Strapped for cash, some Louisiana cities are working to balance the needs of businesses and housing in how they use federal coronavirus relief.
There won’t be any civil or criminal jury trials in the 15th Judicial District until at least July 1, but the Lafayette Parish Courthouse will reopen Monday in line with the state’s Phase 1 guidelines.
Housing advocates say the money is better used to help stabilize growing housing insecurity in the region. The proposal will go before the council next week for approval.
Since the coronavirus pandemic told hold here in March, temporarily shuttering The Loft, along with all other beauty salons in town, stylists have received an inordinate number of requests from quarantined clients to help make their longest-held hair dreams come true.
Dr. Garabet Akoghlanian, an infectious disease specialist with Lafayette General Health, says there are multiple factors that need to be considered, including the age of the parent(s), their risk of having severe disease, and the risk of their loved one on the front line.
Calls for sheltering help have climbed over the last month, according to data from 211, and moratoria on evictions and utility disconnections will soon end.
Lafayette’s city general fund is facing such large deficits that even zeroing out what critics call government waste won’t be enough to close the gap.
Louisiana’s emergency election plan only applies to the July and August elections, though it could serve, if needed, as a foundation for an emergency plan for the November presidential election.
Lafayette General Health began offering voluntary coronavirus antibody testing to its employees this week. It will offer the lab-based test to all of its 4,500+ employees and nearly 1,200 providers across its health system.
Lafayette General Foundation is raising money to pay for laundry for hospital employees, giving a boost to a local startup
City Council members and the administration will go into executive session Tuesday to discuss the administration’s “legal strategy” for backing away from a lawsuit filed to stop several special taxing districts. The mayor-president and some council members are at odds over the issue. Less controversial decisions will be made on applying for millions in grants and continuing the process of splitting control of boards between the city and parish councils.
With the pressure ratcheted up, the Festival staff and community responded with admirable speed. Their work is garnering some national attention and applause.
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