Section News

Will JBE challenge House over fiscal cliff?

Gov. John Bel Edwards has been telling reporters lately that he may just skip another special session, thus allowing drastic budget reductions to take hold, if the House doesn’t start to coalesce around a revenue plan.

Former House speaker defends sitting speaker

Former House Speaker Chuck Kleckley, now a government affairs advisor at Adams & Reese in Baton Rouge, said last week that he thought his successor in the Legislature’s lower chamber is “doing a good job.”

Study: Louisiana hosted largest tax increase in U.S.

The report estimates the overall increase in Louisiana at $1.5 billion, driven by changes in the state sales tax structure that were approved by the Legislature and governor during last year’s regular session.

For special session, timing is everything

The only way it happens is if lawmakers fail to produce a budget in the regular session that adjourns on June 8. The House and Senate are currently negotiating the budget bill, for which the bodies have drastically different visions.

Angelle to Trumpland?

Speculation that the Public Service Commission member, who ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2015 and the U.S. House last year, will take a job in Trump administration has South Louisiana politicos bandying around potential candidates.

Battle of the PACs begins at Capitol

An “armed and ready,” Louisiana-based super PAC called Truth In Politics started taking aim at Gov. John Bel Edwards last week not long after lawmakers convened their spring regular session.

Political pace in Baton Rouge to quicken

Every step closer that’s taken toward Monday’s convening of the Legislature’s regular session will bring with it more details about complicated policy proposals and a greater sense of political urgency.

Agenda for spring session taking shape

The Edwards Administration is getting behind a new taxable gross receipts approach in concert with an elimination of the corporate and franchise taxes.

The next top trooper

Some lawmakers see an opportunity for change at State Police with no figurehead in place and a regular session scheduled to convene on April 10.

Apathy expected as early voting begins

Three judicial races, a trio of special elections for the Louisiana House of Representatives and a number of local-level contests on the ballot this month should produce an overall voter turnout that’s below 20 percent.

AFP targeting session again

The Louisiana chapter of the Koch-funded Americans For Prosperity is preparing to be just as involved in the upcoming regular session of the state Legislature as it was in the 2016 sessions.

Introducing The Current

Coming this April, IND Media is launching a new magazine, investigating the cultural changes that will carry Lafayette into the future.

Decamping to Digital

Yes, this is the final print issue of The Independent. And a renewed focus on what we do best.

Eyes turn to approaching regular session

Once again a budget deficit, this time in the $400 million range, will take center stage in the coming session for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

Treasurer race coming into focus

Other possible candidates include Sen. Eric LaFleur, D-Ville Platte; Speaker Pro Temp Walt Leger, D-New Orleans; retired Air Force Col. Rob Maness of Mandeville; and Acadiana health care executive Gus Rantz of Lafayette.

Biz lobby expecting contingency fee bill

Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack hinted at a possible legislative legal battle for the regular session that convenes in April.

Fees to be part of special session

While there was some thought about a cuts-only special session next month, the Edwards Administration is heeding calls from lawmakers for revenue-raising options and part of that strategy will include fees.

Dear Dr. Cassidy

As senator you have a responsibility to the state of Louisiana and all of its peoples, even the frequently overlooked.

Rainy Day debate soaks solons

Louisiana is one of 17 states that has not yet replenished its savings account since the 2009 recession, which was preceded by years of record deposits.

JBE uncommitted on lege endorsements

As January reaches its midpoint, Gov. John Bel Edwards hasn’t decided who he might support in the Legislature’s upcoming special elections in north and south Louisiana.

La. GOP headed to Supreme Court

The Louisiana Republican Party finally filed its appeal last week with the U.S. Supreme Court for a challenge to the ban on unlimited donations to political parties.

Legislators already jumping into 2019

Part of this early posturing could be due to terms limits, which will force out somewhere between 60 percent and 70 percent of the entire House and Senate in roughly three years.

JBE for president?

“If Democrats believe they need the ‘bubba vote’ — a.k.a. white, working-class men — they could look to [John Bel] Edwards."

Supremes to get GOP case

The Louisiana Republican Party’s challenge to the ban on unlimited donations to political parties is headed to the United States Supreme Court.

Skipping a step, treasurer’s race begins

John Kennedy still has to win his U.S. Senate bid before the post of state treasurer opens up, but that hasn’t stopped a large slate of legislators from making very quiet moves.

Election season enters round two

The big challenge in the U.S. Senate runoff for Treasurer John Kennedy and Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell will be grabbing the attention of the same voters who were already less than enthusiastic about this race during the primary.

JBE: Cuts may worsen, but no special session

Speculation about a special session has been swirling since the state discovered it had a $313 million deficit to carry over from last fiscal year — a gap that is now being addressed with midyear budget cuts.

David Boulet: Man in the Maelstrom

Can the Republican son-in-law of a former Democratic governor help clean up a mess left by Bobby Jindal in one of the state’s least known but most important revenue-generating offices? We’re about to find out.

Long Shot just in time for Christmas

The new book by Tyler Bridges and Jeremy Alford shows you exactly what the 2015 road to the governor’s mansion looked and felt like.

Facebook helped voter-registration push

The social media giant made an aggressive drive to gets its users registered and election officials tell LaPolitics that thousands of new voters were added to the rolls on the days Facebook made its appeals.

State Senate could be battleground

Republicans already have a decent majority this term in the state Senate, but you couldn’t tell based on the bills it passes and the support it provides to Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards.

Oil industry wants lawmakers to intervene

Parish officials started receiving letters from the Edwards Administration two weeks ago encouraging them to join lawsuits filed against oil and gas companies for coastal damages.

Senate contest sees super PAC activity

Super PACs, which are a specific class of political action committees that can raise unlimited dollars, are starting to show up on television screens in Louisiana’s U.S. Senate race.

State’s taxpayer burden runs high

Louisiana’s tally is $17,400 — this is amount each taxpayer would have to pay in order for the state’s treasury to be debt-free.

Senate debates lined up

With 24 candidates running, it’ll be interesting to see who makes the stage and which guidelines were used for inclusion.

New York money for Maness

With a six-figure check from Robert Mercer, the New York conservative bigwig, Warrior PAC is ready to start rolling out its efforts in support of retired Air Force Col. Rob Maness in the U.S. Senate race.

Opponents keep spotlight on Duke

In what could be a sign of things to come for the remainder of the primary, Duke is getting a constant flow of media coverage in the U.S. Senate race for, basically, being Duke.

Can ‘Berry’ Dem Rader make runoff in the 3rd?

With eight Republicans in the race fighting over the same share of the electorate, general political interest has slowly turned to Democrat Larry Rader, a New Iberia insurance broker and president of the Port of Iberia.

Ideas for fiscal reform session coming soon

The task force charged with making tax and budget recommendations for next year’s regular session should have its report ready for legislative leaders by the end of the month.

Elections as homeland security?

Secretary of State Tom Schedler took part in a call to state officials around the country recently and asked Johnson if there was a credible threat. The answer was no.

Mobile precincts possible in November

Secretary of State Tom Schedler is preparing for the possibility of using mobile voting precincts in November, similar to what was employed following the 2005 hurricane season.

LFF scorecard suggests conservative trend

Looking ahead to 2017, LFF President Gene Mills said it’s still early but his group’s developing issues agenda includes criminal justice reform, a “saner” school bathroom policy and end-of-life proposals.

Senators urge speed on Medicaid contract

Senate Health and Welfare Chairman Fred Mills said he and his committee are pushing state officials to make a decision soon on how to move forward with Louisiana’s massive Medicaid processing contract.

Louisiana super PACs slow to take off

A few of the home-brewed super PACs created in Louisiana to support candidates in the fall U.S. Senate race experienced a very bumpy second quarter of fundraising this year.

Pope & His Posse

Long before coming under criminal investigation and getting slapped with more than $100,000 in civil fines and penalties, City Marshal Brian Pope mastered the art of political patronage. Just ask his legion of reserve deputies.

Laws Above the Law

This month Louisiana will officially activate two laws addressing police interaction with the public, drafted and passed with what critics say was knee-jerk rashness and inattention to detail.

La.’s federal races crammed with candidates

On the Nov. 8 ballot in Louisiana there will be 63 different candidates running in seven federal races for the U.S House and Senate, meaning voters will have plenty of names to choose from — possibly more than any other time in recent history.

Super PAC bows out of U.S. Senate race

A super PAC that was formed to support the U.S. Senate candidacy of Treasurer John Kennedy has been disbanded and its money has been transferred to a national conservative advocacy group.

Higher ed officials face tuition issues

As voters prepare to decide on the Nov. 8 ballot whether university systems in Louisiana should be allowed to set their own tuition, officials on the community and technical college level have already made a decision not to increase rates.

Governor transitioning from sessions to policies

With three lawmaking sessions of the Legislature behind him, you can expect Gov. John Bel Edwards to start focusing on policies and politics of his own, beginning with the state’s Medicaid expansion.

Hurry up and wait

DOTD spooked Connector supporters by doing the one thing they set out to avoid: The right thing.

Richmond, Scalise swing for the fence

Richmond, left, and Scalise during batting practice prior to the June 23 gameU.S. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Jefferson and Congressman Cedric Richmond of New Orleans represented Louisiana on

State GOP gets its day in court

Oral arguments were scheduled last week for the challenge by the Republican Party of Louisiana to provisions of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law that, the party argues, “disadvantage state political parties as compared to super PACs.”

U.S. Senate forums stacking up

To participate candidates must be polling at at 5 percent or higher in a survey that will be commissioned by Raycom Media and its partners after qualifying.

Unintended Consequences

The district attorney’s suit against LCG underscores the unforeseen problems created for the city of Lafayette when consolidation was approved in 1992.

Louisiana’s U.S. senators facing transition

David Vitter is stepping down after his second six-year term and Bill Cassidy is preparing to become Louisiana’s senior senator as he nears the midpoint of his own first term.

Budget could come down to four days

Should there be any major disagreements between the House, Senate and Gov. John Bel Edwards’ administration over the session’s centerpiece spending plan, it could make for a handful of tense, closing days.

Sales tax fixes awaiting action

Feeling that the temporary increases in sales taxes had a few unintended consequences, lawmakers are pushing proposed rebates to make agriculture and automobile interests whole, or close to it.

Lawmakers taking deep dive on immigration

Two bills that have been moved to the House floor in Louisiana could put pressure on law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal officials when policing undocumented immigrants.

Legislature to consider fantasy sports betting

The Louisiana Family Forum has asked its members and followers to oppose the bill “in the interest of protecting Louisiana citizens from the addictive nature of online gambling..."

Video poker bills make a comeback

A trio of video poker bills that passed by overwhelming votes last term but were vetoed by former Gov. Bobby Jindal at the urging of the Louisiana Family Forum are back in the mix.

Bills jeopardize coastal funding

Wherein The Lens reports on bills filed in this spring legislative session that would un-dedicate “dedicated” funding for coastal restoration and protection

New names still hover over Senate race

As well defined as the field is becoming for the U.S. Senate race this fall, there are still some politicos sitting on the fence who could influence the contest.

Polls show public sour on state government

Regardless of whether people are actually paying attention to the financial fights at the Capitol, 79 percent believe that the state’s budget is in “crisis."

Clinton relying heavily on Landrieu

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu is expected to be traveling around the country more for the former secretary of state in the near future and he has already offered up assistance with fundraising.

Task force targets reforms lawmakers missed

HCR 11 creates a review panel that will make recommendations on budget and tax reforms that will be turned into legislation for the next applicable session — probably the 2017 regular session.

Kennedy may move cash to super PAC

Treasurer John Kennedy cannot use $3 million in (treasurer) campaign cash to run for the U.S. Senate, but he can transfer it to a sympathetic super PAC, like U.S. Sen. David Vitter did in last year’s governor’s race.

Tax chair at center of special session

Tax policy almost always has to start in the House Ways and Means Committee, which places Chairman Neil Abramson, D-New Orleans, in what is arguably one of the most important positions in the 2016 special session.

GUMBO PAC still on political burner

The super PAC, which was opposed to the election of U.S. Sen. David Vitter, is posting social media on a regular basis and engaging followers.

Felons issue could surface in regular session

“Voters want to be assured that the public officials making their laws are also committed to following the law. It’s common sense legislation and needs to be shored up as soon as possible.”

WORKING ON A VISION

After the first major public workshop, Lafayette residents are still wondering if the Connector team sees what they see.

A reboot by any other name

Will DOTD’s five months of added outreach ‘refinement’ get through to Connector skeptics?

I-49 outreach reset begins Saturday

Tomorrow’s Community Vision and Values Workshop begins five months of added community outreach programming by the Lafayette Connector Partners.

Bills being filed ahead of regular session

Four deal with appropriating money for judgments delivered against the state while the others address firearm issues, criminal expungements and the open burning of certain waste.

Louisiana Dems preparing for internal elections

The March elections for the Democratic State Central Committee and the subsequent vote, if needed, for the next chairman, aren’t necessarily being guided by Gov.-elect John Bel Edwards, the first Democratic governor elected in Louisiana in 12 years.

Our Dissembling City Marshal

Brian Pope’s denials and obstruction regarding this newspaper’s efforts to get to the bottom of that bizarre Oct. 7 press conference point to just one thing: Our city marshal is unfit for public office.

La. GOP faces a transition period too

With Gov. Bobby Jindal and U.S. Sen. David Vitter exiting the elected class, there has been some consternation over who will step up to lead the party from a promotional perspective.

2016 Senate race getting crowded

There are now 15 politicos — some running, some thinking about it and others simply being encouraged — who are in the hunt to replace U.S. Sen. David Vitter next year.

Supreme Court may hear state GOP case

A lawsuit that could greatly expand the fundraising abilities of political parties will be heard next year by a three-judge panel that provides a direct appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Tangled web forming in 3rd Congressional District

With Congressman Charles Boustany, a Lafayette Republican, apparently abandoning the 3rd District to run for the U.S. Senate in 2016, a long and complicated line of potential successors is forming up.

A recap of the super PAC impact

It was the super PAC that received the least amount of attention this cycle that spent the most on Election Day in November in the governor’s race.

Names floating in, out of developing U.S. Senate race

With U.S. Sen. David Vitter expected to not seek re-election in 2016, there has been rush of names ahead of the turn of the year as politicos try to outmaneuver each other before the race begins in earnest.

Presidential politics picking up in Louisiana

Even though the state traditionally gets overlooked by major candidates in presidential elections, the next few months could represent a minor shift in interest by the campaigns for a variety of reasons.

GUMBO PAC: the Cinderella story of the cycle

Having started out as a campaign effort with guerrilla marketing techniques, GUMBO PAC was expected to spend an additional $2.3 million on television in the gubernatorial runoff by election day.

Lawmakers privately warming to budget ideas

With an expected 2016-2017 budget deficit between $700 million and $1 billion, or possibly more, House members are continuing to meet privately on fiscal matters ahead of next year’s legislative sessions.

The Cajundome celebrates 30

Replacement value for the facility, which cost $65 million to build in 1985, would be $180 million today.

Tracking the country vote for governor

John Bel Edwards’ primary lead and early outreach for the Nov. 21 runoff are decidedly rural. But no matter which angle you view the developing trend, there are caveats that point to a long country road ahead.

PAC activity hits record high in La.

There has been a record number of newly registered political action committees created in Louisiana in 2015 and more registration renewals than ever before.

Legislature about ready to legislate

For the November runoff, there are only four runoffs on the Senate side remaining and another 15 elections to be decided for the House on the Nov. 21 ballot.

Unknowns loom as special session takes shape

The most repeated promise from the governor’s race involves a special session to be held sometime after the inauguration and before the regular session, which convenes March 14.

Gulf Brew postponed to July 2016

Lost in the shuffle of an epic 2015-2016 event season at AcA, the annual Downtown craft kegger will change dates and locations.

What will the next governor’s cabinet look like?

As important as it is for an incoming governor to staff up with the right kind of talent, especially when it comes to their 16 key cabinet positions, it’s always surprising how rarely the topic is publicly discussed on the campaign trail.

THIN BLUE LOGIC

Sheriff candidate Chad Leger’s campaign rhetoric about the department being understaffed is more scare tactic than sound reasoning.

Election ballots printed; more removals possible

So far the state has had to remove 50 candidates from races around the state, including 10 who were disqualified through legal challenges and another 40 who have chosen to withdraw from their election contests.

Polls puts emphasis on coast

Moving the state’s 50-year coastal master plan forward will be a central task for the next governor and 94 percent of voters believe that commitment is key for receiving their support.

Teachers groups pooling election resources

For the first time in the long history of both organizations, the Louisiana Association of Educators and the Louisiana Federation of Teachers are joining forces and funding for a single election cycle.

Gun legislation begins with a conversation

An Acadiana chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America looks to stoke conversation about common sense gun legislation with an inaugural meeting and membership drive.

Guillory doubles down on controversy

In the spot Guillory also wears a wig, a cowboy hat, appears to spit on the ground and lets loose a string of racial descriptions to cover a variety of ethnicities ranging from Italian-Americans and Native Americans to those of Asian descent.

New tort group targeting legislative elections

With a budget that could reach $2 million, the newly-created Louisiana Lawsuit Fairness Committee may emerge in the coming weeks as one of the biggest players involved in this year’s state House and Senate races.

Various groups poised in BESE races

The elections for the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education around the state could become expensive if the slate of so-called reform candidates from 2011 face serious challenges this go around.

Qualifying dates create problems

For folks who make a living off of politics, the tight timeframe between qualifying and the election is driving them crazy.

Sheriffs deny Vitter on early endorsement

After speaking to some personally and texting more, U.S. Sen. David Vitter was unable to convince enough sheriffs to issue an early endorsement for his gubernatorial campaign during their annual conve

Former lawmaker wants to be ‘trans-political’

Former state Rep. Damon Baldone attempted to change his party affiliation to both Democrat and Republican — a dual registration — on Monday morning with the Terrebonne Parish Registrar of Voters, but was refused and he is now taking the matter to court.

Maness eyes U.S. Senate seat, preps PAC

After building a political career out of a novice run for the U.S. Senate last year, retired Air Force Col. Rob Maness of Madisonville told LaPolitics he may be ready to do it again in 2016.

Outside interests flocking to legislative races

Given the treacherous tax votes that state lawmakers took during this year’s regular session, many now find themselves on the defensive as the fall election season kicks into high gear.

ENLIGHTENED ENFORCEMENT PT. 3: The Candidates

As we’ve detailed in the first two parts of this series, selecting the right candidate to succeed Sheriff Mike Neustrom will prove one of the biggest decisions we make this year — one with the most lasting repercussions.

EXPANDING THE BODY OF CHRIST

Taking cues from their national assemblies, some of Lafayette’s Protestant churches are opening their arms and their doors to same-sex marriages.

Next year’s U.S. Senate race revving up already

With senior U.S. Sen. David Vitter running for governor, three high-octane Republican politicians are already sounding like likely candidates, including Congressmen Charles Boustany and John Fleming and state Treasurer John Kennedy.

Scorecard season for lawmakers arrives

The annual legislative scorecard compiled by the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry is expected to be released in the coming days, kicking off a high-profile review season as lawmakers are asking for your vote.

Haynes, former Harson assistant, gets 18 months

Barna Haynes, the longtime secretary to former Lafayette District Attorney Mike Harson, was sentenced to a year and a half in federal prison Friday for her role in the pay-for-plea DWI sentencing scandal

Uncertainty clouds state’s fiscal future

The state’s new fiscal year started on July 1 with a budget that lawmakers and the Jindal administration say is balanced, but Louisiana’s long-term financial outlook remains as murky as ever as tax collections fail to impress and an ongoing review by national credit rating agencies is nearing completion.

What’s next: citywide WiFi?

Citywide WiFi for use by LUS Fiber customers is on the drawing board, LUS Director Terry Huval says. “We’re planning a phase-in of it, a slow phase-in.”

ENLIGHTENED ENFORCEMENT PT. 2: The People of Diversion

When it comes to the people caught up in our criminal justice system, the first 24 hours are the most crucial. From the second a person is locked behind bars, a countdown is underway for them to get released from jail in 24 hours or less.

When Vitter surfaced this session

“I didn’t pull the bill because of David Vitter,” says state Rep. Jack Montoucet. “I did it because it was the right thing to do.”

Tough session for business may lead to tougher re-elections

After several years of mid-year budget cuts, redirecting money from state reserve funds and privatization efforts, lawmakers felt they were left with few other choices than to go after business to fully fund health care and higher education.

Road priorities not well-TIMED

In March of 1989 the Legislature approved a plan that was later backed by voters to implement a 4-cent gas tax increase to bankroll 16 infrastructure projects. Since then, the TIMED program has been met with widespread criticism that transportation priorities are not being satisfied.

Barfield looking past pivotal session role

At the same time Revenue Secretary Tim Barfield was playing a lead legislative role for Gov. Bobby Jindal this session, primarily trying to make sure lawmakers avoided a net tax increase, other politicos were encouraging him to run for mayor of Baton Rouge.

Vitter maintains lead on paper

Historic gubernatorial election patterns, which tend to favor underdogs, may not necessarily bode well for Vitter, but the latest poll from Southern Media and Opinion Research shows he would be the heavy favorite if the race were held today.

Field for governor may not be settled

Tony Clayton, a special prosecutor for the 18th Judicial District Court, is considering a run for governor as speculation grows about the impact an African-American Democrat would have on the early, all-white field.

PAC activity in gov’s race even more super-charged

There’s no shortage of super PACs in this year’s gubernatorial race, meaning the special political action committees that can raise unlimited amounts of money but cannot coordinate with the candidates and campaigns they’re spending cash on.

‘Power to the people’ bill rejected

The Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee all but ignored a constitutional amendment last week that would have allowed Louisiana’s citizenry to collect signatures to place proposed law changes on a ballot.

Economic secretary facing final session, replacement unknown

Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret was peppered with questions by members of the Senate Finance Committee last week and offered them a mini-preview of several business issues to be debated in what will be his final session working for the governor.

Lafayette could gain after 2020 census

Robust population growth points to one or two new House seats somewhere along the I-10/I-12 corridor, which includes Ascension, Lafayette, Livingston, St. Tammany and Tangipahoa parishes.

Dems building grassroots legislative PAC

Ravi Sangesetti, a former congressional candidate and an attorney practicing in New Orleans and Houma, is launching a political action committee this spring to target seats in the Legislature.

Lack of votes delays capital outlay money

There are 236 capital outlay construction projects that were in line for funding in July, but will have to wait until September possibly, because roughly half of the House failed to fill out and return the latest Interim Emergency Board mail ballots.

Radio ad links Angelle to Jindal

The radio spot labels Angelle as “Bobby Jindal’s right-hand man” for supporting hospital privatizations and cuts at Southern University.

Blueprint will be low key this session

Blueprint Louisiana, the good government group backed by businessmen and civic activists from around the state, is unlikely to play any kind of leading role during the upcoming regular session.

Democrats being recruited to run for governor

While it’s unknown who is behind the recruitment effort, at least three well-known Democrats have been approached about running for governor. None of them appears to be jumping in.

Unsealed

Has the extraordinary release of documents in the Seth Fontenot murder trial really served the public interest and — more important — his right to a fair trial?

Reform bills on tap for session

Treasurer John Kennedy and Rep. Dee Richard, No Party-Thibodaux, say they plan to return this session with a bill to reduce the number of consulting contracts being underwritten with state money.

Cuts ‘devastating’ for public defenders

With $5.4 million in cuts slated on the state level, at least half of the public defender board districts across Louisiana will be forced into offering reduced services as others facing insolvency are pushed closer to the brink.

Anti-tax groups targeting session

National anti-tax organizations like Americans for Tax Reform and Americans for Prosperity are planning to have a noticeable presence at the Capitol during session, and then again when lawmakers face re-election this fall.

Back to closed primaries?

Converting Louisiana back to a closed primary election system has been an issue that has been on and off the political radar over the past year. But a group of high-ranking Republicans are hoping to keep it on and are quietly touring the state to build support.

Jindal: No on taxes, maybe on fees

While proposals to increase taxes may be dead on arrival when reaching Gov. Bobby Jindal’s desk, the administration seems willing to at least review fee changes this session.

Big Shoes To Fill

When Mike Neustrom became sheriff of Lafayette Parish in 2000, he brought a scholarly approach to law enforcement, and when he retires next year, he’ll leave the office a much better place than he found it.

Public undecided on budget solutions

“There’s no consensus.” That’s the opinion of opinion-finder Bernie Pinsonat of Southern Media and Opinion Research. His firm polled 600 likely voters last month on the budget situation and pa

Higher ed scrambling ahead of cuts

College system leaders are suggesting a special legislative session might be needed to stop deep, damaging reductions from forcing widespread layoffs, jeopardizing worker-training programs and chasing potential students and faculty from campuses.

Super PAC created to boost Jindal bid

Paperwork setting up the political action committee, called the Believe Again PAC, was to be filed Thursday with the Federal Election Commission.

New Orleans OKs smoking ban in bars and casinos

New Orleans had been one of the last major American cities to allow people to smoke tobacco in bars. Smoking at indoor restaurants is no longer permitted. The new ban is expected to take effect in three months.

Effects of oil argued in BP penalty trial

The 2010 BP oil spill's long-term effects on Gulf of Mexico sea life and coastal marshes remain uncertain, an environmental expert testified Wednesday as federal attorneys laid out their case for penalties against the oil corporation that could hit $13.7 billion.

End of the line for Lavergne

The Louisiana Supreme Court won't hear Brandon Lavergne's request to overturn his guilty pleas to two murders, including that of 21-year-old university student Mickey Shunick.

Gov. candidates assembling teams

We already know what most of the candidates running for governor this fall raised in 2014, but we’re only beginning to learn what they’re spending it on, starting with their campaign teams.

Gov. hopefuls focus on roads, bridges, coast

The four announced candidates for Louisiana governor took part in their first campaign forum Friday, with little conflict and broad agreement that the public has lost faith in the way Louisiana uses gasoline tax money that goes into a Transportation Trust Fund.

Fundraising figures trickle in for gov's race

Donors still reeling from Louisiana's expensive U.S. Senate race are being asked to open their wallets again, for the state's looming governor's race. And that, too, is shaping up to be a high-spending contest.

LaPolitics: Vitter rolling in dough

The campaign recently reported raising more than $4 million in 2014 from 2,500 Louisiana donors with almost $3.5 million in the bank.

Major state tax study taking shape

As the public conversation about tax incentives grows louder and lawmakers move ever closer to the term-ending fiscal session of 2015, pressure is building for a comprehensive tax study being overseen by Louisiana State University and partly underwritten by the state.

Paris attack unites world's cartoonists

As if to prove that pens are mightier than swords, cartoonists around the world reacted to the cold-bloodied assassination of their colleagues at French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo as only they can: with powerful drawings worth thousands of words.

Poll: GOP-Dem runoff for La. gov.

Louisiana’s open primary system allows for all candidates, regardless of party, to run on a single ballot, which in races for governor has traditionally created a runoff with a Republican versus a Democrat.

Audit: More hurricane aid oversight needed

Louisiana has a long way to go to make sure that more than a billion dollars in housing aid has been used properly by the thousands of people who got federal help from the catastrophic 2005 hurricane season.

Jail phone debate on redial?

"During an 18-month PSC investigation our staff found that inmate families pay an average of 30 times more per minute to speak to their loved ones behind bars than we do on the outside..."

Key legislative seats still unfilled

As the year winds down, three important positions in the House are vacant, including a chairmanship and seats on the budget-writing and education committees.

Business group could double political donations

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry is expected to achieve “big PAC” status by the end of the year for its four political action committees, which will allow the group to double the amount of money it gives to candidates.

UL's Baker Hall catches fire

UL Lafayette officials are evaluating damage to a dormitory after a Sunday morning fire.University officials say that a fire alarm went off in Baker Hall about 9:30 a.m. Sunday.

NOPD: Many rape kits just sitting in storage

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans police say that only about half of more than 400 untested rape kits may need testing.In a Saturday news release, police Superintendent Michael Harrison said that the d

Jindal's on the campaign trail, again

Gov. Bobby Jindal is helping raise campaign cash for Mississippi’s Republican lieutenant governor, Tate Reeves, who’s seeking a second term in 2015.

Jindal administration questioning education contracts

Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration raised questions Tuesday whether Superintendent of Education John White is dividing his department’s contracts into smaller pieces to sidestep oversight and public bid requirements.

Jindal administration working to close budget gap

Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration has started sifting through agency budget proposals as it works on a plan to close next year's $1.4 billion shortfall, but the governor's chief budget architect said the hole isn't quite as large as it appears.

Landrieu: 'extraordinary peace' in defeat

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu said Thursday that she is not "the least bit sad" about ending her 18-year career in the Senate, after Louisiana voters overwhelmingly rejected her bid for a fourth term.

State warns of reported phone 'rebate' scam

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services is warning the public of a potential scam that has been reported in the Lafayette area involving phony offers for discount store rebate cards.T

Cassidy readying for new role as senator

Republican U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy returns to Washington on Tuesday, to begin preparations for his transition to the Senate, after his decisive weekend victory over Democratic incumbent Mary Landrieu.

Landrieu couldn’t close GOP gap

Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu’s 12-point loss in a weekend runoff ended up closer than several polls suggested it could be.

Lafayette voters approve airport tax

Lafayette Parish voters approved a 1-cent sales tax that will be levied over eight months next year to pay for improvements at the Lafayette Regional Airport.

Thus spake the Silver Fox

While he lost his congressional bid, former Gov. Edwin Edwards did leave behind a long string of quotable comments.

More to come on marijuana issue

After failing to pass a medical marijuana bill last year, state Sen. Fred Mills, R-Parks, is telling supporters he will return in 2015 with legislation that focuses on different applications.

Special elections set for February

Before politicos can turn their collective attention away from the recent federal elections and toward next fall’s statewide races, a trio of legislative seats are up for grabs.

Miss. appeal on gay-marriage dispute set on Jan. 9

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Three federal appeals court judges will hear arguments next month about Mississippi‘s ban on same-sex marriage.The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday set the Mi

Another officer-involved shooting

WEST MONROE, La. (AP) — Authorities say an officer was involved in a shooting at a West Monroe convenience store.Few details were available early Friday about the shooting, including whether the per

Cassidy ignores his liberal past

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — In 2002, a public hospital physician named Bill Cassidy donated to Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu‘s first re-election campaign.

State budget debacle only just beginning

How will lawmakers deal with a $1.4 billion budget hole next year? For starters, Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols said that the current spending and hiring freezes in place could either...

Gladstone Jones: settlement with oil companies ‘inevitable’

Environmental (and political) junkies got a double fix on Nov. 18 when The Lens hosted a Breakfast with the Newsmakers discussion between Lens environmental writer Bob Marshall and Gladstone Jones, the lead attorney in the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority — East’s lawsuit against more than 90 oil and gas companies.

AG takes another look at bribery scheme in DA’s office

n August 2013, state Attorney General Buddy Caldwell’s office did not mince words in a tersely worded statement about whether it would be filing any state charges related to the then-ongoing federal investigation into District Attorney Mike Harson’s office’s handling of certain types of cases, mainly OWIs.

Jindal uses fund sweeps to plug most of deficit

Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration will use $130 million in patchwork financing from a tax amnesty program, insurance settlement, uninsured motorist penalties and other excess funds to close most of...

Landrieu splits with Obama on immigration action

Democratic U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu said she disagrees with President Barack Obama's actions on immigration, hoping the latest controversy doesn't worsen her campaign difficulties. BATON ROUGE, La....

La. sells $200M in bonds for construction work

The money came through a general obligation bond sale Thursday. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana has borrowed $200 million to replenish the account that pays for state-financed construction...

Jindal to announce Louisiana budget cuts Friday

The administration says public college campuses won't be on the chopping block. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov. Bobby Jindal will unveil his proposal Friday to rebalance this year's budget, which...

Stevie Wonder headlining fundraiser for Landrieu

The legendary musician is performing at a $1,000-per-person fundraiser Dec. 1 in New Orleans. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Stevie Wonder is lending a hand to endangered Democratic U.S. Sen. Mary...

Unclaimed property program returns $36M last year

Old savings and checking accounts, payroll checks, stocks and dividends, insurance proceeds, oil and gas royalty payments and other unclaimed money is sent to the state when a business cannot locate...

‘They said it’ from Jeremy Alford

Every week Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics brings us the most notable quotables from Louisiana‘s politicos; here‘s a gem from Tea Party golden boy Rob Maness. "I saw some Democratic door-knockers...

AG opposes Maryland gun law

Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell has joined 20 other state attorneys general in opposing Maryland's gun law. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell has joined 20...

Animal rights group not giving up on ‘Tony'

The nonprofit Animal Legal Defense Fund will be in a Baton Rouge courtroom Monday arguing its case in a lawsuit it filed against the state, the Wildlife & Fisheries Commission and Tiger Truck Stop...

Civil rights figure: US divided by race again

Ruby Bridges was 6 years old in 1960 when she became the first black student to attend a previously all-white elementary school in New Orleans, one of the iconic moments in the U.S. civil rights...

NOPD puts 5 officers on administrative reassignment

New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael Harrison has placed five officers on administrative reassignment pending the outcome of an investigation into their actions as detectives in the Special...

For House, 9th pipeline bill may be the charm

The Republican-controlled House is on track to easily pass a bill Friday to approve the Keystone XL oil pipeline, and this time, the Senate may follow. WASHINGTON (AP) - The Republican-controlled...

Sarah Palin coming to Louisiana for Cassidy rally

Louisiana's collective IQ expected to drop roughly three points. Wikimedia Commons BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Sarah Palin travels to Louisiana this weekend to rally with Republican U.S. Senate...

The Wit & Wisdom of ‘Coach Don' pt. 5

"Coach Don" Gagnard is running for school board. Today he points out the link between climate change and totalitarian governments. "Coach Don" Gagnard is running for school board....

Ex-health secretary says he did nothing wrong

Gov. Bobby Jindal's former health secretary insisted in testimony before a state grand jury that he didn't do anything improper or illegal to help his former employer win a $200 million Medicaid...

Analysis: Lessons to learn from Louisiana elections

With the midterm congressional election in Louisiana in the rearview mirror, political watchers, campaign strategists and potential candidates can glean a few takeaways. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - With...

La. voters lock up more of the budget from cuts

The added budget protections will mean Louisiana's public colleges are one of the largest areas vulnerable to cutting during tight budget times. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Balancing Louisiana's budget...

Senate Dems cancel ads in La.

Senate Democrats' campaign committee on Thursday began canceling plans for television ads in Louisiana's major markets to help Sen. Mary Landrieu's runoff campaign against Republican Bill Cassidy,...

Dec. 1 debate date set in Louisiana Senate runoff

Republican Senate candidate Bill Cassidy has agreed to one debate with Democratic U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu before the Dec. 6 runoff election. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Republican Senate candidate Bill...

Scandals old and new mark House races in La.

The Louisiana U.S. House races on Tuesday's ballot were mostly dreary matters by the state's historically colorful standards, with incumbents in line for easy re-election in four of six districts. NEW...

Election Day likely won't settle Senate race

Sen. Mary Landrieu isn't certain to know her political fate after the polls close in Louisiana's tight Senate race. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Sen. Mary Landrieu isn't certain to know her political fate...

Testing the Tea Party

This election year is prompting some on the right to begin writing the Tea Party movement's obituary, as others predict a long-expected merger with the evangelical wing of the state GOP. Wikimedia...

Voucher student performance better, but still lags

Performance is improving a bit for Louisiana students attending private Louisiana schools at taxpayer expense, but only about 44 percent of those students have reached a "basic" achievement...

Ruling delayed until Monday in charter school suit

The Louisiana Association of Educators filed a lawsuit challenging the $60 million in spending through Louisiana's public school financing formula. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A state district judge has...

John Breaux on the road with Sen. Mary Landrieu

He's been out of office for nearly a decade, but former U.S. Sen. John Breaux is back on the campaign trail, urging voters to support his one-time colleague, Democrat Mary Landrieu. BATON ROUGE, La....

Ashes from Ebola victim's apartment in limbo

The unresolved fate of the ashes left behind after Ebola waste was destroyed in Texas highlights the problem U.S. hospitals and communities could face in disposing of their own waste. The unresolved...

Ebola fears infect Louisiana medical conference

State health officials told thousands of doctors planning to attend a tropical diseases meeting this weekend in New Orleans to stay away if they have been to certain African countries or have had...

