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Louisiana’s low unemployment benefits leave residents choosing which bill to pay
Soon after the novel coronavirus was detected in Louisiana in March 2020, Dora Whitfield found herself in completely unfamiliar territory: unemployed for the first time in 32 years. At The Buffet at Harrah’s — where she’d been working since 2001 — she was making $600-700 a week just in tips. When she filed for unemployment […]
LSU students demand stiffer punishment for athletic execs who sat on sexual misconduct allegations
LSU’s suspension of two athletic department employees who sat on sexual misconduct and domestic violence allegations against LSU athletes prompted a campus protest Monday led by Tigers Against Sexual Assault, a student-run organization focused on sexual assault education. Referring to Executive Deputy Athletic Director Verge Ausberry and Senior Associate Athletic Director Miriam Segar, who were […]
Where’s LSU’s required African American studies course two board members ask
Two Black members of LSU’s Board of Supervisors asked at Friday’s meeting why the LSU Faculty Senate introduced a resolution to require an African American studies course for its students and then didn’t vote on it. “Some short while ago, I was excited and impressed that Louisiana State University was embracing an African American studies […]
Edwards announces new statewide rental assistance program
Louisiana renters and landlords who are struggling financially can now apply for rental assistance from the state’s newest rental assistance program. On Friday, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced the launch of the state’s latest new program, funded by the COVID-19 relief package passed by Congress at the end of 2020 that allocated $309 million to […]
As university-wide cases trend down, LSU will move into Phase 3 of its COVID-19 reopening plan
Louisiana State University will follow the state’s lead and move into Phase 3 of its COVID-19 reopening plan, the university announced Thursday afternoon. As of March 4, there are 29 active COVID-19 cases among LSU’s total student and employee population of 39,000 — or .07 percent, according to the university’s dashboard. The university’s active case […]
Shalanda Young, Biden’s deputy budget nominee, to testify before Senate committee Thursday
Shalanda Young, a native of the Baton Rouge area nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as the deputy director at the Office of Management and Budget, will have a confirmation hearing Thursday before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. She will be introduced to the committee by another Baton Rouge […]
Louisiana loosens restrictions, moves to Phase 3 of its COVID-19 reopening plan
Because Louisiana’s COVID-19 numbers are “currently moving in the right direction and have been for the past several weeks now,“ Gov. Edwards announced during a Tuesday afternoon press conference that he is moving the state to Phase 3 of its coronavirus reopening plan. The state’s mask mandate and recommendations regarding social distancing will remain in […]
More than a million COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Louisiana
More than a million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Louisiana, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced on Twitter Monday. “We still have work to do, but this milestone marks a big step in putting this pandemic behind us,” Gov. John Bel Edward wrote. “These vaccines are saving lives every day and bringing us closer […]
Louisiana teachers and school staff feel gratitude and relief after receiving COVID-19 vaccine
Lauren Jewett, a New Orleans K-8 special education teacher, said it’s been an anxiety-ridden year for her and her fellow teachers. Throughout the school year, Jewett had to alternate between teaching virtually and in-person, and when students and staff were in the school building, she worried about her and her colleague’s safety. “I was anxious […]
Louisiana could receive Johnson & Johnson vaccines ‘as soon as next week,’ Edwards says
Louisiana could receive COVID-19 vaccine doses made by Johnson & Johnson “as soon as next week,” Gov. John Bel Edwards announced during a press conference Thursday afternoon, an addition that could add up to 38,000 doses to next week’s vaccine distribution total. “This is very, very exciting for us for a number of reasons,” Joe […]
Louisiana teachers could see pay raise with Gov. Edwards’ proposed budget
Gov. John Bel Edwards’ has proposed a pay increase for school employees in his 2021 budget proposal that will be unveiled Friday morning. K-12 teachers would see a $400 increase in their annual salary while K-12 support staff would see a $200 increase in his budget plan, the governor said. “We obviously know that our […]
Marathon Petroleum, accused of fraudulently seeking tax exemption, granted contingent tax break
Three months after it was accused of falsifying records in an attempt to get a property tax exemption from the Louisiana Board of Commerce and Industry, Marathon Petroleum was awarded that tax break Monday after a state official testified that it is commonplace for industries to “amend” their requests after originally submitted. The commerce board […]