Caddo Commission to Vote on Resolution Opposing Louisiana Congressional Redistricting
By Dr. Carla Buntyn, PhD
May 18, 2026 | SHREVEPORT, LA
The Caddo Parish Commission is expected to vote next week on a resolution opposing the Louisiana Legislature’s redistricting of the state’s United States congressional districts. The resolution was introduced by Caddo Commissioner and Commission President Gregory Young and is listed on the upcoming work session agenda.
The proposed resolution, titled “A Resolution Opposing the Louisiana Legislature’s Redistricting of Louisiana’s United States Congressional Districts,” has sparked mixed reactions among commissioners, with some voicing strong support while others question whether the issue falls within the scope of local government.
The Gazette reached out to Commissioner Young to discuss the motivation behind the resolution ahead of Monday’s work agenda session. Young stated:
“The people of Louisiana deserve fair representation, not political maps designed to silence communities and weaken minority voting power. These racially driven redistricting efforts undermine public trust, divide our state, and threaten the fundamental principle that every citizen's vote should carry equal weight. We must reject discrimination in any form and support transparent, lawful district maps that reflect fairness, accountability, and equal representation for all Louisianans.”
The Gazette also spoke with Commissioner Stormy Gage-Watts, who expressed support for the resolution.
“I support this resolution opposing Louisiana’s congressional redistricting because it threatens fair representation, weakens minority voting power, and prioritizes political advantage over communities’ voices. Everyone deserves districts drawn to ensure stability, equal influence in every neighborhood, and maps that protect the integrity of elections; not outcomes that dilute voters after the fact.”
Commissioner Victor Thomas also confirmed his support for the resolution.
“I will be voting in support of Res. 36. I stand with our President in opposition to the dilution of my vote and the votes of countless residents across Louisiana who are now being told they do not deserve fair representation. At a time like this, it is more important than ever for citizens to exercise their right to vote and remain engaged in the democratic process. I will continue doing all I can to encourage participation, civic awareness, and advocacy throughout our communities.”
Not all commissioners share the same position. Commissioner Chris Kracman stated that he believes the commission should remain focused on local government matters, saying, “the subject is too broad.”
Meanwhile, Commissioner Roy Burrell confirmed that he plans to support the resolution.
The resolution is expected to be discussed during the upcoming Caddo Commission meetings. The commission’s work session is scheduled for Monday at 3:30 p.m., followed by the regular commission meeting on Thursday at 3:30 p.m.
Shreveport City Employees Experience Payroll Delay on Scheduled Pay Day
By The Ark-La-Tex Gazette Staff
May 18, 2026 | SHREVEPORT, LA
City of Shreveport employees, including members of the Shreveport Police Department, the Mayor’s Office, City Council, and other municipal departments, did not receive their scheduled paychecks on Friday morning. City employees are typically paid twice a month, on the 15th and the 30th.
The Gazette spoke with Dr. Michael Carter, president of the Shreveport Police Officers Association and Commander of Area 2, regarding the payroll delay. Dr. Carter expressed concern about the impact a delayed payroll could have on city workers, particularly employees earning minimum wages of around $14 per hour who may already face financial hardships, including healthcare costs and potential overdraft fees.
During an appearance on KEEL Radio, Mayor Tom Arceneaux said the issue stemmed from a personnel-related error. The Gazette also spoke with Chief Administrative Officer Tom Dark, who described the situation as a minor mistake involving Chase Bank and personnel processing.
According to Dark, deposits were processed and made to employee accounts on May 15. All employees will be paid today.
Mayor Arceneaux also stated that if any employees incur overdraft fees due to delayed payroll deposits, the city will review and handle those cases on a case-by-case basis.
Tensions flared as Louisiana begins Redistricting
By The Ark-La-Tex Gazette Staff
May 18, 2026 | BATON ROUGE, LA
Louisiana drivers may soon stop using vehicle inspection stickers after state lawmakers voted to end the long-running program. The Louisiana Senate approved the measure in a 27-7 vote, and the bill is expected to be signed by Governor Jeff Landry. If signed into law, the change will begin on Jan. 1, 2027.