Sen. Landrieu's remarks on race anger Republicans

Republicans are calling on Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu to apologize after she suggested Thursday that President Barack Obama's deep unpopularity in the South is partly tied to race. NEW ORLEANS (AP)...

Ebola paranoia grips DHH

Louisiana officials have sent a letter to the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene un-inviting members of the group who have recently been to ebola-affected West African countries from...

Economist: Jindal misrepresents jobs data

"It is obvious that Louisiana economic performance has not outperformed the South or the United States as a whole and, in fact, has substantially underperformed..." BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -...

Ruling expected Friday in charter schools lawsuit

A state district judge said he will rule Friday on a preliminary injunction to keep some charter schools from receiving $60 million through Louisiana's public school financing formula. BATON ROUGE,...

Last Senate debate scheduled for Wednesday

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu is facing off one last time with her two main Republican challengers before next week's election. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu is facing off one last time...

About 50 percent voter turnout predicted for La.

Secretary of State Tom Schedler says he expects about half of Louisiana's 2.9 million registered voters to cast ballots for the Nov. 4 election. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Secretary of State Tom...

Discussion cautiously moves to surplus

While the Division of Administration, Treasurer John Kennedy and the legislative auditor spar over the validity of a $178.5 million surplus, and how it was calculated, some officials expect it to be...

Cassidy won't be at latest Senate debate

Republican U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy is skipping the latest TV debate in Louisiana's U.S. Senate race. Cassidy BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Republican U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy is skipping the latest TV...

Senate Democrats borrow $10M as races tighten

Republicans are running strong races against endangered Democratic incumbents in states such as North Carolina, Colorado, Arkansas, Louisiana and Alaska. Republicans are also looking to replace...

'Kissing' congressman confronts scandal

Republican congressman Vance McAllister is trying to make up to Louisiana voters for getting too close to a married former employee. MONROE, La. (AP) - Republican congressman Vance McAllister is...

Obama key to GOP plans for a Senate takeover

Struggling to preserve their Senate majority, Democrats are attacking Republicans over Medicare and Social Security in Louisiana, spending cuts in Arkansas, off-shore jobs in New Hampshire and women's...

La. GOP candidates not embracing Bobby Jindal

The governor is traveling the country laying the groundwork for a possible 2016 presidential campaign, but his approval ratings at home hover well below 50 percent. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - While...

Restraining order extended against ash disposal

State District Judge Bob Downing extended the order and delayed a planned Wednesday hearing about a permanent injunction while negotiations continue between Attorney General Buddy Caldwell and the...

$350K salary set for La. higher ed commissioner

New Louisiana higher education commissioner Joseph Rallo will be paid more than his predecessor. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - New Louisiana higher education commissioner Joseph Rallo will be paid more than...

The Clintons: The Dems' super surrogates in '14

Bill and Hillary Clinton are the validators-in-chief for Democrats struggling through a bleak campaign season in states where President Barack Obama is deeply unpopular. AURORA, Colo. (AP) - Bill and...

Landrieu accuses GOP of Ebola 'fear mongering'

Landrieu, who is fighting to keep her seat for a fourth term, said that Ebola is serious and precautions should be taken, but she accused Republicans of using the virus outbreak in West Africa to...

Early voting opens Tuesday

We will be offering our recommendations on the constitutional amendments tomorrow. If you want to avoid lines at your polling place on Nov. 4, parish registrar of voters offices begin accepting early...

Justices won't revive Louisiana parish claims

The justices did not comment in leaving in place lower court rulings that dismissed the lawsuits against BP and other companies involved in the worst U.S. offshore oil spill. WASHINGTON (AP) - The...

Minority votes critical to Senate election

White registration is down by 7,700 voters while black registration has shot up by 7,100 voters. Sen. Mary Landrieu's campaign sees two avenues in stopping Congressman Bill Cassidy's Republican...

New Orleans once again Landrieu epicenter

Even though it had been rumored for months, U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu finally pulled the trigger recently on a major campaign shakeup that moved control over to a few Big Easy insiders. Photo by Robin...

Lawmakers wait to hear from auditors on surplus

Lawmakers have sidestepped a decision on whether they accept claims from Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration that the state closed last year's books with a nearly $179 million surplus. BATON ROUGE, La....

Landrieu courts female voters in Senate race

With her political future in jeopardy, U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu is turning to a seemingly natural constituent base in her re-election bid: Louisiana's women. LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - With her political...

Louisiana's lingering budget questions

Did the state close last year's books with a surplus or a deficit? BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Did the state close last year's books with a surplus or a deficit? Seems like an easy-to-answer question, a...

Landrieu raising and spending more in Senate race

The messaging battle, however, isn't tied to individual campaign accounts. Third-party groups have poured millions of dollars into advertising. U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu and U.S. Rep. Bill...

Landrieu courts female voters

With her political future in jeopardy, Sen. Mary Landrieu is turning to a natural constituent base in her re-election bid. U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu shares a light moment at Wednesday's luncheon...

Will Obama be Landrieu's albatross?

Aligned with the party of an unpopular president, U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu sought to keep her distance from the Obama administration, against claims from her chief Republican challenger Bill Cassidy...

AG: 9 Romanians arrested in online crime syndicate

Seven people in Louisiana and two others in Mississippi have been arrested in connection with an international online sales scam. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Seven people in Louisiana and two others in...

38k lose power in NE La.

Severe storms that moved across Louisiana caused widespread damage and power outages. MONROE, La. (AP) - Severe storms that moved across Louisiana caused widespread damage and power outages. Entergy...

Preschool funding application approved by Jindal

A dispute over the Common Core education standards won't sideline Louisiana's application for up to $15 million in federal grant money for pre-kindergarten programs, Gov. Bobby Jindal decided...

Company won't take 'Ebola ash'

A Louisiana waste disposal facility said Monday it would not accept the ash from the incineration of a Texas Ebola victim's belongings, at least not until state officials agree that doing so would...

Louisiana Senate runoff may not be last

Georgia may actually need a runoff election, too, which is scheduled for Jan. 6, three days after Congress is sworn in. Sen. Mary Landrieu and Rep. Bill Cassidy Much has been made about Louisiana's...

Will GOP ignore McAllister in runoff?

Asked if the party would wholeheartedly support McAllister if he makes the runoff against Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo, a Democrat, Louisiana Republican Party Executive Director Jason Doré said it would be...

McCain hits the Cassidy campaign trail

Republican U.S. Sen. John McCain is campaigning across Louisiana at veterans rallies in support of GOP Senate candidate Bill Cassidy. Republican U.S. Sen. John McCain is campaigning across Louisiana...

Keg stands, illicit kisses spice Louisiana races

In what's turned out to be a largely joyless midterm congressional election, one state has upheld its reputation as a rollicking and colorful battleground. In what's turned out to be a largely...

Upside-down Kansas, other surprises, enliven races

A free steak dinner for everyone who predicted the Senate races in Kansas and South Dakota would be in doubt three weeks from Election Day. WASHINGTON (AP) - A free steak dinner for everyone who...

Scott development to enter 21st century

There will be no new mobile parks or dirt pits in the city of Scott, and future development in general will be more orderly under new regulations set to go into effect Jan. 1. SCOTT, La. (AP) - There...

GOP banks on anti-Obama mood to oust Southern Dems

The last of the Deep South's statewide elected Democrats are hoping their seniority and famous family names will save them from the region's rightward trend in this year's Senate races. BATON ROUGE,...

GOP banks on anti-Obama mood

The last of the Deep South's statewide elected Democrats are hoping their seniority and famous family names will save them from the region's rightward trend in this year's Senate races. BATON ROUGE,...

Cassidy: Obama 'mishandled' Islamic State strategy

Republican Senate candidate Bill Cassidy said Wednesday that President Barack Obama has mishandled the U.S. effort to defeat the Islamic State militant group. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Republican Senate...

Sen. Landrieu shakes up staff as election nears

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu is shaking up her campaign staff, ousting her campaign manager and turning to the strategist who helped her brother win election as New Orleans mayor. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -...

Jindal to teachers: complain away!

Gov. Bobby Jindal has issued an executive order saying teachers can complain about Louisiana's use of the Common Core education standards. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov. Bobby Jindal has issued an...

March trial date in challenge of La. abortion law

A March 30 trial date has been set in Baton Rouge federal court for a lawsuit challenging a new Louisiana law that requires doctors who perform abortions to be able to admit patients to a nearby...

Lambda Legal joins La. marriage case

A national organization dedicated to gay rights is joining efforts to overturn Louisiana's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A national organization dedicated to gay rights...

State-by-state look at gay marriage bans

State bans on same-sex marriages have been falling around the country since summer 2013, when the Supreme Court ordered the federal government to recognize state-sanctioned gay marriages. State bans...

Cassidy slams union lawsuit over charter schools

One school whose funding could be threatened by the Louisiana Association of Educators' lawsuit is Louisiana Key Academy, a charter school for dyslexic students that Cassidy's wife, Laura, helped...

Prez hopeful Jindal flaps hawk wings

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal says the United States must boost military spending by tens of billions of dollars to help end what he calls chaos and conflict around the world. WASHINGTON (AP) -??...

Vitter hasn't forgotten about the Senate

While he may be focused on running for governor in 2015, U.S. Sen. David Vitter of Metairie hasn't lost sight of his gig in D.C., which includes a possible chairmanship in the near future and raising...

Jindal: End flights from Ebola-stricken areas

In a statement Friday, Jindal said, "Even countries in Africa have cut back on or stopped accepting flights from countries with Ebola outbreaks." BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana Gov....

Insurance fight over cost of 37-acre sinkhole

The operator of a brine mine that collapsed and apparently caused a 37-acre sinkhole in south Louisiana has asked the state insurance commissioner to make an insurance company pay out on a $50 million...

Guillory attacks Landrieu's record with black voters

Louisiana's first black Republican state senator since Reconstruction - who was a Republican before he was a Democrat before he was a Republican again - is accusing Democratic U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu...

LSU board approves rewritten hospital contracts

LSU's governing board has backed new hospital privatization contracts that give hospital managers greater ease to leave the deal and fewer restrictions about must-have services. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)...

Blissed Out

Rachel Hector returns home to cultivate a generation of yoga instructors. Rachel Hector returns home to cultivate a generation of yoga instructors. By Walter Pierce Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2014 Rachel...

Landrieu seeks support from college voters

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu is courting young voters in several appearances across Louisiana this week, talking about her support for legislation that could lower students' college costs. BATON ROUGE, La....

Election 2014: Marshal Law

The race for Lafayette city marshal may not be the most exciting of this year's local political contests, but it could prove the most historic. The race for Lafayette city marshal may not be the most...

Jindal administration rewrites LSU hospital deals

Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration has renegotiated contracts for six LSU hospital privatization deals, hoping to reach a compromise with federal health officials that will keep Medicaid dollars...

Gun rights a flashpoint in Louisiana Senate race

Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu is defending her record on gun rights, seeking to rebut sharp criticism from the NRA in a state where the right to bear arms is given special constitutional...

Libertarian Party celebrates growth in La.

The party says it has hit a milestone, reaching 10,000 registered voters in the state. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The Libertarian Party of Louisiana says it has hit a milestone, reaching 10,000...

Teachers' group sues over charter school funding

The use of $60 million in Louisiana's public school financing formula to pay for nearly three dozen charter schools violates the state constitution, a statewide teachers' union claimed Monday in a...

Election 2014: ‘Political Prostitutes'

There was a time when United Ballot had a political stranglehold so tight on Lafayette's black community it was nearly unbreakable, but that grip might be loosening. There was a time when United...

Analysis: Jindal under fire at home for health care

Gov. Bobby Jindal has been viewed as a health care policy wonk, and he's tried to build on that image ahead of a likely 2016 presidential campaign, positioning himself as the candidate with...

Palin and friends seek to influence Louisiana races

Two of the most recognizable women in Republican politics, Sarah Palin and Mary Matalin, have been heavily involved in Louisiana's current election cycle. Two of the most recognizable women in...

National Dems expected to ignore Edwards campaign

Even though the Louisiana Democratic Party has thrown its support behind former Gov. Edwin Edwards' congressional bid, national Democrats are not expected to follow suit. Even though the Louisiana...

ACLU sues over Abbeville PD's social media policy

The ACLU of Louisiana has sued Abbeville's mayor and police chief over a policy barring police from any social media use showing the city in a bad light. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The ACLU of Louisiana has...

'Religious liberty' convention? Bobby's there!

Prospective Republican presidential candidates are expected to promote "religious liberty" at home and abroad at a gathering of religious conservatives Friday, with anti-Obama speeches from...

Dire finances outlined for employee health program

But retirees and employees who face the higher deductibles and out-of-pocket costs responded angrily, telling lawmakers that they shouldn't be held responsible for what they consider the Jindal...

Lawmakers hold hearing in health insurance dispute

Gov. Bobby Jindal's top budget adviser says the state employee health insurance program will face a dire financial scenario without the heavily criticized changes planned by the administration. BATON...

Study commission looking at La. death penalty

Louisiana's last execution was in 2010, and plans for the next lethal injection have been put on hold amid an ongoing legal dispute about the drugs that would be used. More than 80 people are on death...

Landrieu touts role in stalling sanctions bill

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu is traveling to the Citgo refinery near Lake Charles to highlight her successful stalling of a bill to impose sanctions against human-rights abusers in Venezuela's...

Cassidy criticizes Landrieu's keg assist

And he just lost the frat-bro vote! BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu's leading opponent said Wednesday it was inappropriate for the Democratic senator to help a Louisiana State...

'Duck Dynasty' family members cut ad for nephew

Republican congressional candidate Zach Dasher is getting an advertising assist from his famous "Duck Dynasty" family. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Republican congressional candidate Zach Dasher...

Next stop for The Jindal Express: New Hampshire

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, a possible Republican presidential candidate, is set to join New Hampshire gubernatorial candidate Walt Havenstein this week for education-related campaign...

Rubin ruling SCOLA-bound

One day after a Lafayette Parish judge declared Louisiana's ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, the state's top lawyer announced plans to challenge that decision before the Supreme Court of...

Louisiana: Where politics and partying mix quite well

Photos of a vulnerable Democratic senator helping a constituent drink upside-down from a beer keg would be a faux pas six weeks before Election Day in many places. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Photos of a...

Edwin won't be getting Mary's endorsement

The Louisiana Democratic Party may have endorsed former Gov. Edwin Edwards for Congress, but the state's highest elected Democratic official won't be doing the same. Former Gov. Edwin Edwards Sen....

Auditor releases nonpartisan brief on Common Core

Questions about the dispute over the Common Core education standards, or still wondering what the standards even are? BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Questions about the dispute over the Common Core education...

Post-kiss, McAllister TV ad features his wife

The Louisiana congressman whose re-election is threatened by a cheating scandal is putting his marriage front and center in the campaign. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The Louisiana congressman whose...

Payday loan issue being resurrected?

After failing to pass reform legislation aimed at the payday loan industry last year, Sen. Ben Nevers, D-Bogalusa, said he is considering bringing a bill again but is still on the fence. After failing...

Ballot confusion feared in November

More than 100 candidates either withdrew from their races or were disqualified since the mail ballots were printed following the August qualifying period. The Louisiana Secretary of State's Office...

Constitutional amendment battle moving to airwaves

The Louisiana Hospital Association, Louisiana Nursing Home Association, Louisiana Pharmacists Association, ambulance providers and intermediate care facilities are pooling their resources and planning...

Who wins Senate control? Nov. 4 might not decide

A suspenseful election night is one thing, but what if it stretches out for a month? Or into next year? WASHINGTON (AP) - A suspenseful election night is one thing, but what if it stretches out for a...

A nonpartisan look at Common Core

Questions about the dispute over the Common Core education standards, or still wondering what the standards even are? BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Questions about the dispute over the Common Core education...

Health insurance program still hemorrhaging cash

Despite sweeping changes enacted by Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration, the health insurance program for state workers and public school employees will have to use $88 million from its reserve fund to...

OMV leader says work ongoing to cut wait times

Lawmakers say they've received complaints that waits have spiked, with people being forced to wait in line for more than an hour - and sometimes three hours - to handle routine tasks. BATON ROUGE, La....

McAllister chief of staff booked with DWI

U.S. Rep. Vance McAllister says his chief of staff is on temporary leave after being booked with drunken driving. MONROE, La. (AP) - U.S. Rep. Vance McAllister says his chief of staff is on temporary...

Senate candidates face dilemma on arming Syrians

It was a rare moment in Congress this week as Republicans briefly put aside partisanship in support of President Barack Obama's request to train and arm Syrian rebels, and while a number of Democrats...

Williamson trial pushed back until after election

D.A. Mike Harson gets a gift from a federal judge as he tries to hang onto his job. Robert Williamson, left, and District Attorney Mike Harson The federal trial of Robert Williamson, the accused...

Health leader defends Medicaid report

Louisiana's health department said Wednesday that its evaluation of the state's Medicaid privatization was on target, despite criticism from the legislative auditor that it lacked key data and...

Judge: Pension hike = unconstitutional

A state district judge on Tuesday threw out a last-minute retirement hike lawmakers gave to the state police superintendent, ending a political firestorm over a pension boost passed without public...

House passes bill to oversee VA hospital construction

The House has passed a bill to increase oversight of veterans' hospitals under construction, following a report that some medical centers take three years longer to complete than estimated and cost an...

Hearing scheduled in lawsuit against pension hike

A state district judge is deciding whether to issue an injunction against the enforcement of a last-minute retirement hike that lawmakers gave to the state police superintendent. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)...

Insurance website up for state workers, retirees

A new website is up for Louisiana's state government employees and retirees to choose their health insurance plans for next year, a choice they must make by October. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov. Bobby...

Ethics complaint filed against Vitter

It seeks an investigation into a $100,000 fund transfer from Vitter's federal campaign account to an independent PAC supporting Vitter's 2015 candidacy for governor. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A Democratic...

GOP says Landrieu charter flight review has holes

Landrieu has acknowledged that she improperly billed her Senate office for nearly $43,000 in charter costs that should have been paid from her campaign account. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Republicans say...

State legislative elections already taking shape

House District 45 Rep. Joel Robideaux is term-limited and running for city-parish president next year, leaving his seat up for grabs come 2015 and at least three likely contenders so far, including...

Lafayette man indicted on income tax fraud

A federal grand jury has charged a 56-year-old Lafayette man with income tax fraud for allegedly failing to report hundreds of thousands of dollars in income. LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - A federal grand...

Voter guide released on constitutional amendments

Voters trying to sift through the details of 14 constitutional amendments on the Nov. 4 ballot have a guide they can consult. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Voters trying to sift through the details of 14...

Delcambre welcomes new boat launch, pavilion

Delcambre now has a boat launch that can handle four boats at a time and a new pavilion for the seafood and farmer's market. DELCAMBRE, La. (AP) - Delcambre now has a boat launch that can handle four...

Task force looks for ideas to generate road money

Lawmakers launched their latest effort Wednesday to try to chip away at a $12 billion backlog of road and bridge repair and improvement work across Louisiana, seeking ideas to raise new transportation...

Cassidy agrees to 2 TV debates

The congressman has rejected two other debates in which Landrieu had agreed to participate. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Republican U.S. Senate candidate Bill Cassidy has agreed to a second TV debate...

Landrieu has agreed to 5 debates; here they are

Her main Republican challenger, U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy, has announced only one debate commitment. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Democratic U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu has said she will participate in five...

Nov. 20 hearing set in Jindal Common Core lawsuit

Gov. Bobby Jindal will have to wait a few months to have his day in federal court in his lawsuit against the Obama administration over the Common Core education standards. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov....

Audit: State pays high lease rates to Saints owner

Louisiana state agencies are paying above-market rates to rent office space from New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson, and the state is paying $625,000 for space it isn't using, according to an audit...

Dardenne talks tax break review to aid budget

Republican Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne, seeking to move into Louisiana's highest office, says the state needs to re-examine tax breaks as a way to raise money for the budget and to seriously consider...

La. Dems back ex-con/Gov. EWE

The state party says the district is "challenging terrain" for a Democrat but makes no mention of the former governor's eight years in federal prison. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Louisiana's...

New state tax study gets under way

In addition to pouring over the state's much-ballyhooed tax exemptions, the study group will undertake a very comprehensive review, from tax rates and property taxes to credits and...

Prison date arrives for ex-New Orleans mayor

The time has arrived for former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin to report to prison. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The time has arrived for former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin to report to prison. Nagin was to report...

Analysis: Jam-packed election causing new snags

When the doors closed on the candidate sign-up period for the fall elections, Secretary of State Tom Schedler said it seemed "crazier" than usual. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - When the doors...

Judge tosses challenge to Landrieu residency

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu will remain on the Nov. 4 ballot in Louisiana after a state judge dismissed a lawsuit Friday that had claimed the Democrat was not qualified to run for re-election because she...

Judge to consider lawsuit to disqualify Landrieu

A judge was to consider Friday whether U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu is legally able to run for re-election in Louisiana, after a state lawmaker who once ran against Landrieu challenged her qualifications...

La. Supreme Court hears arguments on tenure law

A law toughening teacher tenure requirements in Louisiana is up for arguments before the state Supreme Court. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A law toughening teacher tenure requirements in Louisiana is up for...

La. ruling breaks pro-gay marriage streak

It was a rare loss for gay-marriage supporters - one that even the judge who issued the ruling acknowledged won't be the final word. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - It was a rare loss for gay-marriage supporters -...

Judge OKs public defender for Nagin's appeal

New Orleans' former mayor, Ray Nagin, will get a federal public defender to handle his appeal, a federal judge decided Wednesday. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - New Orleans' former mayor, Ray Nagin, will get a...

Judge sets Sept. 30 conference on La. abortion law

U.S. District Judge John deGravelles has scheduled a status conference Sept. 30 on a request to block Louisiana's restrictive new abortion law while a suit challenging it is in court. BATON ROUGE, La....

District attorney won't dispute Landrieu residency

Republican Senate candidate Rob Maness was unable to persuade Baton Rouge's district attorney to file a residency challenge against Democratic incumbent Mary Landrieu. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -...

State GOP files ethics complaint against Landrieu

Louisiana's Republican Party has filed a complaint against Democratic U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu with the Senate's ethics committee about her use of private chartered planes. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -...

La. following judge's order on abortion ruling

The Louisiana health department will follow a federal judge's order and refrain from immediately penalizing doctors who are trying to comply with a new abortion law that requires them to obtain...

November turnout forecasted at 45-50 percent

While bogged down with qualifying candidates last month, Secretary of State Tom Schedler didn't lose sight of the true endgame coming in November and December. While bogged down with qualifying...

Solemn remembrances set for Katrina Anniversary

Gulf Coast ceremonies marking the ninth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina have begun. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Gulf Coast ceremonies marking the ninth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina have begun. In New...

State asks shrimpers to report tiger prawn catches

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says there is little known about the effects of tiger prawns on indigenous Louisiana shrimp. But, officials say the reports they're seeking will help...

Judge: rule Friday if no abortion law agreement

A federal judge on Thursday asked lawyers battling over Louisiana's new, restrictive abortion law for an agreement that apparently could let clinics stay open - at least for a while - after the law...

Judge hears request to block new La. abortion law

An abortion rights organization wants a federal judge to block enforcement of Louisiana's new abortion law while its lawsuit to overturn the law makes its way through court. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - An...

Jindal, Cruz to headline September Iowa GOP event

Republican presidential prospects Ted Cruz and Bobby Jindal are planning to speak at an Iowa Christian conservative event in September. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Republican presidential prospects Ted...

Pro-voucher group seeks to undo order in La. case

A group supporting taxpayer-funded private school tuition vouchers is appealing a federal judge's order that Louisiana must provide regular reports to federal officials on the state's voucher...

La. reality star accused of rape, child molestation

The Discovery Channel has canceled reality TV star Will Hayden's popular "Sons of Guns" show after his arrest on an aggravated rape charge. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The Discovery Channel has...

Lafayette man struck, killed by dump truck

Police say a 56-year-old Lafayette man walking behind a dump truck died when the truck hit him as it was backing up. Police say a 56-year-old Lafayette man walking behind a dump truck died when the...

Saints QB welcomes 4th child

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is a proud papa of new baby girl. Photo Illustration NEW ORLEANS (AP) - New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is a proud papa of new baby girl. Brees'...

Books balanced for last La. budget, with borrowing

The books on Louisiana's last budget year have been closed, but it took a bit of borrowing from this year to make the numbers work. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The books on Louisiana's last budget year...

Divvying of $40M college fund proves no easy task

Two months after lawmakers agreed to create a $40 million higher education incentive fund, no decisions have been made about how to divide the money. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Two months after lawmakers...

Lafayette PD investigate fatal shooting

Lafayette police are investigating a fatal shooting involving an alleged burglar and homeowner. Lafayette police are investigating a fatal shooting involving an alleged burglar and homeowner. Police...

Federal lawsuit filed against new La. abortion law

An abortion rights organization has filed the first court challenge to a Louisiana law that would require doctors who perform abortions to be able to admit patients to a nearby hospital. BATON ROUGE,...

McAllister signs up for re-election, chills

U.S. Rep. Vance McAllister started his sign-up for re-election Friday the same as any other candidate, filling out paperwork and handing over cash to pay his qualifying fee. But he finished it quite...

McAllister signs up for re-election, with ice

U.S. Rep. Vance McAllister started his sign-up for re-election the same as other candidates, filling out paperwork and handing over qualifying money. But he finished it like no other, doused with...

Election sign-up continues into second day

Qualifying continues through Friday. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Trying to rebound after a cheating scandal, U.S. Rep. Vance McAllister faces a crowded field of candidates vying to oust him, with his...

Senate control could rest with well-funded women

The political tilt of the Senate during President Barack Obama's final two years in office is likely to hinge on a handful of female contenders in tight and costly races. WASHINGTON (AP) - The...

Indicted ex-BP exec gets OK to visit UK

A former BP executive will be allowed to travel to the United Kingdom later this month while he awaits trial on charges relating to an investigation of the 2010 Gulf oil spill. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A...

Feds question hospital deals

Jindal privatized nearly all the LSU hospitals without waiting for federal officials to sign off on financing arrangements that rely on millions of federal Medicaid dollars. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -...

Landrieu, Cassidy trade jabs over leadership

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu and her main Republican challenger, Congressman Bill Cassidy, verbally sparred as they officially signed up on the opening day of qualifying for Louisiana's November...

La. candidate sign-up period starts Wednesday

Candidates for Louisiana's Nov. 4 election must officially sign up for the ballot this week. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Candidates for Louisiana's Nov. 4 election must officially sign up for the ballot...

Judge rules against Jindal in Common Core lawsuit

Gov. Bobby Jindal's effort to derail Louisiana's use of the Common Core education standards was halted Tuesday by a state judge who said the governor's actions were harmful to parents, teachers and...

Age limit on Louisiana officials on hold for now

A Baton Rouge judge issued a temporary restraining order Monday against enforcing a law that prohibits anyone 70 or older from running for justice of the peace or constable. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -...

Jindal supports reversal of Edmonson pension boost

Gov. Bobby Jindal believes the last-minute passage of a pension hike for his state police superintendent, Col. Mike Edmonson, was improperly handled, according to the governor's office. BATON ROUGE,...

Anti-Common Core lawmakers head to Oklahoma

As the courts hash out the attempts to preserve and shelve Common Core in Louisiana, a group of six state lawmakers are planning an Aug. 22 trip to Oklahoma to meet with their counterparts and...

Ground game, turnout could decide Senate race

While hopes are high for turnout this fall, a new report from the Center for the Study of the American Electorate suggests that Louisiana's midterm face-offs may amount to nothing special in terms of...

Auditor questions data in Medicaid program review

An annual report evaluating Gov. Bobby Jindal's privatization of Medicaid lacked important financial information and presented rosy performance reviews not corroborated by data, according to a review...

Judge hearing arguments in Common Core lawsuit

A group of teachers and parents who support Common Core is asking a state judge to invalidate Gov. Bobby Jindal's actions against the multi-state education standards. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A group...

Judge denies suit filed in Common Core dispute

A state judge Friday refused a temporary injunction sought against state education officials in an effort to block implementation of the Common Core education standards in Louisiana. BATON ROUGE, La....

Cost of efficiency consultant bumped up to $7.4M

The price tag has nearly doubled for Gov. Bobby Jindal's hiring of an outside consulting firm to recommend new ways to balance the state budget. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The price tag has nearly...

Landrieu reimbursing Senate for charter flights

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu is under scrutiny for billing private chartered planes to her Senate office when she used the flights to attend campaign fundraisers. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - U.S. Sen. Mary...

Suit: Many jailed since state mental hospital full

Many people found not guilty by reason of insanity are being held in Louisiana jails, where they cannot get the treatment they need, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Many...

Next year's state budget shortfall pegged at $1.2B

The grim news, delivered to the joint legislative budget committee, barely raised eyebrows at the committee hearing, after more than six years of such disappointing financial forecasts. BATON ROUGE,...

Solons criticize lengthy waits at OMV locations

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - State lawmakers say they're getting hit with complaints about wait times at Office of Motor Vehicles locations around Louisiana, and they're asking for more details about the...

Age limit to oust some Louisiana court officials

A new law preventing anyone 70 or older from running for constable or justice of the peace in Louisiana is facing stiff opposition - especially among the officials who are about to be banned from...

Lafayette mom arrested in daughter's death

Police say an autopsy attributed hypothermia with dehydration as the cause of the 3 year old's death. LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - Lafayette police have arrested a woman in the death of her 3-year-old...

Louisiana Tax Amnesty program starts Oct. 15

The 2014 program offers noncompliant taxpayers the chance to settle their accounts with the state by paying 100 percent of delinquent taxes, with a waiver of all penalties and 50 percent of the...

Louisiana exports up 9.3 percent at midyear

Louisiana exports grew by 9.3 percent to $32.1 billion during the first half of the year. That's according to figures from the World Trade Center of New Orleans. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Louisiana exports...

Jindal seeks to have Common Core lawsuit dismissed

Jindal, who opposes Common Core, is asking Judge Todd Hernandez to dismiss much of the lawsuit. His lawyer also wants the judge to forbid depositions of the governor, Commissioner of Administration...

Super PAC now taking above cap donations

Even though the state Ethics Board could still technically appeal the federal ruling that allows the Fund for Louisiana's Future to accept unlimited donations above the state's $100,000 threshold, the...

Below surface, attorney general's race bubbles

Attorney General Buddy Caldwell addressed the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association during its conference last month, referring to himself as "family." Attorney General Buddy Caldwell Attorney...

Layoffs of Louisiana state employee tapering off

After six years of state worker layoffs, no rank-and-file state employees have been targeted for pink slips this budget year. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - After six years of state worker layoffs, no...

Common Core dispute heads to court next week

Hearings are scheduled in dueling lawsuits, one suit that seeks to scrap the multi-state standards in public school classrooms and the other that wants Jindal forced to stop meddling with Common...

Back in Iowa, Jindal speaking to Christian groups

This is the Louisiana governor's 11th trip to the Hawkeye State, which is (coincidentally?) a key presidential primary state. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is spending two days...

Lafayette woman gets nearly 2.5 years for fraud

Federal prosecutors say a Lafayette woman was sentenced to nearly 2.5 years in prison for stealing more than $500,000 from the company where she worked. LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - Federal prosecutors say a...

LSU opens new ag sciences lab

The LSU AgCenter's food, animal and veterinary science students and faculty have new laboratory and teaching facilities. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The LSU AgCenter's food, animal and veterinary science...

Jindal asks judge to bar use of Common Core tests

The governor filed a petition seeking an injunction that would keep the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the education department from administering any standardized tests...

Challenges to gay marriage bans: Where they stand

State bans on same-sex marriages have been falling around the country since last summer, when the Supreme Court ordered the federal government to recognize state-sanctioned gay marriages. State bans...

Ways to spend $40M college fund being considered

Louisiana college, economic development and labor officials are digging into the details of how they'll spend a new $40 million higher education incentive fund created earlier this year. BATON ROUGE,...

Landrieu hit on abortion

At election time, U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu always has a tricky line to walk on abortion, balancing her Catholic faith and Louisiana's strong anti-abortion stances with her Democratic politics and her...

Landrieu agrees to four debates

The Democratic incumbent is in a tight race, seeking a fourth term against two Republican challengers. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu has agreed to four TV debates leading up to the...

Parents join lawsuit against BESE

More than 190 names, primarily those of parents of students in public schools, have been added to the anti-Common Core lawsuit filed against the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and...

Saints owner Benson treated for breathing trouble

Team spokesman Greg Bensel says the 87-year-old Benson is "fine" after being provided with oxygen. WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. (AP) - Saints owner Tom Benson has been treated by paramedics...

Will Edwards get Democratic nod?

With former Gov. Edwin Edwards more than likely serving as the Democrats' best hope of seizing the 6th Congressional District, attention is turning to whether the state party will get behind the...

Dems, GOP share goals for 2015

While the Democratic and Republican parties in Louisiana have decided to team up to pursue unlimited fundraising possibilities on the federal level, there may also be a shared legislative agenda in...

Judge: School voucher report order stands

Five parents of students in Louisiana's school voucher program will probably appeal an order for the state to send reports about the program to federal attorneys, one of their attorneys said...

Landrieu agrees to 4 Senate race debates

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu has agreed to four TV debates leading up to the Nov. 4 election. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu has agreed to four TV debates leading up to the Nov. 4...

Former Gov. Roemer recovering from 'small stroke'

Buddy Roemer, a Republican who is president of a Baton Rouge-based bank, served one term as governor from 1988 to 1992. Before that, he was a congressman from 1980 to 1988. He made an unsuccessful...

Roemer: Jindal created 'fiasco' in standards fight

Chas Roemer, president of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, said Monday that the multi-state English and math standards will allow Louisiana to compete globally and compare student...

Jindal heads to Mexican border

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is traveling to Texas' border with Mexico to get a closer look at the nation's immigration crisis. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is traveling to...

Analysis: Common Core dispute gets personal

The clash over whether Louisiana's public schools should teach to the Common Core education standards has devolved into a bitter public feud that will have one-time political friends sitting on...

Landrieu endorsed by state sheriffs association

In a statement, Michael Ranatza, executive director of the association, said Landrieu's "senior status" and her continued support for the sheriffs throughout her career were deciding...

Vitter: strong support for Common Core

The position puts him at odds with GOP Gov. Bobby Jindal, but could bolster support from the business community as the senator raises money for the 2015 governor's race. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -...

A closer look at some of La.'s new laws

Hundreds of new laws take effect Friday, with the start of August. A look at some of the changes on the books: BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Hundreds of new laws take effect Friday, with the start of...

Adulterated

Is sending a 16-year-old boy to prison with men for up to 99 years really the way to address juvenile crime? Is sending a 16-year-old boy to prison with men for up to 99 years really the way to...

More students earning college credit

Louisiana's high school seniors are making increased strides on Advanced Placement exams. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana's high school seniors are making increased strides on Advanced Placement...

Jindal wants details on immigrant children in La.

The Republican governor sent a letter Thursday to the president, saying placement of the children in Louisiana could have "potential negative ramifications." BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov....

551 new laws take effect Friday in La.

Many laws are minor, though some impact health care options, change educational programs and reach into people's everyday activities. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Slug a referee at your child's sports...

La. holds sales tax holiday this weekend

Louisiana's annual state sales tax holiday is Friday and Saturday. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana's annual state sales tax holiday is Friday and Saturday. Over the two-day period, most retail...

Hearing dates set in both Common Core lawsuits

Mid-August hearing dates have been set for dueling lawsuits over Louisiana's use of the Common Core education standards in public schools. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Mid-August hearing dates have been...

Retirement system reviewing last-minute law change

An investigation into the last-minute passage of a pension hike for the state police superintendent continues, despite Col. Mike Edmonson's decision not to accept the increase. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -...

Sentencing delay for key Nagin witness

Sentencing has been delayed for a businessman who provided key testimony in the corruption case that resulted in the conviction of former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Sentencing has...

Legislator says La. abortion law not in jeopardy

The sponsor of a Louisiana law that requires doctors that perform abortions to have hospital admitting privileges doesn't believe the provision is in jeopardy after a federal appeals court struck down...

BESE joins lawsuit challenging Jindal

Louisiana's state school board has jumped into a lawsuit against Gov. Bobby Jindal that accuses the governor of illegally meddling in education policy through his efforts to block Common Core...

