Law Office of Laetitia Black, LLC

06/05/2026

After public pushback against the ongoing overhaul of University Avenue and the future redevelopment of Bertrand Drive, Mayor-President Monique Boulet has pledged to make changes to both projects and revisit how local government designs city roadways.

“I am directing a reset on how the Lafayette Consolidated Government administration approaches the planning and design of urban roadways,” Boulet said in a press release Tuesday night.

The projects are different in scope and in different stages of development, and Boulet says the hiccups around them are “growing pains.” Still, she vowed to change course as criticism has intensified of late.

The University Corridor design, based on federal requirements, was finalized in 2022, and construction is only months away from being completed. Bertrand Drive, on the other hand, is still in design, with work on the utilities along the side of the roadway set to start later this year.

Read more at thecurrentla.com/2026/facing-backlash-boulet-detours-on-university-bertrand-projects/

06/05/2026

Gov. Landry must now decide whether to sign a controversial measure that would make camping on public property a crime. Advocates argue a minimum wage worker would need to work 105 hours a week to afford a one-bedroom apartment: https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/local/simply-trying-to-survive-governor-to-decide-on-controversial-homelessness-bill/289-b284b2e1-2c78-430d-9087-8ca0547178e1?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_WWLTV

06/04/2026

Baton Rouge’s public defender will get a funding boost — including help from St. George, Central and Baker bit.ly/3S4D5qW

The financial commitment from each city comes amid a courtroom fight over fair share funding for the DA.

06/04/2026

06/04/2026

My office was asked to conduct an investigation into an incident at a Madisonville restaurant last Friday. After the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation conducted a thorough investigation, charges were filed against St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith.
https://aglizmurrill.com/Article/531

06/04/2026

Baton Rouge council voting rights case tests boundaries of seismic Supreme Court ruling https://www.nola.com/news/metro-council-democrat-voting-rights-case-reopened-callais/article_5e6eb07a-d0a5-5ea3-a704-3e5cf48d7971.html?utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

A reopened lawsuit concerning Baton Rouge’s Metro Council districts is the latest test of the new legal landscape for voting rights after the Louisiana v. Callais decision.

06/03/2026

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry vetoed a bill on Wednesday that would have given more compensation to people who have been wrongfully convicted of crimes, partially blaming the failure of an amendment that would have given the state's teachers a raise. Read more at the link in the comments.

06/03/2026

Three measures that were part of the Secretary of State Nancy Landry’s Election Integrity and Security Package during this year’s legislative session were signed into law Tuesday by Governor Jeff Landry. SB 319 helps to verify a voter's identity while providing more ways to self identify for those without an ID, HB 691 maintains integrity of voter rolls with the SAVE program to prevent potential non-citizens from voting, and HB 547 restricts photography of precinct registers, ensuring voters' privacy.

06/03/2026

🗺️ Fair maps were possible.

Throughout the redistricting process, community members, voting rights advocates, and coalition partners called for a map that would keep communities together, split fewer parishes, and provide meaningful opportunities for voters to elect candidates of their choice.

The coalition-supported map demonstrated that Louisiana did not have to choose between fair representation and sound redistricting principles. It showed that communities of interest could be preserved, transparency could be prioritized, and voters could remain at the center of the process.

As we continue to educate, organize, and advocate, we remain committed to a simple belief: Louisiana deserves maps that reflect its people—not politics.

📍Learn more: PowerCoalition.org/Redistricting