering a Travel Warning for Louisiana

The state chapter of the NAACP has requested a Louisiana travel advisory.

The Louisiana chapter of the NAACP has asked the national organization to issue a travel advisory for the state, citing “a disconcerting trend of policies and actions taken by Republican legislators in the State of Louisiana that target and marginalize specific groups within the population, including African Americans, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, immigrants, and those who exercise their right to free speech.”

The request comes on the heels of the NAACP’s board of directors issuing a travel advisory for Florida last month, citing similar concerns. It should be noted that the NAACP’s travel advisories do not advise against travel, but seek to inform travelers what they may face.

The Florida advisory read, in part, “Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals. Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color.” An advisory for Louisiana would likely be similar.

The Louisiana state conference of the NAACP cited several pieces of pending legislation they considered hostile to Black and LGBTQ+ communities. The legislation calls for changes to administration of voting, calls for review of educational materials related to Black and LGBTQ+ topics, prohibits public school educators from discussing sexual orientation, and bans gender-affirming care for transgender patients under 18.

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In an interesting split-screen, New Orleans & Company, the destination marketing organization for the City of New Orleans, re-launched a 2019 program aimed at asking local businesses to actively welcome LGBTQ+ patrons (as well as those of all backgrounds and identities). The initiative includes a training program for businesses on inclusion, and distributes “Everyone’s Welcome Here” rainbow flag stickers to adorn storefronts.

Louisiana has a history of violence toward both Black and LGBTQ+ people. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Up Stairs Lounge arson—which was the deadliest crime against LGBTQ+ people in the United States up until the 2016 Pulse nightclub massacre. In June of 1973, 32 people perished in the fire at the French Quarter gay bar. The fire was later determined to be an act of arson, but the crime has never been solved, mostly owing to lack of interest in the case from local police at the time.

New Orleans Mayor La Toya Cantrell also affirmed her city’s commitment to welcoming diversity in the famously freewheeling city. “Whether as a community organizer, a City Councilmember or as Mayor, I have been steadfast in my commitment to serve all people regardless of who they are, or who they love,” said Mayor Cantrell. “New Orleans is a welcoming city that openly celebrates and embraces diversity, as it is what makes up the beautiful fabric of our great city. As a true ally who has led the charge and been on the frontlines with our community partners and organizations, everyone will always be loved and accepted here in New Orleans, and I will continue to do my part to make New Orleans a place that is more inclusive, more equitable, and more diverse as a whole.”

It is unclear what, if any impact, Louisiana could expect if the NAACP were to ultimately issue a travel advisory similar to Florida’s. Similar efforts in the past have not shown a significant impact to state tourism numbers (tourism volume is typically based on broad estimates and rarely broken down by race). The NAACP issued a travel advisory for Missouri in 2017, but subsequent years saw little change in the state’s rate of tourism growth.

Louisiana—where nearly a third of the population is Black—counts tourism as a major economic driver. The city of New Orleans is a major draw as both a cultural destination and cruise port, with attractions ranging from historical sites, world-renowned Creole and Cajun cuisine, and a vibrant music scene—in addition to a significant amount of LGBTQ+ nightlife venues.

The Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism estimated the state attracted 42.6 million visitors in 2022.

Media over reaction

Unfortunately, NO is not representative of Louisiana.  NO is open and free, unlike the majority of LA.  But fortunately, one can visit NO w/o being subjected to the bigotry & hate that permeates much of the state.  Again, unfortunately, sales taxes, etc. generated in NO, are sent to the majority bigots in Baton Rouge.

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Naacp seeking travel advisory for louisiana, citing 'concerning' policies.

BATON ROUGE - The state branch of the NAACP is asking its parent organization to issue a "national travel advisory" for Louisiana because of legislative policies and actions that it believes target and marginalize certain groups, including African Americans.

The Louisiana State Conference cited about a dozen "potentially damaging bills" that were introduced in the 2023 legislative session. With time running out on the session, it will soon be clear how many of the measures will become law.

Those singled out include SB 46 , which "provides for the review of textbooks and other instructional materials"; SB 159 , which "allows seventeen-year-olds to be held and tried as adults under certain circumstances"; and HB 646 , which "provides for the annual canvass of registered voters."

The organization lists those, and several other bills, as detrimental to the Black community. Other bills cited, the group says, would have negative effect on the LGBTQ+ community.

The State Conference is asking Gov. John Bel Edwards to veto all of the items it called out.

Louisiana NAACP officials also raised concern about a decision to halt the investigation into the death of Ronald Greene and the alleged coverup, which has been detailed through a series of reports by the WBRZ Investigative Unit.

The state organization is formally requesting a national travel advisory from the NAACP. In May, such an advisory was issued for Florida in response to what the organization called "aggressive attempts to erase Black history and to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in Florida schools."

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WBRZ reached out to the Office of the Lt. Governor, which oversees tourism in the state, for a response to the concerns. On Thursday, we received the following statement:

“Prior to Covid, we had five record breaking years in tourism. We are competing against every other state for tourism dollars. It is unfortunate that anyone would discourage people from coming to Louisiana. We have our challenges, but we should not let politics get in the way of promoting our great state and the great things we have here. The tourism industry supports over 250,000 families who need that business for their income; and, for those small businesses, the mom-and-pop operations that are struggling to get back to making a profit after the pandemic, we have to do everything we can to make sure they succeed. It’s disappointing that anyone would hurt that,” - Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser.

The complete list of bills cited by the State Conference follows.

For the African American community:

HB 70 : Amends the present law to reduce the opportunity for the reduction of a sentence and parole eligibility for offenders convicted for the fourth or subsequent time of a nonviolent felony offense.

HB 464 : Increases the minimum term of imprisonment for the possession of a firearm by a felon from five years to 10 years.

HB 646 : Provides for the annual canvass of registered voters

SB 23 makes the Secretary of State the only official who can determine the locations of alternative locations for early voting.

SB 46 : Provides for the review of textbooks and other instructional materials

SB 54 : Repeals provisions relative to police officers making arrests for certain misdemeanors and felonies.

SB 130 : Authorizes retired law enforcement officers and retired elected law enforcement department heads to carry concealed firearms if POST certified at the time of retirement.

SB 159 : Allows seventeen-year-olds (17) to be held and tried as adults under certain circumstances.

For the LGBTQIA2S+ community:

HB 466:  " Don't Say LGBTQ+ "  prevents students and educators across the state from having and providing safe, inclusive classrooms. It will block teachers from talking about LGBTQ+ issues or people, further stigmatizing LGBTQ+ people and isolating LGBTQ+ kids. HB 466 silences educators by banning the instruction and discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity during any extracurricular academic, athletic, or social activities in grades K–12. It also bans school employees and other presenters from discussing their own sexual orientation or gender identity.

