Southwest Louisiana lacks mental health professionals — a new program hopes to change that
Placing counseling students with providers for required training is difficult, especially in post-storm southwest Louisiana. A new program offers assistance.
The Current is where Lafayette finds big ideas.
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Traditionally Republican lawmakers have championed private school choice over Democratic opposition. But recent polling suggests that support for such policies transcends demographic and party lines.
Source: The Advocate
The U.S. News report ranked Louisiana in the following categories: crime/corrections, 50; economy, 49; education, 47; fiscal stability, 41; healthcare, 46; infrastructure, 49; natural environment, 49; and opportunity, 44.
Source: USA Today Network
Take Action: Defend Louisiana’s Workers’ Compensation Balance
The essence of Louisiana’s workers’ compensation system lies in its balanced and fair approach, forged from historic compromises that benefit all involved parties.
Council Preview: Spoil banks settlement and $1M for road work
Here is a selection of items on the agendas for this week’s meetings of the City and Parish councils. To see the full agendas, check out the links below: Parish Council Executive Sessions Garcia v. LCG. The Parish Council will meet behind closed doors to discuss a lawsuit stemming from a 2021 car crash with […]
Girl Scout brings nonverbal Communication Board to Moncus Park
As a part of her Girl Scout training, fifth-grader Luna Bowles spearheaded the effort to get an Augmentative and Alternative Communication Board at Moncus Park. The board, designed to support children with diverse communication needs, allows them to express themselves while they enjoy the playground.
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Passage of HB 800 now shifts attention to the state Senate, where support is not assured in a chamber that has shown greater independence from Landry than the House.
Source: The Advocate
Tuesday’s order comes after the court ruled the previous map drawn in January by the Legislature was unconstitutional because of “an impermissible racial gerrymander” used to create a second majority Black district among the state’s six congressional seats.
Source: USA Today Network
The possible change comes as Gov. Jeff Landry puts pressure on lawmakers to vote in favor of having a convention. It’s also after The Times-Picayune | The Advocate published a poll showing only 1% of Louisiana residents consider a constitution convention a top priority.
Source: Louisiana Illuminator
Tens of millions were spent on projects that remain incomplete or locked up in litigation. Outstanding reimbursements from the state could “destabilize” parish finances if LCG is not made whole.
Source: Boulet team works to resolve controversial drainage projects | News | theadvocate.com
LCG legal fees spike 40% under Guillory, among problems dogging Boulet’s start
City-Parish Attorney Greg Logan was the biggest taker in Guillory’s final year, bringing in $700,000; followed by Becker & Hebert, $498,000; Gibson Law Partners, $400,000; Oats & Marino, $395,000; Neuner Pate, $362,000; and Paul Escott, $338,000.
CC Adcock, Keith Frank and more punch up an unexpected Road House remake
The remake, featuring a South Louisiana-heavy soundtrack, has hit 50 million streams.
What is (and isn’t) in LCG’s latest audit
Auditors painted an ugly picture of LUS Fiber and dug deeper into problems found under former M-P Josh Guillory’s administration in LCG’s annual audit.
BRIEF: Bill would let small papers be official journals
State and local government official notices have traditionally been an important source of revenue for newspapers, and in recent years have become more critical as newspaper advertising revenue has migrated to newer technologies.
In her first 100 days in office, Lafayette Mayor-President Monique Boulet was focused on building an experienced administrative team to stabilize government and cleaning up problems inherited from her predecessor,
Source: The Advocate
The reports and audit are for the fiscal year that ended in October 2023, meaning they look at LCG business while former Mayor-President Josh Guillory was in office. Current Mayor-President Monique Boulet took office in January 2024.
The bill repeals Louisiana’s unique three-year rule, which prohibits insurance companies from raising deductibles and canceling or not renewing homeowner policies in effect for more than three years.
Source: Louisiana Illuminator
Ryan Martin, who has been with LPSS for 21 years, was named as the new principal. He has served as the acting principal since January after Byron Lyons, who was named as principal in the fall, moved to Northside High School as an assistant principal.
Source: The Advocate
Controversial library director bill passes House
A bill that would change the qualifications to become a library director passed the House of Representatives Tuesday afternoon.
Food as medicine? Acadiana doctors to start prescribing fruit and veggies
Through a new program, 600 families will receive debit cards loaded with $40 each month, for six months, which they can use to purchase fruits and vegetables.
Indigenous farmer seeds a traditional food system for Acadiana
At Raccoon Oak Farm, Ida Aronson is experimenting with indigenous methods of growing native southeastern fruit and nut trees and bushes to promote native biodiversity.
‘It’s what made us’: Paul Breaux has long been the center of Lafayette’s integration struggle
Paul Breaux educated generations of Black students. It was also the primary venue for Lafayette’s integration story.
But before you head to get your festival on, here’s a few things you should know about what to pack, where to park and more.
Source: The Advocate
Its sponsor, Rep. Beau Beaullieu, R-New Iberia, brushed off concerns from colleagues who question the Legislature’s ability to proceed with their ongoing lawmaking session and simultaneously handle constitutional revisions.
“I would argue that the timing is perfect and the timing is absolute if we’re going to make bold changes in Louisiana,” Beaullieu told the committee.
Source: LA Illuminator
Most of the pending lawsuits are in state court in the 15th Judicial district. Several challenge land use disagreements over platting and zoning. City-Parish Attorney Pat Ottinger said he does not believe the number is excessive, though he is working to dismiss unnecessary suits filed by LCG.
Source: The Advocate
The change was spearheaded by board member Robert Judge who, at his second meeting in 2021, failed to convince the board to change the mission statement by removing recreation and cultural enrichment. Over three years later, he succeeded in making that change and more.
Source: The Advocate