La. Guard's 256th Infantry Brigade honored before deployment
PINEVILLE, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — Around 700 soldiers from the Louisiana National Guard's 256th Infantry Brigade Combat team were honored during a deployment ceremony in Lafayette, April 13.
The ceremony, held at the Cajundome Convention Center in Lafayette, was attended by several luminaries. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, Major General Thomas Friloux, Command Sergeant Major Clifford Ockman, and others graced the stage.
Governor Landry, a former member of the 256th, thanked the soldiers, saying, 'I would like to express my gratitude to each and every one of the Soldiers who are seated here today.' Major General Friloux added, 'I have all the confidence in the world that you will do an outstanding job on this deployment.'
The 'Tiger Brigade' is deploying in support of Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo and Operation Enduring Freedom—Horn of Africa to provide security and support to U.S. and partner organizations.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Axios
6 hours ago
- Axios
What Louisiana lawmakers passed in 2025
Louisiana lawmakers wrapped up their legislative session on Thursday, putting a bow on 60 days of deal making and budgeting. Why it matters: Gov. Jeff Landry has already pulled out his pen to start signing new legislation, making official more than 100 new laws by Friday. The big picture: Because this year's session was all about the state's financials, lawmakers had limited ability to focus on other priorities. But limited does not mean none, so there are still changes to state laws that you should know about. Here's a look at some of this session's most notable edits: 💰 Budget passes: The state got a $51 billion budget for the fiscal year that starts in July. Notable line items include: $1.8 million for the manhunt stemming from the New Orleans jail escape, according to the AP. $1.2 billion in one-time funds from a state savings account to pay for infrastructure improvements, plus site prep for future economic development pitches. No additional funding for Landry's LA GATOR school voucher program, according to the Louisiana Illuminator. Teachers and support staff will get some pay increases through HB 466, which the state will pay for with education trust funds. 🚙 Car insurance changes: Heading into this session, Landry eyed changes that he believes could help lower car insurance rates for Louisiana citizens. Landry signed legislation to give the state insurance commissioner more authority to reject rate increases, offer discounts for dashcams for some trucking companies, prevent undocumented immigrants from collecting damages in car accidents and other changes. 🍎 MAHA trends: Some lawmakers prioritized legislation inspired by HHS Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr's. "Make America Healthy Again" policies. Sen. Patrick McMath's bill that bans some artificial food dyes and additives from school foods got the OK. Restaurants would also have to post if they use seed oils. With Landry's signature, it would take effect in 2028. Lawmakers also approved a now-signed bill to ban " chemtrails," a conspiracy theory-based idea that chemicals are released from the vapor threads seen behind airplanes. Ivermectin, which some MAHA influencers say can help cure coronavirus despite studies showing it is ineffective, would become accessible in over-the-counter purchases, with Landry's signature. Another MAHA-adjacent bill to ban fluoride in the state's water did not pass. 🤳 Talking while driving: With Landry's signature, it'll soon be illegal to hold a cell phone while driving. Law enforcement are instructed to issue warnings until Jan. 1, 2026, after which drivers would face fines. 🎓 UNO merges into LSU system: Facing ongoing financial struggles, the New Orleans university will now be part of the flagship university's system. Go deeper from The Times-Picayune. Other school updates include a new TOPS award for students who score at least a 31 on the ACT and a two-hour course requirement on hazing for students who participate in student organizations. It was inspired by Southern University student Caleb Wilson's death earlier this year. 💨 Kratom ban: The herbal substance, which critics say has abuse potential, will be banned, with Landry's signature. 🎈 Balloon releases banned: The rest of the state caught up with New Orleans' ban on balloon releases after ongoing power outage issues, according to Louisiana First News. 💊 What we're watching: Landry has threatened to call a special session to address prescription drug costs. A controversial bill was scuttled in the 11th hour on Thursday after a fierce battle between some of the largest pharmacy benefits managers, like CVS, and Landry and his supporters, who sought to ban companies from owning PBMs and pharmacies. The bill, however, would not take effect until 2027, so Sen. Cameron Henry told The Times-Picayune he doesn't see the point in holding a special session for an issue that could be taken up next year instead.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Louisiana's Congressional Art winner visits U.S. Capitol
WASHINGTON, D.C. (KTAL/KMSS) – This week Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, of Louisiana's 4th congressional district, welcomed Louisiana's 2025 Congressional Art Competition winner to the U.S. Capitol. On Thursday, representatives from Speaker Johnson's office shared photos of Grace Rougeau of Leesville, Louisiana visiting the United States Capitol during the 2025 Congressional Art Competition Celebration. Rougeau won first place for her painting, 'Craw-Fever'. The painting will hang in the U.S. Capitol for one year. More Louisiana News The Congressional Art Competition is a nationwide, visual art contest for high school students. One piece of artwork from each congressional district is chosen by a panel of judges to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year. Representatives from Speaker Johnson's office say the second, third, and fourth place selections will also be displayed in Johnson's congressional offices. 2025 Louisiana Congressional Art Competition Winners: 1st: 'Craw-Fever' by Grace Rougeau, Faith Training Christian Academy2nd: 'Glow of the Magnolia' by Ava Agee, Airline High School3rd: 'Serene' by Samirah Etienna, South Beauregard High School4th: 'Bayou's Serenity' by EMantyi Mosby, Airline High School Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Gov. Landry threatens special session over failed prescription drug prices bill