HB 648: Gender Affirming Care Ban : Bans physicians from providing age-appropriate, best-practice health care for transgender minors under the age of 18. This bill contradicts guidelines recommended by every major medical association, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, and more, because gender-affirming care saves lives.

HB 81: Pronoun Restriction : Allows schools to forcibly out and intentionally misgender transgender and non-binary students.

Summary: State lawmakers are targeting LGBTQIA2S+ rights by limiting the ability to update gender information on IDs and records, weakening nondiscrimination laws, restricting free speech and expression, banning affirming care for trans youth, and blocking access to medically necessary health care. This puts transgender people at risk of losing jobs, facing harassment, and other harms.

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Naacp seeking travel advisory for louisiana amid 'concerning legislative actions'.

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The NAACP is seeking a travel advisory for LGBTQ members looking to visit Louisiana.

The request comes amid concerns of anti-LGBTQ policies in the legislature.

Some of the bills mentioned as concerning by the NAACP were the gender-affirming care bills, a bill targeting pronoun use , and a bill seeking to ban discussions of sexual orientation or gender identity in the classroom.

According to a statement issued by the NAACP, the policies have brought concerns of fear and intimidation to the LGTBQ community and other marginalized groups.

The statement read in part:

"We urge individuals, particularly African Americans, people of color, and members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, to exercise extreme caution when traveling to or within the State of Louisiana. Visitors should be aware that the state may not prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion and may have discriminatory laws or policies that disproportionately affect marginalized communities."

This warning also comes during Pride Month, where many LGBTQ events are planned in New Orleans over the next few weeks.

This weekend, the annual New Orleans Pride parade begins in the Marigny and rolls through the French Quarter.

NAACP proposes travel advisory for Louisiana after recent ‘Legislative Policies and Actions’

B ATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - The NAACP Louisiana State Conference has formally requested a national travel advisory for the state from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Officials said this comes after, “A disconcerting trend of policies and actions taken by Republican legislators in the State of Louisiana that target and marginalize specific groups within the population, including African Americans, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, immigrants, and those who exercise their right to free speech.”

Read the rest of the news release below from the NAACP Louisiana State Conference:

Recent actions under the influence of Republican legislators have fostered an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, marked by a blatant, relentless, and systemic attack on democracy and civil rights. Such policies undermine the principles of diversity and inclusion, disregarding the well-being and rights of the African American community and other marginalized groups.

In 2023, some members of the Louisiana Legislature proposed several bills with the potential to negatively impact African Americans,the LGBTQIA2S+ community, and other marginalized groups. (A detailed breakdown of these bills can be found in the appendix of this release.) In response to this legislative climate, we implore Governor John Bel Edwards to veto any or all of these pieces of legislation should they achieve endorsement from the Louisiana legislature.

Furthermore, a recent decision to halt the investigation into the death of Louisiana motorist Ronald Greene and the alleged coverup only underscores the need for this advisory. The prioritization of public safety, specifically that of African Americans and those traveling to Louisiana, cannot be guaranteed under the current state of affairs.

In consideration of these developments, we urge individuals, particularly African Americans, people of color, and members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, to exercise extreme caution when traveling to or within the State of Louisiana. Visitors should be aware that the state may not prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion and may have discriminatory laws or policies that disproportionately affect marginalized communities.

We encourage Louisiana residents to join us in our advocacy campaigns against the regressive laws that Republican legislators are enacting. We can amplify our voices to protect our democracy and civil rights when we stand together.

About the NAACP: The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to secure political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all people.

Appendix: A complete list of the potentially damaging bills proposed by the Louisiana legislature in 2023

For the African American community:

• HB 70 : Amends the present law to reduce the opportunity for the reduction of a sentence and parole eligibility for offenders convicted for the fourth or subsequent time of a nonviolent felony offense.
• HB 464 : Increases the minimum term of imprisonment for the possession of a firearm by a felon from five years to 10 years.
• HB 646 : Provides for the annual canvass of registered voters
• SB 23  makes the Secretary of State the only official who can determine the locations of alternative locations for early voting.
• SB 46 : Provides for the review of textbooks and other instructional materials
• SB 54 : Repeals provisions relative to police officers making arrests for certain misdemeanors and felonies.
• SB 130 : Authorizes retired law enforcement officers and retired elected law enforcement department heads to carry concealed firearms if POST certified at the time of retirement.
• SB 159 : Allows seventeen-year-olds (17) to be held and tried as adults under certain circumstances.

For the LGBTQIA2S+ community:

HB 466, “Don’t Say  LGBTQ+,” prevents students and educators across the state from having and providing safe, inclusive classrooms. It will block teachers from talking about LGBTQ+ issues or people, further stigmatizing LGBTQ+ people and isolating LGBTQ+ kids. HB 466 silences educators by banning the instruction and discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity during any extracurricular academic, athletic, or social activities in grades K–12. It also bans school employees and other presenters from discussing their own sexual orientation or gender identity.

HB 648: Gender Affirming Care Ban : Bans physicians from providing age-appropriate, best-practice health care for transgender minors under the age of 18. This bill contradicts guidelines recommended by every major medical association, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, and more, because gender-affirming care saves lives.

HB 81: Pronoun Restriction : Allows schools to forcibly out and intentionally misgender transgender and non-binary students.

• Summary: State lawmakers are targeting LGBTQIA2S+ rights by limiting the ability to update gender information on IDs and records, weakening nondiscrimination laws, restricting free speech and expression, banning affirming care for trans youth, and blocking access to medically necessary health care. This puts transgender people at risk of losing jobs, facing harassment, and other harms.

Recognizing the unlikely event of all the proposed legislative measures gaining favorable passage through the Louisiana Legislature, we are nonetheless extending a crucial preemptive plea to Governor John Bel Edwards. In an effort to protect his entire citizenry and tourists visiting the state, we vehemently request that he employ his authority to veto any or all of these pieces of legislation that succeed in obtaining endorsement from the Louisiana legislature.

President Michael McClanahan, NAACP Louisiana State Conference

President Eugene Collins, NAACP Baton Rouge Branch

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The Breakdown: NAACP says travel in and to Louisiana unsafe for Black and LGBTQ community members

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LOUISIANA, USA — The Louisiana NAACP believes it’s unsafe for some Black and LGBTQ community members to travel in and to Louisiana and is requesting the governor veto bills that endanger those groups.

In a press release issued Wednesday, the organization accused Republicans in Baton Rouge of fostering an “atmosphere of fear and intimidation” through some recent legislation. It then urged, “extreme caution,” to those groups visiting our state or traveling within it.

The Louisiana NAACP is now asking the NAACP National Conference to issue a travel advisory. It did so for Florida late last month after similar legislation passed.

These are the 11 bills the NAACP believes target marginalized groups in the state, some of which have been through final passage and will become law if signed by Governor John Bel Edwards.