For La. Dems - O'Bumma

If President Barack Obama's poll numbers, and those for his health care law, haven't yet bottomed out in the Bayou State, then Democrats surely don't want to know what the statistical floor actually...

BESE calls special meeting on Common Core dispute

Louisiana's state school board is holding a special meeting to consider whether to sue Gov. Bobby Jindal in an ongoing dispute over the Common Core education standards. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -...

Landrieu hammering Cassidy on banking agency

The Democratic incumbent, seeking her fourth term in office, is a strong supporter of the Export-Import Bank, which helps finance exports of U.S. companies. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - U.S. Sen. Mary...

Political fireworks in Louisiana, Mississippi

The world is a politically tense place these days with hot spots ranging from the Middle East to Ukraine. In Louisiana and Mississippi, where the political chessboard tends to be a lot less...

LSU enrolling patients in new kind of drug test

LSU Health Sciences Center says people with a common, hard-to-treat kind of lung cancer can join a new national trial to test drugs faster. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - LSU Health Sciences Center says people...

BESE effort to hire lawyer faces Jindal resistance

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is considering whether to get involved in a lawsuit against Gov. Bobby Jindal for his attempts to undermine use of the Common Core education standards...

Flood board meets amid uncertainty

The latest meeting of a south Louisiana flood board that stirred political turmoil with a lawsuit against the oil and gas industry is taking place amid uncertainty over the future of the lawsuit - and...

Surveys explore U-boat, oil spill impact

The photos taken nearly a mile under the Gulf of Mexico are so clear that small holes are visible in a lifeboat that may have gone down or been scuttled when a passenger ship was sunk by a Nazi...

Insurance rate hikes sought in federal marketplace

Thousands of people who bought health insurance through the marketplace created by the federal health care overhaul face price hikes next year that could top 10 percent. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -...

Louisiana ranks 47th in national Kids Count survey

Louisiana fell one spot in an annual national ranking of child well-being that looks at poverty, education and health access. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana fell one spot to 47th in an annual...

No more arguments in La. gay marriage case

A federal judge has decided he doesn't need to hear more arguments in the case of a gay couple who want a Louisiana marriage license. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A federal judge has decided he doesn't need to...

Lawsuit filed against Jindal over Common Core

Parents and teachers who support the Common Core education standards sued Gov. Bobby Jindal Tuesday over his actions against the multi-state standards, accusing him of illegally meddling in education...

Lawsuit filed to stop Common Core in La.

The legal challenge is part of a continuing struggle over Common Core, which has become controversial since the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education adopted the standards in 2010. BATON ROUGE,...

Edwards: If elected, state budget would be focus

The lone Democrat to announce he's running for governor, state Rep. John Bel Edwards, criticized Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal's budgeting tactics as "running the state like a big Ponzi...

Driver arrested in death of cyclist Lon Lomas

State police have arrested a 42-year-old Kaplan man in the July 7 hit and run fatality crash that killed a bicyclist on Louisiana Highway 92 near Milton. KAPLAN, La. (AP) - State police have arrested...

Former Senate race candidate endorses Cassidy

Republican U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy has picked up support for his U.S. Senate campaign from a former GOP competitor. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Republican U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy has picked up support for...

Changes in the works for Bayou Health

Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration intends to rework how it pays the private managed care networks that provide health services to two-thirds of Louisiana's Medicaid patients. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -...

Benefit cuts planned for state workers

Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration is raising health insurance rates and cutting benefits for state employees and retirees, to keep their insurance program solvent. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov. Bobby...

Jindal and White continue Common Core standoff

"We're not in a better place from the policy perspective than we were two weeks ago," says Education Superintendent John White, commenting on Thursday's face-to-face meeting with Gov. Bobby...

Dems, GOP woo female voters

Wednesday's Senate vote on contraception legislation is the latest example of Democrats' win-by-losing strategy, which forces Republicans to vote on sensitive matters that might rile women this...

McAllister has little cash in his kitty

Incumbency hasn't helped U.S. Rep. Vance McAllister boost his campaign coffers. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Incumbency hasn't helped U.S. Rep. Vance McAllister boost his campaign coffers. The Republican...

Cassidy edges closer to Landrieu in campaign cash

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu continues to outraise her chief Republican competitor, U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy, but she's spending more money as well. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu continues...

IG: La. collected $7M too much in enrollment bonus

The inspector general for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said the state Children's Health Insurance Program, known as LaCHIP, didn't meet federal requirements for the bonus...

Maness runs to the right - of everyone

Republican U.S. Senate candidate and tea party favorite Rob Maness is waging a long-shot campaign against the better-funded GOP contender. Photo by Todd Berenger/U.S. Air Force Col. Rob Maness...

Jindal leases state parking garage for $2M

The deal appears to have the state taking a loss for the cash up front. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration is leasing the rights to a state-owned parking garage for $2 million...

Calling Sharon Angle

Democrats scour GOP records for provocative comments. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - As the nation's midsection has grown more conservative and Republican, Democrats have sometimes had to rest their hopes on...

La. graduation rate inches up in 2013

The percentage of Louisiana high school students graduating within four years increased for the third year in a row in 2013, the state Department of Education said Friday. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The...

Jindal restricts state borrowing under new law

Gov. Bobby Jindal is trying to curb unintended consequences of a law that boosted the borrowing the state can do before hitting its debt ceiling. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov. Bobby Jindal is trying to...

Catholics rankled over La. Supreme Court ruling

Catholics are decrying a recent Louisiana Supreme Court decision that reaches into the most sanctified of church places, the confessional booth. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Catholics are decrying a recent...

Education leaders propose new testing strategy

Education leaders are seeking to broker a compromise with Gov. Bobby Jindal on the standardized tests used in public schools next year. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Education leaders are seeking to broker...

Jindal sets July 17 meeting with education chief

Gov. Bobby Jindal has scheduled a July 17 meeting with Education Superintendent John White to try to negotiate a compromise in their dispute over testing tied to the Common Core education standards,...

La. voucher program enrollment again on the rise

More than 8,800 students have been awarded vouchers to attend Louisiana private schools with taxpayer dollars in the upcoming school year, a 30 percent growth in the program championed by Gov. Bobby...

Landrieu clout questioned in new ad

The Americans for Prosperity ad, which will air statewide on TV and also online, says Landrieu's position as leader of the Senate energy committee hasn't helped Louisiana, a heavy energy-producing...

Nagin gets 10 years

Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his conviction on bribery, money laundering and other corruption charges. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Former New Orleans Mayor...

Louisiana lawmakers refuse to hold veto session

Both the House and Senate have voted to cancel the veto override session set to start this week. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana lawmakers won't try to override Gov. Bobby Jindal's vetoes from the...

GOP field crowded for 6th Congressional District

The eight Republicans vying for the open 6th District congressional seat are trying to highlight differences among their personal resumes, as they strike largely similar policy positions. BATON ROUGE,...

Teachers prepping students for workforce

About 300 career and technical education teachers from across the state are attending training courses in Lafayette this week as part of the state's push to prepare high school students to take full...

Audit: Medicaid paid $2.7M to ineligible inmates

The audit, released Monday, says the monthly Bayou Health and Louisiana Behavioral Health Program payments were made for 2,644 inmates over the 23 months ending Dec. 31, 2013. NEW ORLEANS (AP) -...

Sentencing nears for Nagin

Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin's steep descent from the days when he was seen as a fresh-faced reformer continues this week when he is sentenced in federal court on 20 criminal charges counts...

Relocation of New Iberia chimps is complete

All 110 chimps from a laboratory in New Iberia have been moved to Chimp Haven in northwest Louisiana, according to the national sanctuary for chimpanzees retired from federal research. NEW ORLEANS...

Prosecutors say Nagin deserves harsh sentence

Federal prosecutors say former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin has shown no remorse for his crimes and lies to investigators and U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan should sentence him harshly. NEW...

BESE convenes special Common Core meeting

Louisiana's Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is holding a special meeting Tuesday to consider responses to Gov. Bobby Jindal's efforts to derail the Common Core education standards in...

Ex-BP exec can be tried on obstruction charge

A former BP executive can be tried on a charge that he obstructed a congressional investigation into the 2010 Gulf oil spill, a federal appeals court in New Orleans said in a ruling posted Monday. NEW...

Audit: Risk management privatization saves $16M

In a new report tracking the contract, Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera's office says the state has reached 72 percent of the promised savings through June 30, 2013, the close of the last budget...

Veto-happy Jindal makes mark on session

Gov. Bobby Jindal proposed a light agenda to lawmakers, but he put a strong stamp on the 2014 legislative session through his vetoes, many of which struck down bills that had received overwhelming...

Veterans tell La. lawmakers of health care delays

Louisiana's veterans affairs secretary told state lawmakers Friday that he's heard complaints for years about problems with veterans having trouble getting treatment in the federal VA hospitals and...

Stage being set for La. gay marriage rulings

A federal judge has set a mid-July deadline for filing briefs on multiple issues involving gay marriage in Louisiana. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A federal judge has set a mid-July deadline for filing briefs...

Budget has $134M gap as fiscal year nears end

"We do have a deficit this fiscal year. We clearly do. Now, it can be papered over through a payday loan. Even if they're right legally, it's not fiscally responsible." BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)...

Despite losses, tea party soldiers on

Desperate to knock off GOP incumbents in this year's Republican primaries, the nation's tea party groups have spent millions only to fall short in election after election. WASHINGTON (AP) - Desperate...

More La. students earn college-ready ACT score

The Department of Education said Thursday that 23,560 students scored an 18 or higher in 2014. That was an increase of 1,472 over the 2013 total. And it was the second increase in as many years. NEW...

White: Common Core dispute to delay summer scores

Public school fourth-graders and eighth-graders retaking their standardized tests this summer to determine how and if they advance to the next grade may be waiting awhile to learn if they passed the...

Judge to go whole hog in gay-marriage case

U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman declined to rule on any of the issues Wednesday, saying he'd prefer not to act in a piecemeal fashion. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A federal court hearing Wednesday focused...

2 more arrests in deputy's fatal shooting

Louisiana State Police have arrested two more people who investigators say helped one of the men accused in the Monday shooting death of an off-duty Vermilion Parish sheriff's deputy. ABBEVILLE, La....

BESE sets special meeting to discuss Common Core

BESE President Chas Roemer made it clear in his statement Wednesday that he intends to push forward with Common Core. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana's top school board is holding a special meeting...

Lawsuit challenges law allowing truck stop tiger

A former state lawmaker and a national animal rights group have filed a lawsuit challenging a newly-passed law that lets a Grosse Tete gas station owner keep a tiger onsite. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A...

Hearing set on gay couples' marriage rights in La.

A federal judge is set to hear arguments on whether Louisiana must recognize same-sex marriages legally performed in other states. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A federal judge is set to hear arguments on...

AFP making long-term push

The state chapter of Americans For Prosperity was launched in January and there's a guarantee of revenue from the national organization throughout the first year. Americans for Prosperity President...

Hope alive for state transportation reforms

With the goal of having DOTD focus only on building roads, maintaining bridges and other transportation priorities, the commissioner of the new Multimodal Commerce office would be charged with...

Jindal signs harsher penalties for referee attacks

Parents who attack referees at their children's athletic events will face toughened penalties. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Parents who attack referees at their children's athletic events will face...

Teacher training to continue focus on Common Core

Louisiana's universities have been instructed to continue training teachers to the Common Core education standards even though Gov. Bobby Jindal is trying to derail the standards in public school...

Growth prompts Scott to consider zoning laws

The Scott City Council is set to consider new regulations next month that, for the first time in Scott, would spell out what can be built where. The Scott City Council is set to consider new...

Scalise's rise = political clout for La.

Steve Scalise's election to a key leadership post among House Republicans gives Louisiana the kind of high-profile influence it hasn't seen in that body since Robert Livingston was in line for the...

Per capita debt in La. hits a new high

Louisiana's debt load has risen each of the last six years, with the state hitting a record this year for how much debt it owes for each state resident, according to a report released Thursday. BATON...

House GOP picks Scalise No. 3 leader

House Republicans have picked Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise to be their majority whip. WASHINGTON (AP) - House Republicans have picked Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise to be their majority whip. Scalise...

SLFPA-E to discuss fate of 'Big Oil' lawsuit

The New Orleans-area flood board that filed a lawsuit against 97 oil, gas and pipeline companies last summer is expected to discuss the future of that lawsuit in light of legislation aimed at...

Jindal seeks to block Common Core test

Gov. Bobby Jindal sought Wednesday to derail Louisiana's use of standardized tests tied to the Common Core education standards, but state education leaders say the governor's executive order is...

Grand Isle-to-Governor's Mansion march planned

The march is being billed as a way of bringing attention to threats to numerous Louisiana waterways. It is also a protest against a recent new law forbidding a south Louisiana flood control board from...

Scalise in race for No. 3 spot in GOP leadership

Two candidates from different ideological outposts and regions of the country - a conservative Southerner, Steve Scalise of Louisiana, and an establishment-aligned Midwesterner, Peter Roskam of...

Ed. secretary calls Jindal out on Common Core

"It's about politics, it's not about education." BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan says Gov. Bobby Jindal's recent opposition to the Common Core education...

Grand Isle-to-Governor's Mansion march planned

A group of environmentalists is planning an eight-day march from Grand Isle to the governor's mansion. Woody Martin, left, and Mike Stagg of the Green Army protest outside of Rep. Joel Robideaux's...

Vitter says he'd consider Medicaid expansion

Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter on Monday left open the possibility of expanding Louisiana's Medicaid program to cover more of the working poor. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Republican U.S. Sen. David...

Pastorek, former ed super, returns to La.

Paul Pastorek, who left the Louisiana superintendent of education post in 2011 for a corporate job in Washington, has stepped down as chief administrative officer of Airbus Group Inc. and plans to...

Pastorek returning to education work

Paul Pastorek, who left the Louisiana superintendent of education post in 2011 for a corporate job in Washington, has stepped down as chief administrative officer of Airbus Group Inc. and plans to...

Arsonist on the loose?

Lafayette fire officials say at least five vacant houses have been set afire in one week. They're investigating a sixth house fire. LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - Lafayette fire officials say at least five...

Lawmakers hand Jindal decision-making on projects

Lawmakers have given Gov. Bobby Jindal all the power to choose among their favored projects in next year's construction budget. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Lawmakers have given Gov. Bobby Jindal all the...

New trial ordered for ex-BP engineer

A new trial was ordered Thursday for a former BP engineer convicted of deleting text messages related to the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A new trial was ordered Thursday...

Jindal signs anti-abortion bills

Against the backdrop of a West Monroe Baptist church, Gov. Bobby Jindal on Thursday signed into law new restrictions against abortion in Louisiana, saying the measures will protect women and "the...

Tobacco banned from UL campus

With a few exceptions, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is banning tobacco from its campus. With a few exceptions, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is banning tobacco from its...

Jindal agrees with preserving fox pen hunting

Fox pen hunting is officially considered part of Louisiana's folklife heritage. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Fox pen hunting is officially considered part of Louisiana's folklife heritage. Gov. Bobby...

Jindal signs new bans on smoking in public places

Smoking will be prohibited near Louisiana's elementary and secondary schools and the entrances of state-owned office buildings. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Smoking will be prohibited near Louisiana's...

Report: La. nursing home rank poorly on quality

The quality of care at Louisiana's nursing homes is among the worst in the nation, with high rates of bed sores and physical restraints and low levels of nursing staff, according to a state...

Jindal press secretary leaving after 2 months

Sarah Haley's hiring was announced in April. On Monday, the governor's spokesman, Mike Reed, confirmed that Haley was leaving the administration at the end of the week. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov....

SUPER CHARGED

Let's be clear: The board members seeking an investigation of Superintendent Pat Cooper want him fired. LET'S BE CLEAR: THE BOARD MEMBERS SEEKING AN INVESTIGATION OF SUPERINTENDENT PAT COOPER WANT HIM...

Waste not, want not

Every day green EVERY DAY GREEN. BY CHERYL PERRET Monday, June 2, 2014 [Editor's Note: When it came time to find people really living the green life, we turned to Cheryl Perret. Mother of two and...

House gives final passage to $24.6B state budget

Unlike some years where debate on the operating budget comes down to the final hours of the legislative session, lawmakers wrapped up their work on the 2014-15 spending roadmap with days to...

Louisiana lawmakers revive equal pay discussion

After rejecting sweeping measures to protect women from being paid less than men for the same work, lawmakers gave final passage Friday to a bill that specifies intentional pay discrimination based on...

La. Senate approves $24.6B budget

The spending plan includes new money for services to help the disabled, higher education and public schools. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Senators agreed Wednesday to a $24.6 billion budget to finance...

Lawmakers agree to 6-year driver's license

Currently, drivers must renew their licenses in the state every four years. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana will have a six-year driver's license. Currently, drivers must renew their licenses in the...

Lawmakers agree to WISE incentive fund

Gov. Bobby Jindal and higher education leaders have won legislative support for a new incentive fund that will direct money to high-demand degree and worker training programs. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -...

$5.9B construction budget backed by Senate

Louisiana has a cap on annual borrowing that limits spending on construction projects to $355 million in the fiscal year that begins July 1. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Senators sent the House on Thursday...

Senate agrees to REAL ID driver's licenses

With only one vote to spare, the Louisiana Senate agreed Tuesday to repeal a six-year-old law that keeps the state from issuing driver's licenses that comply with federal security mandates. BATON...

Forecasters: quiet hurricane season

But, they warned, it takes only one storm to wreak havoc and urged Americans to be prepared. NEW YORK (AP) - A slower-than-usual hurricane season is expected this year because of an expected El Nino,...

New restrictions planned for La. abortion clinics

Louisiana's abortion clinics will be required to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles, a restriction that abortion-rights groups say will shutter three of the state's five abortion...

House committee rejects Medicaid expansion

The votes fell largely across party lines, with Republicans opposed. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Efforts to expand Louisiana's Medicaid program appear dead for the legislative session, after a House...

Lawmakers back search for new execution methods

The corrections department would study what execution method Louisiana could use if it cannot get drugs for lethal injection. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Legislation to direct Louisiana's corrections...

Senate committee nixes raw milk sales

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted 4-1 Wednesday against a House-approved bill that would have allowed sales of raw milk from farmers to the public. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) Louisiana's ban on...

Relax, y'all, LGBT discrimination is still OK

Senators rejected a measure Tuesday that would have barred discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, age, sex or disability by adding the characteristics to current...

$65M more available for next year's budget

But members of the Revenue Estimating Conference refused Monday to go along with a push from Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration to increase the forecast by another $54 million in anticipation of...

Today at the Capitol

Public school funding, consultant contracts and the WISE Fund highlight today's action in the Legislature. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The Louisiana Senate will debate an updated $3.6 billion formula to...

Alternative to lethal injection?

A resolution would direct the Department of Corrections to recommend other execution methods if drugs cannot be found. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A state lawmaker is pushing for Louisiana to consider...

Senators dubious of Jindal consultant claims

Members of the Senate Finance Committee bristled Friday at some suggestions from consulting firm Alvarez & Marsal, like plans to close 18 Office of Motor Vehicles locations around the state, limit...

Senators overwhelmingly support new abortion rules

Senators voted 34-3 for the bill by Rep. Katrina Jackson, a Democrat from Monroe. The proposal returns to the House for approval of senators' changes, which were supported by Jackson and are expected...

Senate passes minor changes to payday lending

Very bold, state Senate, very bold! BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A measure backed by the payday loan industry has passed the Senate after lawmakers failed to add tougher restrictions. Senators voted 28-10...

E-cigarette sales to be banned to Louisiana minors

With a 34-0 vote Thursday, the Senate gave final passage to a bill outlawing sales of e-cigarette, vaporizers and other alternative nicotine products to minors, like the state already does for...

Senate polls show differing results

In their strongest poll showing yet, three Republican challengers lead U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu by 10 points in an independent poll of likely voters - a sharp contrast to a recent NYT poll. U.S. Sen....

Session enters final stretch

There are only a few weeks remaining until legislators will adjourn their regular session on June 2. For bills that have not passed their house of origin, time is a factor. There are only a few weeks...

La. Senate to debate changes to TOPS program

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Jack Donahue is proposing to raise the minimum grade point average and ACT score required to get a TOPS award for future students. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The...

DHH: UMC deal running in the red

Gov. Bobby Jindal's privatization deal for the LSU hospital in Lafayette was running $6 million over budget by April's end with two months remaining in the fiscal year. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov....

House debates $25 billion state budget

Appropriations Committee Chairman Jim Fannin, who handles the budget bill, began the debate by talking of the state's ongoing budget problems, saying balancing the spending plans is always...

New abortion rules edge closer to final passage

Opponents say the new restrictions are medically unnecessary and are designed to limit women's access to abortion. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - New Louisiana abortion restrictions that would require...

Capitol today: TOPS, armed solons, etc

The tuition program will remain untouched for now, but state lawmakers could get special gun priviledges. A proposal to give local public school districts more freedom to choose their teaching...

Jindal won't abandon hospital plan

Gov. Bobby Jindal's chief budget adviser says the administration won't reverse course on the privatization of state-owned hospitals that care for the poor and uninsured. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov....

Gender pay gap divides solons

On average, Louisiana women make about 67 cents for every $1 men make, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Democrats in Louisiana want to make unintentional pay discrimination...

Rumor Has It

From hawking vegetables to managing big-time political campaigns, consultant Roy Fletcher has seen it all and keeps coming back for more. From hawking vegetables to managing big-time political...

Senate to consider increased standards for TOPS

The Senate Education Committee on Thursday agreed without objection to a rewritten version of Sen. Jack Donahue's bill to raise the minimum grade point average and ACT score required to get a TOPS...

O'Care: 101K+ sign up in Louisiana

The overall figure for the state is a considerable jump from the 45,561 people enrolled in the federal marketplace plan as of March 1. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - New enrollment figures for the Affordable Care...

Senators shelve school financing proposal

State Education Superintendent John White says he will continue talking with legislative leaders about whether a compromise can be reached. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Senators have rejected a $3.5...

La. minimum wage shot down again

The Senate labor committee Thursday considered a measure by Sen. Karen Peterson, D-New Orleans, that would have required businesses working on a project for state government to pay their employees...

Medical marijuana bill goes to pot

Medical marijuana still won't be dispensed in Louisiana, after senators rejected a measure to set out guidelines for prescriptions. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Medical marijuana still won't be dispensed...

McAllister throwing in towel

Republican Rep. Vance McAllister won't seek re-election this fall after being caught on video kissing a married female aide. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Republican Rep. Vance McAllister won't seek...

Fest FIND Winners for Sunday

Thanks to everyone that participated in the 2014 Fest FIND Photo Contest. And the Sunday winners are... Group pic at the Tipsy Tent (Scène Fais Do Do) and/or kiddie pics at the Baby Changing Station...

Senators kill proposal to raise minimum wage

Business organizations opposed the proposal, saying it would lead to job losses and higher prices for goods and services. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Senators have rejected a proposal that could have...

Senators reject repeal of law on class materials

An attempt to repeal a six-year-old law that permits public school science teachers to use material outside a classroom's adopted textbook has been rejected by the Senate Education Committee. BATON...

Bill to cap payday loans advancing in the Senate

The Senate Finance Committee approved the bill Wednesday, despite opponents who argued it would shut down the storefront lenders. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Senators have advanced a proposal that would...

Heads in sand, solons move to preempt EPA

A measure to allow the state to implement its own, less stringent plan for limiting carbon dioxide emissions unanimously passed the Senate. A measure to allow the state to implement its own, less...

Senators reject Medicaid expansion bill

A push to expand Louisiana's Medicaid program as allowed under the federal health care has been overwhelmingly rejected by the Senate health committee. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A push to expand...

No tats 'n' thongs for you, Welfare Queen!

Louisiana welfare recipients would be prohibited in state law from spending the federal assistance at lingerie shops, tattoo parlors, nail salons and jewelry stores, under a bill that received the...

This week in 'ain't no way': equal pay

Senators will consider whether to prohibit private businesses in Louisiana from paying unequal wages to employees of different genders for the same job. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Senators will consider...

Bill to derail parish coastal lawsuits stalls

Rep. Joel Robideaux has delayed bill hearings and said unless a compromise can be reached, he won't bring up the legislation this session. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - While the Legislature is moving...

Gay rights anti-discrimination bill dies

An effort to prohibit employers from discriminating based on sexual orientation or gender identity was shelved Tuesday for the legislative session. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - An effort to prohibit...

Are lawmakers stoned? Pot penalty bill fails

Louisiana won't lessen its penalties for marijuana possession, keeping laws on the books that allow people to be jailed up to 20 years for repeat offenses of having the drug in hand. BATON ROUGE, La....

Solons grapple with unwieldy budget

It took a few weeks for the pitfalls to emerge in the governor's $25 billion budget, but the time of judgment has finally arrived. It took a few weeks for the pitfalls to emerge in the governor's $25...

McAllister may have kissed his career goodbye

With pressure continuing to build for him to resign, Congressman Vance McAllister announced plans recently to remain secluded during the Easter break, but the Swartz Republican has said he'll be back...

Education chief: Jindal et al don't have plan

Education Superintendent John White says a continued push to try to keep Louisiana from using tests associated with the Common Core education standards are creating "a state of chaos" for...

Bond Commission backs Jindal plan for surplus cash

Gov. Bobby Jindal's plan to use $210 million in surplus and one-time money to help balance next year's budget received the backing Thursday of the State Bond Commission, support that was needed for...

Harson claims he's victim of "rumor" campaign

"I'm running. Why would I be raising all this money? Just to have to return it to people?" District Attorney Mike Harson of Lafayette tells LaPolitics he is "definitely" seeking...

Will GOP endorse Cassidy campaign?

With incumbent U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu watching from afar, and with a united Democratic Party in her corner, the fight to get the GOP officially behind Congressman Bill Cassidy is gaining just as much...

Lawmakers ask Jindal to shelve Common Core tests

The controversial standardized tests are set to be used in third-grade through eighth-grade public school classrooms next year. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Eight lawmakers asked Gov. Bobby Jindal on...

Supporters seek new angle to limit payday lending

Now that lawmakers have shot down efforts to cap annual interest rates for payday loans, supporters for stricter regulations of the storefront lenders are rallying behind another strategy. BATON...

Public gets turn to parse La. budget

The Appropriations Committee held public testimony day, letting people talk about what they like or don't like about Gov. Bobby Jindal's budget recommendations for the 2014-15 fiscal year that begins...

McAllister ignoring resignation demands

McAllister's office vowed that he intended to stay in office - for now. As for questions about whether he would stand for re-election in November, those were dodged. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana...

Too big for its britches

With 14 members, the Iberia Parish Council is one of the state's largest, but based on its population, that number makes little to no sense. David Ditch With 14 members, the Iberia Parish Council is...

Bill would pin tax elections to turnout

State Sen. Bret Allain's SB 200 would require a minimum turnout of 20 percent of active voters to validate a local tax election. State Sen. Bret Allain, R-Franklin, wants lawmakers to pass a...

GOP leader: La. lawmaker's apology appropriate

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor says he's pleased Republican Congressman Vance McAllister apologized after a newspaper published a video it says shows him kissing a woman who isn't his...

UL students win international oil geology contest

UL Lafayette petroleum graduate students have won an international contest to analyze data and describe the best place to drill for oil. LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - UL Lafayette petroleum graduate students...

Landrieu to Lege: expand Medicaid

Several bills proposed in the current legislative session would allow as many as 252,000 uninsured Louisiana residents to get free, government-funded health insurance through the Medicaid expansion...

Bobby's checklist

A look at preparations by Gov. Bobby Jindal, R-La., for a potential 2016 presidential campaign [Editor's Note: 2014 is a year of auditioning, positioning, networking and just plain hard work for...

Higher ed honchos push for $40M fund

The Workforce and Innovation for a Stronger Economy Fund, called the WISE Fund, would direct dollars to science, technology and research programs at four-year universities and community and technical...

Sheriffs block pot-penalty bill

A proposal to soften penalties for marijuana possession has been at least temporarily derailed by opposition from the Louisiana Sheriffs Association. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A New Orleans lawmaker's...

Senate rejects proposal to water down helmet law

Louisiana motorcyclists still must wear helmets, and there will be no exceptions. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana motorcyclists still must wear helmets, and there will be no exceptions. The Senate...

More apply to serve on board suing 'Big Oil'

The panel's choice will go to Gov. Bobby Jindal who has made it clear he wants to name an opponent of the lawsuit to the board of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East. NEW ORLEANS...

House committee rejects bill to scrap Common Core

Jindal was out of state, fundraising for his nonprofit organization. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A measure that could have jettisoned Louisiana's use of the Common Core education standards was rejected...

Bill would allow concealed guns in restaurants

New Iberia Rep. Terry Landry, a former police officer and state trooper, opposed the bill, saying guns and alcohol don't mix. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A bill allowing concealed handgun permit holders...

Common Core up for debate in education committee

Lawmakers on the House Education Committee are considering whether Louisiana should scrap its participation in the Common Core education standards and the standardized testing associated with...

Jindal: GOP needs 'Obamacare' alternative

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is offering an alternative to President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, saying states should play a greater role in containing health care costs. WASHINGTON (AP) -...

Hearing set in tourism slogan case

The legal fight over a billboard that features the state's tourism slogan as part of a push to expand Medicaid continues in Baton Rouge. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The legal fight over a billboard that...

Dismukes short-listed for Nobel

In Stockholm, Sweden, Tuesday the Nobel Nominating Committee announced that Dr. David Dismukes, lead researcher at LSU's Center for Energy Studies, is one among seven candidates for the Nobel Prize in...

Landrieu takes aim at ‘Jindal Gap'

Even though she's busy running her own race, U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu is lending a hand to the policy campaign being undertaken to accept $16 billion in federal Medicaid money to expand access to basic...

UL grad students win regional oil geology contest

UL's team competed against students from 12 other universities in Gulf of Mexico states, analyzing real data and explaining what they felt would be the best place to drill. LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - A...

House backs new restrictions on abortion clinics

Abortion-rights supporters say the legislation by Rep. Katrina Jackson, D-Monroe, would shut down three of Louisiana's five abortion clinics, closing all facilities in south Louisiana and leaving two...

Bill barring anti-gay housing discrimination fails

Lawmakers rejected a bill Monday that would have prohibited housing discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Lawmakers rejected a bill Monday that would...

INDesign Awards 2014

For a decade IND Media has recognized exemplary projects in Acadiana through our INDesign Awards and this year is no exception. Tuesday, April 1, 2014 By Amanda Bedgood / Photos by Robin May For a...

Interest builds in La. as insurance deadline looms

As the deadline for signing up for insurance under the Affordable Care Act approaches, community organizations and clinics in Louisiana said the number of people looking for help in the process has...

La. bucks trend in last round of redistricting

Louisiana's U.S. House delegation dropped from seven to six because of slow population growth. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - While Republicans in many states gained ground by carving out more safe GOP...

Bills to undo Common Core up for debate

After months of debate, lawmakers will start considering bills this week that seek to roll back or rework the state's use of the Common Core education standards, one of the more divisive issues of the...

LHA caves to Chris Williams' outrageous demand

Despite a strong argument that Chris Williams' back-pay lawsuit against the LHA was nothing more than a stunt to glean even more unearned money from the public, it appears the former city-parish...

Former La. govs show unity on issues

Former Govs. Edwin Edwards, Buddy Roemer and Kathleen Blanco demonstrated a surprising level of agreement on a wide range of issues during a lecture Wednesday night at Loyola University. Former Govs....

Foot in mouth disease: Cassidy edition

Despite ubiquitous cellphone cameras and Twitter accounts, politicians still make regrettable off-the-cuff remarks that find their way into hostile videos and campaign ads. WASHINGTON (AP) - You might...

La. loses round in execution drug disclosure case

A federal appeals court Thursday refused to block a lower court's order requiring the state to provide a condemned killer with information about the seller and maker of drugs the state uses in...

Study: funding coastal effort would create jobs

A study commissioned by an environmental group says funding the state's multi-billion-dollar, 50-year master plan for coastal protection and restoration would create anywhere from 109,000 to 212,000...

Careless smokers targeted

Throwing a cigarette butt out your car window could get you a hefty fine, if lawmakers agree to a proposal that received unanimous backing Wednesday. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Throwing a cigarette butt...

Domestic violence bills backed by House committee

A package of bills that would toughen laws against domestic violence received support Wednesday from the Louisiana House criminal justice committee. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A package of bills that...

Lawmakers reject tweaks to TOPS

The House Education Committee shot down a bill that would change eligibility for Louisiana's TOPS program and required repayment of the free college tuition if students lose their awards. BATON ROUGE,...

Biz Scene: The 705 at JSP

The705 held its monthly meeting at Jefferson St. Pub March 20 Lafayette'e young leaders organization the705 held its monthly meeting Thursday, March 20, at Jefferson St. Pub. The group promotes and...

$6M increase proposed for legislative budget

The budget to finance the House, Senate and other legislative agencies would grow to more than $98 million next year, under recommendations approved without objection Wednesday by a panel of...

Lawmakers consider tweaking TOPS

Lawmakers on the House Education Committee are weighing whether to make changes to Louisiana's free college tuition program known as TOPS, as a way to contain costs. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Lawmakers...

Lawmakers want more transparency for NGO money

The House Appropriations Committee approved legislation in the session's third week that would force non-governmental organizations that receive state money to open up their related records and...

Poll split on prospects for two Landrieus

The latest shows a dead heat in the U.S. Senate race, solid support for New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu as a potential gubernatorial candidate and a big opening for a Democrat to get into the...

Twitter was made for EWE

Former Gov. Edwin Edwards and his one-liners already seem custom-made for the world of social media. Former Gov. Edwin Edwards, 86, is traveling a campaign trail that's dissimilar in many ways from...

Welcome to 'Speed Trap, La.'

Towns that get more than half their annual income from speeding citations would be labeled "speed traps" under a proposal heading to the full House for debate. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Tiny...

Lawmakers slam Jindal budget plan for La. prisons

Lawmakers said Monday that Gov. Bobby Jindal's budget proposal for Louisiana's state prisons improperly uses hurricane recovery money for retirement payments and appears to shortchange some funding...

Ban on hand-held cellphone use by drivers stalls

It appears Louisiana drivers won't face new limits on their cellphone use. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - It appears Louisiana drivers won't face new limits on their cellphone use. An annual effort seeking...

Complaint filed against pro-Vitter super PAC

The groups - Campaign Legal Center and Democracy 21 - have asked the Federal Elections Commission to look into the possible solicitation of illegal campaign contributions. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Two...

Common Core ? common cause

More than five years after U.S. governors began a bipartisan effort to set new standards in American schools, the Common Core initiative has morphed into a political tempest. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -...

Relief, uncertainty after flood insurance fix

An Associated Press analysis of data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency indicates more than 64,000 flood insurance policyholders in Louisiana face increases of up to 18 percent per year...

EWE: viva le stéréotype

The former governor's entrance into the 6th Congressional District race dredges up negative national attention for the state. An AP News Analysis Former Gov. Edwin Edwards announces his...

UL adding covered bike racks, bicycle lockers

UL Lafayette is adding covered parking for bicycles - covered racks for about 40 bicycles near Sorority Row and 20 bicycle lockers in two parking garages. LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - UL Lafayette is adding...

Jindal criticized for vagueness on Common Core

Jindal refused again Thursday to be pinned down on an issue that has become among the most contentious debates of the legislative session. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov. Bobby Jindal has been too vague...

Bills to pay down state retirement debt stall

Lawmakers on a House committee deadlocked Thursday on a proposal that would steer more money to retirement debt by taking dollars from an account used to pay cost-of-living increases for retired state...

Student data protection bills stall

Lawmakers bogged down Wednesday over proposals that would limit how the state can store and share public school student data. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Lawmakers bogged down Wednesday over proposals...

House backs ban on tanning beds for minors in La.

New Orleans Rep. Helena Moreno, a Democrat, describes her bill as a cancer-prevention measure BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The House has agreed to prohibit anyone under the age of 18 in Louisiana from...

House committee backs new abortion rules

Louisiana would add new regulations for abortion providers that critics says would shutter three of the state's five abortion clinics. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana would add new regulations for...

House health committee to debate new abortion rule

A proposal to add new restrictions on abortion providers in Louisiana gets its first legislative hearing, before the House health care committee. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A proposal to add new...

Chairman urges caution on supplemental pay

Saying no to a bureaucrat is one thing. Denying your neighborhood police officer is another. There are a number of proposals filed for the regular session to increase state supplemental pay for...

