Justin O'Connor
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Articles by Justin O'Connor
Despite his reelection, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson’s ‘nightmare scenario’ becomes reality Original
Bearing a tight smile, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson took the stage on election night wearing two hats. The Shreveport Republican easily won a sixth term representing western Louisiana, fending off four challengers in a race made a bit chaotic by court drama. But he also faced the crowd as the leader of a party projected to lose control of both chambers of Congress, and with them his hold on the speaker's gavel, in a nationwide blue wave.
Who's running against Speaker Mike Johnson for LA's 4th Congressional District? Find out here..
While U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson has been traveling the country campaigning for Republicans in tight midterm races, a slate of challengers have emerged back home in Louisiana gunning for his own seat. Perhaps an incumbent to trump all incumbents, Johnson, a Republican, is the most powerful person in Congress and holds the highest office any Louisianan has ever achieved. Johnson was elected Speaker after less than 7 years as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Second lockdown at Barksdale after unauthorized entry unrelated to earlier shooting threat
Barksdale Air Force Base was put under a second lockdown on Friday due to an unauthorized entry onto the base unrelated to alleged shooting threats that spurred a separate lockdown in the morning. There is currently no threat to the installation, and there have been no injuries "to Team Barksdale," according to a press release from the 2nd Bomb Wing's public affairs team.
Nearly every Australian engages with arts and culture. Politicians should pay attention Original
Culture is a vital part of many people’s lives. This is the view afforded by the latest data on cultural participation from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Creative Australia and Screen Australia. The data they present is breathtaking. It shows a landscape of cultural participation that takes in nearly every part of the community, across a dizzying diversity of artforms and audiences.
Bossier Parish Schools 1964 desegregation case closed at request of DOJ, AG, school board
The decades-old school desegregation case that brought federal oversight to Bossier Parish Schools was closed by a federal judge this week at the request of the school board, the Justice Department and state Attorney General Liz Murrill.
Despite concerns about impacts on trans people, Bossier bathroom law moves to public hearing
People from around the state packed the Bossier Parish Police Jury's chambers on Wednesday to oppose a pending law they say would put public bathroom users and employees at risk. If enacted, the ordinance would set fines and prison time for anyone who refuses to leave a parish-owned restroom, changing room or locker room that doesn't correspond with their sex assigned at birth as defined in state law.
ACLU, trans advocates concerned about Bossier bathroom ordinance: 'Anger and confusion' Original
Challenges are mounting to a pending Bossier Parish Police Jury ordinance that would criminalize transgender people using public bathrooms corresponding with their gender identity rather than their sex assigned at birth. The ACLU of Louisiana has sent the Police Jury a letter alleging that its introduction of the ordinance at its July 15 meeting didn't comply with Louisiana's Open Meetings Law.
Briefs filed urging Supreme Court to take up First Amendment case against Bossier City
Dozens of groups, states and federal officials are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a First Amendment case against Bossier City that all started with a man passing out Christian vegetarian leaflets in front of the Brookshire Grocery Arena six years ago. Both Bossier City and the plaintiff, Richard Hershey, want the Supreme Court to take the case up for different reasons.
Bossier Police Jury approves December special election over 10-year renewal of property taxes
Bossier Parish voters will likely have some questions to decide at the polls this December. On Wednesday, the Bossier Police Jury voted to call a special election on Dec. 12 to decide on two propositions concerning the renewal of special taxes levied in the parish. If approved, the propositions would extend for 10 years the parish's health unit millage and roads and bridges millage.
NAACP trying to keep Bossier school desegregation case alive as DOJ, BPSB move to close
Key deadlines are set in the lawsuit that has for more than 60 years served as oversight of the racial desegregation of Bossier Parish Schools. In June, the Justice Department and the Bossier Parish School Board, represented in part by state Attorney General Liz Murrill, jointly motioned for final judgment in the case. If granted, the BPSB would no longer have to seek court approval before making decisions that might have racially disparate impacts, like redrawing attendance zones.
