Briefs
DCFS has received 78 reports of child trafficking since Jan. 1
A new law requires Louisiana authorities to direct all reports of suspected child trafficking to the state Department of Children and Family Services. Its director told lawmakers Thursday the DCFS mandated reporting hotline has handled 78 juvenile trafficking calls this year, the large majority of them involving sex trafficking. Of the cases authorities have been […]
Calls for food assistance triple as pandemic SNAP benefits end
The federal government ended the extra food assistance provided to families in need through the COVID-19 pandemic at the end of February, and now state officials say they’re hearing from people in need. Calls to Louisiana’s 211 information line from citizens seeking food aid have tripled since the start of February, according to Department of […]
Food stamps cut off mostly for non-financial reasons, audit finds
When a Louisiana family loses public food assistance, it’s most often not because they don’t qualify for it. A new report from the state Legislative Auditor found that more than half the time the reasons are procedural rather than financial. The auditor conducted an efficiency review of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) within the […]
Louisiana’s Revenue Department acknowledges slight miscalculation
The Louisiana Department of Revenue (LDR) has confirmed an audit that shows it incorrectly reported the state’s 2022 tax receipts in its annual fiscal report, according to a recent audit. The errors amounted to a small percentage of the state’s total budget. The Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office released a report Monday that stated LDR understated […]
Edwards heads to Japan, South Korea to strengthen business ties
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards is leading a delegation on a week-long Asia trip to cultivate business development. Edwards will be joined by Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson as well as members of the governor’s staff and LED’s Office of International Commerce. According to a press release, the governor will attend several business engagements […]
Governor names new transportation secretary as Wilson retires
Gov. John Bel Edwards named Eric Kalivoda as the new head of the state Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) Thursday. Kalivoda, who served as second-in-command for the past 13 years, will officially take over as secretary on Saturday, which is when current DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson’s retirement takes effect. Wilson is expected to announce […]
How Medicaid recipients can update their contact information
Medicaid recipients who want to avoid losing their health insurance coverage should make sure they update their contact information with the Louisiana Department of Health or their Medicaid provider. The state will start a massive Medicaid disenrollment process in April, when federal COVID-19 pandemic protections for Medicaid recipients begin to wane. Louisiana estimates approximately 280,000 […]
Alena Allen to become first Black dean at LSU law school
A professor who resigned from the University of Memphis School of Law due to a lack of Black leaders will be the first Black dean of LSU’s law school. Alena Allen, currently a law professor at the University of Arkansas School of Law, will be the next dean of the LSU Law Center, the university […]
Southeastern target of cyberattack; State Police investigating
Southeastern Louisiana University was the target of a cyberattack that led to much of the campus being without internet throughout the weekend due to the university intentionally taking the network offline as a preventative measure, campus administrators confirmed Monday, The attack was reported to Louisiana State Police, which is investigating the attack, according to a […]
Bond Commission keeps banking options open, despite Jeff Landry’s wishes
Members of the State Bond Commission met Friday and opted against placing any restrictions on the banks Louisiana is allowed to borrow money from based on the institution’s environmental, social or governance views. Concerns that limiting the state’s choice could cost taxpayers in terms of higher interest overcame calls from Attorney General Jeff Landry to […]
Folgers property tax break appeal heads to state board
The Louisiana Board of Commerce and Industry is expected to hear the appeal of tax exemption denials from Folgers Coffee Co. next week worth more than $5 million to New Orleans government, schools and law enforcement that want the revenue. It has been more than two years since Folgers filed six different applications for Louisiana’s […]
Judge rules against LSU student journalist seeking Greek Life investigation records
A Louisiana district judge has ruled against the editor of LSU’s student-run newspaper in its attempt to unearth investigative records about a former Greek Life administrator accused of catfishing students. The university investigated the administrator, Donald Abels, on allegations that he created multiple Snapchat accounts with false personas to entrap fraternity recruits in violations of […]