News

U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, scream “Build the Wall” as U.S. President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress in the U.S. Capitol’s House Chamber March 1, 2022

Boebert, MTG involved in ‘beginning stages’ of White House Jan. 6 planning, ex-aide says

BY: - April 27, 2022

A former assistant to White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows identified Boebert as one of a small group of Republican lawmakers who met with Meadows to “raise the idea” of former Vice President Mike Pence intervening to prevent the certification of election results by Congress.

several stacks of books

Public still in the dark on why Florida officials rejected dozens of math textbooks

BY: - April 27, 2022

Earlier this month, the Florida Department of Education claimed that it rejected 41% of math textbooks that allegedly incorporated problematic and impermissible topics. Nearly two weeks later, the public is largely still in the dark as to which textbooks were rejected for what reasons.

solar panels

U.S. Interior secretary to promote big spending jump for tribal, climate programs

BY: - April 27, 2022

Secretary Deb Haaland will ask a U.S. House panel to increase funding for the department’s tribal programs and climate resilience efforts.

Catholic Church interior abuse victims

A Louisiana law was supposed to make it easier for abuse victims to sue. It needs fixing.

BY: - April 26, 2022

The Louisiana Legislature is considering a bill aimed at fixing a law created last year that was supposed to make it easier for abuse to sue institutions like the Catholic Church. Instead, it might have imposed unintended restrictions on the very litigation it was designed to help. 

Air Force jet emblem

Health risks for families in military private housing probed by U.S. Senate panel

BY: - April 26, 2022

A report detailed that staff “frequently ignored or delayed responding to urgent requests from military families to address conditions such as mold and roof leaks that threatened the families’ health and safety.”

Rows of solar modules generate electricity at UL-Lafayette's Photovoltaic Applied Research and Testing (PART) Lab

Solar tax credit bill burns out in House committee

BY: - April 26, 2022

A bill proposing a tax credit for the purchase and installation of solar energy systems in Louisiana failed to advance Tuesday from the House Ways and Means Committee. Republican legislators voted against the measure, 7-3.  House Bill 794, sponsored by Rep. Edmond Jordan, D-Baton Rouge, would have offered a 50% rebate up to $25,000 for […]

Louisiana loosens licensing requirements for plumbers, contractors

Proposal could unclog shortage of Louisiana plumbers

BY: - April 26, 2022

Louisiana lawmakers advanced a proposal Tuesday that would give full statewide licensure to plumbers currently restricted to working in a certain parish or local jurisdiction.  House Bill 300, sponsored by Rep. Phillip Devillier, R-Eunice, advanced without opposition from the House Committee on Commerce.  Rep. Edmond Jordan, D-Baton Rouge, said the legislation would help alleviate the […]

an incarcerated person stands behind bars in a prison corridor

Biden issues first pardons and sentencing commutations of his presidency

BY: - April 26, 2022

President Joe Biden on Tuesday granted clemency to nearly 80 individuals charged with nonviolent crimes and unveiled an administration strategy to help formerly incarcerated people secure employment.

abortion rights

Louisiana Senate overwhelmingly votes for abortion pill restrictions

BY: - April 25, 2022

The Louisiana Senate overwhelmingly approved more restrictions on abortion pills in a 33-2 vote Monday (April 25). Every Republican and eight out of 10 Democrats in the chamber supported the legislation carried by Sen. Sharon Hewitt, R-Slidell. No senator spoke out against the restrictions on the Senate floor before the vote took place.  Senate Bill […]

Bob Dean warehouse

Louisiana House votes to give health department authority over nursing home evacuation plans

BY: - April 25, 2022

The Louisiana House voted 101-0 Monday (April 25) to give the Louisiana Department of Health oversight over nursing home emergency preparedness plans in the wake of the horrific evacuation of nearly 850 nursing home residents to an old pesticide warehouse for Hurricane Ida. The Senate will now take up the proposal. House Bill 291, by […]

silhouette of migrants

Federal judge temporarily blocks Biden administration from ending Title 42

BY: - April 25, 2022

The White House had said it would end next month the emergency order that allowed immigration authorities to expel those seeking asylum. 

Anti-LGTBQ housing discrimination bill advances after second attempt

BY: - April 25, 2022

Right now, Louisiana’s anti-housing discrimination laws don’t protect against discrimination against LGBTQ residents, putting the state out of sync with federal requirements. House Bill 303, authored by Rep. Aimee Freeman, D-New Orleans, looks to make it illegal in Louisiana to refuse to rent or sell housing to someone because of their sexual orientation and gender […]