Govt + Politics
Louisiana Congressman-elect Luke Letlow hospitalized with COVID-19
This story has been updated with news of Luke Letlow’s hospitalization. Congressman-elect Luke Letlow announced over Twitter Friday that he has contracted COVID-19. Letlow, 40, said then he was at his home in Start, La., and following quarantine guidelines outlined by the Centers for Disease Control. He has been elected to represent Louisiana’s 5th […]
Biden picks Michigan’s Granholm for Energy, North Carolina’s Regan for EPA and New Mexico’s Haaland for Interior
President-elect Joe Biden will nominate U.S. Rep. Debra A. Haaland to lead the Interior Department, former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm to head the Energy Department and North Carolina’s top environmental regulator, Michael Regan, to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, his presidential transition team said Thursday night. The selections were announced as part of the incoming […]
Gov. John Bel Edwards provides an update on the state’s vaccine distribution plan
Officials have administered 7,000 of the 39,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccines in Louisiana’s first batch at 71 hospitals throughout the state, Gov. John Bel Edwards said in a press conference Thursday afternoon. The top priority for vaccines will go to Louisiana’s frontline workers and nursing home residents and staff — around 210,000 people. Edwards […]
Folgers tax breaks survive another month with New Orleans City Council
To the disappointment of many residents, the New Orleans City Council on Thursday postponed a vote on controversial tax exemptions for Folgers Coffee Company to give it time to explain why it should be exempt from paying an estimated $5.4 million in back property taxes and roughly $14 million in future taxes over 10 years. […]
Louisiana Rep. Cedric Richmond has COVID-19
Louisiana Rep. Cedric Richmond, a Democrat who represents New Orleans and Baton Rouge, tested positive for COVID-19 Wednesday. The congressman, 47, said in a brief interview that he is experiencing mild symptoms, but feels mostly fine and is in quarantine in New Orleans. Richmond is a close adviser to President-elect Joe Biden and will serve […]
Workers’ COVID-19 lawsuits could be quashed under GOP push in Congress
WASHINGTON—A wrongful death lawsuit filed in connection with a Tyson meat packing facility in Iowa alleged that managers secretly took bets on how many employees would get sick from COVID-19. Tyson fired seven managers at the Waterloo pork processing plant following an independent investigation into the betting allegations and a wave of national publicity. But […]
John Bel Edwards plans to get the COVID-19 vaccine — but he doesn’t know when
Gov. John Bel Edwards and his family will get the COVID-19 vaccine eventually, but he isn’t sure when that will happen yet. “All the members of my family are going to get it as soon as we are in the order of priority that’s being vaccinated,” Edwards said on his monthly call-in radio show Wednesday. […]
Congress close to emergency relief deal including direct payments, added unemployment benefits
WASHINGTON — A coronavirus relief deal appeared within reach late Wednesday following months of stalemate in Congress, potentially providing much-needed help to Americans facing expiring unemployment benefits and states distributing the new COVID-19 vaccine. A final deal also may include another round of direct payments, with Sen. John Thune, (R-S.D.), suggesting to reporters that those […]
Relief for states and local governments remains sticking point for new COVID-19 relief bill
As COVID-19 deaths continue to rise, millions of Americans remain unemployed and a new eviction crisis looming, Congress has yet to reach an agreement on a new COVID-19 relief package that will help alleviate some of the pain that people across the country are feeling. A group of bipartisan U.S. senators that includes Louisiana Republican […]
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos heads for the exits, leaving a legacy of turmoil
WASHINGTON—In four years in office, U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos failed to broaden her appeal beyond the moment she won a wild Senate confirmation fight by the closest of margins. She didn’t even try. Instead, the billionaire Michigan native and Republican megadonor championed private and charter schools, often trying to funnel federal funding toward them. […]
Gov. proclaims Dec. 15 as ‘Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center Day’
Gov. John Bel Edwards signed a proclamation declaring Dec. 15 as “Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center Day” in honor of the former governor who would have turned 78 on Tuesday. “The life and work of Kathleen Blanco continue to inspire Louisianans,” Gov. Edwards said in a press release. “Gov. Blanco broke many barriers as […]
Louisiana House Speaker to host holiday gathering during pandemic
Louisiana House Speaker Clay Schexnayder is hosting a holiday open house for House members and their spouses on state property, even though Gov. John Bel Edwards has repeatedly discouraged the public — and state employees specifically — from throwing parties and potlucks over the past several weeks because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Schexnayder, R-Gonzales, invited […]