Safety, property value concerns cited as Bossier City nixes zoning for chiropractic office
A prospective chiropractic office in Bossier City has again become a lightning rod for concerns about major traffic issues caused by the intersection between Benton Road and the Walter O. Bigby Carriageway. Chiropractor Dr. Steven Wunnenberg came before the Bossier City Council on Tuesday to request his residential property at 2290 Douglas Dr. be rezoned for business use so he could open an office at the location for himself and an associate. It wasn't Wunnenberg's first rodeo.
Man accused of shooting wife in Bossier grocery store pleads not guilty
A Texas man accused of shooting his wife with a shotgun in the grocery store owned by Bossier City Councilmember Vince Maggio has pleaded not guilty.
Bossier City secured $44 million in state money during legislative session for these projects
Bossier City's state delegation secured more than $44 million in state funding for local projects during this year's legislative session. It comes after a big jump in the value of the city's five-year capital spending plan. The vast majority of the money coming in is earmarked for infrastructural improvements, particularly water and road projects. That includes $23 million for the city's ongoing nanofiltration water treatment upgrades.
Bossier City boasts new 'Bossier Moves' branding, year of accomplishments at Boardwalk event
Bossier City's year-long rebranding efforts culminated in a blowout announcement at the Boardwalk on Wednesday. A new logo, a new tagline and a new website were all debuted at the big to-do packed with officials, businesspeople and the like, complete with balloon displays, branded centerpieces, those stand-up cocktail tables used to induce mingling — and, of course, confetti.
Appeals court revives case alleging Bossier City violated First Amendment, Open Meetings Law
A federal appeals court has revived a lawsuit alleging Bossier City officials violated the First Amendment and Louisiana's Open Meetings Law. In 2023, amid debates over an ultimately successful petition to impose term limits on Bossier City's elected officials, SOBO.live founder Wes Merriott emerged as a forerunning critic of the then-City Council majority's efforts to delay implementation.
Data Center Tax Revenues Yield $50K Bonuses for Louisiana Teachers
You read that right: $50,000 bonuses. The end-of-year payments initiated on Wednesday, known as "13th checks," ranged from $50,935 for eligible certified employees to $17,472 for eligible classified employees, up from last year's bonuses of $10,200 and $3,323, respectively, Richland Parish School Board Superintendent Sheldon Jones told The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate.
Meta data center tax infusion means $50,000 bonus checks for these Louisiana teachers Original
Many Richland Parish teachers got $50,000 bonuses this year thanks to a short-term bump in tax revenues fueled by construction of Meta's massive, $27-billion Hyperion data center near Holly Ridge. You read that right: $50,000 bonuses.
Bossier moves infrastructure fund tied to data center forward along with other fiscal measures
A suite of fiscal measures are primed to get final OKs from the Bossier City Council, including a fund that will stow away some revenues expected from the construction of the data center north of Benton. Under that ordinance, which passed unanimously on Tuesday, a portion of upcoming sales tax revenues will be put in a protected fund that the city can't touch, barring a repeal of the legislation, until the data center is complete or 2032, whichever is sooner.
New director of Bossier Parish Library System announced with public vote yet to be held
The Bossier Parish Library System is undergoing another leadership change, but this time there has been no public vote yet amid controversy over the parish's Library Board of Control. Marissa Richardson, who was manager of the Bossier Central Library, will be the new director of the parish's library system, according to an announcement from the Library Board of Control, which is currently made up of the Bossier police jurors.
Anticipating data center windfall, Bossier City eyes new fund to stow infrastructure money
It's no secret that one of the allures of the Amazon data center project near Benton to Bossier officials was the five-year-or-so bump to sales tax revenues expected during construction. Parish Attorney Patrick Jackson literally called it "manna from heaven" in February and stressed the importance of managing it appropriately. And now Bossier City is eyeing its first step toward stowing that money away.
Bossier City announces new East Bank Arts Building manager after arts council eviction
Bossier City has announced who will be managing the Old Municipal Building, now called the East Bank Arts Building, after the Bossier Arts Council was evicted in April. Bossier City native Rich Carroll will oversee programming, events and operations at the building and the East Bank Plaza.