Drivers will still need to keep their vehicles safe and properly registered through the end of 2026. After the new law takes effect, police will no longer issue tickets for expired inspection stickers on most personal vehicles. However, some parishes, including East Baton Rouge and Ascension, will still require emissions testing because of federal environmental rules.
State leaders say the current inspection system is outdated and inconvenient. Louisiana plans to replace inspection stickers with a QR-code system connected to vehicle registration information. Lawmakers also plan to replace the inspection fee with a smaller registration charge.
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Due to Redistricting, Louisiana Reschedules House Primaries
By The Ark-La-Tex Gazette Staff
May 18, 2026 | BATON ROUGE, LA
Court rulings requiring Louisiana to revise its congressional district boundaries have led to the cancellation of congressional races that were originally scheduled for the May 16 election. Although some ballots or voting machines may still show those races, any votes cast for congressional candidates will not be counted.
Voters in Caddo Parish may also see local measures and municipal propositions on their ballots, depending on their area of residence. Officials are encouraging residents to look over their sample ballots ahead of Election Day so they know what to expect when voting.
Commissioner Steffon Jones Cleared the Air on Voting Record
By The Ark-La-Tex Gazette Staff
May 18, 2026 | SHREVEPORT, LA
This week, Commissioner Steffon Jones cleared the air on a previous report that he was an inactive voter in the state of Louisiana. The Ark-La-Tex Gazette staff contacted Commissioner Jones who stated, “I was placed on the inactive voters list after an address verification was sent out to my address came back returned to the Caddo Voter Registration Office. I am an active voter which can be verified by my voting record.” Subsequently, the Gazette verified through Secretary of State public records that Commissioner Jones voted in 7 of the last 10 elections, but because of a need to confirm his address, he showed inactive.
Both state and federal law require states to maintain updated and accurate voter rolls. A voter is placed on the inactive list for only two reasons: the voter has not had any activity, including voting, in the last 10 years; or the voter’s address could not be verified by their parish Registrar of Voters during routine voter list updates, known as canvassing, or because of returned mail, which is the situation that Jones experienced. Jones stated, “I am eligible to vote in the upcoming election. I will be voting this Saturday at my polling location as I always do. Once I vote this Saturday, I will be removed from that list because my address will be verified.”
Jones’ situation raises a larger concern about the number of citizens that vote regularly but may have been placed on the inactive list.
Cassidy Ousted in Louisiana GOP Senate Race
By The Ark-La-Tex Gazette Staff
May 18, 2026 | BATON ROUGE, LA
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy was eliminated from the Louisiana Republican U.S. Senate primary as voters advanced two Trump-backed candidates to a runoff election, according to election results reported by KTBS News and Louisiana election officials. The outcome marks a significant shift in the state’s Republican political landscape heading into the 2026 election cycle.
The race narrowed to candidates identified as Letlow and Fleming, both of whom received support from former President Donald Trump and aligned political groups. Cassidy’s defeat ends his bid for the Republican nomination, despite his long tenure in Congress and national recognition within the party.
Election officials reported that no candidate reached the required threshold to secure the nomination outright, triggering a runoff between the top two finishers. The contest has drawn national attention due to its implications for Republican control of the Senate seat and broader party influence in Louisiana.
Political analysts say the results reflect ongoing divisions within the Republican Party between establishment-aligned incumbents and candidates backed by Trump’s political movement. Louisiana has become a key battleground state for GOP primary contests, particularly in federal races.
Supporters of the advancing candidates argue the results show voter demand for new leadership and stronger alignment with national conservative priorities. Cassidy’s campaign has not yet issued a detailed public response to the outcome, according to early reports.
Republican and Democratic strategists are now focusing on the upcoming runoff, which is expected to draw significant outside spending and national attention. The winner will move on to face the Democratic nominee in the general election later this year.
According to early reports, both campaigns are preparing for an intensified runoff phase, with voter outreach and fundraising efforts expected to accelerate in the coming weeks as Louisiana’s Senate race takes center stage in national politics.
Atkins, Green Advance to Louisiana PSC General Election
By The Ark-La-Tex Gazette Staff
May 18, 2026 | BATON ROUGE, LA
Candidates Richard Atkins and Green will face off in the November general election for a seat on the Louisiana Public Service Commission after advancing from the primary, according to results reported by state election officials. The seat plays a key role in regulating utilities, including electricity, natural gas and telecommunications across Louisiana.