Specifically, for the African American Community, the NAACP is concerned about:

HB 70, HB 464, HB 646, SB 23, SB 54, SB 130, and SB 159.

For the LGBTQ community, concerns include three bills that limit rights for gay and transgender kids and teenagers: HB 466, HB 648, and HB 81.

The NAACP bas requested that Governor Edwards veto those bills, should all or some of them make it to his desk.

“We vehemently request that he employ his authority to veto any or all of these pieces of legislation that succeed in obtaining endorsement from the Louisiana legislature,” a statement reads. 

The governor has not yet responded.

We have reached out to the National NAACP to ask if they’ll be issuing a travel advisory.

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Louisiana NAACP requests travel advisory, saying proposed laws target Black and LGBTQ people

by: Sydney Simone , Keymonte Avery

Posted: Jun 7, 2023 / 04:14 PM CDT

Updated: Jun 8, 2023 / 11:38 AM CDT

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s Louisiana conference has requested a national travel advisory from the NAACP.

“Well, we want people to know that Louisiana is the sportsman’s paradise, but it may not be the people’s paradise,” said Mike McClanahan, President of NAACP Louisiana State Conference.

According to the Louisiana NAACP, this comes after Louisiana Republican legislators proposed bills allegedly targeting Black people, immigrants, LGBTQ+, minorities, and those who use their right to freedom of speech.

“That’s because of some of the poor legislation that we’ve seen come out of the legislation that we feel like sets this state back decades,” said Eugene Collins, President of NAACP Baton Rouge.

The Louisiana NAACP urges Gov. John Bel Edwards to veto these bills.

“We feel like there’s a good chance, a good opportunity that that he will. But until we see that actually move, we plan on keeping this advisory in place,” said Collins.

The investigation into the death of motorist Ronald Greene was paused, and the Louisiana NAACP said in a news release that the provided reason highlights the need for a travel advisory. The NAACP said the safety of Black people and members of the LGBTQ+ community is not guaranteed.

“Gives us the idea that they try to lock black people up and that doesn’t really fall in line with what we know that process should look like. And that’s rehabilitating folks to reenter society successfully.”

Ronald Haley Jr., Attorney and Member of the NAACP said some of these bills can potentially impact our economy.

“The one area that is always stood true for Louisiana has been tourism by creating barriers in being unloving and unwelcoming policies. It’s undoubtedly going to affect us,” said Haley.

The Social Justice Chair for the local chapter said part of the change starts with the community.

“Reach out to your legislators. Oftentimes we hear them say, well, is this person a chronic voter? Meaning, you know, have they voted in the last, you know, three, four election cycles,” said Taryn Barnson, Social Justice Chair of NAACP.

According to Collins, these policies impact everyone. The state chapter is seeking approval from its national board to bring awareness across the country.

“This isn’t a safe place and our legislative session this year just simply compounded on top of that,” said Collins.

Haley said voting districts contribute to a lot of inequality when it comes to passing legislation.

“This is a trend that’s not going to extend to just Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi, and Missouri. this is going to be a national trend where we have districts that don’t represent the true population of the state,” said Haley.

We reached out to the Governor’s Office and House Republican Caucus Chair, Blake Miquez, but we have yet to hear back.

The NAACP suggests traveling with extreme caution while traveling in and through Louisiana. This comes just weeks after the national branch of NAACP issued a travel ban to Florida.

“We’re seeing more and more cases. More and more laws that are being passed that are really keeping us down as a race, and more people are becoming aware of it,” said Toeni Hudson, Co-Chair of the Social Justice Committee for NAACP.

Visit the NAACP website to learn more about their initiatives.

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Louisiana travel advisory: icy conditions shut down i-10 over atchafalaya basin bridge.

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Baton Rouge, Louisiana – The closure of Interstate 10 between St. Martin Parish and Baton Rouge, including the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge, has been announced by DOTD.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) has announced the closure of Interstate 10 in both the east and westbound directions from LA 415 (Lobdell) to the base of the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge in St. Martin Parish. This closure is a result of the severe winter weather conditions that have made the roadways unsafe for travel.

Motorists are strongly advised to refrain from using the roadways in Louisiana as many of them have become impassable due to the hazardous weather conditions. The DOTD urges people to stay off the roads whenever possible, especially if travel is not essential.

For those who do need to travel, the DOTD emphasizes the importance of exercising extreme caution. Hazardous weather conditions, such as ice and snow, can make roads slippery and dangerous. It is particularly crucial to be cautious when traveling over bridges and elevated roadways, as these areas are more prone to freezing temperatures and ice accumulation.

The DOTD will have crews continuously monitoring the state’s bridges and roadways to ensure their safety. They will be working diligently to address any issues that arise and to clear the roadways as quickly as possible.

Follow this link to view a live traffic map.

Follow this link to report a typo or other issue.

New J-Turns Open at Intersection of US 165 and LA 101 in Louisiana

Jun 4, 2024 | Louisiana State News , News , Traffic

Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana - The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has announced the opening of J-Turns at the intersection of US 165 and LA 101, designed to enhance traffic flow and safety in the area. Motorists using LA 101 at US 165 are...

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Attendees make their way through a security checkpoint to enter the Smoothie King Center to watch comedian Kevin Hart perform on the first day of the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans on Thursday, June 30, 2022.

• STAFF PHOTO BY MAX BECHERER
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Attendees receive direction on how to pass through a security checkpoint to enter the Smoothie King Center to watch comedian Kevin Hart perform on the first day of the Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans on Thursday, June 30, 2022.

Will Sutton: NAACP issued a Louisiana travel advisory, but Black folks are coming, y'all.

Will Sutton

• Author email
• Jun 20, 2023
• 2 min to read

Travel advisory or no travel advisory, Black folks are coming out for the Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans next week, y'all. Just watch.

Essence always promises a great daytime lineup of free events, panel discussions, presentations and scores of Black vendors from here and across the nation. Then there are the dynamic nighttime concerts.

We locals show up. So do thousands from elsewhere. Decisions made in Baton Rouge aren't going to change that, even though they prompted the NAACP  to issue a travel advisory for Louisiana  earlier this month.

“We urge individuals, particularly African Americans, people of color, and members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, to exercise extreme caution when traveling to or within the State of Louisiana," the advisory read. It said that Louisiana "may not prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion and may have discriminatory laws or policies that disproportionately affect marginalized communities."

I get it. Louisiana has taken actions that are challenging to and dangerous for African Americans, LGBTQIA2S+ and other marginalized or underrepresented communities. The NAACP issued a similar advisory for Florida in May, saying the state has become "openly hostile" under Gov. Ron DeSantis, as he and the legislature there have taken “aggressive" actions to significantly limit what educators can do under the umbrella of diversity, equity and inclusion programs and to erase the teaching of Black history in schools.

