Legislative
Louisiana education department releases proposed social studies standards for K-8 schools
A Louisiana Department of Education steering committee Saturday released a new version of the standards for Louisiana students learning social studies, updating the content and timeline of what history is taught in public schools. Under the proposed new standards, kindergarten through second grade students will be taught Louisiana and world history at an introductory level. By […]
Louisiana residents are sleeping in tents because of damaged housing, lawmaker says
Lafourche and Terrebonne parish residents displaced by Hurricane Ida have been sleeping in tents and “using the rubble to build their own sort of makeshift structure” since the storm made landfall last month, said Speaker Pro Tempore Tanner Magee during a legislative hearing Monday. “And when I say tent, I’m not talking about like some […]
New Orleans lawmakers disapprove of detention center evacuation to adult prison
Two New Orleans state lawmakers called for changes Thursday to the city’s juvenile detention center evacuation policy after 36 teenagers were sent to an adult prison for five days around Hurricane Ida. Rep. Mandie Landry, D-New Orleans, said she thought the public needs an explanation about why the Juvenile Justice Intervention Center went to Elayn […]
Hurricane Ida leaves bayou region without water, power or hospitals for days
Residents in Louisiana’s bayou country entered their fourth day without power and limited water as they dig out of the wreckage caused by Hurricane Ida. Two of Louisiana’s most southern parishes, Terrebonne and Lafourche, were among the most heavily impacted by Ida. The storm made landfall at the southern tip of Lafourche midday Sunday as […]
Steve Gleason says medical marijuana saved him from a ‘downward spiral’
Former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason said Friday that medical marijuana saved him from a “downward spiral” he after his ALS diagnosis. Friday marked the first time Gleason has ever spoken publicly about his use of the drug. He was testifying before the Medical Marijuana Commission set up by Louisiana Legislature. A former special […]
With drones becoming more of a force in Louisiana, committee established to regulate them
The first meeting of the Louisiana Drone Advisory Committee showed the increasing impact of drone usage across the state. Over the last few years, drones have been incorporated into different areas, with Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents using drones to cut down on illegal oyster harvesting and police using them for aerial mapping […]
Republicans stall millions of dollars of funding for New Orleans construction projects
The Louisiana State Bond Commission voted 12-2 Thursday to withhold financing for over $30 million worth of construction projects in New Orleans that affect both public and private facilities. The board said it will take up the projects at its meeting in September instead. The surprise vote fell along partisan lines, with Republicans deciding to […]
Emergency rules for Louisiana sports betting go into effect Monday
Emergency rules for Louisiana sports betting will go into effect Aug. 23, after being adopted Thursday during a Gaming Control Board meeting. As these rules are temporary, they will be in effect for 180 days. The guidelines were formed quickly to expedite sports betting, with input from 90 entities interested in the process, according to […]
Louisiana mask mandate remains in schools (for now) after state school board ends meeting early
Gov. John Bel Edwards’ statewide mask mandate will remain in place for K-12 schools after the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) adjourned its meeting early Wednesday and declined to vote on its own school masking policy. BESE voted 8-2 to end the meeting abruptly after most people in it saudience refused to […]
Louisiana lawmakers COVID-19 hearing punctuated with outbursts, doubt
The Louisiana lawmakers vaccine information meeting Monday got off to a rocky start when members of the audience refused to abide by the state’s indoor mask mandate. The meeting, which was scheduled for 10 a.m. at the state Capitol, began 20 minutes late while attendants tried to settle the audience and distribute masks to members […]
Louisiana looks to update social studies standards, as debate on teaching about racism heats up
In June, the Louisiana legislature hotly debated about what history should be taught in public schools. On Monday, that conversation continued during a Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) meeting as the state education department presented new standards for Louisiana students learning social studies. Louisiana’s social studies content standards are supposed to be […]
Louisiana lawmakers are unhappy with the way some criminal justice savings were used
A few high-ranking lawmakers are unhappy about the way Louisiana’s prison system spent the money it saved by shrinking its incarcerated population over the past few years. The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections used savings from its prison population reduction to construct a new building at Raymond LaBorde Correctional Center in Cottonport. Lawmakers […]