Strain could have role in weed debate

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain's department will be needed to make sure marijuana plants have the right kind of potency and are checked for quality control. In the coming debate over medical marijuana,...

Angelle still feeling out statewide races

Friends of Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle say the Breaux Bridge Republican is continuing to consider a potential run for governor, with an eye to lieutenant governor as a possible back-up...

PAR releases new app to track La. solons

A nonpartisan government watchdog group has put out a free mobile phone app to help Louisiana residents keep track of their elected officials. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A nonpartisan government watchdog...

Bill would ban e-cig sales to minors in La.

The bill would add e-cigarettes and other "alternative nicotine products" to the list of items that can't be sold to minors in Louisiana. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A proposal to ban the sale...

Ag chief wary of budget

Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain said Monday that he will have to lay off workers and won't have enough money to fight a dangerous citrus infection in Louisiana if lawmakers pass Gov. Bobby...

Audit: ATC needs improvement

Louisiana's Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control is lax in monitoring businesses that have permits to sell alcohol, skipping some routine inspections and shrinking compliance checks, according to an...

Edwards to speak amid speculation of political run

The 86-year-old's federal felony conviction keeps him from running for state elected offices, but not for a congressional seat. [Editor's Note: IND photographer Robin May is in Baton Rouge for what is...

Analysis: Bills could put Jindal in tricky spot

The governor has fewer than two years remaining in his term, and his relationship with lawmakers has grown more difficult in recent years. An AP News Analysis BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov. Bobby...

Jindal seeking to rework 'rainy day' repayment

Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration wants to use Gulf oil spill recovery money to help refill the state's "rainy day" fund and settle a pending lawsuit over its use. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -...

Both La. senators vote for flood insurance bill

Democrat Mary Landrieu and Republican David Vitter were among the 72 senators voting Thursday to send the bill to the president; 22 senators voted against it. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Both of Louisiana's...

BESE holds special meeting on $3.5B funding plan

The financing plan would pay for the operations of 69 public school districts for the 2014-15 school year. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is deciding on...

House panel backs ban on tanning beds for minors

Kids under 18 will have to pursue skin cancer the old-fashioned way. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Anyone under the age of 18 would be banned from using tanning beds, if lawmakers agree to a proposal...

Few lawmakers pledge opposition to expand Medicaid

The Louisiana chapter of Americans for Prosperity sent the pledge request to all 144 lawmakers in February. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - It's been slow-going for a national tea party group trying to get...

Appeals court delays disclosure on execution drugs

The state argues that if they identify how they're getting the drugs, they could have trouble buying more because companies don't want to be known as helping in an execution. [Editor's Note: This...

Health insurance sign-ups near 46K in La.

The enrollment period ends this month. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Nearly 46,000 Louisiana residents signed up for private insurance coverage through the federally-run marketplace by last month's end, a...

Dems see opportunity in light session

So far the Democratic agenda includes proposals to expand Medicaid; increase the minimum wage; offer equal pay to women; heighten regulations on predatory lending practices, like payday loans; and add...

La. lawmakers open hearings on $25B budget

Gov. Bobby Jindal offered a budget proposal that suggests new education and health care spending, pay raises for state workers and an incentive fund to encourage colleges to enhance their science,...

Ils sont partis

Louisiana's annual legislative session begins. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The Louisiana Legislature opens its three-month regular session Monday, with lawmakers considering a rollback of toughened...

Sooie: Shooters to aim at feral hogs from 'copters

The state has hired marksmen to shoot feral hogs from helicopters at two wildlife management areas in south Louisiana. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The state has hired marksmen to shoot feral hogs from...

BESE delays decision on funding plan

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has stalled action on a $3.5 billion annual school funding formula due to state lawmakers by March 15. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The Board of Elementary...

Jindal outlines session priorities

The agenda is shaping up to be lighter than in previous years. But Jindal is term-limited, with fewer than two years remaining in office, and he saw his last big initiative - a proposed rewrite of...

Flood board nominating panel eyes Jindal bills

The panel that selects nominees for a controversial New Orleans area flood control board - a board that is suing more than 90 oil, gas and pipeline companies - is set to discuss legislation affecting...

La. ordered to disclose source of execution drugs

State prison officials cannot keep secret the seller and manufacturer of the two drugs purchased for executions at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, a federal judge ruled Wednesday. BATON ROUGE, La....

Legislature doesn't appeal 'fund sweep' ruling

State lawmakers will not appeal a judge's ruling that it was improper to use $3.7 million from a probation and parole officers' retirement fund to balance the state's operating budget. BATON ROUGE,...

House approves bill to ease flood insurance hikes

The House approved legislation Tuesday night to roll back a recently enacted overhaul of the federal flood insurance program, after homeowners in flood-prone areas complained about sharp premium...

Panel rules spill claims don't need direct harm

A federal appeals panel ruled Monday that businesses don't have to prove that they were directly harmed by BP's 2010 Gulf Of Mexico oil spill to collect settlement payments. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A...

Ice closes I-10

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has closed Interstate 10 from I-49 in Lafayette to Seigen Lane in Baton Rouge. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Winter weather is causing problems for...

Bernhard mulling gov run

Jim Bernhard, who engineered the sale of The Shaw Group for $3 billion, recently has told several people involved in Democratic politics that he intends to run for governor in 2015. Jim Bernhard, who...

Battlelines and Coastlines

A New Orleans levee board wants to hold the oil and gas industry accountable for decades of damage to our state's coastline, but the Legislature may be poised to put the kibosh on the suit. Among the...

C'est What, Pope?!

Acadiana Catholics* react to Francis For millions he's been a welcome relief from the stodgy 16th Benedict - a people's pope who speaks truth to power, sneaks out at night in disguise to minister to...

Increased eligibility standards for TOPS sought

Lawmakers will consider TOPS changes in the legislative session that begins March 10. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The Baton Rouge Area Chamber is urging state lawmakers to increase the standards for...

La. debt collection agency being pieced together

Louisiana's revenue department has been working for months to create a new debt collection office, but its chief said Thursday it will be years before state government has a comprehensive system to...

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Battle shaping up over 'Big Oil' lawsuit bill

Advocates of a lawsuit filed by a Louisiana flood control board against scores of oil and gas companies over erosion of coastal wetlands are making plans to fight legislation they say could undermine...

Jindal's ex-coastal leader running for Congress

Garret Graves, a Republican, will seek the vacant 6th District seat, which stretches from Pointe Coupee Parish down into Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes and contains most of the metropolitan Baton...

Bill would bring back La's electric chair

Drugs used in executions have become more difficult to acquire, as companies have resisted selling them for such purposes. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - With Louisiana having trouble getting lethal...

AG race multi-faceted

If one is to believe the rumors that have been making the rounds leading up to last week's Washington Mardi Gras events, Treasurer John Kennedy has a part to play in all of this, whether as a...

Planned Parenthood gets clean audit from state

A new audit says Planned Parenthood in Louisiana has complied with laws that ban public funds from being used to pay for abortions or to encourage abortions. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A new audit says...

The 'rainbow' rolls southward

A new effort is under way in the South to ride the momentum of recent moves elsewhere in favor of same-sex marriage. Tylor Patin and Brandon Barrett of Lafayette ATLANTA (AP) - Less than two weeks...

Landry enters AG race

Former Congressman Jeff Landry says he's running to be Louisiana's next attorney general, seeking to oust a fellow Republican from the job. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Former Congressman Jeff Landry says...

Landrieu looks for independent, GOP support

In this race, allegiances don't fall neatly along party lines. LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - Democrat Mary Landrieu's quest for a fourth Senate term will turn on whether she can attract just enough support...

Govs: 'Obamacare' here to stay

Governors from both parties say a full repeal of the law would be complicated at best, if not impossible, as states move forward with implementation and begin covering millions of people - both by...

Bill would ban e-cigarette sales to minors in La.

E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that provide users with aerosol puffs that typically contain nicotine, and sometimes flavorings like fruit, mint or chocolate. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A Ruston...

Pro-Vitter PAC challenges La. campaign donor limit

A super PAC supporting Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday, challenging the state's donor limits on political action committees as an unconstitutional restriction on...

Jindal to Congress: stop flood insurance hikes

Jindal sent a letter late Tuesday to the Republican and Democratic leaders of both the U.S. House and Senate, asking them to support an immediate delay in the increases set in motion by a 2012 revamp...

Jindal chief of staff leaving the administration

Gov. Bobby Jindal's chief of staff, Paul Rainwater, is leaving state government after working for the governor since he took office six years ago. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov. Bobby Jindal's chief of...

Jindal budget relies on piecemeal, surplus dollars

Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration is using creative financing maneuvers to get around constitutional and political limitations on using surplus and other sources of patchwork financing for next...

Insurance Dept.: 62,000 face canceled health plans

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon's office says the number of people in Louisiana who won't be able to keep their current insurance coverage because of the federal health overhaul has dropped to...

You be the judge

The Louisiana ballot box might get to decide whether the last remaining elected officials forced to pasture by an age restriction - state district court judges - can serve as long as voters keep...

Conservatives in state House forming new coalition

The last legislative session drove the point home to many Republican legislators that the more their majority grows the less they are unified around core GOP values. The last legislative session drove...

Cast away

Despite a perceived (or real) lack of cooperation from New Zealand authorities, Robin and Ricky Wright still hope their daughter Danielle will turn up safe after months lost at sea. [Editor's Note:...

Audit: Little monitoring of La. public defenders

The board that oversees Louisiana's public defender system does a poor job of making sure the lawyers defending clients accused of first-degree murder and facing the death penalty are providing...

GOP leads fundraising for gov's race

Republicans considering or already in the 2015 governor's race are sitting on more sizable campaign war chests than the lone Democrat who's announced plans to run. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Republicans...

Reward up to $15K in whooping crane shooting

Contributors to the reward fund include zoos in Florida, Louisiana and Massachusetts and Operation Migration, which uses ultralight planes to teach young cranes a Wisconsin-to-Florida migration...

Walter Guillory pleading guilty Friday

Former LHA chief is scheduled to appear in federal court at 9:30 a.m. and plead guilty to his role in a bid-fixing scheme, the court calendar reveals. Walter Guillory is scheduled to appear in federal...

Ex-New Orleans mayor convicted of taking bribes

A federal jury has convicted former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin on charges that he accepted bribes, free trips and other gratuities from contractors in exchange for helping them secure millions of...

La. gay marriage lawsuit planned

A gay rights group plans a legal challenge to the Louisiana Constitution's prohibition against recognizing same-sex marriages performed legally in other states. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A gay rights group...

La. lags in Advanced Placement tests

Louisiana's high school seniors had among the poorest performances nationwide in reaching passing scores on Advanced Placement exams, which are used to earn college credit. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -...

La. sells $500M in bonds for construction work

The state sold $347 million in tax-exempt bonds and $149 million in taxable bonds to investors for upfront cash. The debt will be paid off over decades, with interest. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -...

Pressure could boost public pensions

It has been roughly five years since retired state workers and teachers have seen a boost. House Retirement Chairman Kevin Pearson, R-Slidell, said he knew something was up when he started noticing...

Dem super PAC wades into Senate race

Why should U.S. Sen. David Vitter have all the fun? He shouldn't, according to the architects of the new Blue Pelican Super PAC. Why should U.S. Sen. David Vitter have all the fun? He shouldn't,...

La. Dems outline legislative agenda

The Louisiana Democratic Party will push state lawmakers to broaden last year's equal pay legislation, to raise the state's minimum wage and to expand the Medicaid program as allowed under the federal...

State Dems back suits against fossil fuel industry

The Louisiana Democratic Party is supporting lawsuits demanding that 97 oil and gas companies pay for damages to the state's marshes that led to coastal wetlands loss and contributed to higher storm...

Official: Passenger tried to hijack plane to Sochi

A passenger on board an Istanbul-bound flight Friday claimed there was a bomb on board and tried to hijack the plane to Sochi, Russia, where the Olympics are kicking off, an official said. ANKARA,...

Ex-Orleans mayor takes stand in his bribery trial

Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin told a jury Thursday that he didn't know a one-time city vendor paid for his family's vacation to Hawaii in 2004, a trip that prosecutors have cast as one of several...

Pledge sought to oppose Medicaid expansion

A national tea party group organizing in Louisiana is asking lawmakers to pledge their opposition to Democrats' efforts to expand the state Medicaid program under President Barack Obama's health...

Jindal eying tweaks to teacher tenure

Gov. Bobby Jindal signaled Wednesday that he's willing to make changes to his 2012 law that made it tougher for teachers to reach the job protection status of tenure. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov....

Abortion poll sets stage for legislative debates

After surviving attempts by lawmakers to defund it last year, Planned Parenthood is circulating the results of a November poll that suggest voters' attitudes about reproductive health and pregnancy in...

Is U.S. Senate race opening up?

National rankings and a new poll suggest Congressman Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, may be closing in on incumbent U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu ahead of the fall election. National rankings and a new poll...

Getting Off Scott-Free

After repeatedly failing to pay back the more than $33,000 she admitted stealing from Acadiana Outreach, an "early Christmas present" was the last thing Paula Scott expected. After...

Gas continues to flow from rig off La. coast

Crews worked early Friday to stop natural gas flowing from a drilling rig off the Louisiana coast, and the Coast Guard said workers had cut the flow in half since officials lost control of the rig a...

And now the crawfish-pocalypse

Expect higher prices and a short supply for mudbugs this year thanks to the recent arctic blasts. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - People planning Super Bowl crawfish boils may be out of luck. Farmers say cold has...

Prisoner release law saving less than expected

Louisiana's corrections department isn't saving nearly as much money as expected from a new law that allows nonviolent drug offenders to leave prison early and others to avoid jail if they complete a...

Senate expected to hold off flood insurance boost

Hundreds of thousands of homeowners facing big flood insurance premium increases would see those rate hikes delayed for years under legislation that's set to pass the Senate. WASHINGTON (AP) -...

Abortion clinics oppose new regulations

Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration has enacted new rules for Louisiana's abortion clinics that abortion rights supporters say will make it nearly impossible for the state's five clinics to stay...

Court OKs juvie concealed handgun ban

Louisiana's Supreme Court has upheld the state's ban on possession of concealed handguns by juveniles, rejecting arguments that a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2012 prohibits the...

State offices stay closed in at least 49 parishes

Ice closed more than 20 highways statewide - including every interstate through Baton Rouge, where yards were frosted and streets mostly empty. State police logged dozens of weather-related crashes...

Snow, freezing rain spread across Louisiana

News flash: It's cold! And we're going to just keep our mouths shut about it. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Government offices, schools and universities shut down Tuesday across central and south Louisiana as a...

Delay sought in execution planned for next week

The lawyer for a convicted murderer scheduled for execution next week asked a federal judge on Monday to delay the plans because of continuing questions about what drug will be used in the lethal...

'Green Army' mobilizing

Russel Honoré, the retired Army lieutenant general turned activist, said he's working to get 10,000 people to show up at the State Capitol March 8, two days before the regular session kicks off. Photo...

Edwin Edwards polling in 6th District race

Whether former Gov. Edwin Edwards is seriously considering running for Congress, some of his allies have commissioned a poll to gauge his strength in the 6th District race this fall. Whether former...

Nagin's bribery trial opens

Jury selection began Monday in the trial of former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, who faces charges that he accepted bribes and free trips among other things from contractors in exchange for helping...

Class action status denied in school funding suit

Decision means any of the state's 69 local school boards that don't seek to become plaintiffs in the lawsuit could risk losing out on millions of dollars if the lawsuit is successful. BATON ROUGE, La....

Winter mix moves across SW, central Louisiana

National Weather Service forecaster Kent Kuyter said a snow and icy mix continued to fall along the Interstate 10 corridor with 1-2 inches on the ground. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Icy road conditions over...

Jindal proposing new money for disabled services

Gov. Bobby Jindal is proposing to expand services for the developmentally disabled in next year's budget, six months after the governor angered lawmakers by vetoing similar spending plans. BATON...

Medium Rare

Choice cuts from Acadiana's news media for Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2014: Choice cuts from Acadiana's news media for Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2014: 'Reefer Madness' lives on When it comes to Louisiana's stance...

Jindal returns from Asia with no deals in hand

Gov. Bobby Jindal brought back no announced commitments from business leaders he met during his week in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov. Bobby Jindal brought back no...

Mary Jane goes to the Capitol

Supporters of legalized marijuana made their long-shot pitch to Louisiana lawmakers Tuesday. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Supporters of legalized marijuana made their long-shot pitch to Louisiana lawmakers...

Jindal proposes boost to higher education funding

And then hell froze over. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - After six years of suggesting cuts, Gov. Bobby Jindal said Tuesday he'll recommend that lawmakers increase state financing for higher education next...

Higher education leaders ask Jindal to stop cuts

Louisiana's higher education leaders are asking Gov. Bobby Jindal to continue the current level of state financing for public colleges and to steer $40 million to a workforce investment fund in next...

David Vitter to run for La. governor

"I believe that as our next Governor, I can have a bigger impact addressing the unique challenges and opportunities we face in Louisiana." BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Republican U.S. Sen. David...

Analysis: Jindal budget starts legislative debate

State lawmakers don't convene their legislative session until March, but the unveiling of Gov. Bobby Jindal's budget proposal this week sets the stage for the financial debates that inevitably form...

Jindal official: $4M efficiency contract changing

The firm of Alvarez & Marsal has agreed to add that provision to their contract, Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols said in a brief statement. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The Jindal...

Feds haven't decided on LSU deals

Though most of LSU's charity hospitals and clinics have been turned over to private managers, federal officials still haven't decided whether they'll agree to the financing plans that are being used...

Ethics board won't jettison limit on PAC donors

The Louisiana Board of Ethics dealt a blow to U.S. Sen. David Vitter Friday, telling a super PAC set up to support him that it won't scrap a $100,000 state cap on certain campaign donations. BATON...

Lawmakers move to restore Voting Rights Act

Four states - Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas - would again have to get approval from the Justice Department before making any changes in the way they hold elections under a bipartisan bill...

USDA expanding poverty-reduction initiative

Counties in Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana and West Virginia are joining a federal program designed to help persistently poor rural communities take advantage of government resources. NASHVILLE, Tenn....

Ethics board asked to scrap limit on PAC donors

The Louisiana Board of Ethics is considering a request from a super PAC supporting Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter, asking the board to jettison state limits on donations to political action...

Appeals court says school workers improperly fired

A state appeals court has affirmed a lower court ruling that thousands of New Orleans teachers and school employees fired after Hurricane Katrina were denied the constitutional right of due...

State income forecast dropped by $35M, but no cuts

Rather than levy cuts on state agencies, the Jindal administration will ask lawmakers to use unspent dollars from the state's recent tax amnesty period to fill the gap. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - For the...

Lawmakers blast Gov. Jindal's $4M efficiency study

Several committee members questioned why the administration needed outside help to come up with ideas. They objected to the price of the contract. And they asked what else the governor expected to...

White: technology improving at La. schools

Nearly all of Louisiana's public school districts have the capability to administer online tests, while about two-thirds reach the minimum student-to-computer ratio sought by the state, Superintendent...

State voucher defense costs increasing by $750,000

The Department of Education is boosting its contracts for outside lawyers to represent the department in lawsuits tied to Jindal's voucher program that uses tax dollars to send children to private...

Spending bill delays some flood insurance hikes

Homeowners worried that new federal flood maps will send their flood insurance premiums skyrocketing would get some short-term relief under a provision tucked into a massive government-wide funding...

BESE backs changes to public school financing

A task force suggested increased spending on technical training courses and special education students, along with an inflationary boost to the formula. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The state's top school...

Medicaid expansion debate to resume in La.

Former Health and Hospitals Secretary David Hood said Monday he'll be involved with a coalition of Medicaid expansion supporters seeking to persuade state lawmakers who rejected the idea last...

Insurance enrollment grows in Louisiana

In Louisiana, more women have signed up than men, and one-third of those getting insurance are in the older, costlier age ranges of 55 to 64 years old. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Enrollment in health...

Analysis: Edwards for Congress seems far-fetched

Never one to shun the spotlight, former Gov. Edwin Edwards isn't squelching rumors he might consider another run for Congress, coyly offering no comments while his daughter and wife repeat the...

Still on the precipice

There was a slight improvement for Louisiana overall in the annual "Quality Counts" report. Last year, K-12 achievement was graded F. Today, it's a D-minus. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Louisiana gets...

Pro-Vitter super PAC raises $1.5M in first year

The dollars can be spent to independently advocate for Vitter in either the 2015 governor's race or the 2016 Senate race. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A super PAC that is supporting Republican U.S. Sen....

Jindal Edu law stymied again

A Baton Rouge judge has again declared Gov. Bobby Jindal's revamp of teacher tenure and salary laws unconstitutional. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A Baton Rouge judge has again declared Gov. Bobby Jindal's...

Vitter still mulling gov's race

"I'm interested in the future of Louisiana and the state Legislature no matter what, whether I'm a senator or running for governor." U.S. Sen. David Vitter In a recent interview with...

Cold continues to sweep across La.

Bitter cold settled in around Louisiana overnight and into Tuesday morning, with a few areas looking likely to set record temperatures as school was canceled for thousands and others took precautions...

Education board to consider school funding changes

The state's top education board is being asked to consider changes to Louisiana's complex formula for divvying up money to public schools and to steer new money to technical training courses and...

How low can we go?

Record low temps are possible for several Louisiana cities including Lafayette over the next 24 hours. The National Weather Service says several daily records are likely to fall Tuesday as arctic air...

Road recipe: stout D and run game

Coach Sean Payton pointed to New Orleans' nearly 10-minute edge in time of possession, converting seven of 13 third downs compared to the Eagles' three of 12, its 185-80 advantage in rushing yards and...

La. campaigns go full bore

The next 11 months promise a bombardment of outside advertising unlike what Louisiana voters have seen in past campaigns. An AP News Analysis BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The attack ads began more than a...

In Memoriam: George Rodrigue 1944 - 2013

Thank you, George. Thank you for everything. Rest in peace. Friday, Jan. 3, 2014 By Rhonda Egan I have been privileged to work for George Rodrigue since late 2004, yet I'm still one of the...

Americans for Prosperity building La. chapter

Because the Pelican State isn't conservative enough. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A national tea party-allied group is setting up a local chapter in Louisiana. Americans for Prosperity announced the...

GOP state lawmaker running for US Senate seat

State Rep. Paul Hollis, a Republican from Mandeville, filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission before the holidays, declaring himself a candidate for the Senate seat. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)...

$1B+ in La. storm aid remains unspent

Louisiana has yet to spend $1.5 billion of federal disaster recovery aid provided by Congress after hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike ravaged the state in 2005 and 2008. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -...

GOP can count ways to Senate majority

Republicans count enough competitive races to challenge Democrats for control of the Senate in the 2014 elections, if only they can figure out what to do with the tea party. Will scones and cucumber...

Water unites divided Congress

Big multimillion-dollar water projects, once a favorite target of good-government reformers who made them a poster child of political pork, are back in vogue as a rare force of concord in a...

Landrieu leads on int'l adoption effort

Amid partisan conflict in Congress, dozens of lawmakers from both parties - including staunch liberals and conservatives - have united behind a bill that supporters say addresses a heart-rending issue...

PAR: LSU hospital deals may face future shortfalls

Jindal describes the privatization as a cost-cutting move to save the state more than $100 million this year, while improving services and medical training. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The financing...

Judge revisiting challenge of teacher tenure law

A Baton Rouge judge is reconsidering his decision to throw out Gov. Bobby Jindal's revamp of teacher tenure and salary laws. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A Baton Rouge judge is reconsidering his decision...

French ambassador to keynote UL commencement

Ambassador François Delattre will also receive an honorary doctorate of francophone studies at the commencement at the Cajundome. François Delattre, left, and UL President Joseph Savoie LAFAYETTE,...

Jindal quacks at A&E

The cable television network's suspension of Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson from the hit reality show has drawn criticism from the governor of Robertson's home state. Photo illustration ......

La. preparing for $500M bond sale for construction

The State Bond Commission gave preliminary approval to the borrowing plan Thursday without objection. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana is on track to borrow nearly $500 million in February to...

State solon mulls mandatory parenting classes

Should new parents be required by law to attend special classes before being permitted to raise their child? It's an idea state Rep. Regina Barrow, D-Baton Rouge, is seriously considering. Should new...

Rodrigue services set

A public Mass will be held Thursday in New Orleans for artist George Rodrigue, who died Saturday of cancer at age 69. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A public Mass will be held Thursday in New Orleans for artist...

Former workers sue Times-Picayune and its parent

Eight former employees of The Times-Picayune have sued the newspaper and parent Advance Publications Inc., alleging their layoffs violated a longstanding "job security pledge" and age...

Audit: No performance review of DHH contract

Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration hasn't done an independent performance review of its $363 million privatization contract for mental health and addictive disorder treatment services. BATON ROUGE,...

Audit: Poor oversight of Louisiana voucher program

Louisiana's Department of Education isn't properly monitoring the state's voucher program to make sure students are placed in private schools that demonstrate student achievement and success,...

Famed artist George Rodrigue dies at 69

The artist who chronicled Cajun life and later found fame with his enigmatic "Blue Dog" images died Saturday in Houston after a long battle with cancer. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - George Rodridgue,...

La. tax amnesty program brings in $435 million

The agency previously had said the program raked in more than the $200 million used to balance the budget, but hadn't given a final tally of what was collected and what still was available for...

Supreme Court rules in gun amendment case

The Louisiana Supreme Court has punted on its first chance to decide whether a new state constitutional provision declaring gun possession a fundamental right could void a long list of criminal...

News flash: Medicaid expansion unnecessary!

Louisiana moved up a slot to 48th in the ranking of healthy states - once again, thank God for Mississippi! - so all this frettin' about Gov. Bobby Jindal's refusal to expand Medicaid per Obamacare...

Landrieu running her first campaign ad

The 30-second commercial, to run around the state, is the Democratic senator's first TV spot in her bid for re-election to a fourth term. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu has launched a...

Insurance enrollments rise to about 2,200 in La.

It's a number that has edged up but falls far short of the thousands who are eligible for subsidized coverage. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Nearly 2,200 Louisiana residents signed up for health insurance...

Task force to recommend changes for tuition policy

A group of mostly higher education leaders will make recommendations to state lawmakers about how to tweak the policies governing tuition rates charged at the state's public colleges. BATON ROUGE, La....

State money running low for higher ed

Louisiana's higher education leaders are trying to work out a financing deal to keep the state's public colleges from running low on state cash to operate their campuses. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -...

Retirement systems seek cost-of-living adjustment

For the first time in at least five years, retired teachers, state workers and school system employees could see an increase in their pension checks. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - For the first time in at...

Analysis: Amnesty keeps budget balanced for now

Lawmakers and Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration shared a collective sigh of relief with the news that Louisiana's tax amnesty program brought in the $200 million that they used to help balance this...

Gulf gets more restoration projects from BP fund

If all 44 projects are approved, about $300 million would remain in the fund set up as a down payment to help the Gulf. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Restoring the oil-stained Gulf of Mexico coastline is...

App for Dat: Blue Cross' 'BCBSLA' for iPhone

Get a map to your doctor's office, check the status of a claim and more with Blue Cross' new iPhone/Ipad app. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana announced Dec. 5 that customers can now find...

National Guard sites to take same-sex benefit form

Louisiana National Guard personnel seeking benefits for same-sex spouses will have an easier time filing the requests, despite a state refusal to let its workers process the paperwork. BATON ROUGE,...

Hackers may have compromised info of La. residents

Computer hackers may have gained access to the personal information of thousands of Louisiana residents who use debit cards issued by JPMorgan Chase for three state agencies, authorities said...

La. higher education commissioner plans to quit

Jim Purcell, who has been in the job since February 2011, notified the Board of Regents about his decision at its monthly meeting. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana's higher education commissioner...

In La., we're some m-effers, thank you very much!

Louisianans are the fourth most likely to use profanity yet also the fourth most likely to be courteous. So, please, just kiss my a** ... if it's not too much trouble. Using an analysis of more than...

Coastal authority votes to sue over project costs

The state Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority voted Tuesday to authorize two lawsuits against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana officials could sue in an...

BESE supports Common Core change

Public school letter grades, teacher evaluations and student promotion won't be affected by Louisiana's shift to more rigorous educational standards for two years, the state's top school board decided...

Vitter to decide on governor's race by January

Vitter told The Associated Press that he is sending an email to supporters Wednesday and is in discussions with his family about the possibility. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - After months of dodging the...

BESE weighing change in shift to tougher standards

Louisiana's state school board is considering a two-year delay for some consequences tied to the phase-in of more rigorous educational standards, called Common Core, at public schools. BATON ROUGE,...

test

Photo by Robin May Christina and Bobby Hines in Maven Womenswear and Menswear with hair and makeup by Refinery Bliss Kelly in a black and white party dress from Hemline Brandon Barrett in paisley...

Corps conviction

Has Louisiana found a way to hold the Corps of Engineers responsible for coastal erosion? Has Louisiana found a way to hold the Corps of Engineers responsible for coastal erosion? By Bob Marshall, The...

Pooyie 2013

It's good, it's bad and it's just crazy! THREE BLIND MICE Every community has its share of bumbling, retrograde elected officials. For Lafayette, it's an embarrassment of riches. By IND Monthly...

Tax amnesty reaches $200M goal

Louisiana raked in the needed $200 million from its amnesty period for delinquent taxpayers to keep the state's operating budget balanced, the revenue department announced Monday. BATON ROUGE, La....

Audit says La. lax in its oversight of WIC program

Louisiana's public health office has done a poor job of monitoring a federal nutrition program for poor women and children, allowing stores to sell expired food and overcharge for groceries, according...

Desegregation, vouchers at issue in court hearing

U.S. District Judge Ivan Lemelle was set to hear arguments Friday on whether court approval is needed for the state to issue the government-funded vouchers in districts still under longstanding...

Debt collection office to begin work Jan. 1

A new office aimed at bolstering Louisiana's efforts to collect state government's back-owed debts will be up and running by January, able to revoke licenses, seize bank accounts and take tax refunds...

White suggests slowing down impact of Common Core

Louisiana's education superintendent is proposing a 10-year phase-in to the impact of toughened educational standards on school grades, teacher evaluations and student promotion in public...

State officials get update on debt collection work

Efforts to set up a new office aimed at collecting state government's back-owed debts are under way in the Department of Revenue. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Efforts to set up a new office aimed at...

Board to again consider 'Big Oil' lawsuit

A resolution to re-affirm the lawsuit - and a competing resolution to stop action on it - were on the agenda released this week for Thursday's meeting of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection...

State regulators meet Obama on cancellations fix

A delegation of insurance commissioners met with Obama on Wednesday in the Oval Office for about 50 minutes. WASHINGTON (AP) - State insurance regulators say most states are still weighing options on...

White: Feds attempt 'power grab' in voucher case

John White said Tuesday the department wants to impose bureaucratic burdens on the voucher program. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Louisiana's education chief says the Justice Department is attempting a...

Few support delaying changes in flood insurance

The leaders of the House Financial Services Committee say they are standing behind last year's bipartisan legislation to put the flood insurance program on sounder financial footing even as the...

Special election rattles political landscape

Political newcomer Vance McAllister of Swartz pulled off his second big election surprise in a row by easily defeating the early favorite in the Nov. 16 runoff in the 5th Congressional...

Lafayette's not-so-good ranking

Lafayette, according to a report by 24/7 Wall St., ranks among the nation's top 10 cities with the widest gap between its haves and have nots. Lafayette's River Ranch According to the report, which...

LPSB needs schooling in fiscal responsibility

Lafayette Parish School Board member Greg Awbrey's plan to do away with the free legal counsel offered by the 15th Judicial District Attorney's Office boils down to a disagreement over the board's...

Eunice PD's hot-head sparks protest

Richard Abadie is the Eunice Police officer caught on video choking a handcuffed man during a routine traffic stop, and according to new information about his past transgressions, it's a wonder he's...

Cooper responds to Mounce column

In this Nov. 13 guest column in The Daily Advertiser, Lafayette Parish Superintendent of Schools Dr. Pat Cooper disputes the claims made by one of the paper's regular guest columnists, former educator...

Eunice Police Officer acts the fool

Not only was there no evidence of erratic driving, but when the driver denies attempting to conceal an unknown item, this overly aggressive Eunice Police officer flat out loses it. In a Nov. 12...

U.S. Senate field not cleared

Sources close to state Rep. Paul Hollis, R-Mandeville, say it's still an "active decision" regarding whether or not he'll enter next year's race for the U.S. Senate. Sources close to state...

Stutes campaign raising cash at fleet clip

The push to unseat District Attorney Mike Harson is moving full steam ahead, with the Keith Stutes campaign announcing at a fundraising fête Wednesday night that it has raised more than...

Horse Farm 'ideas' deadline Nov. 11

If you missed the community input sessions, don't fret. You can still share your vision for what you hope to see on the LCG-owned Horse Farm acreage, as it shapes up to become Lafayette's central...

Supporters & Defectors

In the developing U.S. Senate race between Bill Cassidy and Mary Landrieu, wooing new voters has become just as important as keeping old ones. Supporters & Defectors In the developing U.S. Senate...

Feds seek more time for documents in voucher case

Justice Department attorneys say the recent partial shutdown of the federal government has contributed to a delay in compiling documents the state seeks in a case involving the state's private school...

Cantor promotes school choice at PA charter school

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor demanded that Attorney General Eric Holder drop a lawsuit over school vouchers being used for private schools, or face the wrath of Congress. PHILADELPHIA (AP) -...

LSU board to consider Pineville hospital deal

Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration is seeking to close LSU's public hospital in Pineville and shift its services to private hospitals in the region. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov. Bobby Jindal's...

Winsome, Lose Some

A political postmortem on the 2013 regular session Follow the money. That's what some people say about politics. Follow the money and you'll find the truth. If you were heeding those words during the...

A Profile in Courage

It is the truly fortunate who have a friend whose every day on earth is an inspiration. So it has been for me, and that friend, who passed from this life on June 11, was Carl Bauer. [Editor's Note:...

T-P to begin printing on days it doesn't

The digitally-focused NOLA Media Group, which cut back print publication of The Times-Picayune to three days a week last year, continued to innovate today by announcing a new plan to print on the days...

LA Senate committee delays health overhaul vote

Senators delayed their first vote on whether they want to cover more uninsured people in the state's Medicaid program, as allowed under the federal Affordable Care Act. Senators delayed their first...

Angelle cruises to easy PSC victory

Former Jindal administration official Scott Angelle has won an open seat on Louisiana's utility regulatory agency, the Public Service Commission. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Former Jindal administration...

Caddo board votes Thurs. on Chimp Haven expansion

The Caddo Parish Commission will vote Thursday on a resolution asking the federal government to pay for expanding the national sanctuary for retired research chimpanzees so it can take 110 animals...

10 things to know today

Here's your daily look at national and international late-breaking news, upcoming events and stories that will be talked about on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. 1. FOCUS SHIFTS TO VOTERS ON ELECTION DAY Obama...

High turnout expected in La. for Tuesday election

More than 340,000 people voted early, nearly 12 percent of Louisiana's 2.9 million registered voters. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana candidates seeking to rally an election victory were spending...

Fighting the Feds

High-profile criminal defense attorney Daniel J. Stanford will spend months, possibly years, battling for his reputation after a federal grand jury named him a co-conspirator in the Curious Goods...

Judge tosses woman's "too fat to fly" lawsuit

A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit filed against Southwest Airlines by a New Orleans woman who claims a gate agent told her she was "too fat to fly" and couldn't board a flight...

Vote planned on Jindal health outsourcing plan

Lawmakers are weighing whether to support Gov. Bobby Jindal's plan to hire a private company to manage a state employee health insurance plan that covers 62,000 people. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -...

Boustany gets super PAC boost

Super PACs can spend unlimited amounts of money backing a candidate, opposing a candidate or advocating for issues, although they are barred by federal law from coordinating their activities with...

The Beginning of the IND

As our reader and advertiser needs rapidly evolve, the IND rises. Back in 2003, a band of great local writers and marketing guys teamed up with us to start up a newsweekly for Lafayette. As our reader...

Taxing Times

This year's reassessment marked a huge rise in the values of commercial properties downtown, while Lafayette Parish is now home to fewer farmers.' This year's reassessment marked a huge rise in the...

Taxing Times

This year's reassessment marked a huge rise in the values of commercial properties downtown, while Lafayette Parish is now home to fewer farmers.' The vast majority of commercial buildings downtown...

