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Thibodaux Regional Health System announced that it is the first hospital in the region to offer a first-of-its-kind treatment option for carotid artery disease. The Neuroguard IEP System is a new FDA-approved medical device designed to reduce the chance of stroke during and after the procedure to treat CAD.
CAD is caused by the narrowing of the carotid arteries on either side of the neck that carry blood to the brain. CAD is responsible for up to a third of all strokes. People with high levels of LDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and a history of smoking may be at greater risk for this condition.
The Neuroguard IEP System is a 3-in-1 stenting system physicians use to restore blood flow that is restricted due to CAD. During the procedure, a stent is placed in the carotid artery to keep blood flowing. A small balloon is then inflated to help the stent stay in place against the artery walls. A filter helps trap tiny blood clots called emboli that may be released during the procedure and can cause stroke. Most people return home from the hospital the day after the procedure.
“It is an honor and a privilege to be able to offer patients in our community a minimally invasive treatment option for stroke prevention and for treating carotid artery disease,” said Dr. Chad Dugas, interventional cardiologist with Thibodaux Regional Cardiology Clinic.  “I am especially thrilled to provide treatment with the Contego Neuroguard IEP system which has demonstrated increased procedure efficiency and superior safety outcomes.”

A sweeping overhaul of Louisiana’s seafood safety regulations is headed to the governor’s desk, following final legislative approval of a bill that transfers oversight responsibilities from the state’s tourism agency to the Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
House Bill 652, authored by Rep. Timothy Kerner, R-Lafitte, dissolves the current Seafood Safety Task Force under the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism and reestablishes it within the Agriculture Department.
The bill also hands new regulatory authority to Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, giving his office the power to oversee testing and labeling of imported and commingled seafood sold in Louisiana.
The legislation comes as concern grows nationally about mislabeled or contaminated seafood entering U.S. markets.  Last week, members of Congress — including two from Louisiana — introduced the Safer Shrimp Imports Act, a federal bill that would ban shrimp imports from countries without FDA-equivalent inspection regimes.
HB652 creates new civil penalties for seafood processors and distributors that mislabel imported seafood as domestic, or fail to meet safety standards. First-time offenders could now face fines of up to $15,000 − a major increase from the original $1,000 penalty outlined in the House version of the bill. Repeat offenses carry fines up to $50,000.
The Agriculture Department will also be authorized to issue stop orders halting the sale of products that don’t comply with safety or labeling requirements. Affected businesses will be able to challenge stop orders through expedited hearings under the state’s Administrative Procedure Act.
The bill specifically targets “commingled” seafood − products that mix domestic and imported sources − by requiring clear labeling of the product’s origin, including the name of the foreign country involved.
Processors and distributors of imported or commingled seafood must now report testing data, if available, and provide any additional information requested by the Agriculture Department.
If seafood is found to exceed FDA chemical thresholds, it will be reported to the Louisiana Department of Health and considered adulterated under state law.
Kerner said the bill was carefully amended to ensure that domestic shrimpers are not inadvertently swept up in new enforcement efforts.
“It is very difficult for law enforcement to find out if people are cheating,” he said, noting the importance of clearly targeting imported and mixed-origin products.
A key amendment aimed at clarifying the bill’s scope was offered by Rep. Jessica Domangue, R-Houma, during the House debate.
Her language narrowed the reporting requirements to apply only to “commercial processors and distributors of imported and commingled seafood.”
But that protection was ultimately stripped during Senate negotiations. In a back-and-forth with Sen. Stewart Cathey, R-Monroe, Kerner confirmed that Domangue’s amendment had been removed from the final version of the bill.
Cathey said he had heard concerns from industry members who worried that local processors working solely with Louisiana seafood could be inadvertently caught up in the enforcement net.
Seafood advocates have long criticized the influx of cheaper, often unregulated foreign seafood — particularly shrimp and crawfish — which they say undercuts Louisiana fishers and threatens consumer safety. The industry has generally supported moves to enhance inspection and tighten labeling laws.
HB 562 takes effect immediately upon the governor’s signature or if he allows it to become law without signing. Gov. Jeff Landry has not yet publicly commented on the bill