Send in letters and artifacts for Bossier time capsule celebrating America's 250th
There's a rare chance to cement your place in history in Bossier this month. The parish, in conjunction with Keep Bossier Beautiful, is creating a community time capsule that will be buried during a ceremony at South Bossier Park on June 26, and they want your submissions. "Help us fill our time capsule with notes, letters, or small artifacts about your family, community, town, state, or country," the parish's announcement said.
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson defends Louisiana redistricting after Callais decision Original
Meeting with reporters in Bossier on Thursday, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he should be "biting my nails and sitting on the edge of my seat." That's because deliberations were ongoing in the Louisiana Legislature over a new congressional map given a final approval on Friday that will eliminate a majority-Black district and likely strengthen Republican control over Louisiana's seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
U.S. Speaker Mike Johnson honors local community servants in homecoming trip to 4th District
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Final $1.2M spending 'phase' required in U.L. Coleman lawsuit approved by Bossier City Council
The Bossier City Council approved what is expected to be the last chunk of spending required of them in a 15-year-old lawsuit settlement that has made its mark on South Bossier. The $1.2 million is for long-term aspects of the South Bossier Redevelopment Plan, which are expected to commence in March of 2027 and run until 2032, according to court records. They include drainage channel improvements from Shady Grove Drive to Columbia Circle and streetscape upgrades to Shady Grove Drive.
Citizen threatens lawsuit against Bossier Police Jury over alleged library board illegalities Original
Things have escalated in the ongoing dispute over the Bossier Police Jury's treatment of the parish's Library Board of Control. On Wednesday, Dr. Jeff Sadow, a local political science professor and longtime conservative commentator on Bossier and state politics, delivered the jurors a cease and desist letter threatening to sue if they don't bring the board's meetings and membership in line with state law. The board has governing power over the Bossier Parish Libraries system.
Bossier Police Jury decides on Bossier City's comprehensive plan overhaul
Bossier planning executive Carlotta Askew-Brown just secured the last bit of funding needed to start overhauling Bossier City's comprehensive plan and development code. The Bossier Police Jury voted unanimously on Wednesday to join the Bossier City Council and the City-Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission, where Askew-Brown is executive director, in providing $326,667 to bring on the consultants for the overhaul.
Bossier City asks to strike more than 300 pages of evidence in motel redevelopment lawsuit
Bossier City has more procedural concerns about a federal lawsuit that it and three officials are facing concerning utility shut-offs at a motel property near Live! Casino. In April, a judge denied the city's motion for the federal court to abstain from or delay the case so that a similar case could move through state court.
Bossier City apartment property owners claim public works and EMS fees are illegal taxes
A coalition of Bossier City apartment property owners and managers are petitioning the state for refunds and repeals of fees assessed by the city that they claim are actually illegal taxes. The petition, which has million-dollar implications, was filed March 11 with the Louisiana Board of Tax Appeals by 37 companies.
Bossier council OKed $1.2 million for South Bossier 'redevelopment.' Here's what we know.
The Bossier City Council moved forward on Tuesday with $1.2 million in spending on a "long-term South Bossier redevelopment" project. The details were sparse, and officials have been advised by the city's legal department to avoid public comment on the item. That is because it is tied to one of the most consequential lawsuits Bossier City has faced since the turn of the century.
Funding to update comprehensive plan, pool contract given final OKs by Bossier City council
Two key public contracts in Bossier City got their final approvals from the City Council on Tuesday. One will keep the city's public pool open. The other, if funded by the Bossier Police Jury later this month, will get the ball rolling on the city's comprehensive plan overhaul. The City Council gave the go-ahead for Mayor Tommy Chandler to contract with Halff Associates, Inc. to update the city's comprehensive plan and Unified Development Code.
Free meal pick-ups to be offered this summer by Bossier Schools. Here's how to register.