News & Views

Is Stutes eyeing DA's seat? It's hard to get an accurate read on Keith Stutes, the full-time assistant district attorney who retired Aug. 31 after a distinguished 28-year career. Is Stutes eyeing DA's...

Blood Brother

More than two months after a brutal home invasion and shooting that nearly killed him, Yousef Balbeisi is thankful for his life, his wife and for the community that rallied to save him. More than two...

IND Monthly Names Bedgood Style Editor

An Arkansas transplant devoted to all things style, Amanda Bedgood has a passion for the written word. And she'll be helping fashion-forward IND Monthly readers look their best beginning Sept. 1....

Deal cut for life sentence in Shunick case

Sources say Brandon Scott Lavergne led authorities to Mickey Shunick's body as part of a plea agreement that will spare his life. By Leslie Turk August 15, 2012 Sources close to the investigation of...

Briefs 08/08/12

Busted: Multi-Chem flack stymies opposition Residents in north Vermilion and south Lafayette parishes who banded together to fight construction of a Multi-Chem chemical plant in the area are getting a...

The ‘One-Girl Operation' Doth Protest

School Board rep Rae Trahan swats back at The Ind. By Heather Miller August 8, 2012 Rae Trahan, the District 9 Lafayette Parish School Board rep featured on last week's cover of The Independent, has...

The countdown is on

The Ind is going monthly in print - and online daily big time. August 8, 2012 Is it still a rumor if it's true? You may have heard by now about big changes at The Independent. On Aug. 15 we'll...

Collateral Damage

August 1, 2012 By Walter Pierce AOC's demise spelled doom for a community art project. When the Acadiana Outreach Center collapsed in a heap of financial mismanagement last year and downsized its...

A Farewell Tribute

LAST WORD FIRST: By Lynn Sanders-Bustle August 1, 2012 Reflections on a stain and a call for collective imagination Stain: a colored patch or dirty mark that is difficult to remove All that remains of...

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt?

A nonprofit law clinic that works to free the wrongly convicted is looking into the case of a Lafayette man serving life at Angola. Convicted killer Jackie Lambert is 54 years old. For nearly half his...

Circumstantial Evidence

By Leslie Turk July 18, 2012 The white trucks, arson, stab wounds, poison ivy, bloody pictures of himself, women's IDs. Brandon Scott Lavergne has a lot to explain. The white trucks, arson, stab...

Journey to the Gulf

Cheap and convenient, plastic grocery bags are becoming an ecological threat to our oceans and waterways. By Elizabeth Rose Photos by Elizabeth Rose July 11, 2012 An empty plastic bag left over from...

Lawyer, board complicit in Gachassin ethical dilemma

Tuesday, July 3, 2012 By Leslie Turk  • Photo by Robin May Now that the Louisiana Board of Ethics has filed charges against development consultant Greg Gachassin, it's time for Lafayette government's...

Acadiana's Prize Fight

The final round of the Boustany-Landry showdown is starting to come to life. It won't be pretty. By Jeremy Alford Tuesday, July 3, 2012 Right now they're just shadowboxing. They're throwing jabs at an...

Vegging Out

How Marc Henry's work in the hospitality industry inspired him to decrease the carbon footprint of his diesel truck By Heather Miller With the flip of a switch, Lafayette's Marc Henry can transform an...

LCG goes CNG

The environmental and cost benefits of using compressed natural gas for city-owned vehicles has LCG on a green path to fuel efficiency. By Heather Miller Photo by Robin May Louisiana as a whole is...

Five Guys Burgers opening this fall

A familiar face is introducing the country's top rated fast-food burger to Lafayette this fall. The Independent's sister publication ABiz first reported in late 2010 that Billy Jacob, whose family...

Growing Pains

The Lafayette Parish School System is scurrying to accommodate the exploding population of students in Youngsville. By Heather Miller A new elementary school for an ever-growing and overcrowded...

Strong Arm of the Law

Lafayette's schools chief is eyeing an intervention model that is thriving in Iberia Parish. By Heather Miller As Lafayette Parish Schools Superintendent Pat Cooper continues to hammer home the...

Ben There, Done That

As Ben Berthelot moves on to LCVC, Lafayette wonders: What's next for LCG's Community Development Department? As Ben Berthelot moves on to LCVC, Lafayette wonders: What's next for LCG's Community...

Speed, Power, Speed

In front of a record crowd, Lady Cajuns dominate. By Dan McDonald Did UL's softball team deserve better than a No. 14 national seed? The Ragin' Cajun faithful believes that, and it's hard to argue...

It's on: Landry stakes a claim to Boustany's turf

Rep. Jeff Landry's Monday announcement - long expected - sets the stage for a classic mudslinger. By Walter Pierce The wait is over: U.S. Rep. Jeff Landry, R-New Iberia, announced Monday in...

The Kids Will Be Pissed

Lafayette's new superintendent wants the school system to get between students and illegal drug use. By Heather Miller This story is the second in a two-part series on Pat Cooper's turnaround...

On the Horizon: Grads in Trad

Traditional music degree on tap at UL. By Dominick Cross In a 1965 editorial, titled "They Call That Music??!!" Burton Grindstaff wrote in the Opelousas Daily World: "Cajuns brought...

Noise Maker

LOTTIE BEEBE Don't let the sweet Cajun accent fool you: District 3 BESE Representative Lottie Beebe is a feisty grandmother - and she's no stranger to fighting the state education powers that be. A...

Dance of the Donkeys

Gov. Bobby Jindal got his way on education reform, but the debate is far from over. By Jeremy Alford It was a simple matter to label Gov. Bobby Jindal's education reform package this session as a...

Internal Probe Leads to Subpoenas

Assistant DA Keith Stutes is seeking answers in potentially flawed OWI prosecutions. By Leslie Turk Just days after District Attorney Mike Harson informed The Advocate that he had appointed an...

Internal Probe Leads to Subpoenas

Assistant DA Keith Stutes is seeking answers in potentially flawed OWI prosecutions. By Leslie Turk Just days after District Attorney Mike Harson informed The Advocate that he had appointed an...

Dark Legacy

For hardcore politics, look no further than the Legislature's legacy' lawsuit debate. By Jeremy Alford The last few years have seen state Sen. Robert Adley, R-Benton, introduce one measure after...

A Cool New Brand for a Cool Town

A visionary group seeks to assemble Lafayette's abundant assets for success in a 21st century economy and here's a clue: Arts and culture play a big, big role. A visionary group seeks to assemble...

The Architecture of Reform

Who's really behind the latest push to reform retirement laws in Louisiana? By Jeremy Alford There may be a man or woman or special interest or two behind the curtain, but Gov. Bobby Jindal is clearly...

State of the Art(s)

Long-standing community arts organizations like PASA are adapting to Lafayette's evolving cultural landscape with a less is more' approach. By Heather Miller As the Performing Arts Society of Acadiana...

No One is Safe

The legislative session has spawned retirement controversies, Web-based agendas and stupid bills. By Jeremy Alford The old adage that no one is safe in life or property as long as the Louisiana...

Reform. Mine Did

Gov. Bobby Jindal wants to modify the retirement plans of thousands of state employees - for the worse, many of them believe - even as he reforms his personal retirement plan for the better. By Jeremy...

Fair Share: 2300 South College Road

Location: 2300 South College Road Acreage: 6.88 acres Property taxes paid in 2010: $21.50 Owner: WPM Exploration Inc. Description: This vacant lot sits between two other empty tracts along South...

Bobby Jindal: Liberator

By cracking down on dissident lawmakers and stripping them of committee assignments, Gov. Bobby Jindal is actually freeing them to publicly question his priorities. By Jeremy Alford A second-term...

KRVS' Spizale signing off

Dave Spizale, general manager of KRVS 88.7 FM, is retiring in mid-June. Spizale                                         Photo by Robin May Dave Spizale, general manager of KRVS 88.7 FM, is retiring...

The Pay Raise Session

Forget everything you think you know about what's going on in Baton Rouge. By Jeremy Alford Gov. Bobby Jindal and the Louisiana Legislature are focusing on education during this year's regular...

Louis "Papa Lou" Michot Jr., 1922-2012

Oilman Paul Hilliard on his longtime friend, the former state superintendent of education who will be remembered as much for his civic engagement as for his long list of business ventures and...

Not So Secret Cajun Man

A most peculiar set of court transcripts confirms that the private eye tied to a federal investigation involving the district attorney's office has faced the feds before. By Heather Miller Robert...

Lake Charles hospital cuts ties with Stewart

Christus St. Patrick Hospital in Lake Charles announced last week it is dissolving its partnership with Lafayette developer and retired cancer physician Glenn Stewart in an upscale assisted-living...

Surf's Up

Free access to local daily newspapers' websites - including The Advertiser and The Advocate - will soon be a thing of the past. By Dominick Cross It's probably no coincidence that Gannett Co., owner...

Session Primer

An overview of the hottest issues to keep tabs on during this year's regular session. By Jeremy Alford The 2012 regular session, which will be unleashed on the public March 12 like a political Kraken,...

Old School

A new mission for Pecan Island School has the hunting dog in line to become its newest mascot. By Dominick Cross    Photos by Robin May One man's school is another man's lodge. And so it is with the...

‘Way Out of Whack'

That's what one councilman calls Acadian's proposed contract renewal. That's what one councilman calls Acadian's proposed contract renewal. By Leslie Turk Photo by Robin May **Wednesday, Feb. 22,...

Noise Maker: Zack Kopplin

Gov. Bobby Jindal's rebranding of himself as an "education governor" could be tested this session on an unlikely front if a successful attempt at repealing the Louisiana Science Education...

Government Intervention

Girard Park residents cry foul over city's decision to seek its own relief' in a conniving neighbor's lawsuit. By Leslie Turk Girard Park residents cry foul over city's decision to seek its own...

Sex, Lies & Politics

The most explosive accusation from last year's race for lieutenant governor is still smoldering. By Jeremy Alford It was supposed to be the email that rocked Louisiana's political landscape. It was...

We Can't Vouch for ‘School Choice'

Our view on a cornerstone of Gov. Jindal's school reform package Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012 Our view on a cornerstone of Gov. Jindal's school reform package [Editor's Note: Read accompanying Independent...

‘We're not going to fire our way to success.'

Newly appointed state Superintendent John White begins marketing Gov. Bobby Jindal's education reforms. He's been called "Pastorek 2.0," a tech-y reference to former state Superintendent...

The Bitterest Pill

As one doctor in training put it regarding impending cuts at UMC, These patients are going to die. There's no way to sugar coat it.' By Heather Miller    Photos by Robin May Andre Billeaud, left,...

Noise Maker: Dr. Robert Buckman

Noise Maker: Dr. Robert Buckman A UL journalism professor in a long-running spat with Lafayette Consolidated Government continues to one-up city fathers in their bid to collect on a speeding ticket...

Tea Party of La. drafts Landry to take on Boustany

Tea Party of La. drafts Landry to take on Boustany The Tea Party of Louisiana, based in Baton Rouge, wants U.S. Rep. Jeff Landry to challenge Congressman Charles Boustany for the 3rd Congressional...

Another Conflict for Gachassin?

Another Conflict for Gachassin? Yet again, a paper trail appears to show that a local development consultant was laying the foundation for a million bucks in fees while he served as chairman of a...

Southern Strategy

Southern Strategy Has the time come for a public-private route to I-49 South? News Analysis by John Kennedy Louisiana has hundreds of needed road projects, the most important of which is the...

Couillon alert: Neighbor states mark Lee/King Day

Couillon alert: Neighbor states mark Lee/King Day Our contiguous cousins to the north and the east - Arkansas and Mississippi - along with Alabama took time Monday to reflect on more than the...

Un-Happy Hour

Un-Happy Hour Bar owners forced to pony up thousands each month for heightened police presence on Jefferson Street's most boisterous nights are challenging LCG on its special' levy. By Heather...

Baby Bump

Baby Bump Pippin McGee's owners say they are taking care of our business ... not running from anyone.' By Heather Miller and Leslie Turk For Pippin McGee children's furniture store owners Kim and...

UL: A Season to Remember

UL: A Season to Remeber Newsmakers of the Year: UL Ragin' Cajuns What a Season! **What a Game! ** UL: A Season to Remeber Newsmakers of the Year: UL Ragin' Cajuns What a Season! What a Game! Down by a...

The New Faces of Charley G's

Veteran restaurateur Charlie Goodson adds another dash of youth to his upscale eatery. By Erin Z. Bass Charlie Goodson first entered Lafayette's restaurant scene with Judge Roy Bean's. The year was...

Fair Share

December 21, 2011 The overgrown back acreage of a driving range on one of Lafayette's busiest thoroughfares is classified as ag property. What gives? By Heather Miller ****December 21, 2011 The...

In Plain Sight

In Plain Sight It's been staring us in the face: The real beauty in the horse farm deal is what it could mean for UL. By Leslie Turk UL President Joe Savoie and Lafayette C-P President Joey Durel...

JoDu or JoDon't?

Wednesday, Novemeber 30, 2011 Was City-Parish President Joey Durel a factor in the District 44 House runoff? He certainly didn't help Rep. Rickey Hardy, but there's more to the story. By Heather...

Unapologetic, Unorthodox - and Unemployed

Wednesday, November 23, 2011 **Even in defeat, state Rep. Rickey Hardy has no regrets. By Heather Miller ** Political observers have never denied that in his almost two decades of public office, state...

The Gang of Five

Wednesday, November 16, 2011 Nine civic groups have been speaking up for the silent voices who slip through the cracks in Lafayette's public education system, and a majority on the school board are...

Sunbeam Saga

Wednesday, November 9, 2011 As the likelihood of a costly lawsuit against LCG over a now-blocked waste transfer facility ramps up, the story of how the deal was cut gets weirder. By Heather...

Is Lafayette Really a Cool Town?

A Nov. 9 summit aims to find out. By Erin Z. Bass In 2003, Southern Business & Development magazine named Lafayette one of the 10 "Coolest Cities in the South." In 2006, Entrepreneur...

Out of Line

Board games are tainting LPSS super search. By Heather Miller Some called it a "miscommunication." Others went a step further and deemed it "misinformation." But the events leading...

Deconsolidation: A Black Prerogative?

Parsing the precincts suggests charter repeal was most popular in Lafayette's minority community. By Walter Pierce A funny thing happened on the way to deconsolidation being shot down: Support appears...

Repeal the Charter, Postpone the Tax

Wednesday, October 19, 2011 Repealing the Lafayette Home Rule Charter and returning to separate governments for the city and parish of Lafayette is an ideological exercise that everyone - no matter...

Battle Royale

Wednesday, October 19, 2011 The race for lieutenant governor is the nastiest around - and A portal into THE steamy three-way fight for the heart of the state GOP. By Jeremy Alford Sexual harassment,...

Three for One

Wednesday, October 12, 2011 Gautreaux, Montgomery and Theall vie for Division M judge seat. By Heather Miller When voters head to the polls Oct. 22, the ballot for a district judge's seat in one of...

Noise Maker: Richard Haik

U.S. District Judge Richard Haik has no doubt seen a cavalcade of human depravity during his decades on the bench. So can anyone question the severe sentence Haik handed down last week against former...

Noise Maker: Richard Haik

Wednesday, October 5, 2011 U.S. District Judge Richard Haik has no doubt seen a cavalcade of human depravity during his decades on the bench. So can anyone question the severe sentence Haik handed...

A Question of Character

Wednesday, October 5, 2011 District 3 City-Parish Councilman Brandon Shelvin's campaign finance report was disappointing at best - disturbing at worst. By Leslie Turk The Independent's ongoing...

Noise Maker: Glenn Stewart

Developer and former cancer physician Glenn Stewart is shaking up the world of high-end retail in a very big way. When The Daily Advertiser revealed in a Sept. 21 report that the 16,500-square-foot...

'Gotcha Mug,' Hebert?

Wednseday, September 28, 2011 By Heather Miller Following last week's cover story, tips continue to pour in on BIA and its immoral mastermind. Wednseday, September 28, 2011 By Heather Miller Following...

W. Furniture saga stretches to Baton Rouge

Wednesday, September 21, 2011 By Heather Miller For the dozens of Lafayette residents still waiting for their prepaid furniture and décor to arrive from the now defunct W. Home Furnishings in River...

Dearth & Taxes

Wednesday, September 21, 2011 By Walter Pierce As Lafayette Parish voters decide whether a substantial property tax increase for our school system is worth it, consider this: We're low on the...

Closing the Ag Loophole

Wednesday, September 14, 2011 Location: Dover Boulevard just off Ambassador Caffery Acreage: 7 acres Property taxes paid in 2010: $20.44 Owner: Dwight Andrus Jr. This 7-acre tract off Ambassador...

A Fix for Fracking

Wednesday, September 6, 2011 By Nicholas Kusnetz, ProPublica Report for Obama questions effectiveness of gas drilling regulations. Wednesday, September 6, 2011 By Nicholas Kusnetz, ProPublica Report...

OGB sale should be DOA

Wednesday, September 7, 2011 Written by Steve Spires Privatizing the Office of Group Benefits for short-term gain isn't worth the higher premiums or layoffs of hundreds of state employees. Wednesday,...

Gut Check

The Ragin' Cajuns open their 2011 football season at Oklahoma State, a foe that came to Cajun Field 25 years ago for one of the most memorable, gut-wrenching games in Cajun history. Looking forward,...

Cochon Delay?

Wednesday, August24, 2011 By Anna Purdy Photos by Robin May Nope. Chef Donald Link's Lafayette version of his popular Big Easy restaurant is on schedule for a mid-September opening. Wednesday,...

The Easy Way Out

Wednesday, August 24, 2011 By Leslie Turk HUD capitulates, paying two former housing assistance contractors 40 grand. Wednesday, August 24, 2011 By Leslie Turk HUD capitulates, paying two former...

Marketing the Mark-Up

Wednseday, August 24, 2011 By Heather Miller The firm that crafted Lafayette's school facilities plan has been hired to manage its implementation. Now it just has to convince voters to approve a hefty...

Stewing

Wednesday, August 17, 2011 By Walter Pierce From billboards and protests' to ham-handed cyber bullying, Glenn Stewart's bizarre revenge fantasy continues unabated. Wednesday, August 17, 2011 By Walter...

Toothless

Wednesday, August 10, 2011 By Walter Pierce Louisiana's gold standard' ethics reform has made it harder to collect fines from those who violate campaign-finance laws. Wednesday, August 10, 2011 By...

Welcome to Hooterville

Wednesday, August 3, 2011 By Walter Pierce Memo to Acadia Parish: The 1960s called, they want their politics back. Wednesday, August 3, 2011 By Walter Pierce Memo to Acadia Parish: The 1960s called,...

One Step Forward, One Step Back

Wednesday, August 3, 2011 By Heather Miller Growth remains slow at best, nonexistent at worst, in Lafayette's at-risk schools. Wednesday, August 3, 2011 By Heather Miller Growth remains slow at best,...

Of Politics and Playboys

Wednesday, July 27, 2011 By Nick Pittman Cajun musician Kevin Naquin two steps into the political arena with a bid for City-Parish Council. Wednesday, July 27, 2011 By Nick Pittman Cajun musician...

Ethical Dilemma

Wednesday, July 27, 2011 By Walter Pierce Could The Independent's reporting on the Gachassin saga be criminal? Evidently ... maybe. Wednesday, July 27, 2011 By Walter Pierce Could The Independent's...

The Down-Player

Wednesday, July 13, 2011 By Leslie Turk Opelousas' mayor says he's pleased' and comfortable' with an audit of financial transactions in his city, despite that it uncovered ethics violations and...

Stumped

Wednesday, July 6, 2011 Two large live oaks in the heart of Lafayette are gone.  Consolation: We get a new drive-thru daiquiri shop! By Walter Pierce For a few days last week patrons at the Community...

Death of a Good Intention

Wednesday, June 29, 2011 By Walter Pierce A bill that would have created the Lafayette Parish Redevelopment Authority was opposed by both ends of the political spectrum. Wednesday, June 29, 2011 By...

Inside the Rails

Wednesday, June 22, 2011 Written by Jeremy Alford How Gov. Bobby Jindal, with nothing but the power his office provides, put a damper on the Legislature's recent streak of independence. Wednesday,...

Up In Smoke

Wednesday, June 22, 2011 On June 16 the Louisiana House of Representatives voted unsuccessfully to override Gov. Bobby Jindal's mindlessly ideological veto of a bill renewing 4 cents of the state's...

A birthday gift for Bobby

Wednesday, June 15, 2011 By Clancy DuBos Friday, June 10, was Bobby Jindal's 40th birthday. I couldn't be there to give him a present in person, and since the Big Four-O is, well, a big deal, I...

Retail Roundup

Lafayette experiencing renewed retail vigor.  By Leslie Turk With retail sales in the first quarter of this year besting last year by 9.6 percent, developers and investors believe the economic...

Water Wars

Wednesday, June 8, 2011 Annexation and infrastructure tensions erupt among Lafayette and Broussard mayors  By Walter Pierce A long-running, wide-ranging animus between the administrations in Lafayette...

Mapping the Future - and Past

Wednesday, June 8, 2011 A new coastal map produced by the National Wetlands Research Center in Lafayette has a variety of applications locally and worldwide.  By Jeremy Alford There's an adage among...

Blue Days for the Top Dog

Wednesday, June 1, 2011 How inconsistencies in Gov. Bobby Jindal's own fiscal philosophy have finally collided with a Legislature that's coming into its own. By Jeremy Alford It was the day George...

The Little Issue That Could

Wednesday, May 25, 2011 How a sleeper bill about contaminated oilfield sites became one of the most hotly lobbied issues of the session  By Jeremy Alford Our story ends with a rare defeat for the oil...

Sediment Impediment

Wednesday, May 25, 2011 Thanks to a myopic Army Corps of Engineers and stubborn coastal politics, Louisiana is squandering an opportunity with the Mississippi River flood. By Walter Pierc****e At a...

Fair Share?

Wednesday, May 18, 2011 Property tax dodgers exposed - again. This 8-acre property on Alleman Drive off of Johnston Street near Park Place Apartments comes equipped with a one-bedroom...

The Downriver Blues

Wednesday, May 18, 2011 With floodwaters expected to crest next week, local and state officials are becoming scrappy, paranoid and watchful as some residents prepare for the worst.  By Jeremy...

God Willing and the Creek Don't Rise

Wednesday, May 11, 2011 How does an economically strapped state deal with an unprecedented oil spill recovery and potentially record flooding? We may be about to find out.  By Jeremy Alford The...

Forest for the Trees

Wednesday, May 11, 2011 It ain't just hay allowing Lafayette landowners to skirt their share of taxes. By Heather Miller The grass is not always greener on the 4,000-plus acres of farmland within the...

Forest for the Trees

It ain't just hay allowing Lafayette landowners to skirt their share of taxes. By Heather Miller The grass is not always greener on the 4,000-plus acres of farmland within the city limits of...

Jindal's M.O.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011 How Gov. Bobby Jindal is faring in his efforts to navigate the legislative session. By Jeremy Alford Gov. Bobby Jindal's package of bills this legislative session is 11 pages...

Until Debt Do Us Part

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 FEC filings show that Louisiana's fiscally conservative' congressional delegation has been spending like a sailor on shore leave, and in some cases running a deficit. By...

INDesign 2011

Wednesday, April 20, 2011 Celebrating the best of architecture, interiors and landscapes in Acadiana.  By The Independent Staff It's time once again for the annual - yes, we know, we skipped 2010 -...

Separating Fact from Fiction

**Wednesday, April 20, 2011 While still spending millions restoring its public image on the Gulf Coast, BP maintains that the impact of the spill is dissipating.  By Kandace Graves** It's hard to tell...

KRVS kicks off annual fundraiser: Q&A

KRVS kicks off annual fundraiser: Q&A with Dave Spizale Radio station KRVS 88.7 FM Monday launched its annual fundraiser, which continues until April 17. Dedicated to the promotion of area...

Splitsville

Wednesday, April 13, 2011 Redistricting has served as a scary reminder of just how easily ambitious lawmakers can trigger socio-cultural displacements and destroy communities.  By Jeremy Alford Some...

Bobby's Pipeline

Wednesday, April 6, 2011 Cash payments from everyone's favorite energy giant are being woven into the political infrastructure that supports Gov. Bobby Jindal.  By Jeremy Alford With more than $9...

POSTHASTE WITH GRIFF BLAKEWOOD

POSTHASTE WITH GRIFF BLAKEWOOD by Dege Legg One of the more painful results of Bobby "The Butcherizer" Jindal's state budget cuts is the slashing and dismantling of certain elements of...

Boustany's Big Week

Wednesday, March 30, 2011 ** While a Senate committee came unraveled last week, the real action was in the corridors - as usual. By Jeremy Alford** U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany, a Lafayette Republican,...

Mapping Morality

Wednesday, March 23, 2011 The Louisiana Family Forum is focusing its redistricting efforts on the Louisiana Senate - and it promises to be a bumpy ride.  By Jeremy Alford Political livelihoods are...

At a Crossroads

Wednesday, March 16, 2011 A popular indigenous music series is rocked by the abrupt departure of its founder.  By Walter Pierce "I'm looking forward to seeing what's next," says Todd Mouton...

Hearing Loss

Fiddler David Greely departs the Mamou Playboys for the quiet of acoustic music. By Hope Rurik On March 8, surrounded by Eunice's drenched Mardi Gras revelers, David Greely said a tender and tearful...

Oh, Henry

Wednesday, March 9, 2011 Good-natured Henry Mouton spent much of his adult life fighting for a cause, and he may spend the rest of it fighting for his freedom.  By Heather Miller News of an...

Crescent City Getaway

Wednesday, March 2, 2011 Councilman Brandon Shelvin appears to have had a helluva good time at last year's Bayou Classic - all on LCG's nickel. By Heather Miller Picture a three-night stay at a luxury...

All in a TIF

Wednesday, February 23, 2011 Proponents of a private luxury hotel make a strong case for government incentives, but they should have serious reservations about whether that's enough to make it work....

Posthaste with Joey Durel

City-Parish President Joey Durel is exhausted from prepping for his State of the Parish address, which he'll deliver today, Wednesday, Feb. 16, as part of The Independent Weekly Lecture Series. But...

Don't Bank On It

Wednesday, February 16, 2011 Hancock Bank swooped in and outbid Iberia for Whitney Holding.  By Rebecca Mowbray [Editor's Note: This story was first published Feb. 6 in The Times-Picayune. A day...

Poll Position

Wednesday, February, 9, 2011 Democrat Nathan Granger says a recent poll shows him with a sizable lead in the state Senate District 26 race, leaving us to ponder: Does a Democrat really have a...

Grand Jury Duty

Wednesday, February 2, 2011 ** One woman who says she worked for former City-Parish Councilman Chris Williams to help displaced hurricane victims has a felony conviction - for stealing tens of...

Nobody's Home

Wednesday, January 26, 2011 ** City Parish officials are launching a renewed effort to establish a local redevelopment authority to deal with the parish's backlog of adjudicated properties. By Nathan...

Williams Passes the Buck

Wednesday, January 19, 2011 In explaining the overlap with his UL hours, former Lafayette City-Parish Councilman Chris Williams says employees of his nonprofit worked on the controversial DHAP...

Sushi in the suburbs

Wednesday, January 12, 2011 Orient yourself south for eastern fare. By Mary Tutwiler When the first sushi restaurant, Shangri-La, opened in Lafayette over a decade ago, it was rain in the desert for...

Getting Shored Up

Wednesday, January 5, 2011 Lawmakers below I-10 are beginning to coalesce behind a proposed congressional district that would hug the coast from one state line to the other. By Jeremy Alford You can...

Shine a LITE

Wednesday, December 29, 2010 ** Robert Twilley, UL's new VP of Research and interim CEO of LITE, inspires confidence from his peers despite the tough road ahead. By Nathan Stubbs** When he was...

Bustin' Loose

Wednesday, December 22, 2010 Everything you need to know about the release of federal inmate No. 03128-095, also known as Edwin Edwards By Jeremy Alford You're going to want to keep the first couple...

The Thrill of Victory

Wednesday, December 15, 2010 The 2010 Acadiana Wreckin' Rams returned from New Orleans with a state football championship.  By Leslie Turk Photos by Kevin Stutes. The Acadiana High School Wreckin'...

Touched by an Angelle

Wednesday, December 15, 2010 In strong favor with Democrats and Republicans, a political star is rising.  By Jeremy Alford During the third week of January 2004, newly elected Gov. Kathleen Blanco...

Fiber Follies

Wednesday, December 8, 2010 With pressure from Cox Communications, Lafayette's business community is reconsidering its support of FiberFete, and forcing the annual broadband summit to re-examine its...

Political Punt or Prudent Planning?

Wednesday, December 1, 2010 When it comes to the state's Medicaid case management program, four weeks - and a lot of noise - made all the difference. By Jeremy Alford [Editor's Note: This story had...

Opportunity Knocks

Opportunity Machine, a new business accelerator spearheaded by LEDA and LITE, hopes to enable the next generation of technology-inspired entrepreneurs. By Nathan Stubbs When Tom Cox started...

Legislating the Gulf

Wednesday, November 24, 2010 Lawmakers are being asked to consider restoration plans for the Gulf of Mexico. But are they listening? By Jeremy Alford With a new political year only weeks away, members...

Paving Paradise

Six century oaks pay the ultimate price for UL's master plan. By Hope Rurik The university's urban forest is under pressure through the school's master plan, being executed in part by the area's...

Paving Paradise

Wednesday, November 17, 2010 **Six century oaks pay the ultimate price for UL's master plan. By Hope Rurik ** Six live oaks on the UL campus, including this one on McKinley Street, face the...

Crime and Punishment

Wednesday, November 17, 2010 A former district prosecutor, who lied to federal investigators and tried to conceal his assets, faces up to five years in the slammer for tax evasion. By Leslie...

Ass, Kicked

Wednesday, November 10, 2010 As Republicans take further control of the political landscape, it's fair to say Louisiana Democrats have seen better days. By Jeremy Alford Few summed it up better than...

Sign Off

Wednesday, November 10, 2010 ** Cox Communications threatens a lawsuit over LUS Fiber's use of yard signs.** By Nathan Stubbs LUS Fiber has ceased the distribution of yard signs that read "I'm...

Ass, Kicked

As Republicans take further control of the political landscape, it's fair to say Louisiana Democrats have seen better days. By Jeremy Alford Few summed it up better than Roger Villere, chairman of the...

Due Date

Wednesday, November3, 2010 After a 16-year-old mortgage comes due, the Lafayette Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation appears poised to regain ownership of the Evangeline hotel downtown. By...

Packaging Be Damned

Wednesday, October 13, 2010 What happens when two career politicians stop talking politics and at least try to be real people? It's awkward, for sure, but well worth knowing. By Jeremy...

Tourism CPR

Wednesday, October 20, 2010 Acadiana tourism directors hope nearly half a million dollars in BP cash is coming our way. By Hope Rurik The BP spill and the drilling moratorium that resulted from it...

He Said, She Said

Wednesday, October 20, 2010 It's getting ugly, fast, and shaping up to be one of those classic Louisiana political contests where there's a conservative in one corner and a liberal in the other, with...

Mellowed Joie

Wednesday, October 13, 2010 Acadiana Outreach tempers plans for its Joie De Vivre housing complex near downtown based on financial constraints and neighborhood concerns. By Nathan Stubbs Despite the...

Couillons On Da Loose

Wednesday, October 6, 2010 Lafayette City-Parish Councilmen William Theriot and Jared Bellard inducted into the 2010 Couillon Hall of Fame - and they've done so little to earn it. Written by The...

Blue Dog v. Pit Bull

Wednesday, October 6, 2010 Democrat Ravi Sangisetty faces Tea Party Favorite Jeff Landry on Nov. 2.  Written by Jeremy Alford Ravi Sangisetty, the Democratic nominee for the 3rd Congressional...

The Next Files

Wednesday, September 29, 2010 A closer look at the five candidates most likely to make the runoff for lieutenant governor. By Jeremy Alford Wednesday, September 29, 2010 A closer look at the five...

Hurricane Rita, five years later

It was dubbed the forgotten hurricane. It was dubbed the forgotten hurricane. And that was five years ago, when Hurricane Rita struck southwest Louisiana a month after Katrina drowned New Orleans....

An Impossible Choice

Wednesday, September 22, 2010 Arlecia Hill's decision to run for the school board should have been a simple matter. It's not. By Don Allen [Editor's Note: While The Independent Weekly has endorsed...

Comfortably Retired

Confident he will be exonerated by State Police and the DA, Lafayette Police Department Maj. Glen Dartez steps down after 34 years. By Leslie Turk Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010 Embroiled in controversy...

Full-Contact Campaigning (web only)

A seemingly debateless and increasingly monotonous U.S. Senate race took an interesting turn last week thank's to Lafayette's own Jesse Ventura doppelganger. By Jeremy Alford If Nick Spitzer is...

Public Nuisance?

**Wednesday, September 8, 2010 Written By Nathan Stubbs Is the popular downtown nightspot Karma being singled out in a crackdown on Lafayette bars?** Police Chief Jim Craft still vividly remembers one...

No Excuses?

**Wednesday, September 1, 2010 Written by Nathan Stubbs Recently revised policies on students' make-up work for unexcused absences and suspensions has the Lafayette Parish School Board concerned about...

Waiting in the Wings

**Wednesday, September 1, 2010 Written by Jeremy Alford As the only Democrat running the 3rd Congressional District, Ravi Sangisetty got a pass from the weekend primary elections, but GOP operatives...

Day in the Sun

**Wednesday, August 25, 2010 Written by Jeremy Alford Libertarians preparing for first federal primary** The Libertarian Party of Louisiana has lined up two contenders for its first-ever U.S. Senate...

Clean Sweep

Wednesday, August 18, 2010 Written by The Independent Staff Acadiana architects make the draft in inaugural AIA competition Good buildings are instrumental in building good communities. When great...

The Outlaw Update

**Wednesday, August 18, 2010 Written by Jeremy Alford There are now hundreds of new state laws you need to be aware of, including quite a few that impact Louisiana's underground and underbelly. ** The...

Corps Values

**Wednesday, August 18, 2010 Written by Nathan Stubbs New FiberCorps' initiative hopes to reboot Lafayette's tech community.** As a national tech journalist and broadband policy advocate, Geoff Daily...

Corps Values

**Wednesday, August 18, 2010 Written by Nathan Stubbs New FiberCorps' initiative hopes to reboot Lafayette's tech community.** As a national tech journalist and broadband policy advocate, Geoff Daily...

Mudfest 2010

**Wednesday, August 11, 2010 Written by Jeremy Alford Senate contender accused of being a secret agent. Paranoia, or politics as usual?** This is shaping up to be one hell of a federal election season...

Disastrous Assistance Program?

**Wednesday, August 11, 2010 Written by Leslie Turk Prompted by $243,000 in irregularities with a federal contract involving former councilman Chris Williams, state and federal officials converged on...

Vote for Me Dot Com

**Wednesday, August 4, 2010 Written by Jeremy Alford Candidates in the 3rd Congressional District have spent nearly a cool half mill influencing voters, and their focus is increasingly on the World...

A Mixed Bag

**Wednesday, July 28, 2010 Written by Jeremy Alford While the value of the state's energy leases is on the uptick, a planned package of incentives for private investors has been put on hold.** The...

Party Animals

Wednesday, July 21, 2010 Written by Jeremy Alford This will be Louisiana's final year of conducting closed party primaries, and the coming send-off promises a wild transition back to our jungle...

The Hopefuls

**Wednesday, July 14, 2010 Written by Walter Pierce ** Ten candidates including a political veteran, several rookies and a well known public figure eye seats on the Lafayette Parish School...

He Likes Us. He Really Likes Us.

**Wednesday, July 7, 2010 Written by Jeremy Alford While the governor took a red pen to lawmakers' projects statewide, he left Lafayette-based initiatives alone, including a whopping $1 million...

Crude Awakening

**Wednesday, June 30, 2010 Written by Leslie Turk Anyone who thinks the president, governor or any court can force BP to pay for the economic fallout from a government-imposed moratorium - one a...

Crude Business

**Wednesday, June 23, 2010 Written by Nathan Stubbs Two Lafayette companies believe their microbes hold the solution to cleaning up an oil-drenched coast. Now they want a shot at proving it.** On a...

