Latest news with #JeffLandry
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Starting Aug. 1, registered Independents will be automatically changed to "No Party"
The Louisiana Secretary of State's office announced Monday that starting August 1, all registered Independent voters will have their party affiliation changed to 'No Party'. The change will eliminate voter confusion and ensure that voters who do not wish to be affiliated with any party can participate in the Closed Party Primaries beginning in 2026, according to the Louisiana Secretary of State's office. "Many Louisiana voters who are registered as Independents mistakenly believe they are unaffiliated with any political party, when in fact they are members of the Independent Party," Governor Jeff Landry stated in a news release. "This proactive change will allow voters formerly registered as Independents to participate in Closed Party Primaries next year, preventing voter confusion while maximizing participation." More: Will you be able to vote or run in Louisiana's future closed party primary elections? Louisiana will adopt the Closed Primary System beginning in 2026, created by the Legislature in Act 1 of the 2024 First Extraordinary Session. During party primaries, Democratic voters are only eligible to cast ballots in the Democratic primary, Republican voters are restricted to voting in the Republican primary, and voters registered as 'No Party' have the option to choose the party primary they wish to participate in. However, 'No Party' voters must stick with that party through the first round and the party primary runoff, if one occurs. How can you check your party affiliation? To learn more, or to check your party affiliation, visit or download the GeauxVote Mobile App. Follow Ian Robinson on Twitter @_irobinson and on Facebook at This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Independents will automatically become "No Party" voters Aug. 1
Axios
a day ago
- Politics
- Axios
New Louisiana laws you should know
Starting Aug. 1, Louisianans will need to nix their kratom use and keep their hands off their cellphones while driving. The latest: The rules are among new state laws going into effect Friday. Catch up quick: Though the legislative session that brought state lawmakers to Baton Rouge earlier this year was focused on money matters, other new laws made it to Gov. Jeff Landry's desk, too. Some new laws, like a bill making the drug ivermectin more easily-accessible through over-the-counter purchases, are already effective. Others won't be enforceable until future dates, like a new restriction on artificial food dyes and additives in school foods, which administrators will have to contend with starting in 2028. Here's a look at the new laws taking Aug. 1: 🍃 Cratering kratom: Louisiana becomes the latest state to ban kratom, a plant native to Southeast Asia and used to self-medicate for pain, anxiety, depression and other conditions, according to the FDA, which has not approved its use. 🤳 Drop the phone: It'll be illegal to hold a cellphone while driving, with exceptions for hands-free calls and navigating. Yes, but: Law enforcement should only issue warnings until Jan. 1, 2026, after which drivers will face fines. 🗳️ Independents no more: Any Louisiana voter registered as a member of the Independent Party will instead be listed as having "no party," according to the secretary of state's office. It's part of the state's shift to a closed party primary system for some elections beginning in 2026. 🐌 Move over, slowpokes: Slow drivers who hang out in the left lanes of traffic will find themselves facing heftier fines for failing to keep pace. ✈️ Chemtrail ban: Aircraft can no longer release " chemtrails," a conspiracy theory-based idea that chemicals are released from the vapor threads seen behind airplanes. 📚 The Caleb Wilson Law: College students will have a new anti-hazing course requirement if they participate in some student organizations. It was inspired by Southern University student Caleb Wilson's death earlier this year.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Distracted Driving Law: From August 1, drivers in this US state face $100 fines for… Here's what law says, what is banned, exemptions, penalties
Drivers across Louisiana will soon face new restrictions on phone use while driving. A state law, set to take effect August 1, targets distracted driving by imposing penalties on those caught using cell phones behind the wheel. The rule aims to reduce the number of accidents caused by phone-related distractions. What the new Louisiana Distracted Driving Law Says? Under the new law, Louisiana drivers will be fined if they are found using handheld devices while operating a vehicle. The base fine will be $100. If the offense takes place in a school zone or a construction area, the fine will increase to $250. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Cybersecurity Artificial Intelligence MBA Leadership Degree Finance Project Management Public Policy others Healthcare Data Science Digital Marketing Others Design Thinking Management PGDM Technology Product Management Data Science MCA Data Analytics CXO healthcare Operations Management Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months MIT xPRO CERT-MIT xPRO PGC in Cybersecurity Starts on undefined Get Details Louisiana Distracted Driving Law: What Is Banned? The law specifically prohibits writing, reading, or sending text-based communication. It also bans accessing or posting on social media. Even if drivers are using hands-free systems, texting or emailing is still not allowed. However, the law does not prohibit all phone use. Drivers may still answer calls using hands-free devices like Apple Watches. They are also allowed to use their phones while waiting at a red light. Louisiana Distracted Driving Law: What Exemptions are Included? Certain individuals and situations are exempt from the law. Paramedics using radios and