Bossier Schools will offer free meal boxes again this summer under a federal program. From 7-11 a.m. on every Tuesday from May 26 to June 23 and July 7 to July 28, any child age 18 and under will be eligible to pick them up at four drive-through sites: Benton Middle School, W.T. Lewis Elementary School, Haughton Middle School and Parkway High School, according to a news release from district spokesperson Sonja Bailes. Each box will include seven shelf-stable breakfasts and lunches.
Funeral celebrates lives of children killed in Shreveport mass shooting: Eternal Eight Original
Eight little white caskets were stretched across the front of Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport on Saturday. Gospel singer Kim Burrell roared her song over them from the stage behind, suffusing a room full of sorrow, grief and questions with song and praise, too. Her voice lifted hands into the air, bodies from the pews, all rising from a sea of black and white clothing dotted with pastels.
Visitation, funeral services honor 8 children slain in April 19 mass shooting in Shreveport
A funeral service and visitation have been announced for the eight children slain in the devastating domestic shooting in Shreveport on April 19. Visitation will be at the Precious Memories Mortuary on Greenwood Rd. in Shreveport from 1 to 8 p.m. on Friday. The funeral will be held at Summer Grove Baptist Church on Saturday at 11 a.m. The colors for the service are pink, white, royal blue and royal purple.
Bossier Arts Council unveils new Boardwalk location and director. Here's a look inside.
For the first time in more than 45 years, the Bossier Arts Council has a new home — and it's at the Louisiana Boardwalk. The nonprofit's board and staff cut the ribbon Tuesday at their new gallery and in-the-works theatre space at 355 Boardwalk Boulevard, and they revealed that former board member AmberDawn Landrum will be their new executive director.
Bossier City Council advances plan to keep pool open with fee increase, swimming lessons
Bossier City's plan to keep its last public pool at Mike Wood park open passed swiftly at a special City Council meeting on Tuesday. The city plans to enter a $25,000 contract with Rock Solid Athletic Club, Inc. for professional management services that Chief Administrative Officer Shane Cheatham expects will save the city a bit of money and expand services offered at the pool. It will be coming with a small admission fee increase, though.
Bossier City Council advances plan to keep pool open with fee increase, swimming lessons
Bossier City's plan to keep its last public pool at Mike Wood park open passed swiftly at a special City Council meeting on Tuesday. The city plans to enter a $25,000 contract with Rock Solid Athletic Club, Inc. for professional management services that Chief Administrative Officer Shane Cheatham expects will save the city a bit of money and expand services offered at the pool. It will be coming with a small admission fee increase, though.
Bossier plans to have a company keep its public pool open head to City Council for approval
Bossier City now has a plan to keep its last public pool open, but it has to go through the City Council first. Early last week, city officials confirmed social media reports that the Mike Wood Park pool would be closed starting this summer to replace it with a splash pad, citing costs, staffing issues, safety concerns and declining attendance. After the announcement drew immediate backlash from residents, city officials met on Friday to hammer out a plan to keep the pool open.
Bossier City will now try to keep its last pool open: 'Cuts will have to happen somewhere'
This week's confirmation that Bossier City officials were planning to replace the Mike Wood Park pool with a splash pad drew a lot of blowback, and now they are reevaluating. The Mike Wood Pool is Bossier City's last public swimming facility since the one at Meadowview Park was closed in recent years to replace it, too, with a splash pad.
Judge rules on Bossier City's motion to dismiss lawsuit alleging motel redevelopment scheme
A federal judge has denied Bossier City's motion to dismiss a case that it and several officials are facing related to utilities shut-offs at a motel property near Live! Casino. In December, Merryton Bossier LLC, the corporate owner of the Bossier Extended Stay on Live! Casino Boulevard launched a suit against Bossier City and three officials seeking an injunction and arguing damages are owed for the city shutting off the property's water in 2024 and rendering it inoperable ever since.
Funeral service announced for 8 children slain in April 19 mass shooting in Shreveport
A funeral service has been announced for the eight children slain in the devastating domestic shooting in Shreveport on April 19. It will be held at Summer Grove Baptist Church on May 9 at 11 a.m., according to a Facebook post from Keosha Pugh, the mother of one of the victims and a survivor of the attack. The colors for the service are pink, white, royal blue and royal purple. The information was confirmed by Precious Memories Mortuary, who are providing the funeral services.