Love Your Coast march on Louisiana Capitol

Gulf Coast residents march on the Louisiana State Capitol today and tomorrow. A grassroots gathering of Gulf Coast residents frustrated with the BP response to the Deepwater Horizon Disaster are...

King of the Hill

**Wednesday, June 16, 2010 Written by Jeremy Alford With a sand berm project that's been dubbed the Great Wall of Louisiana,' Gov. Bobby Jindal is risking his political brand and the state that gave...

The BP Session

**Wednesday, June 9, 2010 Written by Jeremy Alford With roughly two weeks to go until adjournment, this year's regular session has picked up an unlikely title that could only mean the work of...

How to Sue an Energy Giant

**Wednesday, June 2, 2010 Written by Jeremy Alford As the regular session enters its final three weeks, state officials are prepping to battle all of the responsible parties connected to the mess in...

Day Trippers

**Wednesday, May 26, 2010 Written by Megan Wyatt The Gulf spill is affecting weekend mariners, too.** Thunderstorms and a massive oil spill couldn't stop Windy Maitreme of Broussard from going on the...

Net Loss

**Wednesday, May 26, 2010 Written by Mary Tutwiler As Gulf fisheries close, restaurants cast about for other sources of seafood.** Brian Bourque isn't burning any oil this week. The oyster supplier...

The Art of the Deal (Or Something Akin)

Wednesday, May 19, 2010 Written by Jeremy Alford How local members of the House Retirement Committee amended a bill at the request of Gov. Bobby Jindal and then changed their minds only minutes...

Another round of roundabouts

Wednesday, May 12, 2010 Written by Nicole Rogers LCG is ahead of the U.S. curve in regulating traffic. Hollywood gave roundabouts a bad rap when it sent the Griswolds on a European vacation...

Ready for Launch

Wednesday, May 12, 2010 Written by Nathan Stubbs The latest trend in urban workspace lands in downtown Lafayette Driving back to New Orleans from the SXSW Interactive Conference in Austin, Chris...

The Doctor is In

**Wednesday, May 5, 2010 Written by Walter Pierce UL hires music scholar to fill Comeaux endowed chair** Nearly 14 years after the tragic, untimely death of Lafayette musician and pathologist Dr....

When the Celebrating Stopped

**Wednesday, May 5, 2010 Written by Jeremy Alford **Photo by Robin May A landmark legislative package supporting the shrimp industry was adopted last week, but all the joy was sucked out of the...

Minor Detail

Written by Nathan Stubbs Wednesday, 28 April 2010 Lafayette police step up their enforcement of underage drinking in hub city bars. On Thursday, May 13, three bars in Lafayette will be forced to...

Hopped Up

Written by Nathan Stubbs Wednesday, 21 April 2010 Two burgeoning breweries, Parish Brewing Co. and Bayou Teche Brewing, aim to put Acadiana on the craft beer map. It was a sunny mid-July day, the...

When Good Budgets Go Bad

Written by Jeremy Alford Wednesday, April 14, 2010 Lawmakers are working with piecemeal data, non-profits are scrambling for attention, and the push to increase state revenues becomes ever so...

Policy in Camouflage and Delcambre High Tops

Written by Jeremy Alford Wednesday, 7 April 2010 State lawmakers have filed hundreds of bills for debate that will get in the boat with fishermen, follow hunters into the woods, lift shrimpers off...

Planning Momentum

Written by Walter Pierce Wednesday, 31 March 2010 A comprehensive plan for Lafayette Parish is on the horizon, but what will it look like and who will buy in? When Lafayette City-Parish Council...

Ready Or Not

Written by Jeremy Alford Wednesday, 24 March 2010 The annual legislative session is right around the corner and brimming with hundreds of bills promising 85 days of something. In about a week's time,...

Capitol Reruns

Written by Jeremy Alford Wednesday, 17 March 2010 Here are five of your favorite classics from I-49 funding to baggy pants that will be revisiting lawmakers yet again during their upcoming regular...

Leadership must emerge for the good of downtown

As many people now know, my wife Catherine and I are closing our business of 14 years. While much has been made of our decision in the media, we have decided to close shop for a number of reasons,...

Huval: LUS Fiber ‘well above' target

Written by Nathan Stubbs Wednesday, 10 March 2010 Fiber rollout expected to be complete by the end of July. After its first year of operation, Lafayette Utilities System's fiber-to-the-premise...

The Odd Couple

Written by Nathan Stubbs Wednesday, 03 March 2010 Democratic State Sen. Elbert Guillory and the religious-conservative group Louisiana Family Forum have teamed up with a plan for how to redraw state...

AHBA Home, Garden and Lifestyle Show

Bring your blueprints or building plans and get all your questions answered on the spot. Whether you are building, remodeling or just updating your interior or landscaping, the annual home show in...

Street Cred

The state inspector general's office has undergone a number of dramatic changes - including a few lawmakers never intended, like the legal right to arrest public employees and practically anyone...

Hundred Year Event

Local Boy Scouts look to leave their mark on the Basin for years to come. When the boy scouts of Acadiana nestle the first of 4,457 bald cypress trees into the ground of the Atchafalaya Basin Feb....

Jumping Ship

Gov. Bobby Jindal has only been in office for roughly two years, but his administration has already suffered scores of high-profile resignations and departures. What gives? During Gov. Bobby Jindal's...

Dollars & Sense

Vitter flexes his political muscle in the latest federal campaign finance reports. There's no better place to start than the U.S. Senate showdown, and there's no mistaking who's leading the money...

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All Eyes on The Big Easy

New Orleans mayor's race might decide next Louisiana governor Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu is far and away the frontrunner in this Saturday's election for the next mayor of New Orleans, with some political...

Atomic Ranch

Mid-century modern is making a comeback at retromodern reuse store. There is bad news and there is good news. The bad news is that Lafayette’s beloved Beyond Flowers ceased to exist on Dec. 31. The...

Clothes Hound

Fashion and environment mesh on the vintage clothing rack. Oh, Sarah Jessica Parker. It is pretty safe to say that she has influenced most major female shopping trends in the last decade through the...

e-Sci for All

Environmental science is hands-on in Lafayette schools Students with an interest in nature can attend environmentally themed classes from kindergarten through graduation in the Lafayette Parish...

Amphaymany Keohavong, 1970-2010

[Editor’s note: Amphaymany “Pi” Keohavong was one of the most successful former UL Lafayette students you’ve never heard of. He parlayed a natural talent for dance into an international touring career...

Light at the end of the Tunnel

With budget setbacks, LITE begins to refocus its mission. Last week, Henry Florsheim, the chief executive officer at Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise, held a staff meeting to deliver some...

Will Bobby Deliver?

With two years down and another two to go, Gov. Bobby Jindal has reached his mid-term with 63 percent approval ratings and a policy record that’s sketchy at best. If there’s a transitional locale...

Ambulance Chaser?

Is Lafayette Consolidated Government favoring Acadian Ambulance with a soon-to-be-awarded contract for GPS monitoring of parish vehicles? Doug Crawford was skeptical from the start when his company...

Coastal Political Erosion

Coastal Cajun parishes normally dominate Louisiana’s 3rd Congressional District, but western Acadiana is abuzz with activity these days. More politicos than usual from the western side of the 3rd...

Code Blue

Once again, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana and Our Lady of Lourdes’ parent company wrangle publicly over rates. The national health care debate has fueled so much anxiety over coverage and access...

A Politician Reborn

Due in large part to his recommendations for reforming state government, and the tidal wave of doting media coverage that has followed, Treasurer John Kennedy’s stock is on the uptick once again. The...

Louisiana's No. 2

Mitch Landrieu says he’s enjoying his job as lieutenant governor, at least for now, although big changes could be in store for him in the near future. Whenever Gov. Bobby Jindal leaves the state, Lt....

Get a Cloutier

In his new book, a local banker fires a broadside at the hackneyed expression ‘Too Big to Fail.’ MidSouth Bank President and CEO Rusty Cloutier is never at a loss for words, and at age 62, he’s...

On the Rocks

Bad blood between the Lafayette public school system and state Rep. Rickey Hardy is beginning to boil A united “What the hell?” rippled across the public-school community in Lafayette last Wednesday...

From Net to the 'Net

New marketing program could boost fresh sales Louisiana’s agriculture and seafood industries will soon have a new Web portal with which to push their wares. It’s called MarketMaker and should be up...

Harvest Time?

A non-profit announces plans for a public charter school in north Lafayette. OCDC Executive Director Tiffanie Lewis and President Charles Lewis want to convert N.P. Moss Middle School into a public...

Natural gas catching fire

The bipartisan Congressional Natural Gas Caucus is well-timed, as the Senate is giving more attention to natural gas in its climate-change legislation. A bipartisan group of congressional lawmakers...

One For the Ladies

As the U.S. Senate race between David Vitter and Charlie Melancon continues to ripen, women voters are emerging as a key constituency to watch. David Duke. It’s a name that conjures up Louisiana’s...

Donkey Doldrums

Louisiana Democrats have seen happier days, and the party’s future is just as shaky. If you consider yourself a hardcore Democrat, then the past few years in Louisiana politics have not been kind. You...

Return of the Anti-Governor

After switching parties and losing a bid for the U.S. Senate last year, state Treasurer John Kennedy and his team are back in classic form. It takes a special kind of Republican to second guess Gov....

Can't We Just Get Along?

If shrimpers and processors are going to solve their collective grief, they at least need to start playing nice. Listening to testimony during Monday’s meeting of the Louisiana Shrimp Task Force are...

Gifted, Talented and Under Siege

Special Ed coordinators want to eliminate the Gifted and Talented Program; not so fast says a BESE member. G/T elementary students in Lafayette were among those who urged BESE to save the...

A Victory for Free Speech

Judge grants Independent Weekly’s motion to dismiss former Stanford Vice President Tiffany Angelle’s defamation suit Former Stanford Vice President Tiffany Angelle claimed The Independent’s April 22...

The Great Abater

What’s up with the ‘downsizing’ of Marcus Bruno?

Let the Sun Shine

Team Beausoleil gears up for solar decathlon The Beausoleil Home is being decked out for a final bon voyage on Sept. 17 before it leaves for the Solar Decathlon in Washington D.C. Photo by Isabel...

A Tribute to Downtown

The historic Tribune Printing Plant reemerges as a mecca for dining, wine and wheels Justin and Margaret Girouard are dreaming up a new restaurant, The French Press, to open in the Tribune building...

Salty Politics

As dockside prices dip to historic lows, shrimpers point a collective finger at processors and elected officials make more promises. U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon told commercial fishermen during last...

The Paths Less Traveled

Legislative chamber bosses are taking routes not traveled by the governor, but they’re still on different paths. House Speaker Jim Tucker Photo by Robin May In May 2008, Louisiana’s new Republican...

Don't Know Jack? You Will.

The Governor’s Commission on Streamlining Government will offer the Northshore’s freshman senator some prime time face time. When Jack Donahue, a Republican contractor from the Mandeville area,...

Political Mysteries

More questions than answers — including a rumored party switch by Scott Angelle — about the 2010 election cycle. Is DNR Secretary Scott Angelle considering crossing the aisle? Photo by Robin...

A River Runs Through It

Lafayette native and his eco-lodge in Nova Scotia’s Acadian wilderness are angling for a global award. The Great Lodge at Trout Point Lodge, in the Tobeatic Wilderness, Nova Scotia What did the...

Tempest in a Tea Party

Ideological fractures reveal themselves in conservative movement From the start the Tea Party movement has attracted a fringe element. Photo by Robin May The conservative reaction to President...

Of Humans and Horses

Robin May, The Independent’s photo editor, and I went to photograph the Landry and Williams families for our story on an ordinance prohibiting horseback riding in Breaux Bridge. Robin got her first...

End of the Trail?

Breaux Bridge trots out a sunset on horseback riding in the streets of the small, Bayou Teche town. Courtland Landry (left), Sokiro Landry, Shekolbi Dugas and John Williams are members of The Breaux...

The Hierarchy of Pork

A closer look at the Legislature’s pecking order for pet projects reveals a system that’s just as good as any pay raise, depending on your place in the political class.  It has many names: member...

Catahoula's Closes, Doggonit

A culinary icon shutters its doors Former Catahoula’s owner and chef Jude Tauzin is optimistic doors will open for him in Lafayette. Photo by Robin May Acadiana has one less dining destination:...

Cattle Call

The congressional landscape in south Louisiana is fertile ground right now and all sorts of characters are coming out to graze. Will he stay or will he go? U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon eyes a run...

Suit aims to chill newspaper's free speech

The Independent Weekly is fighting an attempt by a former Stanford Group Company vice president, Tiffany Angelle, to use legal means to obstruct the paper’s coverage of the Stanford scandal’s effect...

Death, Taxes and Sauteed Shrimp

One thing is certain, despite a creeping recession, Lafayette can always count on being well fed Chef Aaron Ward in his new digs at restaurant Jefferson Orleans. Photo by Robin May Aaron Ward sounds...

High Stakes

Louisiana makes its bid for the 2014 Congrès Mondial Acadien Louisiana visitors to New Brunswick show their colors – the flags of Acadie and Acadiana. Photo by Mary Tutwiler Ici, on est fier de...

Et tu Charlie?

As Congressman Charlie Melancon draws potential challengers for his 2010 re-election bid, national Democrats are urging him to switch races and take on U.S. Sen. David Vitter. U.S. Rep. Charlie...

Round one: school boards

Reform proponents dress their wounds, look ahead to next year  Supporters of a now-dead effort in the legislative session to enact reforms of Louisiana school boards are regrouping after a crushing...

Digital Divide

State budget cuts will likely take a toll on local digital media initiatives    With posters for Gears of War, The Dark Knight and Yoda lining the walls, 3D Squared’s office is decorated like a...

The New Calvinism

Why Calvin Borel matters  During this 30-year drought without a Triple Crown winner, maybe we just need a good story. Last year it looked like we might have one with Big Brown and Lafayette native...

A Political Jabberwocky

Five things about the ongoing regular session that make absolutely no sense whatsoever. Springtime weather in south Louisiana; property tax assessments; the feu follet; the proliferation of nutria in...

High School Drama

Teachers push back against LPSS graduation ‘request’  Graduation is a time for students to reflect upon the past four years, set their sights on new beginnings, celebrate their accomplishments — and...

Horse Farm Deal Taking Shape

Johnston Street acreage may become Lafayette’s ‘central park.’ Photo by Robin May Great cities have great public spaces. Lafayette may be on the verge of becoming a great city. A controversial...

A Taxing Debate

As the governor reverses his stance on the homestead exemption and lawmakers tackle substantive millage issues, property taxes are finally creating high drama at the state Capitol. Every year, a small...

Former superintendent supports school board reform

Former Lafayette Parish Superintendent James Easton says he was surprised to read in The Independent (“Class Action ,” 4/22) comments from School Board President Carl LaCombe about how the local...

Alternate Universes

Lafayette’s chamber of commerce and school system are at odds and both are standing their ground. “They’re throwing this stuff out there because it sounds good, but they really don’t know what’s...

Occupational Hazard

Lafayette Consolidated Government has shelled out more than $228K in rent for a fiber office it isn’t using. Photo by Robin May Over the past 13 months, Lafayette Consolidated Government has been...

Stanford suits hitting closer to home

Receiver seeks $700,000 in ‘ill-gotten proceeds’ paid to Lafayette financial advisor Tiffany Angelle. (Editor's Note: Through her attorney Alan Breaud, former Stanford Group Co. financial advisor...

Have constitution, will unravel

From rewriting the Louisiana Constitution to enshrining women’s rights in the U.S. Constitution, expect plenty of charter chatter during the upcoming legislative session. Photo by Robin May It has...

Separate Ways

PACT United creates tectonic shift in non-profit community Photo by Robin May The Boy Scouts of America’s Evangeline Area Council, representing the eight-parish Acadiana region, has cut ties with...

Takin' it to the street

LCG, LUS announce 'redonkulously bold' initiative “Rita” gets her fiber on. Photo by Robin May In a move instantly hailed as both a social and technological breakthrough, City-Parish President Joey...

CO2 and You

One of the leading causes of greenhouse gas emissions could bring about the next generation of oil exploration. Just consider the following: • Louisiana spews more industrial carbon dioxide into the...

Field Trip!

From budget cuts to gun control, professors, students, chancellors and school boards will have plenty of reasons to visit Baton Rouge this year. Gov. Bobby Jindal wants to stuff Louisiana’s colleges...

Doom and Gloom

LOGA chief calls the oil crash of the mid-80s a ‘cakewalk’ compared to what Obama’s 2010 budget could do. The chief of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association is hopping mad over the amount of taxes in...

Three's Company

The race for the District 6 city-parish council seat has attracted three candidates, all of whom are struggling to get their campaigns off the ground. Sam Doré and Max Jordan Photo by Robin May When...

WANTED: Donkey With Ambition

For next year’s U.S. Senate race, the evangelical base has a potential candidate and so does the porn industry. But what about the Dems? State and national Democrats have yet to coalesce behind a...

Vincent Marino, 1917-2009

Vincent Marino died Sunday, Feb. 15, at Our Lady of Lourdes. His death certificate no doubt cites a medical condition, some bitter-end malaise of gerontology. But Marino — Vince to many, Doc to many...

The Governor's New Clothes

When it comes to the hottest legislative trends of the day, it becomes painfully obvious that ethics reform was, like, so last year. A year ago, Bobby Jindal stood outside of the House chamber and...

Bridge Over Troubled Water

Breaux Bridge Mayor Jack Dale Delhomme defends a controversial ordinance that would tightly control who is allowed to set up residence in the town’s historic downtown. Ordinance opponents Dickie...

Stay Tuned

LUS rolls out its long-awaited fiber service. Five years after announcing its intentions to build a state-of-the-art, fiber-to-the-home network to serve Lafayette residents with premium phone, cable...

On the Road, Again

From North Carolina to Winnfield, Gov. Bobby Jindal is putting distance between himself and an ailing state government. As an unprecedented $2 billion shortfall eats away at health care and higher...

Wild (West) Showdown

As agencies buck and lawmakers bounce, the governor and his posse mount up to tame a $2 billion shortfall. Right now, it’s a staring match right out of a 1950s-era Western, a standoff in the midday...

Grammy Nods

Weirdness abounds in this year’s Zydeco/Cajun category for the annual Grammy Awards. Josh Caffery was in Breaux Bridge recently when he ran into a local musician who had just been nominated for a...

No Bull

Chef Orlando Amaro takes over the running of downtown tapas restaurant Pamplona. Sous chefs Maria Diaz, Craig Crosby and executive chef Orlando Amaro (center) photo by Robin May It’s a really good...

All For a Song

A pre-election, pro-Obama video has Louisiana Folk Roots explaining why it isn’t — and can’t be — involved with politics. Last night, Dirk Powell and his wife, Christine Balfa, took the stage at the...

In Search of Redemption

How U.S. Sen. David Vitter plans to shake his ties to a dead madam, cozy back up to the Religious Right and (maybe) campaign against a porn star. The bell tolls for David Vitter. It also tolls for...

Political Regurgitation

Just when you thought election season was over, the Legislature coughs up a few of its longtime members, and a new series of campaigns emerges for 2009. When coastal restoration was just beginning to...

Movin' on Up

Rep. Charles Boustany talks about taking a seat on the influential House Ways and Means Committee. John Breaux, Jim McCrery, Richard Baker, Billy Tauzin, Chris John. Louisiana could feel its political...

Forced Out

After four decades of writing, Jim Bradshaw, an award-winning journalist for The Daily Advertiser, is forced into retirement in a blood bath at Gannett Co. It wasn’t revealed in the respectful way...

Opportunity Knocks

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu attempts to lure one of Louisiana’s most adept politicians, state Sen. Don Cravins Jr., to her D.C. office. U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, just named chair of the Committee on Small...

Happy Holidays!

from The Independent Weekly staff Top: Steve May; Second row: Amanda Newbery, Nathan Stubbs, Kevin Pontiff, Dege Legg, Drue Kennerson, R. Reese Fuller, Robin May; Third row: Kathy Lowry, Kimberly...

Reserve Judgment

A victim of the credit crisis, a major apartment complex stalls. LCG permit inspector Larry Manuel at The Reserve at Acadiana, where work has stopped. Photo by Robin May The credit crunch gripping...

LITE Saver?

The Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise looks for leadership. LITE interim CEO Henry Florsheim (right) and UL vice president Bob Stewart at last week’s board of commissioners meeting Photo by...

Who's to blame for UL's bowl snub?

Coach Rickey Bustle takes responsibility for not winning a seventh game, but we have a few thoughts of our own. After its best season in years and finishing a close second behind Sun Belt Conference...

More Money, More Problems

State officials discover that the billions the feds promised for coastal work two years ago have more than a few strings attached. It was as if coastal Louisiana had collectively hit the holiday...

The Politics of Difference

While Louisiana has seen isolated moments of racial friction over Barack Obama’s election, the tenure of Bobby Jindal has been remarkably quiet. Philadelphia’s Congress Hall is no stranger to historic...

Year of the Wildebeest

As financial issues nip at their heels and pre-existing debt blocks out the light of day, lawmakers will embark on a predatory prowl for cash in 2009. Just a few months ago, more than 1 million...

Office Space

Tipitina’s Foundation brings its Music Office Co-Op to Lafayette. Co-op manager Rachel Nederveld rocks out with musician (and Independent Weekly calendar dude) Dege Legg at the newly-opened Lafayete...

Fight For Your Right To Party

Glenn Armentor’s ‘No Party Party’ fund-raiser for Republican Joey Durel has him fending off calls for his resignation from the Lafayette Parish Democratic Executive Committee. Glenn Armentor and Joey...

Sliding Scale

Many city-parish employees will get pay raises this week that officials say are long overdue. This week’s payday is even more anticipated than usual at City Hall. When the checks go out, several...

Post-Mortem Fact Check

The 2008 election season left voters with perceptions that are both bitterly true and comically false. Here’s one last dig below the surface. During the final days of the fall elections, Gov. Bobby...

Dardenne takes on The Gray Lady

A New York Times article Secretary of State Jay Dardenne labels ‘irresponsible’ is drawing more scrutiny to the state’s cancellation of some 25,000 voters earlier this year. An irresponsible piece of...

O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Gov. Bobby Jindal stumps for candidates in other states, while his fellow Republican John Kennedy scratches and claws for a taste of momentum here at home. You could still see a blotchy red mark on...

The Great Insulator

With a national recession under way, Lafayette will once again live or die by oil. The estimated $9 trillion in wealth that has disappeared in the country with the recent stock market collapse is...

Bling Killers

The nation’s credit crisis, the world’s unstable energy prices, the local strain of recovery and outmigration could annihilate Louisiana’s oil-rich, surplus-charged budgets. Enjoy the next nine...

Inside Track

In a short race for the District 31 state House seat, Nancy Landry has a head start. Nancy Landry photo by Terri Fensel If you went to the polls to vote last Saturday, there was a good chance you...

Outreach-O-Rama

Energized by a historic and volatile presidential election, both Republicans and Democrats are boasting record numbers from voter-contact programs. Illustration by Kevin Pontiff United States mail...

Capital Concerns

A new proposal by Lafayette City-Parish President Joey Durel to spread out $100,000 to each councilman for capital outlay projects is getting mixed reviews. photo illustration by Kevin Pontiff In...

Power Surge

With its pro-active policies, Lafayette Utilities System has consistently fared better than other area power companies in restoring electricity to customers after a major storm. Monday morning, Sept....

Radio Head

When the power went out, an AM radio station in New Iberia kept its listeners plugged in. The voice has a round mellow tone. There’s a nice mix of authority and assurance as he dishes out updates on...

The Cajun Express

By staying off-script and tilting at windmills, Louisiana’s own Jimmy Breaux has come out of nowhere to captivate voters nationwide. It used to be that if you wanted to run your fingers through the...

Survey Says

Hoping to maintain its customer base, Cox Communications continues to upgrade service and poll residents for insight as it prepares for stiff competition from LUS. Cox's Vice President of...

Stand By Your Man

A year after being rocked by his ties to a D.C. prostitution ring, Sen. David Vitter is back on the state circuit — and back in the good graces of many Republicans. U.S. Sen. David Vitter photo by...

Filtering Down

In attacking Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu on energy issues, Treasurer John Kennedy has picked up on a national GOP strategy that works better in Minnesota than it does in Louisiana. illustration by...

Inside Job

Bruce Conque is leaving the city-parish council behind but will likely remain an active player in local politics. Rob Guidry and Bruce Conque photo by Terri Fensel Going into a recent meeting with...

Charlie's Free Ride

U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon’s unchallenged incumbency is good news for Louisiana Democrats as well as the state’s D.C. policy agenda. After two bitterly fought elections, first to capture a seat in...

Game On

A new initiative at the Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise is part of a new push to make Louisiana a video game industry hub. Spencer Zuzolo sees nothing wrong with sitting in front of a...

Brew Ha-Ha

After its inaugural sellout crowd last year, Gulf Brew looks to follow up on its initial success with a bigger space and more beer. Members of the Dead Yeast Society ( pictured from left: Julie...

Mass Exodus

In the wake of more than 50 resignations from local boards and commissions, city officials are finding more questions than answers to new financial disclosure laws. Last year, as a member of...

Au Revoir, Bonjour

A downtown coffee Mecca closes its doors. When Café Bonjour owner Sharon Falgout posted a small handwritten sign on the glass door of her Jefferson Street coffee shop announcing June 17 as her final...

Bad Relations

In addition to all of his pending headaches, Gov. Bobby Jindal must find a way to mend fences with legislators, who say they feel misled, ignored and shut out. Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal’s veto of...

Bus Stop

Greyhound’s future is on hold as Lafayette Consolidated Government moves to put the brakes on the station’s relocation to Moss Street. photo by Terri Fensel Despite more than a year’s worth of...

Round Two

Derailed by skyrocketing building costs in 2007, The Acadiana Center for the Arts Theatre is back on track to go out for bid with an additional infusion of cash from the state. Architect Steve Oubre...

Fire Starters

It was only a matter of time before John Kennedy and Mary Landrieu crossed swords, but few guessed it would all ignite over the issues of teachers and earmarks. Sen. Mary Landrieu photo by Karron...

Fast Break

After 12 years hosting the state’s Top 28 boys high school basketball tournament, the Cajundome might be out of the running. From the outside, it looked like a perfectly happy marriage, with two...

Sticker Shock

City officials are concerned about possible outcry over increased property taxes tied to higher property assessments. “Some people are going to scream, ‘You’re increasing our taxes.’ The actual...

Double Dippers

Despite their demanding jobs with the state, the governor’s chief attorney and health secretary have managed to find time to do a bit of moonlighting. Gov. Bobby Jindal’s top staffers wear many hats —...

Remembering Rauschenberg

His work belongs to the world, but for the Begneaud family of Lafayette, Robert Rauschenberg was a brother and Uncle Bob. Robert Rauschenberg’s family is gathered on Captiva Island, Fla., this week,...

Coming Home to Roost

The sun may have set long ago on Bobby Jindal’s gubernatorial run, but his campaign’s ties to a pending landfill permit and a conservative 527 group continue to crow. A few miles north of Baton Rouge,...

Mourning Elemore

With the death of Elemore Morgan Jr., the South has lost one of its greatest artists and champions. Elemore Morgan Jr. on the porch of his studio in 2002 photo by Terri Fensel One morning in 2002,...

The Shale Game

Two of the potentially biggest onshore discoveries in Louisiana history are sparking an “insane” frenzy in the oil patch. A gold mine, or fool’s gold? Nobody knows for sure. For the past two years,...

Crafting a Solution

Lafayette City Police Chief Jim Craft spearheads the effort to reach a solution with bar owners over security issues. Photo by Terri Fensel Lafayette Police Chief Jim Craft steps out of the council...

The Sausage-Maker's Daughter

Lori Walls honors her father’s legacy by opening Johnson’s Boucaniere. When Eunice icon Johnson’s Grocery closed in 2005, it was the end of an era for the family-run market which has a legitimate...

Thrown Under the Bus

Neighborhood activists, Greyhound and Lafayette Consolidated Government continue to wrestle over a controversial 2007 zoning re-classification — and the threat of dueling lawsuits raises the stakes...

Too Many Secrets

When it comes to concealing what should be public information, hardly any state can match the stealth of Louisiana’s executive branch. Hopefully, that might change during the ongoing session....

Sex and the Session

From concerns over inappropriate stares at the urinal to further defining the hooker-john relationship, this year’s general session is a hotbed for sex-related policy. If you’ve been keeping up with...

The Ties That Bind

A Lafayette church urges its members not to support a local breast cancer research charity because of perceived ties with Planned Parenthood. photo by Terri Fensel On Sunday morning, March 2, the...

Back For More

The Legislature goes into session next week — yes, again — and this time there will be hundreds upon hundreds of bills to admonish, cheer or ignore. Talk radio stations around Louisiana gave ample...

Art School

Lafayette’s arts organizations and the Kennedy Center team up to design an arts program for Louisiana’s public schools. Sandy Labry was sitting in the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in...

What's the Deal?

In its competition with Cox Communications, EATEL launches an advertising salvo that alerts local Cox customers to a discount pricing plan the cable company has kept quiet in Lafayette. Two full-page...

To H2B or Not to H2B

State leaders are working different avenues and coalitions to solve this year’s critical shortage of seasonal immigrant workers. With a pending economic crisis at home and an ongoing political...

By the Tail

Crawfishermen and crawfish processors have different views on the factors wreaking havoc on crawfish prices. Complaints of price fixing have prompted a coalition of crawfish farmers to petition the...

The High Price of Victory

LHS officials blew an opportunity to teach student-athletes a lesson about the importance of making good decisions on and off the court. Although LHS officials claim they were in the dark about the...

Prepping the Big Fight

If Mary Landrieu, John Kennedy or anyone else wants to be Louisiana’s next U.S. senator, there are five challenges that must be knocked out — or at least figured out. Louisiana’s continuing U.S....

The BREC Model

Lafayette looks to the state Capitol for a model on how to run a more progressive parks and recreation department. Lafayette Parks and Recreation Director Gerald Boudreaux says any reorganization of...

Toxic Trailers

Formaldehyde fears are forcing a second evacuation of hurricane victims. After a year and a half of dismissing, ignoring and denying claims from hurricane Katrina and Rita victims that formaldehyde...

Traffic Court

A lawsuit filed against Lafayette Consolidated Government contends that LCG's SafeSpeed and SafeLight programs are unconstitutional. Stephanie Ware and Phil Abshire Photo by Terri Fensel KVOL 1330 AM...

Bad Omens

Gov. Bobby Jindal's special session on ethics reform was foreshadowed by strange reactions, contradictory stances and legislative bewilderment, indicating that the 'gold standard' might be easier to...

Transparent as Mud

If Gov. Bobby Jindal truly wants state government to be open and honest, his own office would be a good place to start. With each passing day of his new administration, it appears more likely that...

Flying Blind

The FBI says a troubled teen planned to fly a plane into the Cajundome - but Hannah Montana wasn't a target. Last Friday, the national and international press reported that a teenager with plans to...

Charlie at the Plate

If anyone stands to gain from Louisiana's power-drain in D.C., it may be U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon, the mild-mannered Cajun who went from rookie to old-hand practically overnight. Charlie...

Curtain Call

What's behind Acadiana Arts Council Executive Director Buddy Palmer's abrupt resignation after 12 years as head of the organization? Buddy Palmer Photo by Terri Fensel It began like a normal workday...

A Bright Idea

UL's School of Architecture & Design aims to build a solar energy house that Louisiana residents can afford. Eddie Cazayoux (left) and UL architecture professors Geoff Gjertson and Hector LaSala...

Not Again ...

The New Year might be off to a fresh start, but the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is still missing deadlines and confusing its priorities. If all had gone as planned and pledges delivered, the U.S....

The Thrill is Gone

Bobby Jindal's honeymoon with the media is over ' his promises of ethical fastidiousness and rapid reform have set the bar so high that every hiccup is major news. Although he isn't in office yet,...

Over the Limit

Lafayette Republican State Rep. Don Trahan took more than $20,000 in illegal campaign contributions leading up to the Oct. 20 election. State Rep. Don Trahan, a Lafayette Republican recently...

Endangered Species?

National Republicans and Democrats have targeted two congressional seats in Louisiana as potential turnovers for the 2008 election cycle, but there's stiff competition shaping up all over the...

Last Stroke

Acadiana institution Evangeline Paint Store closes its doors. Jesse Gary is painting a Christmas greeting in bright yellow on the window of the Evangeline Paint Store. Three little cartoon birds in a...

The Coal Hard Truth

Concerns about climate change and regional economics collide in Entergy's bid to refit an upriver power plant to burn coal. Despite calls for more environmentally sound practices across Louisiana, the...

Legislative Intent

Did House Speaker-designee Jim Tucker push legislation earlier this year for his sole benefit? He and his friends say no, but now the courts are involved. For a new governor hell-bent on making...

The Road to 2010

Optimists are still expecting New Orleans' losses to be gains for Lafayette and Baton Rouge following the next census, but additional legislative seats won't guarantee a political coup for either...

In the Zone

Attorney Jimmy Davidson's Girard Park property has been rezoned without a comprehensive plan for what he wants to do with it, fueling speculation he is still trying to strike a deal with UL...

In the Hopper

The 2008 regular session of the Legislature is still four months away, but here's a sneak peak at the bills already taking form around the state. If you haven't gazed at a 2008 calendar yet, then you...

Chasing the Gavel

The drama surrounding the elections for House speaker and Senate president is more exciting than anything on the November ballot. If you took Sen. Joe McPherson at his word just a few weeks ago, then...

Pot Shots

Allegations are flying and mud's slinging in the race for the District 22 Senate seat. The runoff for Senate District 22 in Iberia and St. Martin parishes is shaping up to an old-fashioned brawl,...

Street Showdown

Wilfred Pierre and Joey Durel are among the high profile supporters now involved in the District 44 runoff between Chris Williams and Rickey Hardy. On election day, Rickey Hardy went through his usual...

Bobby Jindal Will See You Now

Team Jindal is focused on filling key government jobs, but it better mind the Legislature as well. As of last week, the Republican governor-elect's transition office in Baton Rouge had received more...

Red Tape Nightmare

After an endless parade of bureaucratic delays spanning more than two years, the state is finally directing taxpayer-supported financial aid to needy military families. In the time it has taken state...

Highs and Lows

Saturday night was the end of the road in many of Lafayette's hard-fought local elections. After all the votes were tallied Saturday night, there was plenty of celebration and plenty of heartache....

Energy Wrangling

The energy bill is finally on the move in Congress ' with a few surprises. After months of haggling over the finer points, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has finally told lawmakers it's time to move...

Polar Opposites

As oil and gas rig counts continue to rise at a rapid rate in north Louisiana, Gulf drilling and inshore activity in the south is mired by a depressing slump. Louisiana's trademark industry has become...

Take Five

The candidates vying for District 44 state representative all bring a unique set of experiences in making their case to voters. After watching a recent forum with the candidates for District 44 state...

Battling on Common Ground

In District 31, incumbent state Rep. Don Trahan is fending off well-funded challenger Nancy Landry, who's taking the fight into his own back yard. In contrast to south Lafayette, you won't see too...

Pole Position

A new sign ordinance aiming to clean up the "visual pollution" of busy commercial strips like Johnston Street heads to the Lafayette City-Parish Council amidst contentious debate and a veto...

Snapped Up

Luxury brand Hermès purchases Lafayette's alligator hide tannery. The largest alligator hide tannery in the United States, Roggwiller Tannery of Lafayette, has been swallowed by one of the premier...

Following the Money

How the major gubernatorial contenders spend their money reveals who the candidates are bedded down with, why their campaigns are so expensive, and how they plan to win. The four major candidates for...

Role Reversal

Four years ago, Dale Bourgeois and Bruce Conque narrowly edged out two incumbent councilmen. Now, a group of eager challengers hopes to turn the tables on them. When Dale Bourgeois ran for Lafayette...

A Crusader in Blue Jeans, Y'all

Country music superstar and dark-horse candidate Sammy Kershaw wants to convert his valuable celeb into political cred to become Louisiana's next lieutenant governor. Every now and then, the Baton...

The Joke's on Them

A heated on-air altercation at local country radio station KXKC shocked local listeners, but it's the story behind the incident that's really sickening. Mornings are mild at Acadiana country radio...

Close Call

Jeffery Broussard and the Creole Cowboys say they were racially targeted by three white males. In a phone call from Baltimore, Jeffery Broussard is still unnerved by the incident. "I'm going to...