drivers reporting an accident are allowed to use devices. These exceptions ensure emergency and critical communication is not hindered. Live Events Also Read: How Social Security works? Here's how many Americans understand the basics as per AARP Survey Louisiana Distracted Driving Law: When will Penalties Begin? Although the law will take effect on August 1, 2025, Louisiana has announced a grace period. During this period, no fines will be issued. Enforcement will begin in January 2026, giving drivers time to adapt to the new rules. Louisiana Distracted Driving Law: Why Was the Law Introduced? According to the Louisiana Department of Insurance, over one-fourth of all car accidents involve cell phone use. This includes both handheld and hands-free devices. This data prompted the state to strengthen its distracted driving laws. Governor Jeff Landry commented, 'Finally, this year we were able to pass a distracted driving bill.' He emphasized the law's role in reducing crashes. Similar Laws in Other States Louisiana is not alone in passing stricter distracted driving laws. Pennsylvania introduced the 'Paul Miller's Law' in June 2025. This law bans phone use even when drivers are stopped at red lights. It includes a grace period, and fines will start in June 2026. Iowa also enacted a hands-free law on July 1, 2025. Fines will begin in January 2026 and start at $100. Alaska once had one of the nation's harshest penalties for texting and driving. Fines went up to $10,000. However, enforcing the law was difficult, so penalties were reduced. Also Read: What to Watch This Weekend: New movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, Apple TV, HBO Max and more What Other Behaviors Cause Distractions? Distracted driving includes more than just phone use. Other common distractions are: Adjusting radio or GPS settings Applying makeup Eating and drinking Reaching into the backseat Searching glove compartments or purses These actions take attention away from the road and hands off the wheel, increasing accident risks. How Drivers Can Prevent Distractions? To avoid distractions, drivers can: Enable 'Do Not Disturb' or 'Driving Mode' on phones Place phones in glove boxes or the back seat Park before responding to texts or calls Allow passengers to handle communications Demonstrate safe driving to others These actions help reduce accidents and promote safer roads. FAQs What does Louisiana's distracted driving law ban? It bans texting, emailing, and using social media while driving, even with hands-free systems. Calls are allowed only through hands-free devices. When will Louisiana start issuing fines? Although the law starts on August 1, 2025, fines will not be enforced until January 2026 due to a grace period. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Louisiana lawmakers decline to hold veto override session
Gov. Jeff Landry addresses the Louisiana Legislature on opening day of legislative session, Monday, April 14, 2025, at the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge. (Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate-Pool) The Louisiana Legislature has declined to reconvene for a veto override session this year. The majority of lawmakers – 87 members of the House of Representatives and 29 in the Senate – voted not to hold a special session in which lawmakers try to overturn Gov. Jeff Landry's rejection of bills. In all, the governor vetoed 15 pieces of the legislation and removed portions of three budget proposals that legislators could have voted to reinstate. The legislation Landry rejected dealt with matters ranging from new registered dietician regulations to a prohibition on outdoor balloon releases. Veto override sessions are extremely rare in Louisiana. There have been just three in the past 50 years, and they all took place from 2021-23. At the time, state government was politically divided with Democrat John Bel Edwards as governor and Republicans controlling the two legislative chambers. Edwards and the GOP legislative leadership were at odds over topics such as transgender rights and political redistricting. Landry and legislative leaders are all Republicans, making it much less likely lawmakers would openly buck the governor to overturn one of his decisions. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gov. Landry says coastal restoration project ‘no longer financially or practically viable'
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has weighed in on the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project. Landry posted a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, Monday morning, saying, 'The Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project, in its current form, is no longer financially or practically viable. Beyond the financial concerns, the MBSD threatens Louisiana's seafood industry, our coastal culture, and the livelihoods of our fishermen—people who have sustained our state for generations. @LouisianaCPRA is now moving forward with another coastal restoration plan—one that balances our environmental goals with the needs of all citizens, businesses, and industries.' Landry's statement comes after the cancellation of the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project on Thursday, July 17. The coastal project was started in 2023 and funded by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement. It was intended to repair the disappearing coastline along the Gulf. Landry names new executive director of Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Latest News East Baton Rouge deputies, SWAT arrest burglary suspect after clash with homeowner WATCH: Delta flight makes emergency landing at LAX after engine catches fire Trump administration appeals Jenner & Block win over executive order Livingston Parish receives $476K grant for new weather stations Trump admin releases FBI records on MLK Jr. despite his family's opposition Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