Here in Louisiana, the NAACP pointed to the Louisiana Legislature's efforts to target young people who are transgender in bills that ban gender-affirming care and discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation in classrooms.

"The legislation that's been coming out of that building is horrendous," Louisiana Conference President Mike McClanahan told me. He said visitors should also remember the Louisiana State Police's handling of the in-custody death of Ronald Greene, and its "illegal" redistricting. 

McClanahan told me the travel advisory is important because it brings attention to these issues, so his group and others can continue to fight to make things right.

Historically, travel advisories have been issued by governments, usually based on political turmoil or violence abroad or natural disasters. Groups like the ACLU had made this kind of move based on state actions, but the NAACP hadn't — until 2017.

The first time the NAACP issued a travel advisory focused on a specific state was when Missouri passed  Senate Bill 43 , making it harder to successfully sue a business for discrimination based on gender, race or religion.

THAT got a lot of attention.

Also in 2017, Louisiana benefitted from the North Carolina legislature's passage of HB2, the "bathroom bill," which required people to use the bathroom consistent with the gender on their birth certificate. That outraged a lot of people in and outside of the Tar Heel State. The NBA All-Star Weekend was moved from Charlotte to New Orleans , bringing a huge economic boost.

According to New Orleans and Company, Essence filled more than 95% of downtown hotel rooms on peak nights before the COVID-19 pandemic. The festival went virtual in 2020 and 2021 but bounced back in 2022 , bringing more than 84% occupancy. As of earlier this month, the anticipated occupancy for those same nights is over 87%.

Despite the NAACP travel advisory, I expect those numbers to go beyond 90% — and I expect our essential hospitality workers to make more than they do when there aren't other major events in town. 

Who are these visitors?

Based on my Essence experiences and those of friends who travel here, they are Black people from lots of other states who come for what was originally a Black women-focused event with lots of beautiful Black women in all shades and shapes. Just that is a sight to see.

On top of that, there's Black-focused education and information to stimulate our noggins, fill our tanks and stretch our thinking. And there are wares, some of which we can't find anywhere else during the year.

Then there's Black joy. Oh, what joy there is at Essence.

McClanahan said the national organization will have a field team of 30-40 people at the festival registering voters and talking to visitors about our important issues. He expects NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson to be there, too.

"We want everybody to come to Louisiana but ...we want people to take notice," McClanahan said. "We're giving people the information and they can make their own decisions."

Y'all come to Essence and New Orleans, get educated about our state's disturbing issues — and don't let anyone take your Black joy.

Email Will Sutton at [email protected] , or follow him on Twitter, @willsutton.

More information

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NAACP seeking travel advisory for Louisiana amid 'concerning legislative actions'

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Office of state travel, ppm 49 - travel policy, ost training, travel agency, ground transportation, airfare/airport, office of state travel.

The Office of State Travel is responsible for setting Louisiana's general travel regulations, known as Policy and Procedure Memorandum 49 (PPM49).  These regulations provide for more efficient administration of travel policies.  The office sets maximum standards along with clarifying, guiding, reviewing, and approving all waivers to PPM49. 

State Travel is also the state program administrator for both the State of Louisiana's LaCarte Purchasing Card Program and the State's Corporate Travel Card Program.  Its responsibility is to educate agency program administrators and manage both programs to ensure success.

State Travel Program Managers

Brenda Myers, State Travel Manager [email protected] | 225.342.8039 Shelita Woods, State Travel Manager [email protected] | 225.342.6322 Kathleen Patrick, State Travel Manager [email protected] | 225.342.8461

State Travel Help Desk

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Severe thunderstorm warnings issued for Baton Rouge area

Advocate Staff

• Author email
• Jun 4, 2024
• 1 min to read

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Baton Rouge and surrounding areas until 8 p.m. Tuesday.

East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Pointe Coupee, Livingston, East Feliciana and Ascension Parishes are all affected. 

NWS said 60 MPH winds and penny sized hail are possible.

A Tornado warning has also been issued for parts of  Tangipahoa and East Feliciania parishes until 5:45 p.m.

Residents are advised to remain alert for possible tornado conditions to follow, as they can develop quickly from sever thunderstorms. 

Entergy is reporting hundreds of power outages West Feliciana and St. Helena parishes.  

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New Caribbean travel alert: Cruise line cancels more visits to popular tropical resort

• Updated: May. 30, 2024, 12:54 p.m. |
• Published: May. 30, 2024, 7:06 a.m.

A bus set on fire by gang members at the Portail neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph) AP

• Leada Gore | [email protected]

A cruise line has canceled more visits to its private resort due to violence in the country and a new U.S. travel alert.

Royal Caribbean first suspended stops at its private resort in Labadee, Haiti in March. The suspension will now last through at least fall, the cruise line confirmed to USA Today.

“The safety and security of our guests, crew, and communities we visit are our top priority,” a spokesperson for the cruise line told USA Today. “Our Global Security and Intel Team is closely monitoring the evolving situation in Haiti, and in an abundance of caution we have suspended all visits to Labadee fleetwide through September 2024.”

Royal Caribbean will continue to “monitor and reassess calls as needed,” the spokesperson said.

READ MORE: State Department issues worldwide travel alert

Haiti is currently under a Level 4 “Do Not Visit” advisory, the highest warning from the U.S. State Department, due to gang violence and riots. According to the United Nations, more than 2,500 people were killed or injured as a result of gang violence in Haiti in the first quarter of the year. Earlier this month, Dave and Natalie Lloyd, missionaries from Missouri who were working with youth in the country, were attacked and fatally shot by gang members as they were leaving a church service.

In its latest alert, the State Department said the security situation is Haiti is “unpredictable and dangerous” and any travel there should be “conducted at your own risk.”

“The U.S. government cannot guarantee your safety traveling to airports, borders or during any onward travel” the alert said. “You should consider your personal security situation before traveling anywhere in Haiti. Only attempt to depart Haiti or travel within Haiti if you believe it is safe for you to do so.”

Among the risks cited were violent crimes, including kidnapping for ransom.

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Budgeting tips for summertime travel

42% will drive instead of fly to save money.

(InvestigateTV) — Around 91% of people planning a summer vacation are looking for ways to save on their travel , according to a new survey by  NerdWallet .

Cherry Dale with the Virginia Credit Union said there are many ways to save on trips.

“Where are you going? How are you traveling? How are you going to get there? Might it be cheaper to drive versus flying even though flying would be faster,” Dale said. “So, you’re weighing the opportunity cost of all of those decisions. Ultimately, keeping that budget in mind.”

She suggested using third-party search services like  Priceline or  Expedia  to map out potential costs and find the best deals.

Dale also advised travelers to create a realistic travel budget and to start setting money aside right away from each paycheck.

“There are costs that add up every single day that sometimes we do not budget for, and to keep in mind per person as well,” Dale noted. “So, how many people are you taking? How many are you feeding? And what are the needs of each vacationer? Because it is going to be different. Some people might want to do costly excursions, whereas other people on the vacation just want to stay at the hotel and relax.”