Shell Game

Abbeville's Shucks! oyster restaurant changes hands but not traditions. The quaint town of Abbeville, 30 minutes south of Lafayette, has been a raw oyster destination since 1869, when Joseph Dupuy...

Star Witnesses

With testimony expected from Gov. Kathleen Blanco and a trio of TV weathermen, Attorney General Charles Foti's high-profile case against the owners of a storm-stricken nursing home could be a media...

Target Locked

A wide array of issues could arise in the agriculture commissioner's race, but the contest will be a referendum on Bob Odom's competence and trustworthiness. Bob Odom cut his political teeth with the...

On the Hill

After nearly four decades reporting on Baton Rouge and Louisiana politics, John Hill hangs up his press badge. John Hill was only 24 years old when he first met Edwin Edwards. In early 1971, Hill was...

Bushwhacked?

After seven years of acrimonious divides, Congress has finally reached an agreement on a critical water resources bill for Louisiana. The only thing standing in the way is the White House. U.S. Rep...

Show Your Credentials

Faced with the choice of a flamboyant populist with lifetime membership or a streetwise businessman new to the fray, Democratic regulars are quietly coalescing behind the name they know in the...

Curtain Call?

As strong competition for his District 43 seat emerges, state Rep. Ernie Alexander considers walking away from politics. On Monday morning, state Rep. Ernie Alexander surprised many supporters when...

Tricks of the Trade

A heavyweight media consultant analyzes U.S. Sen. David Vitter's confession and subsequent week of silence. It's an old rule of media management: Own up to a crisis fast. But the tried and true...

A Hard Fall

After admitting "a serious sin," U.S. Sen. David Vitter's political future ' and its effect on the Louisiana Republican Party ' is cloudy. On the heels of his announcement that his phone...

Man Under Fire

Pressured last month into keeping Director Greg Roberts on board for another six months, the Lafayette Airport Commission says his position will be advertised nationally before the end of the...

Vive la Revolucion

If The Independent designed campaign T-shirts ... Republican Congressman Bobby Jindal may not have a lot in common with South American Marxist revolutionary and guerrilla army leader Che Guevara....

Smart Steps

Iberia Parish forges ahead with impact fees and smart growth. The answer was a "sewer tie-in" or impact fee, something Lafayette developers have been resisting since the idea arose out of a...

Dinosaurs' Swan Song

The Old Guard hit the back door last week as the session's final days offered reminders why term limits were approved in the first place. On Monday, June 25, Sen. Tom Schedler did a double-take. A...

Easton out, Lemoine in - for now

St. Mary Parish Superintendent Don Aguillard also rumored as candidate to replace Easton. By Monday, Lafayette Parish School System Superintendent James Easton will be moved out of the Lafayette...

Famous Last Words

Term-limited and retiring lawmakers in the House have been lining up for predictably amusing - and occasionally revealing - farewell speeches. If the House of Representatives has a John F. Kennedy...

Where the Buffalo Roamed

As Louisiana's rural plains and prairies continue to fade, conservationists are working on new plans to stop land loss. Just a few generations ago, around the turn of the 20th century, Louisiana's...

Marcello's Wine Market & Deli expands

A new deal for the Old Bella Figura spot helps avert a lawsuit between landlord and former tenant Jack Ainsworth. The Todaro family, owners of the popular Marcello's Wine Market on Johnston Street,...

A Clear Path?

LUS' bond sale could finally free it to begin its fiber-to-the-home project in July. LUS' long-awaited bond sale for its fiber-to-the-home project should be complete by the end of the day Tuesday,...

The Legislative Levee

Insurance relief and state construction money has caused a new breach in the historic divide between northern lawmakers and their southern counterparts. Behind the committee table ready to testify is...

Road Rage

Road Home grant applicants still being left in the dark as the program faces a $5 billion shortfall. The Independent Weekly's cover story last week ("Road Blown," May 30) chronicled the...

Culture Cash

A set of so-called "cultural economy" tax credits could help Lafayette realize a number of its development goals, from arts and architecture to entertainment and culinary delights. Lt. Gov....

Hard Sell

Nonprofit Associated Marine Institutes faces an uphill struggle in convincing Hoffpauir Road residents of the merits of its planned residential facility for juvenile offenders. Associated Marine...

Should He Stay or Should He Go?

Greg Roberts has rubbed a lot of people wrong in the 14 years he's served as airport director. Has his abrasive personality sealed his fate? When Aviation Director Greg Roberts refused to disclose the...

Out of the Ring

After ditching a roadside carnival about 35 years ago to raise grandbabies and fight chickens in south Louisiana, Judy Duthu now wonders what will happen to her way of life. When the traveling...

Safe and Sound?

Barring any surprises, Jay Dardenne and John Kennedy seem like sure-things for re-election this fall, and ' surprisingly ' their fates may be intertwined. They use the same political operative and...

Out of the Loop?

Clausen says Blanco and Authement have no say in presidential search. UL System President Sally Clausen expects all sorts of rumors, innuendo and speculation to surface in the hunt for a new UL...

Trust Fund

National nonprofit the Trust for Public Land wants to buy UL Lafayette's horse farm property and hold it until LCG can pay for it. In December 2005, in the midst of UL Lafayette's proposed land swap...

Paradise Lost?

Ideas for the publicly acclaimed Camellia Green project ' including a recent eyebrow-raising Joey Durel suggestion that infuriated residents ' remain stuck on the drawing board. In the summer of 2004,...

Mary and the Media

As she readies for a tough re-election campaign, U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu is pushing two press-friendly bills through Congress. The parking was extremely limited at the emergency operations center in...

Get Up, Stand Up, Speak Up

A beginner's guide to making your voice heard during the upcoming legislative session. Randy Lanctot had only been a resident of Baton Rouge for four years when he first visited the State Capitol to...

from The INDsider

UL professor called to Afghanistan, Lafayette Marine killed in Iraq and more UL JOURNALISM PROFESSOR CALLED TO AFGHANISTAN Fifty-nine-year-old UL journalism professor Robert Buckman has been recalled...

The Lone Wolves Roar

There's nothing the Democrats can do to quiet Foster Campbell, and the GOP may lose Walter Boasso altogether. They're not U.S. Rep. Bobby Jindal, the Kenner Republican dominating the race for governor...

from The INDsider

Boasso might go Democrat, WRDA passes Houses and more BOASSO GOING DEMOCRATIC IN GOVERNOR'S RACE? Conventional wisdom is that Bobby Jindal benefited most by John Breaux dropping out of the governor's...

In The Crosshairs

Iberia Parish President Will Langlinais targeted for criminal, civil investigations. Speaking before a packed house at the Iberia Parish Council meeting last week, District Attorney Phil Haney...

Best of Show

The Independent Weekly racks up 47 awards ' including the Freedom of Information Award ' from the Louisiana Press Association. The Independent Weekly won the Louisiana Press Association's highly...

from The INDsider

Inspector General to release horse farm audit, Rickey Hardy to run for state rep and more INSPECTOR GENERAL RELEASING HORSE FARM AUDIT TODAY State Inspector General Sharon Robinson, Gov. Kathleen...

Combo Plate

Chef Brian Blanchard takes over a la carte, freeing up former owner Michael Doumit to devote his time to sales. Michael Doumit of a la carte enjoyed a recent dinner at Chef Brian Blanchard's iMonelli...

Banking on McComb Veazey

A new consolidated government pilot project hopes to revitalize McComb Veazey, one of Lafayette's oldest neighborhoods. In the McComb Veazey neighborhood, hundreds of vacant lots ' many overgrown...

from The INDsider

Group not giving up on horse farm barn, Tabasco's $5 million levee and more WE HOPE YOU'RE WRONG AGAIN, DR. GRAY If it's springtime, it's time for the annual hurricane forecast from Dr. William Gray...

from The INDsider

Louisiana Stafford Act Waiver tied up in Iraq showdown, Shell nixes Gulf LNG terminal and more LOUISIANA STAFFORD ACT WAIVER TIED UP IN IRAQ SHOWDOWN The 10 percent state and local funding match...

Louisiana Speaks. Is Anyone Listening?

A noble effort to collect opinions from a public overdosing on recovery is completed, but the survey results offer few surprises and little clarity. "You almost never see pie charts like this...

They Deserve Better

Nearly two years after the Legislature created a taxpayer-supported fund for military families, the state is still dragging its feet. Despite the fact it was officially signed into action by Gov....

from The INDsider

Board to appoint Thibodaux's successor, La. GOP endorses Jindal and more BOARD TO APPOINT THIBODAUX'S SUCCESSOR The community and school system are still in shock and mourning the death of longtime...

Sly Fox?

In the throes of bankruptcy reorganization, KADN Fox 15 launches a local newscast. In an inexplicable move, Communications Corporation of America, the locally-owned media conglomerate that has...

from The INDsider

Skinner running for DA, PHI posts annual losses and more SKINNER RUNNING FOR DA Mike Skinner's campaign for district attorney in the 15th Judicial District unofficially got under way last weekend....

Funding the American Dream

A state-sponsored program to help low-income families build wealth is a saving grace for hurricane survivors still without a home. Short of an inheritance or hitting the lottery, building wealth...

from The INDsider

STM grad dies of Iraq war injuries, Bertrand to run for city-parish council and more STM GRAD DIES OF IRAQ WAR INJURIES St. Thomas More grad Mark Graham, critically injured in Iraq Friday, March 2,...

Looking for a Voice

The number of independents in Louisiana has ballooned over the past decade, but will these voters play a stronger role in the election process? Mainstream candidates rarely know how to approach them,...

from The INDsider

Easton on micromanagement, LUS seeks public input and more EASTON ON MICROMANAGEMENT In his latest open letter, Lafayette Parish School System Superintendent James Easton describes what he believes is...

Cash is King

With the governor's race still several months away, policy and platforms are taking a back seat to what really fuels campaigns: money. Besides triggering an endless parade of polls, the new year was...

Will Power

Iberia Parish President Will Langlinais confirms a controversial hire for his second-in-command. In a narrow vote on Feb. 15 that raised conflict-of-interest questions and possible state ethics...

from The INDsider

LCG wins fiber battle, Michot asks state to halt demolition of horse farm barn and more LCG WINS FIBER BATTLE Lafayette Consolidated Government is celebrating the state Supreme Court's unanimous...

News Briefs

Local doctors to buy Heart Hospital, remembering Cecil J. Picard and more LOCAL DOCTORS BUYING OUT HEART HOSPITAL PARTNER Widespread speculation in health care circles of a potential takeover of Heart...

Retail Record

Lafayette Parish retail sales soar 15 percent in 2006. The unprecedented impact of hurricanes Katrina and Rita on Lafayette Parish's retail sector continues, with retail sales in 2006 hitting the $5...

Couret Place/Cal-Bay Deal Dead

California-based company out of the running for proposed north Lafayette development. By Thursday, Feb. 8, Marcus Fontenot had washed his hands of Cal-Bay International. After months of failed...

Give Me Liberty

Rendez-vous des Cajuns celebrates its 1,000th show at Eunice's Liberty Theater. For the past 20 years, it hasn't been hard to find Barry Ancelet on a Saturday night. Nearly every Saturday, save for...

Help on the Way

IberiaBank makes historic $100 million investment in SMHA. Taylor Barras, president of the New Iberia and community markets of IberiaBank and manager of the company's Community Reinvestment...

In A Pinch

All those predictions of a bumper crawfish season look a little shaky. While aquaculture specialists have been predicting a good recovery from Hurricane Rita for the crawfish crop, seafood patios and...

Fightin' Words

The Humane Society of the United States sues Internet giant Amazon over cockfighting magazines. Louisiana may soon be the last holdout for legal cockfights. The sport is only legal in New Mexico and...

News Briefs

Daily World editor falls for Nick Saban hoax, an insurance field trip to Florida and more LAFAYETTE SURVEY SAYS ... Pat LeBlanc, President of LCS Corrections Services Inc, which operates several...

Couret Place's Criminal Past

A member of Lafayette's Royston family, the group behind north Lafayette's troubled traditional neighborhood development, is a convicted felon.

Baptism By Fire

Louisiana's next superintendent of education will be forced to replace a political legend, guide Louisiana through a difficult recovery and deal with one of the most demanding jobs in the...

News Briefs

Black's coming back, Boasso makes it official and more BLACK'S ON THE WAY BACK Blake White doesn't have much of a track record in the restaurant business. The 27-year-old was an insurance inspector up...

What's Your Story?

StoryCorps rolls into Lafayette to record the everyday stories of everyday people for inclusion in the Library of Congress. A New Orleans man tells his friend of an encounter with a stranger on a...

News Briefs

Iberia Parish Audit expected soon, Senators bicker over Morganza and more SPEAKING UP ON RECOVERY ISSUES Last week, Louisiana Public Broadcasting aired a TV special hosted by Lynn Whitfield called...

Watch Out Below!

Dropping crude oil prices are at a two-year low, and some analysts see the bottom coming up quick, making for a sketchy financial picture for Louisiana. Greg Albrecht, the Legislature's chief...

News Briefs

The School Board retreats, Jindal's in and more SCHOOL BOARD RETREATS Lafayette Parish School Board members may be running afoul of the state's open meetings law with plans for a retreat this weekend...

C.A.R.E.S. Package

With an unexpected donation of a new facility, Acadiana C.A.R.E.S. hopes to be the anchor of a social services center. Last January, life was looking bleak for some of Acadiana's most at-risk...

Law and Order

Crime is taking a bite out of Louisiana as another legislative session and statewide elections draw closer, and an angry electorate wants answers. Blue and red lights bouncing off the street. Yellow...

I Want My HDTV

A dispute between KLFY and Cox Communications could mean a mad rush for digital antennas to watch Super Bowl XLI in high definition. We've heard the hype for years and weren't quite sure what to make...

News Briefs

Louisiana Heritage & Gifts to close its doors, the audit of New Iberia and more LAMENTING LOUISIANA HERITAGE & GIFTS On Feb. 19, the day before Mardi Gras, Louisiana Heritage & Gifts will...

News Briefs

Moody blues, learn to be a councilman and more PETERS BACK IN ACTION After a six-week hiatus for open-heart surgery, award-winning Independent cartoonist Greg Peters is back in action. His Snake Oil...

The Morganza Bonanza

An aggressive hurricane protection project for Louisiana's central coastline could be a cornerstone issue for the new Congress. As the 110th Congress took over the Beltway reigns last Thursday, two...

Moody family out, Bella Figura in

River Ranch's City Club family tradition ends just as a dining facility opens to the public. The illustrious family name so synonymous with Lafayette's City Club has severed ownership ties with the...

Sudden Departure

Embattled Lafayette City-Parish Councilman Chris Williams is abruptly transferred from his regional director's position with the Louisiana Technical College to a new job in Baton Rouge. Two weeks...

Permission or Forgiveness?

Before the April legislative session, legislators and the governor should ask voters how the state should spend its windfall. No matter what, the people will weigh in next fall. In case you haven't...

News Briefs

Lourdes looking to move, Pierre to stay put and more LOURDES ON THE MOVE? In early 2006, Our Lady of Lourdes President and CEO Bud Barrow confirmed his interest in the Boustany family property on...

Artistic Differences

Despite the concerns of a museum support group, UL Lafayette plans to promote the University Art Museum's interim director as its new director. Paul Hilliard hasn't visited the museum that bears his...

News Briefs

Blanco's battering continues, Republicans stacking tickets and more BLANCO'S BATTERING CONTINUES Her special session was a legislative and public relations disaster, and now Gov. Kathleen Blanco's...

News Briefs

A compromise for MLK Drive, Legislature takes up street racing and more A WELCOME HOLIDAY SURPRISE No single issue in 2006 infuriated Lafayette residents and cast our elected officials in such a...

Embarrassment of Riches

A fat surplus and a looming governor's race unleashed heavy-handed politics as well as regional and partisan fervor during last week's special session. Commissioner of Administration Jerry Luke...

News Briefs

Picard retires, FEMA squanders $1 billion and more PICARD STEPPING DOWN After a decade as state superintendent of education and more than 30 years of service in state government, Cecil Picard...

Maraist Moves Over

After a whirlwind year at the helm of Grant Street Dancehall, Dave Maraist resigns as the club's director of entertainment. Thursday, Nov. 31, was Dave Maraist's last official day as Grant Street...

A Qualifying Question

Two years after a qualifying change led to the appointment of disgraced police chief Randy Hundley, new qualification questions muddy the search for his replacement. The Lafayette Municipal Fire and...

Party Like It's 2007

City-Parish President Joey Durel won election as a political outsider, but a holiday fundraiser is lining up high-profile supporters for his re-election campaign. If your nerves are already frayed by...

Help Wanted?

Post-Katrina and Rita, an increasing number of state jobs are being left vacant. From 2004-2005, the state gained 594 employees, employing more than 100,000 workers. Today, there are roughly 1,000...

Trailer Hitch

Mickey Olivier couldn't get any answers when FEMA neglected to pick up one of its vacated trailers from his RV lot. Now he's trying to turn the tables. Mickey Olivier doesn't understand the way FEMA...

News Briefs

LUS' Supreme Court arguments, Christmas layover and more ENCOURAGING SIGNS FOR LUS? The Louisiana Supreme Court heard arguments last week on whether Lafayette Utilities Systems will get the green...

Talking Trash in New Iberia

Despite being statewide leaders in curbside recycling and yard waste pickup programs, parish officials continue to consider a multi-million dollar project that combines recyclables with garbage. You'd...

Country Boy Done Good

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries finally has a secretary who can skin a buck and run a trotline, but Bryant Hammett is also a shrewd politician. When Jeff Arnold was elected to the House of...

Playing the Race Card

With a newfound pocket of African-American voters in north Louisiana, Democrats could be in better shape than they thought over the next two years. Hurricane Katrina brought with it an ill wind for...

News Briefs

"No Party, Party" for Durel, Sir Barry Ancelet and more FLY LIKE AN EAGLE Almost a year before being up for re-election, Republican City-Parish President Joey Durel is amassing a war chest...

Blackout

After 37 years, a venerable Acadiana oyster house closes its doors. On a chilly Saturday evening in mid-November, there are 20 parking places open in front of St. Mary Magdalen Church in Abbeville,...

News Briefs

Snake Oil on hiatus, Jindal's e-mail campaign and more WISHING FOR A SPEEDY RECOVERY FOR INDEPENDENT SNAKE OIL CARTOONIST GREG PETERS If you're a fan of Independent cartoonist Greg Peters' weekly...

Premium Plan

For the first time in years, the state is starting to reach a consensus on health care reform. The only question: how to pay for it? Miles Bruder knows all too well that significant heath care policy...

Legacy Building

Despite a 5-month-old law to address polluted oil fields, the state still has far to go to see the finished product. Gov. Kathleen Blanco capped off the political skirmish over so-called legacy sites...

News Briefs

Southpark in financial trouble, PHI pilots call off strike and more STOPPING THE BLEEDING Local health care sources say Southpark Community Hospital is in financial trouble and considering options...

Grading Curve

This year's school performance scores reveal more questions than answers. On the day school performance scores were released last month, Myrtle Place Elementary Principal Janice Moncrief organized a...

Unsolved Mystery

More cozy relationships emerge from a puzzling land swap court filing. The local attorney who filed the UL Lafayette horse farm/Jimmy Davidson property exchange agreement with the Lafayette Parish...

News Briefs

Rideau freed from court costs, groups support LUS and more RIDEAU COURT COSTS 'GROSSLY DISPROPORTIONATE' Wilbert Rideau has been freed from court costs assessed against him last year. Calling the...

Recovery and Re-election

The Louisiana Recovery Authority has become a political piñata, battered by Republicans discrediting the governor's re-election hopes and shaken by those fearing unnecessary bureaucracy. When the...

News Briefs

Boustany gets a "D," more sensitivity from The Times and more IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN VETS GIVE CHARLES BOUSTANY A 'D' Non-profit, non-partisan organization Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of...

And They're Off!

The Nov. 7 election isn't even over yet, but the 2007 gubernatorial race is gearing up and promises to be a barnburner. A 60-second radio spots plays over a loudspeaker on the steps of the state...

News Briefs

LUS' fiber-to-the-home gets national coverage, Advertiser publisher has no time for news and more **DRILLING PERMITS COULD BE PROMISING Persistent demand, high prices and technological advances have...

Walk the Line

As their labor strike enters its second month, PHI union helicopter pilots dig in for a long standoff with company owner Al Gonsoulin. Each morning at 7 a.m., Mike Riley and six other veteran PHI...

The Character Assassin

Being crucified on television by your opponent has become a rite of political passage, but one operative has elevated it to an art form. At least that's his spin. George Kennedy barrels in wearing an...

News Briefs

The Independent awarded legal fees, Louisiana moves into the red and more THE INDEPENDENT GETS $20,500 IN LEGAL FEES On Monday, Oct. 9, District Judge Ed Rubin awarded attorneys' fees to The...

Living Legacies

UL's new parking garage is under construction, but a popular professor's tree legacy at the site will live on. Residents concerned that the half-century live oaks lining the intersection of Taft and...

The Next Move

If the state survives the rest of this hurricane season and revenues continue at the current clip, will business and industry go on the offensive for further tax reform? It was a policy milestone for...

News Briefs

Williams to leave The Times, Jindal's still spending and more **THE TIMES IS A CHANGIN' AGAIN Gene Williams' stint at The Times of Acadiana will tally all of eight months when he leaves in late...

Math Problem

Crime is on the rise in Lafayette ' or is it? Talk of rising crime in Lafayette reached a fevered pitch the weekend of Aug. 26, the day after 21-year-old Lafayette resident Nathan O'Neil Jr. walked...

News Briefs

Boustany supports fence along the border, tear gas furor in New Iberia and more TWO TYPES OF IMMIGRATION Lafayette Republican Congressman Charles Boustany is the grandson of Lebanese immigrants ' both...

Into the Void

The insurance commissioner's race spotlights hefty issues, muddy politics and very few solutions. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon's campaign Web site has an entire paragraph on the biography page...

Meet Your School Board Candidates

This Saturday, Sept. 30, Lafayette Parish residents will cast one of the most important votes influencing the future of our community by choosing the leaders of our public education system. This year,...

News Briefs

Long council meetings, Dave Petitjean still here and Chris Williams pleads no contest LONGEST COUNCIL MEETING EVER? Last week's city-parish council meeting convened at 4:30 p.m. for its Lafayette...

Independent Weekly Gets Copy of Davidson Appraisal

University was leaving $3.87 million on the table in defunct horse farm land swap. By Leslie Turk ONE POINT FIVE MILLION DOLLARS. That's the value of Lafayette attorney Jimmy Davidson's Girard Park...

A Different Kind of Canvassing

The artists community rallies behind John Ray Taylor in the Arnaudville mayor's race. Mayor Kathy Richard of Arnaudville has experience and some loyal supporters behind her, but her opponent John Ray...

News Briefs

The legacy of J. Bennett Johnston, hurricane "experts," Erin Z. moves on and more HAVE YOU SWAM IN DA BOG YET? The Independent Weekly launched its new blog Da Bog last week. If you haven't...

Crossing Over

Alternative news sources like bloggers, webmasters and radio hosts are catching fire with politicians and voters. When The Washington Times wanted an assessment of Gov. Kathleen Blanco's popularity...

News Briefs

Fake letters in The Times of Acadiana, tax votes are coming and LUS looks to the Supreme Court WHO'S D. SMITH? Since June, The Independent Weekly has received five letters to the editor from an...

News Briefs

Getting in touch with the palate, Lafayette in the New York Times and more VITAL SPICE A number of the shops we featured in our cover story last week ("Spice of Life") on ethnic food markets...

The Art and Commerce Storm

The Acadiana Arts Council and other state arts organizations face funding questions post-Katrina and Rita. Long before the benches had armrests and decades before President Bush ever used it as a...

Buying the Farm

A recent regional mayoral conference spurs City-Parish President Joey Durel to get more aggressive in his quest to preserve UL Lafayette's horse farm property. With a verbal agreement from UL...

News Briefs

No more satelitte voting stations, Mr. Rockey goes to Washington and more NO MORE SATELLITE VOTING STATIONS FOR DISPLACED VOTERS Satellite voting centers for displaced residents will not be set up...

News Briefs

Media back in NOLA, Blanco wants to maintain Guard control and more INTERNATIONAL MEDIA RETURNING TO NOLA Crossing paths with a Japanese-speaking producer, a reporter from Finland and an Australian...

A Fistful of Hope

New Orleans residents navigate the peaks and valleys of their post-Katrina world. A mound of trash, 12 feet long and 4 feet high, is piled up on the sidewalk ' black trash bags, battered blue...

The Forgotten

Hurricane Rita decimated Cameron Parish, but residents say they're still living in the shadow of Hurricane Katrina. The clouds, like giant dirty cotton balls, tumble in from the Gulf of Mexico,...

Do You Know What It Means to Myth New Orleans?

One of the Crescent City's biggest challenges is overcoming inaccurate reports and stereotypes that formed in the immediate wake of Katrina. Callers to the New Orleans Convention and Visitors...

Swamped

The fishing communities of lower St. Bernard Parish bore the brunt of Katrina's winds and storm surge. Now they're fighting federal indifference and incompetence. It's hard to believe that George...

The Power Shuffle

The diaspora provoked by Katrina and Rita is still under way, moving around people, political influence and regional culture. By now, most folks in south Louisiana have seen the maps. They're...

Gimme Shelter

An Independent Weekly investigation reveals the state's emergency shelter program is still awash in bureaucratic confusion and finger-pointing. "That was a one-time deal." "They must...

Rough Road Home

Vermilion and Iberia Parish residents have finally secured funding from the Louisiana Recovery Authority, but lack of a master rebuilding plan leaves their small towns at risk. Roland Viator hasn't...

Like It Was Yesterday

Emotions are still raw and strained in the tight-knit community of Mouton Cove, where residents seek comfort in each other. Bertha Levy sits on the edge of the decrepit porch swinging her feet...

Tough Love

Tracking the continuing odyssey of a resourceful 6-year-old who was separated from his family for days after Hurricane Katrina.

News Briefs

Nick Pittman joins The Independent staff, an unusual invitation and more INDEPENDENT WEEKLY WELCOMES NICK PITTMAN Former Times of Acadiana Entertainment Editor Nick Pittman has joined the Independent...

Going Postal

Low participation, lost votes and limited public access to records ' welcome to the Louisiana Legislature's arcane mail-ballot system. Today's era of unparalleled technology has sharpened and opened...

Rate Storm

Cox Communications enrages local customers by bumping The Weather Channel and other networks off its basic cable programming. As of Aug. 15, Cox Communications' basic service, channels 2-24, dropped...

News Briefs

1,000 new Lafayette jobs, gators head to the basin and more GUNNING FOR GOVERNOR Gov. Kathleen Blanco told the Louisiana Democratic Party that she's running for re-election when her current term...

Still Grounded

Lafayette Regional Airport's FBO debacle isn't over yet. The issue of a new fixed base operator at Lafayette Regional Airport may not be over if the Federal Aviation Administration acts on a complaint...

Presidential Pull

Hurricane politics and an earlier primary system make Louisiana an important step on the road to the White House. For only $5,000, you and yours can dine next week ' in the VIP section, of course '...

News Briefs

Oil money debate, Baker chasing chair and more DEBATE OVER OIL MONEY SMOLDERING Louisiana's ongoing effort to obtain more offshore oil royalties made its move to the U.S. Senate last week amid...

University Land Grab?

The state claims it may seize Davidson property for UL Lafayette President Ray Authement. The Independent Weekly's lawsuit against UL Lafayette President Ray Authement's office for access to the new...

The Anti-Governor

State Treasurer John Kennedy has $1.3 million in his war chest and the governor in his sights, but his political ambitions might surprise you. Jason Redmond, the state deputy treasurer, can't help but...

News Briefs

The return of Elmer's Island, cabinets and Katrina Cottages and more THE RETURN OF ELMER'S ISLAND? Located directly across Caminada Pass from Grand Isle, Elmer's Island is a continuation of one of the...

On a Short Leash

The Louisiana Office of State Inspector General is a mere shadow of its former watchdog self, forced into obscurity by limited resources, a shifting mission and different leadership. When Buddy...

Arrested Development

A "traditional family values" champion and Daily Advertiser contributor is arrested for domestic abuse battery. Carl Tritschler is a familiar name for Daily Advertiser readers. The former...

News Briefs

UL lawsuit update, Louisiana's Road Home and more INDEPENDENT/UL LAFAYETTE LAWSUIT UPDATE Last week UL Lafayette officials confirmed to The Daily Advertiser that the deal to trade 36 acres of the...

Punks Descend on Cameron Parish

On a day off from the Vans Warped Tour, 400 volunteers rolled into Cameron Parish to lend a hand to residents still devastated by Hurricane Rita. Tina Wolfe was shocked by the sight of the...

News Briefs

How to reduce the state payroll, National Geographic on Katrina and more **KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE MONEY The state has approximately $150 million earmarked in its annual spending plan for seven separate...

What's Hundley Thinking?

The former police chief reverses course on his retirement. The word "coerced" appears in bold alongside the definition, "to compel to an act or choice," right at the top of a...

The Road to Wellville

Foundations and industry groups continue to throw support and cash to an aggressive, private health care study, while legislators ignore the effort. Ponder the current condition of Louisiana health...

News Briefs

Brazda leaving TV3, GOP lines up behind Romero and more BRAZDA LEAVING TV3 Local television broadcasting's loss is Matt Stuller's gain. Sixteen-year news and sports broadcaster Scott Brazda is leaving...

Neighborhood Watch

After sweetening the pot, Capstone developers get a green light for their controversial complex near Freetown. Alabama-based Capstone Corp. received a green light to build a 142-unit student apartment...

The Common Denominator

All of the major policy issues debated since last hurricane season have one thing in common: Acadiana's Scott Angelle. Scott Angelle is all over the map. On a recent morning at his downtown Baton...

News Briefs

Brown pelicans flying the coop, offshore royalties and more ON YOUR MARK, GET SET ... Which potential future candidate for governor will get to take credit for upping Louisiana's share of offshore...

It's About Time

Levee issues, coastal restoration and flood protection pushed to the forefront of the state's agenda this year. Hurricane protection, flood control and coastal restoration are usually the province of...

Boxed Out

Not satisfied with being the nation's largest newspaper chain, Gannett's latest ploy calls for evicting its Acadiana competitors. If a new Gannett strategy plays out in Acadiana, local independent...

Town Brawl

The fight between Freetown residents and an out-of-state developer shapes up as a historic legal case in Lafayette expansion. Last Saturday was a typical lazy summer evening in the Freetown...

News Briefs

Ethanol bill expected to become law, Tax Incremental Financing districts and more ENERGY HORSE-TRADING Ethanol turned out to be one of the most volatile topics of the Legislative session, and it took...

Access Denied

The new appraisal of attorney Jimmy Davidson's Girard Park Drive property is in, but UL Lafayette won't release it. Both UL Lafayette and the Louisiana Division of Administration are denying The...

What Ethics Reform?

Critics say the Legislature has taken a no-good attitude toward do-good measures this session. When West Monroe Republican Rep. Mike Walsworth tried to get a hearing on the House floor for his bill to...

News Briefs

Shell Oil's victory, live music returns to Grant Street and more SHELL OIL'S COURT VICTORY The Louisiana Supreme Court has ruled that the federal government followed all necessary protocol in issuing...

Crossed Cables

After a contentious cable bill that pitted Lafayette and other local governments against BellSouth finally passed in the state Senate last week, neither side had much to celebrate. According to Dan...

Turbulence on the Ground

The Lafayette Airport Commission is embroiled in a bitter dispute over a contract for a private terminal facility. Amid allegations of a tainted process for proposals involving a private aviation...

Savings and Moans

Louisiana bankers are worrying about the insurance industry. More than 40 bankers descended on the State Capitol last month, awaiting meetings with committee heads and filling the hallways with...

News Briefs

Gas at Jeffeson Island, bench bumps and more MORE GAS AT JEFFERSON ISLAND The state Department of Natural Resources has issued the first three mining permits required for two new natural gas storage...

News Briefs

Hurricane drill called off in Baker and Chris Williams' hire is unpopular **MORE OF THE SAME? During the recent Hurricane Alicia exercise in Baker, a drill for evacuating New Orleans evacuees living...

Fixed Income

Lafayette Parish School System support staffers are angry over broken promises for pay raises and salary adjustments. After working a 10-hour day hauling huge bags of garbage, cleaning schoolroom...

Standing Guard

Credited with turning the tide in the Hurricane Katrina relief effort, the National Guard is preparing for the worst this hurricane season. Credited with helping to turn the tide on the slow response...

Law and Disorder

The creation of new crimes and mandatory sentences needs to be curbed by the Legislature, but politics are making it difficult. The stars and moon were perfectly aligned in 2001, when every imaginable...

News Briefs

Home insurance blues, Henke to run for insurance commissioner and more HOME INSURANCE BLUES Last week, U.S. District Judge Richard Haik of Lafayette issued the first ruling on one of the most disputed...

Living Quarters

The Downtown Development Authority hopes a new 30-unit condo project on Jefferson Street from developer Cecil Trahan will be the first of many residential concepts downtown. It's been a gradual...

News Briefs

Caillier pleads guilty, Grant Street's re-opening postponed and more CAILLIER CHANGES HIS TUNE Two years ago, The Independent Weekly profiled infamous Opelousas Police Chief Larry Caillier...

Rebuilding for Dollars

Companies continue to flock to Louisiana's hurricane-recovery economy, but will they stay? If you believe economic development representatives, businesses inside Louisiana and around the country...

Stuck in the Middle

The legislative session hits the halfway mark this week, but the governor's agenda still has a long way to go. Gov. Kathleen Blanco is on the threshold of her potential resurgence, with six weeks of...

News Briefs

Taking specks off the menu, the oyster recovery plan and geography lessons SPECKS COULD COME OFF THE MENU Many people can barely remember the last time they had a dish of blackened redfish and knew...

Independent Earns Multiple LPWA Awards

The Independent Weekly's editorial staff garners a dozen honors. The Independent Weekly captured seven first place honors in the Louisiana Press Women's 2006 Margaret McDonald Journalism Awards, in...

Get Out of Town

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin's new evacuation plan calls for his city's residents to leave. But where will evacuees go? In announcing New Orleans' evacuation plans for the upcoming hurricane season,...

Legislative Shuffle

Don Cravins Jr. is in and Chris Williams is on the fence in the upcoming race to replace state Sen. Don Cravins in the state Legislature. With a possible special election early next year, Don Cravins...

Ace in the Hole

Organized gambling doesn't have a friend in Gov. Kathleen Blanco, but it's still betting on expanding. Rep. Ernest Wooten has his name attached to a set of bills that increase the number of video...

News Briefs

Festival crackdown, lawsuit against LUS dropped and more **FESTIVAL CRACKDOWN Last Thursday afternoon, Lafayette police told 85-year-old Vic Kilchrist that his mobile peanut roaster on the corner of...

A Taxing Time

Louisiana's assessors are on the hot seat more than ever in this legislative session. From the looks of it, the legislation was one of those no-brainer bills lawmakers historically give the nod to out...

News Briefs

Bond election set, Langlinais on the defensive and more **BONDED OUT The city-parish council has scheduled a July 15 election for Lafayette residents to decide on an additional $215 million in bond...

The Boys are Back in Town

Frigg-A-Go-Go takes the stage for the first time in two years ' but don't call it a reunion. It's been two years since Frigg-A-Go-Go played its last sold-out show to a crowd packed like sweaty...

Resignations and Confrontations

Two Chamber of Commerce officials resign in Arnaudville as tension keeps rising over an artists community. Sculptor William Lewis has tried to buy the former waterworks building in Arnaudville from...

Playing in the Batture

The subdudes' latest CD, Behind the Levee, takes a nostalgic look at the now-infamous water protection system. When a veteran band born in New Orleans releases a post-Katrina album, fans may be...

News Briefs

Reagan joins The Times of Acadiana and Revett's leaving KXKC **THE TIMES OF ACADIANA'S NEW STAR COLUMNIST Conservative talk show host Michael Reagan, son of late President Ronald Reagan, is the newest...

Not-So-Public Records

When it comes to sensitive documents in state government, some elected officials are still trying to keep citizens in the dark. It is widely known as "sunshine," the willingness by...

Empty Nest

Speculation runs rampant as investigators try to determine what caused thousands of nesting birds to suddenly abandon Lake Martin. Richard Martin, assistant director for The Nature Conservancy in...

