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Who is Sgt. William Henry Johnson, the recommended new namesake for Fort Polk?
The Naming Commission has recommended updating Fort Polk, named after a Confederate Army commander, to honor World War I legend Sgt. William Henry Johnson. (Department of Defense photo)
Louisiana lawmakers ponder gasoline stockpile for hurricanes
Louisiana already has 1 million gallons of fuel available if needed for its hurricane response efforts. State lawmakers are considering setting aside another 4 million gallons to address critical shortages in the wake of major storms. Rep. Daryl Deshotel, R-Hessmer, has proposed the Louisiana Strategic Fuel Reserve in House Bill 1057. It calls for the […]
Not surprisingly, recent hurricanes lead to more insurance complaints
Complaints to the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) soared following major hurricanes over the past two years, with homeowners reporting delays with claims leading the way, according to a Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s report released Monday. State lawmakers requested the audit, which used LDI data, after hurricanes Laura and Delta in 2020 and Ida in 2021 impacted […]
Why Louisiana ‘absolutely’ still has an unconstitutional abortion law
It would be a waste of time and energy to continue to beat the near dead horse that is Rep. Danny McCormick’s anti-abortion bill. Instead, let’s look at why it should have never made it to the Louisiana House floor, who could possibly have stopped it before it got there and why the existing law […]
Governor: Louisiana will take COVID-19 vaccine off school requirement list
Gov. John Bel Edwards said Wednesday state health officials will remove the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of required immunizations for Louisiana students. During his monthly radio show, the governor said it was anticipated that the COVID-19 vaccines would have full federal approval by now. The governor’s announcement will likely throw water on multiple proposals […]
Lawmakers loosen limitations on police mug shots proposal
A Louisiana Senate committee has loosened proposed restrictions to limit the public release of mug shots of police suspects before they are convicted. Changes made Wednesday would allow photos of violent criminal suspects to be issued to the news media, the chief opponent of the legislation. The original version of House Bill 729 would have only […]
McCormick quits House committee that defers his Roe v. Wade bill
It came on the same day the committee was scheduled to hear his bill that would prohibit the enforcement of any Supreme Court decision or judgment regarding the landmark abortion case.
Lawmakers, grieving parents differ on how tough to get on fentanyl
There’s broad agreement that Louisiana’s fentanyl crisis has reached acute levels, with overdose deaths attributed to manmade opioids up 119% according to state health officials. But consensus on an approach to curb these numbers and discourage abuse of the drug remains elusive, even as state lawmakers advance a proposed law to make penalties harsher. Sen. […]
Louisiana Senate rejects permanent local say for industrial tax breaks
The relatively new voice local taxing bodies have over whether industrial projects receive major tax breaks could soon fade after the Louisiana Senate rejected an attempt Tuesday to make their say permanent. Gov. John Bel Edwards issued an executive order six years ago that gave locals the right to approve or reject their share of […]
Louisiana House revives ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill with rare procedural move
Conservatives in the Louisiana House of Representatives turned to a seldom used procedure Tuesday to bring a controversial education proposal back from the dead. With just two votes to spare, members revived a bill that would prohibit public school teachers and employees from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity with students. The so-called “Don’t Say […]
Attempt to boost Louisiana State Police leader’s accountability dies in committee
A proposal to insert accountability into the close-knit relationship between the leader of Louisiana State Police and the governor died Tuesday in the Legislature, despite overwhelming bipartisan support for the idea amid multiple investigations into the law enforcement agency. Democrat Cleo Fields, lead author for Senate Bill 400, wants to create a deputy secretary of public […]
Louisiana lawmakers take a step back on police accountability
Louisiana lawmakers have been at the forefront recently when it comes to seeking accountability from police. A special House investigative committee continues to peel back shrouds of an apparent coverup in the death of Ronald Greene when he was in State Police custody, and a Senate oversight panel is moving toward fashioning policy changes to […]