She advised people to carry multiple payment methods on the trip and said to alert your credit company of travel ahead of time.

Dale also recommended that people avoid tourist traps and learn from the locals. Locals can share restaurants they love that may be cheaper than the famous restaurants in the area.

Copyright 2024 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

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NCAA | May 27, 2024

2024 ncaa division i baseball championship bracket announced.

INDIANAPOLIS – The field of 64 teams competing for the 2024 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship was announced today by the NCAA Division I Baseball Committee.

The national top 16 seeds are Tennessee (50-11), Kentucky (40-14), Texas A&M (44-13), North Carolina (42-13), Arkansas (43-14), Clemson (41-14), Georgia (39-15), Florida St. (42-15), Oklahoma (37-19), NC State (33-20), Oklahoma St. (40-17), Virginia (41-15), Arizona (36-21), UC Santa Barbara (42-12), Oregon St. (42-14), and East Carolina (43-15).

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) leads the way with a record 11 teams selected from the conference. The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has eight teams in the field followed by the Big 12 (6), Sun Belt (4), Big Ten (3) and Pac-12 (3). The American Athletic, Big East, Big West, Conference USA and Missouri Valley all have two teams in the field.

High Point, Niagara, and Northern Kentucky are making their first appearances in the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, while Evansville is making its first appearance since 2006.

Vanderbilt has the longest active streak with its 18th straight appearance. Other notable consecutive streaks include Florida (16), LSU (12), Oklahoma State (11) and DBU (10).

Selection of the eight super regional hosts will be announced on www.NCAA.com/mcws , Tuesday, June 4 at 10 a.m. ET . The Men’s College World Series begins play Friday, June 14, at Charles Schwab Field Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska.

Other Selection Information

Field by Conference (30)

2024 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship Games | Friday, May 31, 2024

*all times Eastern

Athens Regional hosted by Georgia #1 Georgia (39-15) vs. #4 Army West Point (31-21), 1 p.m., ESPN+ #2 UNCW (39-19) vs. #3 Georgia Tech (31-23), 7 p.m., ESPN+ Bryan-College Station Regional hosted by Texas A&M #1 Texas A&M (44-13) vs. #4 Grambling (26-26), 1 p.m., ESPN+ #2 Louisiana (40-18) vs. #3 Texas (35-22), 6 p.m., ESPNU Chapel Hill Regional hosted by North Carolina #2 LSU (40-21) vs. #3 Wofford (41-18), 12 p.m., ESPNU #1 North Carolina (42-13) vs. #4 LIU (33-23), 6 p.m. ESPN+ Charlottesville Regional hosted by Virginia #1 Virginia (41-15) vs. #4 Penn (24-23), 12 p.m., ESPN+ #2 Mississippi St. (38-21) vs. #3 St. John’s (NY) (37-16-1), 7 p.m., ESPN+ Clemson Regional hosted by Clemson #2 Vanderbilt (38-21) vs. #3 Coastal Carolina (34-23), 12 p.m., ESPN2 #1 Clemson (41-14) vs. #4 High Point (34-25), 7 p.m., ACCN Corvallis Regional hosted by Oregon State #2 UC Irvine (43-12) vs. #3 Nicholls (38-20), 4 p.m., ESPN+ #1 Oregon St. (42-14) vs. #4 Tulane (35-24), 9 p.m., ESPNU Fayetteville Regional hosted by Arkansas #1 Arkansas (43-14) vs. #4 Southeast Mo. St. (34-25), 3 p.m., ESPN+ #2 Louisiana Tech (45-17) vs. #3 Kansas St. (32-24), 8 p.m., ESPN+ Greenville Regional hosted by East Carolina #1 East Carolina (43-15) vs. #4 Evansville (35-23), 1 p.m., ESPN+ #2 Wake Forest (38-20) vs. #3 VCU (37-21), 6 p.m., ESPN+

Tallahassee Regional hosted by Florida State #1 Florida St. (42-15) vs. #4 Stetson (40-20), 12 p.m., ACCN #2 Alabama (33-22) vs. #3 UCF (35-19), 6 p.m., ESPN+ Tucson Regional hosted by Arizona #2 DBU (44-13) vs. #3 West Virginia (33-22), 3 p.m., ESPN2 #1 Arizona (36-21) vs. #4 Grand Canyon (34-23), 9 p.m., ESPN+

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NAACP suggests travel advisory for Louisiana in light of recent legislative policies

The Louisiana State Conference of the NAACP has made an official request to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for a national travel advisory to be issued for the state.

According to the official statement, this is in response to “a disconcerting trend of policies and actions taken by Republican legislators in the State of Louisiana that target and marginalize specific groups within the population, including African Americans , members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, immigrants, and those who exercise their right to free speech.”

Due to anti-LGBTQ and other bills, NAACP urges 'extreme caution' if visiting Louisiana https://t.co/uqlNFoDV5r — NOLA.com (@NOLAnews) June 8, 2023

The current climate of fear and intimidation is the result of Republican legislators’ recent activities, which have been a flagrant, unrelenting, and systemic attack on democracy and civil rights, reported WAFB News . Policies that discriminate against African Americans and other minority groups show a lack of respect for their rights and wellbeing, according to the release.

Several proposals that could have a chilling effect on African Americans, the LGBTQIA2S+ community, and other oppressed groups were introduced in the Louisiana Legislature in 2023. In light of this legislative atmosphere, the statement calls on Governor John Bel Edwards to veto any or all of these bills if they pass the Louisiana legislature.

The need for this advisory is further emphasized by the recent decision to stop the investigation into the death of Louisiana driver Ronald Greene and the alleged cover-up. The current state of affairs raises concerns over the assurance of public safety, particularly for African Americans and individuals traveling to Louisiana.

The NAACP recommends citizens use great caution when traveling to or inside the State of Louisiana in light of these developments, especially African Americans, people of color, and members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community . The state may not value diversity, equity, and inclusion and may have discriminatory laws or policies that disproportionately harm vulnerable people. Visitors should be aware of this.

It also urges people in Louisiana to participate in lobbying campaigns in opposition to the conservative lawmakers there. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People believes that by working together, we can safeguard our democracy and civil rights.

“We encourage Louisiana residents to join us in our advocacy campaigns against the regressive laws that Republican legislators are enacting,” the statement read. “We can amplify our voices to protect our democracy and civil rights when we stand together.”

An exhaustive list of the Louisiana legislature’s potentially harmful bills is included in the appendix.

For the African American community:

HB 70 : Modifies the current statute to limit the possibility of sentence reduction and eligibility for parole for offenders convicted for the fourth or subsequent time of a nonviolent felony charge.

HB 464 : Increases the minimum sentence for a felon in possession of a gun from five years to ten years.

