Govt + Politics
Federal judge cites climate effect in canceling Gulf of Mexico oil and gas lease sale
A federal judge invalidated leases to drill for oil and gas in a broad swath of the Gulf of Mexico, telling the Biden administration to weigh climate impacts before allowing development.
Louisiana revenue chief stepping down for job at LSU
A long-time Department of Revenue employee will take her place, according to the governor's office.
Meet a top contender for the U.S. Supreme Court open seat
WASHINGTON — With the retirement of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer by this summer, President Joe Biden has said he will fulfill a campaign promise of appointing a Black woman to an open seat on the highest court in the land. A top contender, who was even vetted by the Obama administration in 2016 […]
More than 100 Louisiana water, sewer systems get funding for repairs
Financial help is on the way for Louisiana communities that frequently have to boil their drinking water to make it safe, and for places where aging sewer systems present a public health risk. State lawmakers voted Tuesday to allocate $274 million to 87 community water and sewage systems around the state for upgrades and overhauls. […]
Biden vows to nominate first Black woman to Supreme Court by end of February
WASHINGTON — Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer formally announced his retirement Thursday, giving President Joe Biden his first, and possibly only, opportunity to make a nomination for the lifetime appointment. At the White House, Biden said he will make his decision by the end of February and recommitted to nominating the court’s first Black female […]
New Board of Regents administrator has professors concerned about job security
A new addition to the staff at the Louisiana Board of Regents has turned the heads of some professors at state colleges. Dr. Tristan Denley, deputy commissioner of academic affairs and innovation, comes from the University of Georgia System where he helped institute a controversial performance review policy for tenured academics. Professors with tenure typically […]
Arizona GOP proposal would allow lawmakers to reject election results
Lawmakers would decide whether to accept or reject the results. If the legislature rejects the results, any qualified voter can go to court to ask a judge to order a new election.
Mobile app sports betting starts Friday in Louisiana; will it be a tax revenue win?
Sports betting on smartphones will be available in Louisiana ahead of this weekend's NFL conference championships in the 55 parishes that approved last fall.
Reports: Supreme Court Justice Breyer to step down
The decision by the 83-year-old justice, who was nominated by President Bill Clinton in 1994, would give President Joe Biden his first chance to nominate a member of the Supreme Court, though the evenly divided Senate could significantly affect that choice.
Louisiana budget: 10 big questions facing the governor and lawmakers
As expected, Gov. John Bel Edwards and Louisiana lawmakers were not on the same page Tuesday about how the state should spend billions of dollars in additional, unexpected revenue. Edwards unveiled his state spending proposal this week, kicking off a season of negotiations with lawmakers that could last until June. The budget will go into […]
Union leaders: Proposed pay raise for Louisiana teachers not enough
Gov. John Bel Edwards has proposed pay raises for K-12 teachers and support staff in the state budget for the second year in a row, and leaders of Louisiana’s teachers unions say it’s a step in the right direction. But they admit it falls well short of what’s needed to address a chronic teacher shortage […]
Campaign aims to raise human trafficking awareness in Louisiana
The effort, Stop Trafficking LA: Human Trafficking is REAL, will focus on how to identify when a trafficking victim needs help and more specific services for victims.