ACROSS LOUISIANA: Bomb threat updates, new district in Tangipahoa, and NAACP resignation

Legislators give Tangipahoa parish another senatorial district with population shift, relocating one from Shreveport, and Shreveport NAACP head, Michael La’Fitte, resigns following public outcry

FBI cyber supervisor shares updates with Southern University on recent bomb threats targeting HBCUs

Federal Bureau of Investigation Cyber Supervisor Corey Harris made a presentation to the Southern University System Board of Supervisors to update on the FBI’s efforts to address multiple bomb threats made to HBCUs including Southern University and historically Black churches, in January and February. Harris, a graduate of Southern University, reported the threats were made by minors who could be prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice. Additionally, Harris shared information about the FBI’s BEACON Program designed to increase minority recruiting, assist to strengthen infrastructure, introduce federal resources and training, as well as student outreach. Southern University, Southern University at New Orleans, and Southern University Law Center are participating in the program, and campus police departments are meeting regularly with the FBI on training and security initiatives.

Legislators give Tangipahoa parish another senatorial district with population shift, relocating one from Shreveport

As a result of the continued growth of Tangipahoa Parish, the Louisiana Legislature has created a new senatorial seat with a majority of the voters residing in southern Tangipahoa Parish, according to a press release from Rep. Nicholas Muscarello.

The new senate district will be District 37, and it is being re-located from the Shreveport area since that part of the state lost population and southeast Louisiana gained population. In addition to Tangipahoa Parish’s 81 percent of the registered voters, District 37 will also include 10 precincts in St. Tammany Parish with 16 percent of registered voters and two precincts in Livingston Parish with 3 percent of registered voters. “District 37 will give us the opportunity to have a state senator with a Tangipahoa Parish address,” Muscarello said. “This is big when decisions are being made, and we have a seat at the table.” Hammond, Ponchatoula, Natalbany, Tickfaw, Independence, Baptist, Pumpkin Center, Manchac, Bedico, Robert south of Highway 190 and Amite west of I-55 will be part of the new district. The middle eastern and northern parts of the parish will still be in Senate District 12 which is currently represented by Sen. Beth Mizell. The new district will be in effect for the Oct. 14, 2023, election date.

Shreveport NAACP head, Michael La’Fitte, resigns following public outcry

Michael K. La’Fitte has stepped down as president of the NAACP Shreveport Chapter after local residents questioned if his employment at the Woodlawn Terrace Apartments impacted his ability to effectively serve and advocate for the tenants. Residents argued on social media that La’Fitte was aware of the apartments’ perilous conditions and was actively manipulating the situation for his own interests, according to Shreveport Sun. Initially, La’Fitte argued that his sole responsibility was as a comptroller who ensured that employees and contractors were paid. He said false reports stated that he was evicting tenants for speaking out. According to him, complex owners are dealing with the challenges that have existed for decades and he is confident that tenets will agree that positive changes are being implemented. Nonetheless, he resigned saying he took the role as president “as far as he could go”