HB 646 : Establishes a procedure for the yearly canvass of voters.

SB 23 : makes the Secretary of State the sole person with authority over alternate early voting locations.

SB 46 : Requires textbooks and other educational materials to be reviewed.

SB 54 : Abolishes rules governing when police officers can make arrests for specific felonies and misdemeanors.

SB 130 : If POST certified at the time of retirement, it is legal for former law enforcement personnel and retired elected law enforcement department chiefs to carry concealed weapons.

SB 159 : Under certain conditions, seventeen-year-olds (17) may be detained and tried as adults.

For the LGBTQIA2S+ community:

HB 466 : “ Don’t Say LGBTQ+ ,” prohibits kids and teachers from establishing and supplying safe, inclusive schools throughout the state. This will further stigmatize LGBTQ+ people and isolate LGBTQ+ children by prohibiting teachers from discussing LGBTQ+ problems or people. By prohibiting the teaching of sexual orientation or gender identity during any extracurricular academic, athletic, or social activities in grades K–12, HB 466 silences educators. It also forbids teachers and other presenters from discussing their gender identity or sexual orientation.

HB 648 : The Gender Affirming Care Ban, prohibits medical professionals from giving age-appropriate, best-practice care to transgender kids under the age of 18. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, and other major medical associations all promote gender-affirming care, which is contrary to this measure because it saves lives.

HB 81 : Pronoun Restriction: Permits forcible outing and deliberate misgendering of transgender and non-binary pupils in schools.

Limiting the ability to alter gender information on IDs and records, undermining nondiscrimination legislation, restricting free speech and expression, prohibiting affirming care for trans youth, and obstructing access to medically essential health care are all examples of how state legislatures are undermining LGBTQIA2S+ rights. As a result, transgender people may be discriminated against in the workplace and subjected to harassment, points out the statement.

“Recognizing the unlikely event of all the proposed legislative measures gaining favorable passage through the Louisiana Legislature, we are nonetheless extending a crucial preemptive plea to Governor John Bel Edwards,” the statement continued. In an effort to protect his entire citizenry and tourists visiting the state, we vehemently request that he employ his authority to veto any or all of these pieces of legislation that succeed in obtaining endorsement from the Louisiana legislature.”

Evie Blanco is a journalist with nearly a decade of experience born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Queens, New York. She is extremely well-versed in hip-hop music and culture and is always aware of its developments. Whether it’s the latest in pop culture, a fascinating foreign destination, a truly amazing new restaurant, or breaking news, she loves to write about it all. Evie can be reached at [email protected] .

If you enjoy our perspective on travel and Black culture, please sign up for our newsletter . You should consider joining our travel club , too. Or maybe write a piece for us about your favorite destination. In other words, let’s stay connected!

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The Morning

Biden tries to close a loophole.

We explore the story behind the president’s immigration order.

By David Leonhardt

President Biden’s latest executive actions on immigration are an attempt to shrink a loophole that has allowed many people to enter the country without legal permission. That loophole is the asylum system.

In today’s newsletter, I’ll explain why experts consider the asylum system to be broken and why a long-term solution will almost certainly require a new law from Congress.

Not as intended

The modern idea of asylum stems from World War II. It is meant to protect people fleeing political oppression — Jews during the Holocaust, dissidents from the Soviet empire, Iranians after the revolution and, in recent years, Muslim Uyghurs, Afghans, South Sudanese and Ukrainians.

But asylum has expanded far beyond its original intent. Today, many migrants claim asylum even though they are not at risk of being persecuted. They instead want to move to the U.S. — understandably enough — because it is a richer, politically freer and less violent place than much of the world.

After migrants arrive at the U.S. border and request asylum, the federal government allows many to remain in the country while their cases are considered. The process can take years, partly because the system is overwhelmed and doesn’t employ enough border agents and immigration judges to decide cases quickly.

The situation has become self-reinforcing, giving more migrants reason to come to the U.S. As my colleague Miriam Jordan has explained :

It is not just because they believe they will be able to make it across the 2,000 mile southern frontier. They are also certain that once they make it to the United States they will be able to stay. Forever. And by and large, they are not wrong … Most asylum claims are ultimately rejected. But even when that happens, years down the road, applicants are highly unlikely to be deported. With millions of people unlawfully in the country, U.S. deportation officers prioritize arresting and expelling people who have committed serious crimes and pose a threat to public safety.

Two decades ago, the typical way that people tried to enter the U.S. without legal permission was to evade border agents. Today, the typical way is to surrender to agents and request asylum.

It’s true that migrants typically face difficult circumstances at home, but that alone doesn’t explain the recent surge. The 1970s and ’80s offer a telling comparison: Global poverty was far higher then than now, and much of Latin America was convulsed by political violence. Yet the number of people who tried to cross the U.S. border was far lower than in recent years.

The recognition of the asylum loophole (along with other factors, like social media and affordable airfares) is a major reason.

‘A simple truth’

As a result, the U.S. now has an immigration system that permits many more entrants than Congress intended — and many more than Americans support.

Polls show that most Americans consider illegal immigration to be a serious problem and favor tougher border security. Mayors and governors, who are dealing with the costs and turmoil associated with the surge, are also unhappy. As Noah Smith, who’s generally pro-immigration, recently wrote on Substack , “Americans like immigrants, but they strongly dislike the idea of giving up popular democratic control over immigration.”

Biden made a similar point at the White House yesterday, while surrounded by officials from border communities. “We must face a simple truth,” he said. “To protect America as a land that welcomes immigrants, we must first secure the border and secure it now.”

Biden’s executive actions are an effort to address both a substantive problem and a political threat to his re-election . The new policy, which started at midnight, prevents most people from claiming asylum if they enter the country without legal permission. They will instead have to remain in Mexico or return to their home country. The policy will remain in place unless daily migration falls well below its current level.

Legal experts are divided on whether judges will uphold Biden’s order. On the one hand, federal law calls for a generous initial approach to asylum claims. On the other hand, the Supreme Court recently ruled that immigration law “exudes deference to the president.”

Congress, of course, has the power to resolve this uncertainty. It could pass a law making clear who deserves an asylum hearing. Congress also has the power to hire more agents and judges, to reduce the system’s yearslong backlog.

Until recently, Biden and many other Democrats were uninterested in passing such a law unless it also expanded legal immigration. Democrats, sensing their political vulnerability, changed their approach late last year and agreed to a bipartisan border-security bill — only to watch Republicans kill it at the urging of Donald Trump. Trump preferred letting the border crisis fester to hurt Biden. Yesterday’s executive order was Biden’s response.

Whatever happens in the courts, the executive order may reduce migration simply by sending a signal that Biden has become more serious about border security. But the order falls well short of a lasting fix to the asylum loophole. Any true fix will have to be part of the immigration overhaul that politicians have talked about for decades and still have not passed.