BATON ROUGE – The Louisiana House on Monday night passed a controversial bill that would prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion offices, training and hiring policies in state agencies and public colleges.
The bill passed 57-32 after an emotional and deeply divided debate that largely fell along racial lines.
House Bill 685, by Rep. Emily Chenevert, R-Baton Rouge, now moves to the Senate. It is part of Gov. Jeff Landry’s legislative agenda.
Ten Black representatives spoke in opposition to the bill, calling it divisive, unnecessary, and racially insensitive.
“This is the most racially oppressive piece of legislation I have ever had to debate since I have been in office,” said Rep. Candace Newell, D-New Orleans.
The bill would ban mandatory DEI training and race- or gender-based hiring or admissions preferences. It also would eliminate public DEI offices and initiatives, including prohibiting required DEI coursework at public universities.
Chenevert said the bill aims to keep Louisiana compliant with President Donald Trump’s executive orders and protect the state’s federal funding.
The Trump administration is investigating several universities nationwide, though Louisiana universities have not been targeted so far.
She stressed the bill does not ban teaching DEI concepts, only the requirement of DEI-focused coursework for graduation. She also raised concerns about fairness in sports.
“My biggest concern is that it has hurt more female athletes across this country than it has helped,” she said. “Biological men have taken the places of biological women.”
Rep. Denise Marcelle, D-Baton Rouge, called the bill “a step backwards” and accused Chenevert of ignoring the benefits DEI programs have provided, especially for white women.
“Are you aware that more white women, like you, have benefitted from DEI than whoever you’re referring to?” Marcelle said. “If we had equal opportunity to be at the table, there would be no need for the program.” She added she was appalled a woman would bring this bill.
Rep. Terry Landry, D-New Iberia, sworn in just hours before the vote, said voters he spoke to during his campaign were not focused on DEI.
“They’re worried about schooling for their children, the economy, state issues,” he said. “This bill is unnecessary.”
Rep. Rodney Lyons, D-Harvey, questioned the bill’s economic impact, particularly the elimination of the Department of Agriculture’s Minority Affairs Program, which supports minority and veteran farmers, a large portion of the state’s agricultural community.
Marcelle also warned the bill could interfere with police training on race and community relations.
Supporters said the legislation promotes unity and merit.
“I keep hearing diversity is what makes us strong, but it is not,” said Rep. Beryl Amedee, R-Gray, defending Chenevert. “What makes us strong is unity… There’s only one race, and it’s human.”
Rep. Chuck Owen, R-Rosepine, expressed his frustration with the debate. “I see us talking past each other,” he said. “I hear us talking past each other.”
The bill requires annual compliance reports and tasks the legislative auditor with enforcement.
An accompanying fiscal note projects minor cost savings, including $174,000 from cutting the Agriculture Department’s DEI office.
If passed by the Senate and signed into law, Louisiana would join a growing number of Republican-led states rolling back public DEI policies.
Chenevert became emotional in her closing remarks, saying everyone views the issue differently.
She framed her perspective from a biblical viewpoint, emphasizing that no matter our skin tone, “we all share the same blood.”

(Editor’s note: The charges listed here and the narratives that go with them are provided by the police agencies that made the arrests. Guilt or innocence has not been determined in court.)

Morgan City police reported the arrest of a man on drunken-driving and vehicular injuries charges.

Morgan City

Chad M. Adams reported these arrests:

•Sergio Zurita-Lara, 30, California Street, Berwick, was arrested at 8:44 p.m. Monday on charges of first-degree vehicular negligent injuries, reckless operation of a motor vehicle and driving while intoxicated (first offense), and as a fugitive from the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office.

•Ashton Ainsworth, 34, La. 308, Labadieville, was arrested at 2:04 p.m. Monday on a charge of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

•Seth Rogers, 32, Brashear Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:39 p.m. Monday on a charge of disturbing the peace (intoxicated).

•Jerral Prestenbach, 36, Martin Street, Patterson, was arrested at midnight Monday on two counts of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

•Marshall Martinez, 39, Wren Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:35 a.m. Tuesday on two counts of failure to appear for trial and two counts of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

•Bobby Cline, 66, First Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:50 p.m. Tuesday on charges of remaining where forbidden and simple criminal damage to property.

•Joan Dalcour, 68, Bowman Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 6:31 p.m. Tuesday on charges of simple battery, criminal trespass and battery of a correctional officer.

•Chanoya Franklin, 28, Grinage Street, Houma, was arrested at 9:48 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana (first offense), improper lane usage, driving under suspension and no insurance.

St. Mary

Sheriff Gary Driskell reported these arrests:

•Wayne M. Dupre Sr., 64, Jeanerette, was arrested at 10:11 a.m. May 16 on a warrant alleging two counts of nonconsensual disclosure of a private image.

Dupre was released on a $5,000 bond.

•Roy E. Daigle Jr., 54, Patterson, was arrested at 8:57 p.m. Sunday on charges of unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, simple assault and disturbing the peace (language). Daigle was released on a $7,500 bond.

•Triston Joseph Hamilton, 21, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:58 a.m. Saturday on a charge of criminal trespass. Hamilton was released on a $1,000 bond.

Franklin

Chief Cedric Handy reported these arrests:

•Corey Burgess, 47, Sanders Street, Franklin, was arrested at 9:40 a.m. Monday on a warrant dated May 11 alleging domestic abuse battery and interfering with emergency communication. Burgess was booked, processed and released to appear in 3rd Ward City Court.

•Juvenile was arrested at 3:37 p.m. Monday on a charge of simple assault.

•Anthony Caldwell, 60, St. Peter Street, New Iberia, was arrested at 3:36 p.m. Monday on charges of careless operation, driving under suspension, no insurance, no registration and expired inspection tag.

Caldwell was booked, processed and held with no bond set at the time of press release.

•Devontrae Williams, 24, Iberia Street, Franklin, was arrested at 8:49 p.m. Monday on a charge of simple battery, and on a warrant for 3rd Ward City Court alleging failure to appear on charges of speeding and driver must be licensed.

Williams was booked, processed and released on a $2,943 bond.