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2 people shot in suspected ‘drug deal gone bad’ outside North Side shopping center, police say

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2 people shot in suspected ‘drug deal gone bad’ outside North Side shopping center, police say

www.youtube.com – KSAT 12 – 2024-10-06 17:34:45

SUMMARY: Two people were shot, and two minors are in custody following a botched drug deal in San Antonio. The incident occurred at a shopping center on Blano Road near Lock Hill Selma. Police report that the confrontation involved one individual and three minors, leading to both the individual and one minor being shot. The other two minors involved are currently in custody. The details regarding potential charges and the condition of the shooting victims remain unclear. Video footage from the scene shows broken glass outside one of the stores in the shopping center.

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Two people were shot during what San Antonio police believe was a botched drug deal outside a North Side shopping center.

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Road Patrol: Hole on Trafalgar St could interrupt Jazz Fest parking

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Road Patrol: Hole on Trafalgar St could interrupt Jazz Fest parking

www.youtube.com – WDSU News – 2025-04-25 08:52:38

SUMMARY: Roadwork near the Trafalgar entrance of Jazz Fest has created a large hole and hazardous conditions, raising concerns for local residents like Darren Furman. As parking permits around their homes are now uncertain, Furman worries about the safety of festival-goers amidst increased traffic and newly installed no parking signs. The city’s Sewage and Water Board identified further sewer issues while addressing the water leak. Though temporary asphalt has been laid, permanent repairs will follow later, leaving many uncertain about the situation’s impact on parking and pedestrian safety during the festivities.

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Road Patrol: Hole on Trafalgar St could interrupt Jazz Fest parking

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Bills aim to ban foreign funding for Louisiana ballot initiatives | Louisiana

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Justice Department dismisses lawsuit over Georgia election law | Georgia

www.thecentersquare.com – By Nolan McKendry | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-04-24 14:54:00

(The Center Square) − Louisiana lawmakers are moving forward with a proposed constitutional amendment and companion legislation aimed at shutting down a loophole that critics say allows foreign actors to influence U.S. elections — not through candidates, but through ballot initiatives.

Senate Bill 109 and House Bill 590, filed by Republican lawmakers this session, would prohibit the use of funds, goods, or services donated by foreign governments, foreign entities or noncitizens to support or oppose any candidate, political party, or ballot measure in Louisiana — directly or indirectly.

While federal law already prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to candidates, it does not explicitly cover ballot initiatives. That gap, long noted by election watchdogs, has come under increased scrutiny following revelations of significant foreign-tied money flowing into ballot campaigns in other states.

The bills would make it a crime for any foreign source to contribute funds to support election-related activities. Violators could face fines of up to twice the amount of the donation and up to five years in prison. Individuals who knowingly accept such donations would be required to return the funds.

SB109 proposes a constitutional amendment that, if passed by the Legislature, would go before voters statewide on Nov. 15, 2025.

“This is a proactive measure to ensure Louisiana doesn’t become the next battleground for foreign-funded influence campaigns targeting our democratic processes,” Jason Snead, Executive Director of Honest Elections Project Action, told The Center Square. 

Louisiana’s move comes amid a broader wave of state-level action on the issue. More than 15 states have introduced similar bills this year, and six—including Ohio, which passed a landmark measure in 2023—have enacted bans on foreign funding in ballot initiatives.

Critics point to the 1630 Fund, a powerful nonprofit aligned with progressive causes, which has spent more than $130 million in 26 states to back or oppose ballot measures, often with funding tied to foreign nationals.

A Swiss billionaire, Hansjörg Wyss, has been identified as a major contributor to the fund, according to Americans for Public Trust. While Wyss has never become a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, he has reportedly poured nearly half a billion dollars into American progressive political efforts, according to Snead.

“In Ohio, for example, the 1630 Fund spent $20 million in just 18 months on ballot measures — most of it arriving after lawmakers began pursuing a ban,” Snead said. “It’s a cautionary tale. Once the money starts flowing, it can be hard to stop.”

Supporters of the bills argue that state action is urgently needed to fill the federal gap and to safeguard democratic processes, especially as ballot initiatives become an increasingly potent tool to bypass legislatures and rewrite state constitutions.

Louisiana, they note, has so far avoided becoming a major target of these influence campaigns — but that could change.

“What we told lawmakers is simple,” Snead said. “Don’t wait for the money to come before you act.”

The proposed bills also aim to block so-called “pass-through” funding structures, in which foreign donations are funneled through U.S.-based nonprofits, effectively masking their origin. Lawmakers are considering provisions to track and limit such intermediary channels.

“We don’t even know if the $280 million linked to the 1630 Fund reflects the full extent of his contributions to that group. And we have no way of knowing whether other foreign nationals are quietly directing money into U.S. nonprofits,” Snead said. “There’s nothing preventing other foreign nationals — even those with close ties to adversarial governments like the Chinese Communist Party — from exploiting the same loophole. We often refer to Wyss and the 1630 Fund as just the tip of the iceberg. There’s almost certainly much more foreign money influencing U.S. politics that we simply can’t see.”

As the measures advance through the Legislature, Louisiana joins a growing list of states working to close what many see as one of the most significant election security loopholes in U.S. law.

“There’s still a long way to go nationally,” Snead said. “But every state that takes action brings us closer to closing this gap once and for all.”

The post Bills aim to ban foreign funding for Louisiana ballot initiatives | Louisiana appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com

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New website shows public school officials' spending

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New website shows public school officials' spending

www.youtube.com – WDSU News – 2025-04-24 08:51:23

SUMMARY: A new website launched by Louisiana Treasurer John Fleming provides transparency on public school spending, revealing purchases such as luxury hotel stays and SUVs. While some see it as a step toward accountability, critics argue it may be intrusive. The site displays various expenditures, including a significant dinner at a high-end restaurant just before a school closure due to financial issues. Advocates, including parents, believe the data empowers communities to make informed decisions. However, there is controversy over the inclusion of staff salaries, with some feeling it invades privacy, though others, including teacher organizations, support the initiative.

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New website shows public school official’s spending

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