Biden’s executive order is rooted in a 73-word sentence in the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Many Democrats support Biden’s move, but progressives criticized it as going too far while Republicans criticized him for not acting sooner.

Arizona Republicans voted to put a referendum before voters in November that would make unlawfully crossing the border from Mexico a state crime .

The late night hosts reacted to Biden’s executive order.

THE LATEST NEWS

Primary elections.

Representative Andy Kim won the New Jersey Democratic primary for Bob Menendez’s seat in the U.S. Senate. Menendez, on trial on bribery charges, plans to run as an independent. Curtis Bashaw, a moderate hotel developer, won the Republican primary.

Menendez’s son, Representative Rob Menendez, won a tough primary race for his House seat in New Jersey.

Biden’s Time Interview

In an interview with Time magazine , Biden blamed Hamas for the failure to reach a cease-fire deal but said Israel had made mistakes. “A lot of innocent people have been killed.”

Biden responded aggressively when asked whether he was too old to be president. “I can do it better than anybody you know,” he said.

The president said China appeared to be meddling in the campaign to help Trump. “All the bad guys are rooting for Trump, man.”

More on Politics

At Hunter Biden’s trial, prosecutors played the audiobook of his memoir and showed the jury text messages as evidence that he was abusing drugs when he applied for a gun in 2018. “Nobody is allowed to lie, not even Hunter Biden ,” one prosecutor said.

Merrick Garland, Biden’s attorney general, rebutted the false claim that the Justice Department was behind Trump’s criminal conviction in Manhattan. “That conspiracy theory is an attack on the judicial process itself ,” he said.

Wisconsin charged three former Trump advisers in a 2020 fake electors scheme .

Indian Elections

Narendra Modi claimed a third term as India’s prime minister , but his party, the B.J.P., lost seats in Parliament. He’ll need a coalition to govern, including parties that don’t share his Hindu nationalist agenda.

The weak showing punctured the aura of invincibility that had surrounded Modi. Read our reporters’ takeaways .

Congress, India’s main opposition party, has appeared diminished in recent years. Its performance in this election beat expectations .

War in Ukraine

Ukraine struck missile launchers inside Russia using American weapons , days after getting U.S. permission to do so.

Russia is building weapons with chips made in the U.S., workers in a Ukrainian lab claim. They take missiles apart in this video from The Wall Street Journal.

More International News

In Sudan, a war has displaced millions and a looming famine threatens the lives of hundreds of thousands of children. Times reporters spent three weeks traveling there .

Israel organized a campaign that used fake online accounts to push U.S. lawmakers to support the war in Gaza, a Times investigation found.

Rishi Sunak, Britain’s prime minister, and Keir Starmer, his main rival, clashed in a bad-tempered debate . Read what to know about next month’s election .

European leaders are worried that the continent can’t compete with the productivity of the U.S. and China.

Other Big Stories

Louisiana passed a bill that would let courts order the surgical castration of men convicted of sexually abusing children.

Employees accused OpenAI of failing to do enough to prevent its artificial intelligence systems from becoming dangerous .

An F.D.A. advisory panel rejected the use of MDMA — or Ecstasy — to help treat post-traumatic stress disorder. Read about MDMA therapy and its risks.

Rather than dismissing boys as privileged , progressives should sympathize with issues they face, like isolation, Ruth Whippman writes.

If the Supreme Court lets companies use bankruptcy law to limit payouts to those they have harmed, it will undermine the justice system’s ability to deter bad behavior, Melissa Jacoby writes.

Here are columns by Bret Stephens on NATO’s challenges and Thomas Edsall on A.I.

MORNING READS

Philadelphia: At this school, students young and old study music with a monastic focus .

Treasure hunt: A family discovered a rare juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton while hiking in North Dakota.

Missing: A bald eagle couple, named Nick and Nora, are searching for their eaglets after a storm in Texas, CNN reports.

Amanda Knox: She was convicted and then exonerated of murdering her housemate in Italy. Now she’s returned to court in Italy over slander charges.

Ask Well: Spray sunscreen is convenient. But does it work?

New Orleans: Read books that capture the city’s many cultural influences .

Lives Lived: Janis Paige made her mark at 22 in the all-star 1944 film “Hollywood Canteen” and became the toast of Broadway in the hit musical “The Pajama Game” before enjoying a long career on the stage, in films and on television. She died at 101 .

Men’s soccer: Real Madrid’s signing of the French star Kylian Mbappe was years in the making. Read the inside story .

Women’s soccer: The U.S. team beat South Korea after Lily Yohannes, 16, scored in the 82nd minute.

N.B.A.: The Los Angeles Lakers are close to hiring JJ Redick, a former player and ESPN broadcaster, as their head coach.

ARTS AND IDEAS

In the past few years, Saudi Arabia’s royal family has spent lavishly to improve the country’s reputation overseas. That includes a nearly trillion-dollar investment in tourism. But what is it like to travel through a country that not long ago mostly prohibited tourism and enforced strict religious codes? Stephen Hiltner, a journalist for The Times’s Travel section, took a 5,200-mile road trip across the kingdom to witness its transformation. Read about his journey .

More on culture

A former protégée accused The-Dream, a producer who has made hits with Beyoncé and Rihanna, of rape and battery . He called the allegations “untrue and defamatory.”

The Times critic Tejal Rao visited Something About Her , a Los Angeles sandwich restaurant started by two stars from Bravo’s “Vanderpump Rules.”

Sean Combs, also known as Diddy, sold his stake in Revolt , a media company he founded. Several women have sued Combs in recent months, accusing him of sexual assault.

A documentary about the Brat Pack will premiere at the Tribeca Festival. Read about five defining teen movies of the 1980s .

THE MORNING RECOMMENDS …

Cook this fast and easy summer pasta dish with shrimp, linguine, zucchini and corn.

Strengthen your friendships with a five-day challenge from Well .

Entice birds into your backyard with a smart feeder .

Keep your bedroom cool this summer.

Here is today’s Spelling Bee . Yesterday’s pangram was implant .

And here are today’s Mini Crossword , Wordle , Sudoku , Connections and Strands .

Thanks for spending part of your morning with The Times. See you tomorrow. —David

P.S. In letters to the editor, Times readers debated German Lopez’s recent newsletter on overdose trends and related coverage.

Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox . Reach our team at [email protected] .

David Leonhardt runs The Morning , The Times’s flagship daily newsletter. Since joining The Times in 1999, he has been an economics columnist, opinion columnist, head of the Washington bureau and founding editor of the Upshot section, among other roles. More about David Leonhardt

Cleanup efforts begin after brutal storms bashed Texas; nearly 400K remain without power

Editor's Note: This page is a summary of severe weather news for Wednesday, May 29. For the latest news, see our weather story for Thursday, May 30.

