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STD legislation that criminalizes exposure runs afoul of latest research, critics say
A state legislator has introduced a bill that would make it a crime for someone to intentionally expose another with a sexually transmitted disease (STD). But some in the health care industry and LGBTQ community fear the bill will do the opposite of what is intended. House Bill 238, sponsored by Rep. Patricia Moore, D-Monroe, […]
Governor eases COVID-19 capacity restrictions at bars and other venues
Gov. John Bel Edwards on Tuesday lifted some coronavirus-related capacity restrictions on restaurants, bars, gyms, retail outlets and other venues, citing a steady decline in new COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations across the state. However, the governor emphasized that he is leaving in place guidelines that require people to wear face masks and keep a healthy […]
Louisiana Survey shows economy and pandemic top residents’ concerns
The results of the 2021 Louisiana Survey, released Tuesday, indicate residents are most concerned with the COVID-19 pandemic and the economy, even though more than two-thirds of those surveyed say that financially they’re doing as well or better than they were a year ago. Researchers in the Public Policy Research Lab (PPRL) at LSU’s Reilly […]
Cypress tree legislation would ban harvesting on public property
The cypress tree, one of Louisiana’s most cherished icons, is disappearing at an alarming rate, but a bill introduced in the Louisiana House of Representatives hopes to protect it. House Bill 239, authored by Rep. Neil Riser, R-Columbia, would make it illegal to cut down, hurt or damage any cypress tree on all public property. […]
Misclassification of Employees Task Force disbands without finishing
Louisiana’s Misclassification of Employees Task Force, which was assembled to tackle employer payroll fraud in the state, held its last meeting on Wednesday and disbanded without adopting most of the proposed legislation its members had hoped to give to state lawmakers for the regular session beginning April 12. After drafting a full report containing seven […]
Denham Springs lawmaker writes bill targeting immigrants to ‘deter theft of our LA tax dollars’
State Rep. Valarie Hodges has introduced a bill targeting immigrants that could make it more difficult for Louisianans to claim dependents on their annual tax returns, particularly those of lower-income with children studying abroad. Present law allows taxpayers to claim a state individual income tax credit of 5 percent of the amount of the taxpayer’s federal […]
St. James Parish resident to testify at United Nations session on “Cancer Alley”
A St. James Parish resident who has been pushing for cleaner air surrounding her home in “Cancer Alley” will address the United Nations Working Group on Peoples of African Descent on Thursday. The session is public and available online through the OHCHR’s website. Sharon Lavigne, founder of the grassroots, faith-based activist organization RISE St. James, […]
Louisiana AG Jeff Landry files lawsuit against what he calls President Biden’s ‘attack on American energy independence’
Attorney General Jeff Landry has filed a lawsuit challenging President Joe Biden’s executive order that temporarily suspends new oil and gas leases on public lands or offshore waters. On Wednesday Landry announced in a press release that he is leading 13 state attorneys general in a federal lawsuit against what Landry calls the Biden administration’s […]
Senator Cassidy: LSU should have considered firing admins but fault rises ‘to the top’
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, responded to questions about LSU’s sexual misconduct scandal during his weekly press conference call Tuesday, saying the university needs to “root out any culture that would tolerate sexual harassment” and should have considered firing those who had the responsibility and authority to act but failed to do so. Asked […]
Gulf Coast birds get $35 million in help from BP oil spill settlement
The Deepwater Horizon Trustees on Monday announced nearly $100 million in new Gulf Coast restoration projects for ecosystems destroyed or injured by the BP oil spill. Specifically, the projects aim to rebuild and protect habitats for sea turtles, marine mammals, oysters, and birds across the five states and parts of Mexico impacted by the BP […]
Trump-era ‘wealth test’ for immigrants dies in 4th Circuit
A legal dispute over the so-called “wealth test” for immigrants died in the United States 4th Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday after the court denied a motion by Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry and other Republican state AGs that would have kept alive an appeal of a lower court ruling that blocked the policy. […]
Misclassification of Employees Task Force may need more time
The members of Louisiana’s Misclassification of Employees Task Force, who are researching employer payroll fraud, feel they will not be able to submit some proposed legislation in time for state lawmakers’ regular session beginning April 12. At Wednesday’s meeting, the members agreed with task force Chairman Luke Morris when he suggested tabling one of their […]