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Louisiana legislative leaders direct tens of millions of state dollars to their own parishes
By: Julie O'Donoghue - August 15, 2023
The city of Central got $3 million in the Louisiana state budget this year for batting cages, a locker room and a high school weight room. The town of Baldwin in St. Mary Parish received $160,000 for a new basketball court. The Regional Military Museum in Houma secured $500,000. Catholic Charities of Acadiana in Lafayette […]
After avoiding opponents, Jeff Landry will take part in at least one gubernatorial debate
By: Julie O'Donoghue - August 11, 2023
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry will participate in at least one debate during the governor’s race this fall, according to his campaign staff. He has avoided joint appearances with the other gubernatorial candidates up until this point. Brent Littlefield, Landry’s longtime political consultant, said the attorney general always intended to take part in a debate […]
Endorsed by Trump, Jeff Landry won’t say whether Trump tried to undermine the 2020 election
By: Julie O'Donoghue - August 10, 2023
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has been touting his endorsement from Donald Trump in the governor’s race for weeks, but Landry refused Wednesday night to say whether he thought the former president tried to cast aside results of the 2020 election. When a journalist asked Landry about Trump’s criminal charges, the attorney general did not […]
Election 2023: 3 candidates sign up to run for Louisiana state treasurer
By: Julie O'Donoghue and Piper Hutchinson - August 9, 2023
Two Republicans and one Democrat signed up Tuesday to run for state treasurer of Louisiana, a position with limited authority that has nevertheless catapulted people such as John Kennedy and Mary Landrieu to more prestigious elected offices. Former Congressman John Fleming of Minden and state Rep. Scott McKnight, of Baton Rouge are Republicans. Financial adviser […]
Treasurer candidate who worked for Trump says he doesn’t know who won 2020 election
By: Julie O'Donoghue - August 9, 2023
A former congressman and current state treasurer candidate on Tuesday said he doesn’t know whether President Joe Biden won the 2020 election over Donald Trump. “I believe it was a very close election and I have not been presented with evidence either way,” about the outcome of the race, Republican John Fleming said at a […]
Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain signs up to run for reelection
By: Julie O'Donoghue - August 8, 2023
Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain signed up Tuesday to seek his fifth term in statewide office. A veterinarian from St. Tammany Parish, Strain won his first election to run the Department of Agriculture and Forestry in 2007. The commissioner, a Republican, currently has no major opponents, but candidates have until 4:30 p.m. Thursday to qualify […]
Three candidates say they’ll voluntarily ‘weaken’ the governor’s office if elected
By: Julie O'Donoghue - August 4, 2023
Three of the seven candidates for Louisiana governor said they would voluntarily give up some of the office’s wide-ranging power and influence if elected this fall to replace Gov. John Bel Edwards. “I think the power of the governor is too strong,” said former business lobbyist and Republican candidate Stephen Waguespack at the annual conference […]
Louisiana removes more than 50,000 people from Medicaid at start of disenrollment process
By: Julie O'Donoghue - August 2, 2023
Louisiana removed 50,600 people from government-funded Medicaid health insurance over the last few weeks, as part of the program’s massive disenrollment process nationwide. But the decision to drop all those people may not be permanent. Those kicked out of Medicaid likely include residents who are still eligible for the benefits, said Kevin Litten, spokesman for […]
Louisiana U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy endorses Attorney General Jeff Landry for governor
By: Julie O'Donoghue - July 31, 2023
Louisiana’s senior U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy has endorsed Attorney General Jeff Landry over four other Republicans in the governor’s race, despite the two men taking different approaches to politics in recent years. “Today, I endorse Jeff Landry for governor. There are good people in the race, and I am friends with most. But as I’ve […]
Other Republicans in the Louisiana governor’s race criticize Jeff Landry
By: Julie O'Donoghue - July 31, 2023
Republicans running for Louisiana governor have ramped up attacks on the presumed GOP frontrunner in the race, Attorney General Jeff Landry. Landry has become a target for other candidates after leading in recent polls. The attorney general has also raised more money than anyone else in the race. The most recent criticism came from candidate […]
Louisiana board for two-year colleges gets new members
By: Julie O'Donoghue - July 27, 2023
The state board that oversees Louisiana’s two-year colleges will get two new members, according to a press release from Gov. John Bel Edwards released Thursday. Edwards appointed Joseph Hollins and Matthew J. Wood to the Louisiana Community and Technical Colleges Board of Supervisors. Each will serve a six-year term. Hollins is executive director of the […]
Louisiana lawmakers question funding, oversight for elder abuse investigations
By: Julie O'Donoghue - July 25, 2023
Louisiana legislators questioned Tuesday whether the state needs to devote more money to fight elder abuse after an investigation showed the Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs has not adequately responded to reports of mistreatment and neglect. “It looks like to me that this is another one of those instances where there is a funding issue […]