Louisiana lawmakers will hear testimony today as they consider moving forward with a proposed congressional map that would reduce Black representation in the state.

Why it matters: Gov. Jeff Landry says a new map is needed before U.S. House elections can resume, so the Republican-led Legislature is racing to pass one before the session ends June 1.

The big picture: The bill — SB 121, from Republican Sen. Jay Morris — goes before a House committee at 9am.

• House Speaker Phillip DeVillier told Alyse Pfeil of The Times-Picayune that he expects the meeting to focus on public testimony, which will likely take several hours.
• Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League and a former New Orleans mayor, plans to testify against the bill, officials tell us.
• Representatives are working on amendments to the map, but they don't expect to broadly change it, committee chair Rep. Beau Beaullieu told Pfeil.

Catch up quick: State senators heard hours of testimony earlier this month before advancing Morris' proposal, which would eliminate one of the state's majority Black districts.

• The proposal would return Louisiana closer to its 2022 congressional map, before courts ordered lawmakers to create a second majority Black district.
• That map has one majority Black district, which is anchored in New Orleans and stretches to Baton Rouge. The others would be majority white and would favor Republicans.

Behind the scenes: Cleo Fields — the representative for the majority Black district in Baton Rouge that would likely flip Republican — told The Times-Picayune he won't run against Troy Carter if the new map puts them in the same district.

• Meanwhile, Republicans are tweaking the proposed majority white Baton Rouge district in ways that political watchers say will benefit specific politicians hoping to run for the new seat, Pfeil writes.

What's next: The bill needs to get enough votes to advance out of committee to go to the full House.

• If approved by both chambers, the bills goes to the governor.

How it works

Greek Fest is back this weekend for its 51st year along Bayou St. John.

• The festival features traditional Greek food, music and dancing on the grounds of the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

New this year: The festival is going cashless.

• Visit the market for homemade baklava and other baked goods.

More events

🇺🇸 The National WWII Museum will host a remembrance ceremony on Memorial Day. A Gold Star family member will give remarks. (Details)

🎶 Little Freddie King Blues Fest: Listen to Little Freddie King, Sunpie Barnes and more at BJ's Lounge on Sunday.

🕯️ New Orleans International Vodou Day: Gather for remembrance, education, art and music honoring the traditions and cultural legacy of Vodou. (Schedule)

🎪 Circus is in town: Germany's Great Bavarian Circus is at Oakwood Center, and Do Portugal Circus is at the Shrine on Airline.

🍺 Port Orleans' anniversary: Celebrate the brewery's ninth birthday with new beer releases, music, crawfish and comedy.

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⛽️ A gallon of gas will run you about $4 in New Orleans, per averages from GasBuddy.

• All 50 states are averaging above $4 per gallon right now. (AAA)

🔊 An EDM music festival is in the works for this fall, possibly filling a gap left by Buku and Voodoo.

• We Belong Here says it will be at Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park in November. The lineup will be announced later. (OffBeat)

🏗️ Tulane University is stepping back from a student housing plan that would have demolished Ted's Frostop. (The Times-Picayune 🔒)

🤑 A $25 fee for Carnival riders appears to be gaining traction. Mayor Helena Moreno and CAO Joseph Giarrusso floated the idea last fall. (Fox 8)

• The city lost nearly $4 million on Mardi Gras expenses this year. (WGNO)
• Carnival costs taxpayers about $1 million per day, Council President JP Morrell previously said.