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Shintech plastic manufacturing expansion ‘very disappointing,’ environmentalist says
Shintech Louisiana LLC, the world’s leading manufacturer of a widely produced synthetic plastic polymer called PVC, will invest $1.3 billion to expand manufacturing and packaging facilities in Iberville and West Baton Rouge parishes, Gov. John Bel Edwards’ office announced Tuesday. To secure the project, the State of Louisiana offered the corporation an incentive package that […]
LSU creates African and African American Studies department decades after students and faculty demanded it
More than 50 years after the country’s first Black studies department was established and more than 26 years after the establishment of Louisiana State University’s African and African American Studies Program, a Jan. 15 decision by LSU’s Board of Supervisors to upgrade that program into a department is a result of decades of continuous activism, […]
Fewer than half of Ochsner Health hospital system employees have been vaccinated for COVID-19, CEO says
Much to the surprise and disappointment of Ochsner Health executives, fewer than half of the hospital system’s employees have been vaccinated for COVID-19, in part because of skepticism about the vaccine, Ochsner Health president and CEO Warner Thomas said in a press conference Monday. “I would’ve thought we’d be higher (than 49.1 percent),” Thomas said. […]
Paper company invests $52 million into improving Bogalusa paper mill
International Paper will invest up to $52.2 million to modernize the paper mill in Bogalusa, a manufacturing mainstay of Washington Parish for more than a century. While state officials praised the company for the investment, an organizer with Together Louisiana, a statewide network of congregations and civic organizations, said corporate moves that involve huge tax […]
Louisiana HBCUs celebrate Vice President Kamala Harris and as an example of their schools’ record of achievement
As Vice President Kamala Harris was sworn in on Wednesday as the 49th vice president of the United States, Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the country — and those in Louisiana — celebrated her accomplishment as their own and as a demonstration of the value of those campuses. Vice President Harris graduated from Howard […]
LSU allotted $43 million from second COVID-19 relief bill
LSU has been allotted $43 million from the U.S. Congress’ second COVID-19 relief bill, about $18 million more than the university received from the CARES act in March. “Our top priority this year is going to be securing much deserved raises for our faculty and staff,” Interim LSU President Galligan said. “Taking care of our […]
LSU Board approves creation of African and African American studies department
LSU’s Board of Supervisors approved a request Friday day to promote its African and African American program to department status. The promotion will give the African and African American studies program more autonomy, more faculty and more resources, Stephen Finley, the director of the African and African American studies program, said. “Everyone knows when something […]
Louisianans affected by Hurricane Zeta can now apply for help from FEMA
Louisianans with Hurricane Zeta losses can now apply for help from FEMA. Residents of Jefferson, Lafourche, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard and Terrebonne Parishes who suffered damages can now apply for individual assistance from FEMA following a decision from the White House to approve Gov. John Bel Edwards’ request for a major disaster declaration. Hurricane Zeta […]
With COVID-19 the worst it’s been, Louisiana’s college students return to campus
Students at Louisiana’s colleges and universities return to school this month in a state that has more COVID-19 cases than it has ever had — and with all signs indicating that things are going to get worse. In response, some colleges have required students to provide a negative test before returning to campus — and […]
COVID-19 in Louisiana: as bad as it’s been and getting worse
“There’s never been more COVID in Louisiana than there is now,” the state’s top public health officer said at a press conference Tuesday. The risk of community spread and transmission has never been higher than it is now, Joe Kanter, the interim head of the Office of Public Health said, and, he said even higher […]
City of New Orleans seeking volunteers to assist with COVID-19 vaccine distribution effort
The City of New Orleans is looking for volunteers to assist with medical and nonmedical COVID-19 vaccine distribution efforts. Volunteers will help with patient registration, triage, supply restocking, post-vaccination observation, traffic control and other operational and logistical support. Volunteers with a medical license may volunteer to administer vaccines to patients. Anyone 18 years or older […]
Louisiana Department of Education receives $1.1 billion grant
The Louisiana Department of Education will receive a grant worth about $1.1 billion from the U.S. Congress’ latest COVID-19 relief bill. Local school systems will receive over $1 billion of the grant, or 90 percent. The rest will go to the education department. Ted Beasley, an education department spokesperson, said the department is still figuring […]