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Quarantine rules irk Louisiana school superintendents
Some Louisiana public school superintendents are asking state legislators to reduce the 14-day quarantine period that is required of students who come into close contact with someone on campus who tests positive for COVID-19. The House Committee on Health and Welfare met Monday to discuss the Louisiana Department of Health’s emergency rule regarding quarantine procedures […]
Louisiana’s colleges will move to full virtual after Thanksgiving
Most of Louisiana’s colleges and universities will move to full virtual classes and not report to traditional classrooms after the Thanksgiving holidays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Louisiana Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Reed. Reed spoke to the Resilient Louisiana Commission meeting Friday. The commission, which Gov. John Bel Edwards established to determine […]
‘Every single one’ of Louisiana’s hospitals at risk of overflow
Gov. John Bel Edwards expressed deep concern Thursday about the continuous increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations across Louisiana, which have climbed by nearly 30 percent over the last seven days and are bringing hospitals to the brink of patient overflow. At a press conference Thursday, the governor reported 929 patients in hospitals due to COVID-19, an […]
Governor not prepared to fire anyone over LSU sexual misconduct scandal yet
Gov. John Bel Edwards on Thursday said he would not call for the terminations of any LSU administrators yet in the wake of a USA Today investigation in which several female students said university officials ignored acts of rape and domestic violence by football players and other male students. “I’m not prepared to say any […]
These Louisiana Democrats are eyeing Cedric Richmond’s congressional seat
Several high-profile Louisiana Democrats are eyeing the soon-to-be vacant seat of the 2nd Congressional District after U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond announced Tuesday that he will resign his post in January to take a senior advisor position in the White House. President-elect Joe Biden tapped Richmond as his senior advisor and director of public engagement. The […]
LSU hires law firm to review sexual misconduct policies after negative report
LSU officials announced they have hired a law firm to conduct an independent review of its sexual misconduct policies in the wake of a USA Today investigation in which several female students said violence and sexual assault perpetrated by football players and other male students had been ignored by the school. Federal laws and LSU’s […]
Louisiana commerce board approves tax exemption for Folger despite allegation that company used tax loophole
The Louisiana Board of Commerce and Industry on Friday approved $220 million of single-year industrial tax exemptions, including 13 exemptions for Folger Coffee Company that might allow the coffee giant to avoid paying as much as $12 million in back taxes to New Orleans. Board members approved nearly $4 million in first-year tax breaks for […]
Judge rules petition statute House Republicans used unconstitutional, marking win for governor
A 19th Judicial District Court today ruled unconstitutional part of a statute used by Louisiana House Republicans to try to end, via petition, the governor’s order imposing COVID-19 restrictions. Judge William Morvant determined that the part of the Health Emergencies Act cited in the petition is unconstitutional because it allows a governor’s executive order to […]
Who should investigate La. State Police if the agency is ever barred from investigating itself?
Should the Louisiana State Police continue to be allowed to investigate itself? Should police officers be allowed to turn off their body cameras at their own discretion? Members of the Louisiana Legislature’s police reform task force on Tuesday debated those questions with newly-appointed State Police Superintendent Col. Lamar Davis. The task force’s Policy and Oversight […]
Louisiana climate task force holds first meeting
Louisiana’s Climate Initiatives Task Force, a body Gov. John Bel Edwards created through an Aug. 19 executive order, held its inaugural meeting at the capitol building on Monday, and its chairperson said the task force’s effort will be about “leading us away from environmental disaster and economic hardship and towards a better future for our […]
What does the new anti-abortion amendment really mean for Louisiana?
Far from being a mere symbolic gesture, the passage of Louisiana’s anti-abortion constitutional amendment on Tuesday cements any future abortion prohibitions in the state if Roe v. Wade is ever weakened or overturned. The amendment, which passed by an overwhelming 62 percent, adds Article I, Section 20.1 to declare that “to protect human life, nothing […]
Formosa Plastics permit suspended by Army Corps
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Wednesday announced through a court filing in federal court in Washington its plans to suspend its permit for a proposed 1500-acre Formosa Plastics facility in St. James Parish. The announcement came before today’s Nov. 5 filing deadline for the Corps to defend its issuance of a permit to […]