Judge rules on Bossier City's motion to dismiss lawsuit alleging motel redevelopment scheme
A federal judge has denied Bossier City's motion to dismiss a case that it and several officials are facing related to utilities shut-offs at a motel property near Live! Casino. In December, Merryton Bossier LLC, the corporate owner of the Bossier Extended Stay on Live! Casino Boulevard launched a suit against Bossier City and three officials seeking an injunction and arguing damages are owed for the city shutting off the property's water in 2024 and rendering it inoperable ever since.
Bossier City Councilman Brian Hammons announces candidacy for City Marshal
Bossier City Councilmember Brian Hammons announced he will be running to become City Marshal in November's election. Hammons has represented part of South Bossier on the City Council since 2021. He won the seat in a special election after it was abdicated by Shane Cheatham, who was nominated to become Mayor Tommy Chandler's chief administrative officer.
Man who 'helped raise' Shreveport mass shooter faces 15 years in prison on federal gun charges
A man who claimed he "helped raise" Shreveport mass murderer Shamar Elkins is being federally charged with illegally possessing a firearm while under a domestic violence injunction. Bossier City resident Michael Mayence, 54, faces up to 15 years in federal prison for the charge, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Louisiana.
Bossier City Councilman Brian Hammons announces candidacy for City Marshal
Bossier City Councilmember Brian Hammons announced he will be running to become City Marshal in November's election. Hammons has represented part of South Bossier on the City Council since 2021. He won the seat in a special election after it was abdicated by Shane Cheatham, who was nominated to become Mayor Tommy Chandler's chief administrative officer.
Shooting at Bossier City Council member's grocery store committed with his gun, police believe
A man has turned himself in for a shooting at Maggio's Grocery in Bossier City that left his own wife critically injured. Sharad Gajera, 40, surrendered to police on Tuesday after an arrest warrant was issued for illegal use of a weapon. Bossier City police spokesperson Shawn Poudrier said the shooting on April 4 injured Gajera's wife, 30-year-old Jigisha "Soniya" Gajera, who was left "fighting for her life," according to a verified GoFundMe created by family friend Nik Patel.
Cross monument to 8 children slain in Shreveport mass shooting to be erected Wednesday night
There are plans to erect a 10-foot-tall cross monument at St. Gabriel Community Baptist Church on Wednesday night to honor the eight children slain in Sunday's devastating domestic murder spree just across the street. That's according to Dan Beazley, a man from the Detroit area who said he was guided by the Holy Spirit to drop everything and carry his own huge wooden cross to Shreveport so its presence could be seen and felt at prayer vigils in the aftermath.
Want to help the survivors of the Shreveport mass shooting? Here's how to safely donate.
In the wake of Sunday's mass shooting in Shreveport, a flurry of fundraisers have circulated claiming to be taking contributions for the victims and their families. The shooting at two houses in Cedar Grove, a domestic violence incident, left eight children dead and hospitalized two women, Shaneiqua Elkins and Christine Snow, who were the mothers of seven of the kids. Another boy was injured while escaping with a woman through a window onto the roof of the house.
United Cajun Navy in Shreveport lending support to family of mass shooting victims
Folks from United Cajun Navy are in Shreveport lending support and bereavement services for family members of the eight children killed and two women shot in Sunday's devastating domestic murder spree. UC Navy is a Baton Rouge nonprofit that deploys resources in the wake of disasters and shootings to aid recovery and rescue and lend support in rebuilding and humanitarian assistance, according to their website.
Cross monument to 8 children slain in Shreveport mass shooting to be erected Wednesday night
There are plans to erect a 10-foot-tall cross monument at St. Gabriel Community Baptist Church on Wednesday night to honor the eight children slain in Sunday's devastating domestic murder spree just across the street. That's according to Dan Beazley, a man from the Detroit area who said he was guided by the Holy Spirit to drop everything and carry his own huge wooden cross to Shreveport so its presence could be seen and felt at prayer vigils in the aftermath.
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