A pharmacy technician fills a container with pills to put into a drug dispensing machine for an automated line at a pharmacy in Midvale, Utah. () A low heat that's simmered for weeks over an attempt to lower prescription drug prices in Louisiana increased to a boil Thursday in the waning hours of the state legislative session, with Gov. Jeff Landry saying he will bring lawmakers back to Baton Rouge to address prescription drug policy. The eight-week regular session ended with lawmakers backing the less stringent of two measures aimed at regulating pharmacy benefit managers, often referred to as PBMs or 'middlemen' that oversee prescription drug programs for insurance companies and large employers. PBMs have faced increasing criticism from patient advocate groups who blame them for high medication prices, while independent drugstore owners say they unfairly favor large corporate pharmacies. Some of the country's largest pharmacy chains, including CVS, also operate a PBM, which critics have said leads fewer pharmacy and medication options for consumers. Landry wanted lawmakers to pass a more aggressive bill that would have prohibited companies from owning drug stores and pharmacy benefit managers, which would have threatened companies such as CVS who own both. The Senate declined to bring House Bill 358, by Rep. Dustin Miller, D-Opelousas, up for a final vote, however, allowing it to die before the legislative session ended. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Instead, the legislature passed what had been seen as a compromise between the corporate chains and independent pharmacists in House Bill 264, by Rep. Mike Echols, R-Monroe. The bill requires PBMs to be more transparent about their practices with state regulators and to pass more prescription savings on to consumers. The Senate also hastily drafted and approved a resolution instructing the Louisiana Department of Health to study the impact of banning PBMs from also owning pharmacies and to produce a report on the subject ahead of the legislature's 2026 regulation session next March. ,Landry was upset the lawmakers didn't go farther, however, and threatened to haul the lawmakers back into session later this summer to pass the same proposal. 'Yes we will have a special session to lower prescription drugs for our citizens. It's that important!' Landry said in an email from his spokeswoman Kate Kelly shortly before the bill failed. It's not clear when the governor would call a special session focused on PBMs. Several lawmakers said he was already on his way to France for the International Paris Air Show which starts Monday. He cannot sign off on the paperwork needed for a special session while outside of the state of Louisiana. Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, told reporters after adjournment the complexity of Miller's bill, along with feedback from stakeholders, led to the decision to back alternative measures. . 'The more that members had the opportunity to really digest what that bill would do – and the conversations they were having back home with both their local pharmacy, the chain pharmacist, who it was going to affect – we really had a difficult time getting a true grasp of what the bill was going to do,' Henry said. The Senate president said opposition from senators to the Miller bill grew over the day Thursday as more constituents and lobbyists reached out to members. He also said a special session on PBM legislation seems unnecessary because the Landry-backed bill wasn't even supposed to get implemented for another two years. 'I don't know why you would call a special session for a bill that doesn't take effect until 2027,' Henry said. Arkansas approved a law similar to the Miller bill earlier this year and currently faces federal lawsuits from two of the country's largest pharmacy benefit managers. Henry expressed reluctance to follow their lead. The Miller proposal drew strong opposition from a plaintiff in one of the Arkansas cases – CVS, which owns the pharmacy benefit manager CVS Caremark. Its campaign to defeat the bill included sending text messages to thousands of members of the public, including state employees and their families Thursday, which led the governor to direct Attorney General Liz Murrill to investigate the company's actions. CVS Caremark contracts with the state Office of Group Benefits for billions of dollars to manage insurance coverage for state employees and retirees. 'This is not an appropriate use of personal information obtained through a state contract.' Murrill said Thursday morning in a news release. CVS had said the Miller bill would force it to close more than 125 stores in Louisiana, leading 2,700 employees to lose their jobs. 'Closing drug stores doesn't lower drug prices. Forcing out 20% of the state's pharmacies only makes pharmacy deserts worse,' Amy Thibault, CVS executive director of corporate communications, said in an email. When Echols made the final pitch for his compromise legislation Thursday in the House, he singled out CVS for criticism, noting he had talked with Murrill about her pursuing charges against the company for violating terms of its state contract when it sent its mass text message to state workers. 'This House is not for sale. This legislature cannot be bullied,' Echols said. Randal Johnson, with the Louisiana Independent Pharmacies Association, said the Echols bill will be a vast improvement over the current PBM regulations in Louisiana. 'We believe the consumer will have an opportunity to find out what their drugs costs, and the consumer will have the opportunity to have a less expensive cost of medication' under the Echols legislation, Johnson said. A special session can last no longer than 30 days, and its subject matter will be limited to what Landry wants to discuss if he decides to call it. Piper Hutchinson contributed to this report. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
