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Ban on transgender athletes from women’s sports advances in Louisiana Legislature
An effort has been revived to ban transgender athletes from women’s and girls’ sports in Louisiana. Gov. John Bel Edwards rejected the proposal last year, and a veto override effort from Republicans in the Legislature fell short of the needed votes. Sen. Beth Mizell has once again authored the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, which […]
Louisiana universities could soon be allowed to pay student-athletes directly
Last year Louisiana jumped on the bandwagon to allow college sports stars to benefit financially from their name, image and likeness through endorsement deals. Now state leaders want to follow suit and allow schools to pay their student-athletes directly. Senate Bill 250, authored by Sen. Patrick Connick, R-Marrero, would allow colleges, universities and university affiliates […]
Lessons on suicide prevention could be in store for Louisiana students
Louisiana schools may soon be required to provide students lessons on suicide prevention to students in order to address high rates of depression and youths taking their own lifes in the state. House Bill 495, authored by. Rep. Laurie Schlegel, R-Metairie, would require Louisiana public schoolsl teach sixth- through 12th-graders about suicide prevention, student safety, […]
Student health and safety guidelines for digital devices under consideration
Louisiana could soon send out guidelines on safe digital device use in classrooms out of concern for the effects smartphones and laptops have on students. House Bill 548, authored by Rep. Aimee Freeman, D-New Orleans, would have the state education department create the guidelines in consultation with health experts, teachers, school administrators and parents. Medical […]
Retired Louisiana teachers, state police may get benefits increase
Louisiana lawmakers are considering the first benefit bonus for retired Louisiana teachers since 2016. Senate Bill 6, authored by Sen. Ed Price, D-Gonzales, would provide retired teachers who qualify a 2% increase in their retirement benefits. It would apply to retirees over age 60 and those who retired due to disability. Price’s bill advanced from […]
About a third of Louisiana K-12 schools still test for COVID-19
While the Louisiana Department of Health recommends that elementary, middle and high schools continue to regularly test their students for COVID-19, only about a third still do. About 600 of the nearly 1,900 Louisiana K-12 schools take part in the state’s free COVID-19 testing program, Kevin Litten with the health department said. Dr. Susan Hassig, […]
Smoking marijuana in a car isn’t illegal in Louisiana, but that’s likely to change
You’re not allowed to be under the influence of marijuana while driving in Louisiana, but there’s no law that expressly prohibits drivers or passengers from smoking weed.
New Mississippi River bridge in Baton Rouge narrowed down to 10 possible locations
Louisiana residents will have a chance to review 10 proposed locations for a new bridge over the Mississippi River in the Baton Rouge area. The consultant group the state has hired for the project told a local committee Monday afternoon they will use public feedback to narrow that list to three by the end of […]
Louisiana needs another 2,500 teachers: ‘This is a crisis for us’
Louisiana education leaders’ message to state lawmakers was clear: the teacher shortage in K-12 schools has reached emergency levels. “This is a crisis for us. We need more teachers,” Louisiana Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed told the House Education Committee during a hearing Thursday at the State Capitol. Ronnie Morris, a member of […]
Louisiana schools could face deadline to install cameras in special needs classrooms
Louisiana schools may be required to install cameras in special needs classrooms by year’s end. But that’s only if the state finds the money to support the initiative. Last year, the Louisiana Legislature approved a law that added that requirement, but some schools have yet to implement the technology. “Parents would like to see the […]
Louisiana’s blind, visually impaired students could get ‘Bill of Rights’
The Louisiana House Education Committee approved a bill of rights Wednesday for blind and visually impaired students. It would require public schools to offer special education services – including appropriate screenings, assessments, and learning media – for visually impaired students. Early intervention programs at schools would have to provide some of the following if the […]
Ronald Greene committee chairman: ‘Something going on at State Police that’s rotten’
State lawmakers grew frustrated Tuesday with a high-ranking member of Louisiana State Police when he avoided answers to their questions about the 2019 in-custody death of Ronald Greene. “There’s something going on at State Police that’s rotten,” Rep. Tanner Magee, R-Houma, chair of a special House committee that is looking into allegations of a coverup. […]