The Louisiana Public Service Commission oversees rates and services provided by major utility companies operating in the state. The commission’s decisions directly affect residential and commercial energy costs, making the race closely watched by both consumers and industry stakeholders.
Atkins and Green emerged as the top two finishers in a competitive primary field that included multiple candidates seeking the open seat. According to election officials, no candidate received a majority vote, triggering a general election runoff scheduled for November.
Political observers say the race could influence future regulatory decisions on energy pricing, infrastructure investment and utility oversight. Louisiana’s PSC has historically played a central role in balancing consumer protections with utility company operations, especially during periods of rising energy costs.
Campaign messaging from both candidates has focused on affordability, infrastructure reliability and accountability in utility regulation. Supporters of each candidate say their preferred choice will prioritize consumer interests while ensuring stable service across the state.
Local political analysts note that PSC races often receive less attention than statewide or federal elections but carry significant financial impact for households and businesses due to their influence on monthly utility bills.
According to early reports, both campaigns are expected to increase outreach efforts ahead of the November election, including public forums, advertising and stakeholder engagement as voters prepare to decide who will represent their district on the commission.
Texarkana Rally Opposes Proposed AI Data Centers
By The Ark-La-Tex Gazette Staff
May 18, 2026 | TEXARKANA, AR/TX
The Arkansas Supreme Court has issued a ruling in a case involving paper ballot procedures, ending a legal dispute over which state authority has jurisdiction in election-related matters. The decision is expected to impact how election laws are enforced across Arkansas.
According to court documents and state officials, the case centered on whether local or state authorities hold final control over certain election procedures involving paper ballots. The court’s ruling clarifies that jurisdiction rests at the state level, limiting the authority of local governments in setting or interpreting those rules.
Election law experts say the ruling could lead to more uniform ballot procedures across the state. Supporters argue that statewide control helps ensure consistency in elections and reduces confusion among voters and election workers. Opponents of centralized control had argued that local jurisdictions are better positioned to manage election logistics based on community needs.
The case drew attention from election officials, advocacy groups, and legal analysts because of ongoing national debates about voting systems and election security. Paper ballots remain a key part of Arkansas’s voting process, and any changes in oversight can affect training, procedures, and administration at polling sites.
State election officials said they are reviewing the ruling to determine if any administrative updates are needed before upcoming elections. County clerks and local boards of election are also expected to receive guidance on how to implement the decision.
According to early reports, no immediate changes to voting procedures are expected for ongoing election cycles. However, officials say longer-term adjustments may be necessary as the state aligns regulations with the court’s interpretation. Further clarification from state election authorities is expected in the coming weeks.
LSU Shreveport Reports Largest Graduation Class on Record
By The Ark-La-Tex Gazette Staff
May 18, 2026 | SHREVEPORT, LA
LSU Shreveport reported its largest graduating class in school history this year, with nearly 85 students receiving master’s degrees, according to KSLA News and university officials. The milestone reflects continued growth in graduate enrollment and expanded academic programs at the university.
University leaders said the record-setting class highlights increased demand for advanced degrees in fields such as business, education, and healthcare administration. Officials also noted that online and hybrid learning options have contributed to higher enrollment by making programs more accessible to working adults across Louisiana and surrounding states.
The graduation milestone comes as LSU Shreveport continues efforts to expand its academic reach and strengthen workforce development partnerships in the Ark-La-Tex region. Administrators say the university has focused on aligning degree programs with regional job market needs, particularly in high-demand professional fields.
Education experts say graduate enrollment growth nationwide has been influenced by changing workforce expectations, with more employers encouraging or requiring advanced degrees for leadership and specialized roles. LSU Shreveport’s expansion reflects similar trends seen across public universities in the South.
Students in the graduating class represented a wide range of academic backgrounds and professional goals. Many balanced full-time jobs while completing their degrees, a factor university officials say demonstrates the flexibility of the institution’s graduate programs.
According to early reports, LSU Shreveport plans to continue expanding graduate offerings and strengthening partnerships with local industries and school systems to support workforce training and economic development in the region.
The university’s record-breaking class marks a significant milestone for the institution and underscores its growing role in higher education across northwest Louisiana and the broader Ark-La-Tex area.