Localized flooding swept across much of Texas and the southern Plains Wednesday as residents began cleanup efforts from brutal storms that left a teenager dead and knocked out power to more than 1 million homes and businesses.

After a stormy warning, the National Weather Service said in an advisory Wednesday that additional severe weather would come in from the west, and multiple rounds of thunderstorms were expected Thursday and Friday. The weather service also issued severe thunderstorm warnings in parts of Colorado, North Dakota, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Florida Wednesday, with some areas bracing for golf-ball-sized hail and harsh wind gusts reaching 70 mph.

More than 380,000 utility customers in Texas were still without power Wednesday night, according to the USA TODAY outage tracker, and another 70,000 power customers remained in the dark across Kentucky, Arkansas, Virginia, and Missouri.

Oncor Electric said some Dallas area customers might not regain power until Friday.

"We recognize the hardships and inconveniences customers experience after severe storms like this one and remain focused on restoring power as quickly and safely as possible," the company said in a statement.

Some areas around Dallas were deluged with almost 2 inches of rain in less than four hours Tuesday, AccuWeather reported. Dallas saw 2.35 inches of rain in the entire month of May 2023.

The brutal storms were also impacting travel at major airport hubs. An American Airlines plane spun away from its jetway in high winds at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. The FAA issued ground stops Wednesday at the Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey and John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York due to thunderstorms.

Dallas area EMS worker shocked by brutal storm damage

Cecilia Wichmann knew storms were going to roll through the Dallas area Tuesday, but she didn’t anticipate their intensity or the widespread damage.

The 44-year-old emergency medical services worker left her home around 6 a.m. and soon arrived at headquarters in Forney, a small city just east of Dallas. Standing outside the building with some of her coworkers, she felt the temperature drop and the wind pick up.

“That’s when I saw that it was going to get bad,” she said. “The rain and the wind came out of nowhere.”

Throughout the day, she saw over a dozen 18-wheelers flipped onto their sides and at least 100-150 homes destroyed by fallen trees and wind damage. Elsewhere, a 16-year-old construction worker was killed when a building under construction collapsed around him near Houston.

Hiding in a closet in Central Texas

Kenneth Radley watched local news for hours early Tuesday, waiting to see whether the powerful storms forecast for central Texas would reach his home outside Dallas in Kaufman County. They did, unleashing a deluge of rain, hail and strong winds in a matter of seconds.

Radley rushed into a small closet off his living room – the first time he’s ever sheltered from a storm. The 79-year-old emerged to see dozens of uprooted trees and the exterior of his home shredded by hail. Wind blew off the door of his detached garage and buried his truck and golf cart under a pile of debris.

“It took us all day to dig out my truck,” Radley said. The windshield was cracked and the doors and hood were dented, but it otherwise remains drivable, he said.

Same home, different tornado in Kentucky

The powerful storms have been spreading damage far beyond Texas. In Hopkins County, Kentucky, Mark Minton has spent the last few days wondering what the odds are of tornadoes hitting the same house twice .

In 2021, more than  two dozen homes were destroyed  by an EF-4 tornado that  devastated downtown Dawson Springs , then tore off toward Minton's home in the small unincorporated community of Barnsley. On Sunday, an EF-3 tornado  followed a nearly identical path  across the county, this time touching down one mile north of Dawson Springs, tearing east toward Charleston then northeast toward Barnsley.

Minton's home was battered again.

"Statistically, this is like throwing at a dart board and hitting the same hole twice," Minton said. "We're trying to make a determination if it's safe to build or not. Because you hit two of these in a row, it's kind of hard to make that decision again." Read more here .

− Stephanie Kuzydym, Louisville Courier Journal

In Houston, 'people are scared'

Wind gusts of more than 70 mph were recorded in Dallas and Houston, and Dallas County officials issued a disaster declaration Tuesday, warning of "a multi day power outage for a significant number" of residents.

The latest storms rolled across the state just days after Memorial Day weekend saw deadly weather crash through the region, killing almost two dozen people. At least seven deaths were reported in Texas − where the misery began two weeks ago when high winds and flooding swept through the Houston area, killing at least eight people and knocking out power to some area residents for more than a week.

“A lot of people are without power again," Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, the top elected official in the county that includes Houston, said in a social media post. "We just got through with the derecho a couple of weeks ago, which was extremely devastating and many are still trying to recover from. And so I know people are scared.”

In Forney, 'people were caught off-guard'

In Forney, Wichmann and her colleagues headed inside and took refuge in the operations center, surrounded by 911 dispatchers taking a steady stream of calls. Rain and hail pounded on the windows as the power went out and bright flashes of lightning lit up the sky. A “bang” cut through the bellows of thunder and sent the emergency workers searching for the source: a smashed-in bay door.

After an hour or so, Wichmann and her partner headed out to survey the damage and respond to emergency calls. The building across the street had its roof ripped off. Streets were covered in mounds of mangled debris and tree limbs. And cars were submerged in floodwaters.

Between calls, she watched live footage from inside her own home to check on her two dogs: a Dalmatian named Twix and her Great Dane, Bam Bam.

“I didn’t really have any damage at my place so they were OK, thankfully,” she said. "This is absolutely one of the worst storms I've seen in years. People were definitely caught off-guard.”

Dallas disrupted by storm

In the Dallas area, power outages prompted election officials to extend polling hours for the state's runoff elections. Northeast of Dallas, the Royse City First United Methodist Church was destroyed in a blaze that firefighters tentatively blamed on a lightning strike from the storm.

Amanda Murski's Range Rover was crushed in her daughter's Dallas driveway − buried by a giant tree uprooted by straight-line winds.

"It was unbelievable the winds were crazy," Murski told Fox4news.com . "It's just a vehicle. It's OK."

More counties added to Texas disaster list

Federal emergency management officials approved Gov. Greg Abbott's request to add Collin, Cooke, Denton and Montague counties to the list of more than a dozen Texas counties already approved in the disaster declaration. The declaration allows FEMA to provide funds for temporary housing, emergency home repairs, property losses, disaster legal services and medical and funeral expenses caused by the disaster.

Here's why the storm season seems so busy

With at least 850 confirmed tornadoes so far and several major tornado outbreaks, 2024 ranks among the busiest years in recorded history . Even some of the most veteran storm chasers have been astounded by tornado activity so far this year. The U.S. has already seen four days with at least 30 tornadoes rated EF-1 or stronger, said Harold Brooks, a senior scientist at the National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Oklahoma. The average is two a year.

Meteorologists interviewed by USA TODAY blame an active jet stream, coupled with a series of powerhouse storms rolling from the West Coast across the nation's midsection. It has "been a great recipe for numerous severe thunderstorms and tornadoes" over the past few weeks, said meteorologist Peter Mullinax of the  Weather Prediction Center. Read more here .

− Elizabeth Weise, Dinah Voyles Pulver, and Doyle Rice