News Briefs

Legislating Acadiana tourism, BeauSoleil shuffle, little chance for a UL horse farm and Vermilionville swap and more LEGISLATING ACADIANA TOURISM In an apparent effort to boost Acadiana tourism while...

Under Pressure

Rip Van Winkle Gardens owner Michael Richard leads the fight against proposed expansion of natural gas storage at Jefferson Island. In his corner office at Live Oak nursery, Michael Richard keeps...

A Lasting Legacy

The coming debate over legacy site litigation will be testy, requiring an unlikely pact between trail lawyers, landowners and oil companies. If there were ever a poster child for legacy sites, the...

Squeeze Play

LHC Group CFO Barr Brown hopes to parlay his success in the local health care business into a job in college athletics. Can he pull it off? About the same time LHC Group's Chief Financial Officer Barr...

Back in the Saddle

From the budget to teacher pay and property rights, Gov. Kathleen Blanco sounds off as she tackles her first full session since last year's hurricanes. Gov. Kathleen Blanco has finished her speech to...

Mapping the Future

A first look at FEMA's new Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Lafayette Parish. The new, long awaited FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map, which dictates flood zones for Lafayette Parish, has been released in a...

News Briefs

Hundley in hot water, April fools at The Advertiser and more **HUNDLEY IN HOT WATER? Just 15 months after being officially appointed city police chief, Randy Hundley's position with the department now...

Abortion in Louisiana

One issue threatens to turn the Legislative session and the state on its ear in coming months. It has been 16 years since the Louisiana Legislature took up the issue of abortion in a real way. In...

News Briefs

Allen & Gooch leaving downtown Lafayette, Gulf coast cottages and more LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Veteran Lafayette law firm Allen & Gooch, which employs 24 attorneys and a total staff of...

Political Gambit

First-term legislator Joel Robideaux issues a trio of bills that directly challenge the state's two most powerful telecom companies. Lafayette state Rep. Joel Robideaux admits that debating the...

News Briefs

Guama's owners files suit, signs of the times, rooster ruckus and more GUAMA'S OWNERS FILE CIVIL SUIT Almost one month after a victory in city court, Guamas Restaurant owners Rubens Mesa and Julieta...

What Hurricanes?

Despite an angry electorate and pressing hurricane recovery needs, the upcoming legislative session looks like politics as usual. When six feet of Katrina's water rushed down Bayou Savage along the...

In the Loop

Court battle continues over Liquefied Natural Gas terminals off the Louisiana Coast. A rare coalition of commercial fishermen and environmentalists is facing a critical stage in its fight against...

Job Search

With an emergency humanitarian job assistance program set to expire, many hurricane-affected artists and social workers in Acadiana face difficult decisions about their future. At the Lafayette...

News Briefs

A showdown on Louisiana recovery funds, no gas-gouging and more PRESIDENT BUSH, CONGRESS HEADED TOWARD SHOWDOWN ON LOUISIANA RECOVERY FUNDS During a tour of New Orleans' devastated Ninth Ward last...

The 'Hardball' Issue

Gov. Kathleen Blanco has promised to bring home more federal oil royalties for the state. That's easier said than done. President Harry S. Truman offered Louisiana a sweet deal in 1949, an arrangement...

The 'T' Word

Tax increases in Lafayette are getting support from some unlikely sources. At his annual State of the City-Parish Address in January, City-Parish President Joey Durel let the numbers do most of the...

Market Force

A 22,000-square-foot location of The Fresh Market grocery store opens the door for more development in River Ranch. The $5.5 million Fresh Market won't open its River Ranch doors till next spring,...

News Briefs

Bush and Blanco stumble on video, the vague Blanco recall effort and more **BUSH, BLANCO STUMBLE ON VIDEO President George Bush and Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco took further hits for their Katrina...

Tracking West

After their innovative wind energy proposals failed to generate excitement in Louisiana, local Sierra Club Chairman Harold Schoeffler and oil magnate Herman Schellstede are getting a welcome reception...

Authement Yanks Rezoning Request

The UL horse farm deal looks dead in the water, but community activists aren't taking any chances. At best, UL Lafayette's controversial land swap proposal is now on life support ' UL President Ray...

News Briefs

More trouble for Stone, Vitter clears the air and more FAILED ACCOUNTING An attempt by the Lafayette Parish School System to correct salary inequities of its support staff backfired last week when the...

News Briefs

Blanco's hardball, wiretap dance at the Lafayette Police Department and more HARDBALL PITCH, SOFTBALL REALITY Gov. Kathleen Blanco made national headlines for her recent comments about sticking it to...

Shelf Life

The reference section at the Lafayette Public Library disappears from public view to make way for more computers. On the morning of Friday, Feb. 10, the reference section in the main branch of the...

The Session of Our Discontent

Emotional divisiveness trumped policy during the most recent hurricane-recovery session, creating an environment that could get worse before it gets better. Some folks around the state Capitol still...

News Briefs

Vitter in The Washington Post, The $12 million carrot and more **COMING OUT SWINGING The last election held for the 3rd Congressional District back in 2004 was among the hottest in the state, complete...

Gorging on Government

Even with massive budget cuts, the state is adding new layers of bureaucracy. First there was a state-sponsored 30-member board to oversee hurricane recovery efforts. Then came another 19-member panel...

Eviction Showdown

A lease and rent dispute between Acadiana C.A.R.E.S. and Roselawn Properties heads to court Since mid-December, when a lease dispute prompted Acadiana C.A.R.E.S. Executive Director Claude Martin to...

Downsizing Bureaucracy

Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu has launched a management program to cut red tape, kill duplications and streamline operations. Is state government really ready for this? In the post-hurricane political...

News Briefs

Waiting for White House documents, the push for coastal restoration and more ON HOLD White House officials are still holding strong to their decision to deny requests for e-mail and other...

Sixteen Minutes of Scorn

A fired employee releases an audio recording of his heated meeting with Louisiana Public Broadcasting President and CEO Beth Courtney. Jeff Duhé says he's the one who blew the whistle on Louisiana...

Joining the Fray

State Rep. Wilfred Pierre enters the MLK naming debate ' and the issue gets even more complicated. State Rep. Wilfred Pierre says it's disheartening to see the way an effort to rename a major...

News Briefs

Louisiana Republicans break ranks, Durel's Horse Farm proposal and more LOUISIANA REPUBLICANS BREAK RANKS Last Wednesday, Jan. 25, served up a double dose of disappointing headlines on crucial...

Property Pains

Lafayette's Conrad Comeaux isn't the only parish assessor tackling stout technology challenges. Old ways die hard, particularly in bureaucracies, but Conrad Comeaux has declared war on one bastion of...

Road Rage

A dispute over renaming a major Lafayette street after civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is "boiling over" into issues beyond road signs. An attempt to rename a Lafayette...

News Briefs

Thibodeaux sentenced, Blanco's dream team and more THIBODEAUX SENTENCED Four years after a contentious city council election in St. Martinville that ended with the winner, Pam Thibodeaux, pleading...

Land Grab

Should the state be allowed to scoop up land for only fair market value, even if it's for hurricane protection? You may have to decide. The governor and other state officials are locked away inside a...

Revelry and Revenue

Will a shortened Carnival season in New Orleans and a shortage of local hotel rooms impact Acadiana's Mardi Gras? There are still 1,000 hotels rooms in Lafayette housing evacuees displaced by...

News Briefs

Authement "considering options" on UL's horse farm, contract work questioned and more AUTHEMENT "CONSIDERING OPTIONS" ON HORSE FARM DEAL UL President Ray Authement confirmed to The...

A Tangled Web

Most politicos and colleagues won't touch Planning and Zoning Commissioner Fred Prejean's Web site with a 10-foot pole. One of Planning and Zoning Commissioner Fred Prejean's Web sites,...

News Briefs

Romero's round two, Blanco steps up, Remembering Hugh Thompson and more ROMERO READYING FOR ROUND TWO Congressional elections are right around the corner, and state Sen. Craig Romero, a Republican...

Homeless for the Holidays

A dispute between non-profit Acadiana C.A.R.E.S. and building owner Roselawn Properties results in the displacement of eight HIV-positive patients. New Orleans Seventh Ward resident Jules Hebert...

Sizing up Stumping

Louisiana's 2006 political campaigns will be markedly different in the post-hurricane environment. While state officials have spent recent months devising a plan to hold elections in the...

News Briefs

Backyard plastics business moving out, Landrieu's GOP move and more BACKYARD PLASTICS BUSINESS MOVING OUT ASH Industries, the now notorious injection molding business that got its start in the...

Passing the Bucks

Special interests want lawmakers to return money from indictment magnet Tom DeLay. What will Charles Boustany Jr. do? First, his home state of Texas slapped him with an indictment for shady cash...

The Dead Zone

The effects of Hurricane Rita and subsequent drought conditions have rice and crawfish farmers in Vermilion Parish reeling. It's 7 a.m. at Shawnee's Bait Shop near Mouton Cove in Vermilion Parish,...

Northern Battle Lines

Councilman Chris Williams and Planning Commissioner Fred Prejean square off over competing north side committees ' and possibly a state representative seat. Councilman Chris Williams was opening his...

Give and Take

Local nonprofit organizations learn to operate in a financial landscape altered by back-to-back natural disasters. There was a time not all that long ago when the line of people seeking assistance...

The Property Push

The issue of private property in the rebuilding process is shaping up to be an explosive debate. Even though his home in Algiers Point survived most of the brutality unleashed by Hurricane Katrina,...

News Briefs

Coastal rejects, signs of the session and more COASTAL REJECTS When Gov. Kathleen Blanco pushed her Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority through the Legislature last month, she touted it as a...

News Briefs

Levees, gunning for Blanco, Grant Street and more HIGH DRAMA, LOW LEVEES The debate over consolidating the almighty levee district boards continues to be more soap opera than public policy. Sen....

Who's on First?

It's anyone's guess as to who's running the University Art Museum ' or how. Last week, UL Lafayette released a copy of the governing provisions for the Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum to...

Better Late Than Never

The Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System questions the UL Horse Farm Deal. Last Wednesday, Dec. 7, The Independent Weekly wrote an editorial calling for UL Lafayette President...

Ignoring the Call

Post-Katrina documents released by Gov. Blanco's administration show that multiple offers of assistance from around the country slipped between the cracks, leaving would-be volunteers feeling...

Parking for Dollars

Downtown businesses, police officers and Lafayette Consolidated Government are turning lack of downtown parking into money-making operations. The days of free parking downtown are rapidly coming to...

News Briefs

Melancon and mudbugs, Caillier faces feds, Grant Street update and more MELANCON TURNS UP THE HEAT There is little relief in sight for growers of mudbugs and satsumas and sugar cane, as the U.S....

'Battle Royal' Revisited?

A special session was recently wrapped and another is being considered. Should the state change its constitution instead? Louisiana has had 11 different constitutions to guide its governmental sectors...

News Briefs

Blanco's numbers, crawfish tariffs and more. ROAD TO THE MANSION The latest round of poll numbers for Gov. Kathleen Blanco doesn't bode well for the Fourth Floor. In a poll conducted over 10 days in...

Crescent City Connection

When it comes to municipal broadband networks, Lafayette and New Orleans are on the same track. Last week, Mayor Ray Nagin announced that the city of New Orleans would offer the nation's largest free...

Lulu Hilliard, 1922-2005

Remembering one of Lafayette's great adventurers and philanthropists. Some people spend all of their lives waiting for life to happen. Lulu Hilliard never waited. On Thanksgiving Day 2005, a day...

Just One Word: Plastics

Environmental concerns surface in UL Lafayette's horse farm deal. UL Lafayette may be inheriting environmental problems in its proposed controversial $3.25 million purchase of 4.1 acres on Girard...

Stormy Forecast

Economist Loren Scott cites housing availability and federal relief funds as critical items for Louisiana's post-hurricane economic recovery. Noted Baton Rouge economist Dr. Loren Scott had just...

News Briefs

MCCI moves out of New Iberia, Grant Street's options and more END OF AN ERA Glenn Stokes' mosquito spraying company, Mosquito Control Contractors Inc., will be out of a job in Iberia Parish in April...

Sticker Shock

LUS' customers felt the impact of rising natural gas prices ' but not as much as some other utilities' customers. Skyrocketing natural gas prices in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita didn't...

Out of Focus

Lots of questions and few answers in the potential sale of TV stations owned by Lafayette's Galloway family. For many in the Baton Rouge media industry, it was hardly surprising when word surfaced...

Coastal Concerns

Acadiana lawmakers have always rallied around coastal restoration and hurricane protection projects, but now their collective voice is louder than ever. State Rep. Mickey Frith, an Abbeville...

News Briefs

A sinking feeling from 60 Minutes, D'Aquin moves on and Chevron City SINKING FEELING FROM 60 MINUTES Venerable Sunday news show 60 Minutes dropped the ball this past Sunday with a breathless report...

Grant Street Dancehall to change address?

Recent parking lot woes add to uncertainty over the downtown live-music landmark's future. Two weeks ago, Grant Street Dancehall owner Don Kight got a phone call from his daughter, who was watching...

Suspended State

Legislators and economists await word on the scope of state job cuts. As the Legislature attempts to balance the budget with a projected $1 billion shortfall and an outstanding bill for $3.7 million...

News Briefs

Caillier resigns, a downtown music market and more CAILLIER RESIGNS Embattled Opelousas Police Chief Larry Caillier, who was indicted earlier this year on more than 20 counts ranging from threatening...

Severance Package

Higher education budget cuts have UL Lafayette administrators and professors on edge. Earlier this year, 2005 was shaping up to be a banner year for UL Lafayette's computer science department....

Circling the Wagons

A UL Lafayette student group's campaign to save the old horse farm gains momentum. The efforts of a grass-roots campaign to safeguard both the former UL Lafayette horse farm and the Girard Park...

Paper Chase

Third District Rep. Charles Melancon helps secure damning documents on the federal government's response to Hurricane Katrina ' but other documents are still missing. Democratic Rep. Charles Melancon...

Power Play

After a week in the dark and some fancy political maneuvering, the $27.5 million LITE center gets $150,000 to help turn on its lights. An air of uncertainty loomed over the $27.5 million Louisiana...

News Briefs

Barking up the wrong tree, traitors and more. BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE As the state Legislature convenes in Baton Rouge to assess how the state will move forward following the most devastating...

Land Survey

Is another round of post-hurricane real estate sales in Lafayette Parish on the way? When ghosts and goblins and ghouls come out to play in late October, real estate agents like Crystal Monaghan get...

Levee Battle

State wants more of an active role in local levee systems. Administrative officials are expected to push a set of proposals during the special session that convenes next Sunday to grant the state...

News Briefs

Edie's and Chris' Close, The Mann Boys head south and more. **EDIE'S CLOSES Spicy, tender pork roast with sweet potatoes. Fried chicken. Cornbread dressing. Biscuits to die for. All a thing of the...

Pushing for Plaquemines Parish

Infrastructure in Plaquemines Parish is devastated, and the oil industry is trying to help its employees in the area. W\hile Louisiana communities navigate the red tape of bureaucracy and await...

Coastal Construction

Lower Cameron Parish faces massive challenges to rebuild. There's a sign spray-painted on the side of a ruined gas station in Hackberry that declares "linemen rule." Bucket trucks fill the...

News Brief

Post-hurricane unemployment claims on the rise. Just as the national wave of unemployment resulting from hurricanes Katrina and Rita appeared to be cresting, Hurricane Wilma hit Florida, which will...

Had Their Phil?

Consultant Phil Lank's government-funded contract with the Rebuild Lafayette North Committee comes under scrutiny. Around 7:30 a.m. Thursday morning Sept. 29, Lafayette Economic Development Authority...

News Briefs

Louisiana's feuding senators, Blanco's recovery committee and Wilma! GOVERNMENT DYSFUNCTION CONTINUES Sen. David Vitter was apparently in a joking mood last Wednesday during a speech at a Lafayette...

Falling from the Sky

Jennings and Crowley didn't flood during Rita, but wind wreaked serious havoc on the two towns. As the town of Crowley kicks off its annual International Rice Festival this weekend, the city and...

Suspect Swap

UL Lafayette's property swap deal has students, residents and real estate professionals crying foul. UL Lafayette officials' public acknowledgment of a real estate transaction between the university...

Storm at the Point

Hurricane Rita complicates a dispute between tenants and property owner Cypremort Point Inc. Precariously projecting out into the waters of Vermilion Bay, the community of Cypremort Point is no one's...

News Briefs

Last-minute lawsuits against LUS, no FEMA contracts for Louisiana businesses, and more. LUS RECEIVES LAST-MINUTE LAWSUITS Two 11th-hour lawsuits are once again questioning the merits of Lafayette...

News Briefs

A Youngsville school expansion and a new transportation director for Lafayette Parish schools? YOUNGSVILLE SCHOOL EXPANSION? Two new schools are in the works for Youngsville's Sugar Mill Pond...

Road to Rebuilding

Residents of Vermilion and Iberia Parish vow to start anew. Rural communities in the coastal zone of southwest Louisiana connect by roads that cut across wetlands. The lives of the residents of lower...

Looking for a Home

Local and state government and evacuees search for answers to the post-Katrina housing crisis. A month has passed since the disaster that left Louisiana with a population of dispossessed not seen...

News Brief

Shelter Shuffling Soon after Hurricane Rita passed, Cajundome and American Red Cross officials began ushering Hurricane Rita evacuees into a shelter in the Convention Center, while cautiously moving...

What Lies Beneath

New Iberia environmental chemist Wilma Subra says officials in New Orleans and the surrounding parishes are underestimating the post-Katrina health hazards. When dire predictions of a witch's...

Gauging Gouging

Louisiana's anti-gouging law appears to offer little relief for homebuyers and renters post-Katrina. For the past two years, Lena Teacle has lived at Lafayette's The Plantation apartments,...

Pet Sounds

Displaced pets ' and their owners ' find comfort at Blackham Coliseum. Up in the stands at Blackham Coliseum, Cecily Mouton tends to her two gray Schnauzers and three cats. She tries to let one of...

A Time of Need

A Hurricane Katrina Timeline DEC. 1, 2001 'The deadliest of all' The Houston Chronicle reports that in early 2001 "the Federal Emergency Management Agency ranked the potential damage to New...

The Effect on Acadiana

Early gauges of Hurricane Katrina's impact on Lafayette and its surrounding parishes. Evacuees clung to Louisiana's Interstate 10 as a lifeline in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. People from New...

Cabin Fever

Louisiana's state park system opens to evacuees. Derek Ramirez tightens the bolts on a training wheel for a small pink bicycle. His 5-year-old daughter, Alexis, watches him anxiously. She's waiting...

News Briefs

PSC approves fiber financing and 4,000 evacuees enroll in Lafayette schools. PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION APPROVES FINANCING FOR LUS' FIBER INITIATIVE Lafayette Utilities System reached another milestone...

Now Hiring

Acadiana companies bring evacuees back into the workforce. The Acadiana, Baton Rouge and Houston communities, three areas sheltering most Hurricane Katrina evacuees, can't possibly absorb the...

Caring in the Country

Funding for food and shelter in small towns hinges on community efforts and volunteer fundraising. Two weeks after the disastrous strike of Hurricane Katrina, evacuees in the small towns of Acadiana...

On the Bridge

Waiting in the shadow of the Superdome. Late Thursday afternoon, Aug. 31, three days after Hurricane Katrina flooded New Orleans, about 2,000 people are gathered on the bridge above floodwaters at...

News Briefs

Katrina's impact on seafood and Murphy Oil comes to Lafayette. **KATRINA'S SEAFOOD IMPACT IN BILLIONS The potential economic impact of losses to the commercial and recreational seafood industries in...

All Alone

Residents of the outlying parishes around New Orleans feel the government ignored them in Katrina's aftermath. The noise was deafening at the ferry landing in Algiers Point on Saturday, Sept. 3....

Proof of Life

Leaving Louisiana with a light suitcase and heavy heart. I shouldn't even be telling you my story. I wasn't plucked from a rooftop; I didn't survive the Superdome. Cycle through the screaming news...

So Many Questions, So Few Answers

Lafayette isn't waiting for the federal government to deal with the aftermath of Katrina. While the increased federal presence in the flooded city of New Orleans and the hurricane-ravaged surrounding...

Heeding the Call

Paramedics from around the country arrive in Lafayette and Louisiana. Paramedics Toby Myers and Mike Howard regularly deal with tragedies in their hometown of Galesburg, Ill. But nothing they had...

Voices from the Storm

Quotes from a week of hell "The good news there is I'm absolutely convinced everybody at the federal level understands exactly how historic and serious this is from the President in person on...

Search and Rescue

A father and son set out for New Orleans, along with hundreds of Acadiana residents, to assist in the search and rescue efforts in New Orleans. When the call went out for Louisiana residents with...

Keeping an Open Line

As communication systems broke down in the aftermath of Katrina, the media and government scrambled to keep everyone informed and in touch with mixed results.

Shelter from the Storm

The Cajundome is now home to those displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Outside the Cajundome, a line of cars snakes down Cajundome Boulevard into the parking lots. On the corner of Souvenir Gate, the...

A New Lesson Plan

Lafayette Parish School System registers the children of Hurricane Katrina evacuees.

Wake of the Flood

Editor Scott Jordan and photographer Scott Saltzman chartered a plane out of Houma to survey the damage from Hurricane Katrina in the parishes outside New Orleans.

No Room at The Inn

The Pape family of Avondale claims they were evicted from Lafayette's Ramada Inn.

News Brief

Housing Situation 'Unprecedented' On Tuesday of last week, Lafayette property managers were fielding hundreds of calls from Hurricane Katrina evacuees looking to rent homes on short-term leases. By...

Submerged

Some people got lost in the flood, some people got away alright.' Randy Newman, "Louisiana 1927"

A Doctor's Story

New Orleans doctor and evacuee Peter Reynaud wants to help, but even volunteering can be difficult.

Unclear Landing

A publicly owned airstrip is going up in Cameron Parish, but a policy on who gets to use it is still being drafted, causing concern for some officials. Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge is a flat, treeless...

Rules of Engagement

The Public Service Commission's Sept. 1 ruling could represent the last major hurdle for Lafayette Utilities System's fiber-to-the-home initiative. In addressing the Committee to Rebuild Lafayette...

News Briefs

The popularity of Baton Rouge's Tsunami and Lafayette's on a spending roll. Tsunami BR's terrace bar too popular? Tsunami's new Baton Rouge sushi restaurant sits atop the downtown Shaw Center, and...

News Briefs

Alliance Français de Lafayette kicks off membership drive and the 'Dome wants dollars. GROWING ALLIANCE There's a new organization for Francophiles in Acadiana. Alliance Français de Lafayette ' the...

Staying on Task

A new public safety task force is ramping up to conduct even more inspections in Lafayette.

Roadside Assistance

The Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce keeps fighting for I-49 south. If the I-49 south project and its contentious elevated downtown connector are built, it will be the legacy of a handful of...

News Briefs

Indictments handed down, The Times fires Don Allen and more PROSECUTOR JOHNSON INDICTED After more than a year of investigation, the state Attorney General's office last week handed down an indictment...

News Briefs

MCCI settles with Iberia Parish Government and bus stop bulletins MCCI SETTLES WITH IBERIA PARISH GOVERNMENT In an eleventh hour settlement of a lawsuit headed for trial Aug. 10, Mosquito Control...

On the Chopping Block

The Durel administration is taking a bottom-line approach to some painful decisions with its proposed 2005-2006 budget. When City-Parish President Joey Durel took office in early 2004, he pledged to...

News Briefs

Local reactions to CAFTA and the downsizing of a Lafayette library branch STILL DIVIDED The U.S. Congress received mixed reactions from Louisiana agricultural groups last week after it narrowly passed...

Power Outage

Changes in business, technology and worker values are making the power lunch a thing of the past. The days of two-martini lunches ' or was it three? ' in Lafayette may be on the way out. The...

Staying on Message

Behind the marketing campaign that could bring billions toward restoring Louisiana's coastline. The unusually active early 2005 hurricane season had one positive effect on Louisiana. With hurricanes...

Musical Break

A new law gives tax breaks for recording music in Louisiana. Gov. Kathleen Blanco recently signed into law House Bill 631, which grants tax credits ' from 10 to 20 percent, with an annual $3 million...

News Briefs

The next step for fiber, House authorizes funds for coastal Louisiana and more. THE NEXT STEP FOR FIBER Days after voters approved Lafayette Utilities System's plan to build a fiber optics network to...

Blooming Le Rosier

New Iberia's historic Le Rosier Bed & Breakfast is cooking again. Two weeks ago, George Kane and Kristi Dempsey packed up their Lafayette belongings and headed to New Iberia, where they've become...

Cutting Edge

School Board Superintendent James Easton's staff cuts spark renewed criticism. James Easton often finds himself in a catch-22 as superintendent of the Lafayette Parish School System. When he...

News Briefs

Louisiana BellSouth president visits Cingular call center, and The Saints may have to open their books. CINGLED OUT BellSouth Louisiana President Bill Oliver spent last Friday, July 8, in Lafayette,...

Surviving the Cut

With accusations of partisan politics fueling the national debate over federal funding of public broadcasting, Louisiana's public broadcasters see a tough road ahead. cadiana residents who regularly...

News Briefs

Doucet Honored, Wirtz moves to KATC and Acadiana Chefs Spotlighted NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS HONORS DOUCET Michael Doucet, fiddler for BeauSoleil, has been awarded the country's highest honor in...

Remembering Harry

Harry Hypolite, 1937-2005 When Harry Hypolite was killed in a car accident June 22, Acadiana lost one of its most soulful bluesmen and an important link to Clifton Chenier, the King of Zydeco....

Raising Cane

As Congress prepares for a final vote on the Central American Free Trade Agreement, an upcoming local forum promises to highlight conflicting positions throughout Louisiana. Depending on which region...

'Good man, Good man'

Remembering John Hyde, 1933-2005 "Good man, good man." Those were the words of John Quitman Hyde IV: former Lafayette police chief, a unique raconteur, a fixture presiding at Red's and a...

News Briefs

Toups pleads guilt, another mosquito contract cancelled, An Independent contest and Couillons on Da Loose. **TOUPS PLEADS GUILTY TO DISTRIBUTION OF COCAINE Popular singer and accordionist Wayne Toups...

News Briefs

Hamilton's closes, Mall of Acadiana has a buyer, Caillier pleads not guilty and more. HAMILTON'S LAST DANCE After nearly 50 years in business, Hamilton's Place hosted its last dance on Sunday night....

Fiber 101

UL Lafayette professors sound off on LUS' proposed fiber-to-the-home plan. Lafayette Utilities System's contentious fiber-to-the-home plan has sparked heated debates throughout the community. The...

Mixed Signals

Three dangerous train crossings in Lafayette await technology upgrades while local and state agencies disagree on funding and methodology. Local resident Mark Artzberger will never forget the day in...

News Briefs

Downtown rerouted, Fiber 411's follies, The Advertiser editor moves on and more. **REROUTING DOWNTOWN This past Saturday night, Jefferson Street became a one-way street from 11 p.m. until 2:30 a.m.,...

A Life Well Spent

Remembering Thomas G. Pears Jr., 1927 ' 2005 Tom Pears was a planner. Besides his beloved wife, Laura, his constant companion was a legal-size, yellow tablet on which he jotted a litany of thoughts...

Market Research

Lafayette native and horticulturist Leslie Barton launches a full-scale farmer's market at River Ranch. Lafayette native Leslie Barton sold organic vegetables at the Crescent City Farmers Market in...

Hazed and Abused

UL Lafayette's Sigma Nu fraternity was shut down in February. The pledge who sparked the investigation breaks his silence. For Hell Week, it was brutally cold. Frost covered the ground in the early...

News Briefs

Mixing legislation, Louisiana Press Women honor Independent staffers, and Tsunami owners invest in Baton Rouge **MIXING LEGISLATION "Whenever you talk about alcohol-related bills, there's always...

Signing Off

The council explores a more comprehensive city sign ordinance. When Councilman Bruce Conque drove through the commercial strip of Bloomington, Ind., during a recent business trip, he took note of the...

News Briefs

Teachers push Lafayette Delegation on Tobacco Tax As Gov. Blanco's proposal for a new $1 tobacco tax to fund a teacher pay raise approaches a likely vote this week in the state House of...

Rained Out

When a downtown Lafayette nightclub was shut down for overcrowding, confusion reigned on Jefferson Street. Phil Martin was working the door at the Renaissance Café and Night Club around 1:45 a.m....

Costly Operation

A battle is brewing over health care provider taxes. A bill proposing a health care provider tax that promised to be one of the hottest political issues in the current Louisiana legislative session...

Lamson's Legacy

Remembering Al Lamson. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette lost one of its biggest cheerleaders when Alfred Lamson died recently. I lost a dear friend, too. Some people may be surprised to learn...

News Briefs

Thibodaux steps down, The plan for I-49 and Bruce & The Bluerunners. **THIBODAUX STEPS DOWN David Thibodaux surprised many supporters and critics last week when he stepped down as Lafayette...

Don't Play it Again, Sam

Festival International puts the clamps on an anti-George W. Bush song and considers a new policy that raises free speech and censorship issues. Singer Ruth Ungar was stunned by the request. On...

News Briefs

A UL dean and his TV wife head west, and Louisiana Crossroads is honored as the best in the state. **UL DEAN AND HIS TV WIFE HEAD WEST Dr. Lewis Gale, dean of the B.I. Moody III College of Business...

News Briefs

Louisiana's no. 1 in prisons, Caillier looking to retirement and more. LOCKED UP IN LOUISIANA According to a recent report from the U.S. Department of Justice, Louisiana still has the highest...

Breaking the Code

UL Lafayette's long-delayed hotel project has potentially 'explosive' problems before its first guests arrive. In the works for more than a decade, the hotel on UL Lafayette's property across from...

Vanishing Coast

Coast Capital Mortgage Company still doesn't know how its customers' personal information found its way to a Goodwill store and into the hands of 20-year-old Robert Zorn. When I first contacted...

Down the Red Brick Road

Confusion continues over regulations concerning downtown businesses, street vendors and al fresco dining. When downtown Lafayette got its "Streetscape" makeover in the mid-90s, engineers...

News Briefs

Local shifts in neuro business and Lafayette's No. 1 for business LOCAL NEURO BUSINESS SHIFTS A recent agreement signed between seven of Lafayette's neurosurgeons and Lafayette General Medical Center...

Special Forces

Two new specialty hospitals are affecting the bottom line at Our Lady of Lourdes and other general health providers. Lafayette's newest specialty hospitals are such a success after their first year...

News Briefs

Caillier indicted, outlawing dog poop and the savior of Southern Strucutres. OPELOUSAS POLICE CHIEF LARRY CAILLIER INDICTED Last week, Opelousas Police Chief Larry Caillier was indicted on five...

Street Fight

Multiple witnesses say Lafayette police officers gave a brutal beating to Guamas restaurant owner Rubens Mesa. On the evening of Friday, April 8, Regina Baker marked her one-year anniversary as a...

Who's On Top?

TV3 claims victory in the latest Nielsen survey. Not so fast, says TV10. Excitement filled the air on the set and in the sales and management offices of KATC-TV3 when results from Nielsen Media...

News Briefs

Raising teachers' pay with sins, IceGators gone, In defense of the poor and more ... TAX-PAYING SINNERS Gov. Kathleen Blanco is counting on Louisiana taxpayers to keep on smoking, drinking and...

News Briefs

Some of the king's men, Web site crashes, and an unlucky cowboy. KINGS AND INFIDELS Director and writer Steven Zaillian continues to film All The King's Men in Acadiana. The Columbia Pictures feature...

Council Controversy

With voter fraud charges and racial tension lingering in St. Martinville, the city's newest councilman steps into "the lion's den." Dennis Paul Williams still lives in the same St....

The Sound of Silence

UL police order local musicians to pack it in. If The Pine Leaf Boys make enough money from their afternoon gigs to buy a pizza, it's a good day. But a recent encounter with the UL Lafayette Police...

Cold Shoulder

Dickie Breaux's attempt to buy Borden's ice cream store on Johnston Street is getting a chilly reception from UL. When Dickie and Cynthia Breaux opened Café des Amis in 1991 on Bridge Street in...

News Briefs

Wilfred Pierre seeks a Senate seat, More on fiber, A French teacher attacked and more ... PIERRE'S EARLY PLANNING Jostling for the 2007 District 24 state Senate election has already begun. District 44...

Release the Hounds

Dueling fiber media media campaigns get rolling. In recent weeks, Lafayette residents may have noticed a subtle increase in the amount of local pride touted by the city's phone, cable, Internet and...

News Briefs

Sen. Don Carvins bid for mayor, Richard LeBouef's cookin', Wilbert Rideau's new legal troubles and more ... CRAVINS' BID FOR MAYOR Longtime state Sen. Don Cravins expects to soon finalize a deal on a...

Around the Block

The block scheduling debate continues in local schools. As annual state accountability tests wrapped up in parish high schools last week, veteran Lafayette High English teacher Melinda Mangham fears...

Cap Hit

Local businesses are reeling from U.S. restrictions on immigrant workers. There's no sign on the Royal Fiberglass Pools manufacturing plant located right off I-10 just past the Breaux Bridge exit....

Williams Wavers

Councilman Chris Williams may pull his support for LUS' fiber plan. Last week, Councilman Chris Williams hammered home the mantra "the shell game continues" to decry the disparity of road...

What Price Rice?

There's a renewed battle over the banned pesticide carbofuran. The diminutive rice water weevil is only one-eighth of an inch long, but it's at the heart of what state officials have called an...

News Briefs

The don of dogfighting, the difficulty with flower arranging, Blue Mondays and more ... THE DON OF DOGFIGHTING He's being called "The Don of Dogfighting" and even "The Godfather of...

Fuzzy Picture

A Lafayette broadcaster is mum on his plans to construct a television tower in north Lafayette. In mid-2003, the Federal Communications Commission granted Lafayette businessman Dr. Paul Azar Jr. a...

News Briefs

Fiber goes to the ballot, a UL sports employee's rant to 'USA Today" and more ... FIBER GOES TO THE BALLOT The die is cast ' the Lafayette Utilities System's fiber-to-the-home initiative is...

Capital One buys out Hibernia

The Vikings sneaking up on unsuspecting consumers in Capital One Financial Corp.'s TV advertisements never get their prey, but Capital One swept in and seized control of New Orleans-based Hibernia...

Remembering Ray

He brought dignity and integrity to the political arena and won the trust of his constituents by delivering on his promises. The two men in politics I admired most were Ronald Reagan and J. Rayburn...

Frankie Burger Under Fire

A local street vendor is being fined for conducting his business on Jefferson Street. A loophole recently shored up in a longstanding local ordinance has thrown Faramarz Yaghobi for a loop, but the...

Reports and Retorts

City-Parish Council adopts a new expense policy, but not every councilman's happy about it. Just as several Lafayette city-parish councilmen prepare to fly to the beaches of Hawaii this summer for a...

SGI wins ATIC contract

After more than a year of negotiations, Lafayette Economic Development Authority is planning to award a $6 million contract this week to California-based Silicon Graphics Inc., making it the main...

Unlikely 'Advocate'

A questionable retraction from the capital city's daily newspaper does damage control for BellSouth. Respected reporter Kevin Blanchard of Baton Rouge daily newspaper The Advocate has been covering...

Cold Reception

Environmentalists and oil companies square off over the rapid development of Liquefied Natural Gas terminals. Local fisheries and environmental groups are struggling to catch up in the energy...

Registers Ring in 2004

Coming off a banner year, Lafayette Parish retailers break another record in 2004. Stephen Landry has 21 reasons to be optimistic about the future of Lafayette's economy. "I don't have anybody...

Class Action

An ESA student was dismissed last year for cheating. Now she and her family are suing the school. On April 28, 2004, Katherine Glod was dismissed from the Episcopal School of Acadiana in Cade after...

Downloading Durel

City-Parish President Joey Durel talks about the challenges of his first year in office ' and the looming obstacles ahead. When City-Parish President Joey Durel gives his State of the City-Parish...

The Road Not Taken

The state Department of Transportation and Development is asking Lafayette Parish to prioritize one of two multimillion dollar projects ' the Ambassador Caffery Parkway south extension or the Verot...

Singing a new tune

307 Jazz & Blues Club's ambitious plans include a name change and expansion. When co-owners Robert Guercio and Michael Delcambre opened 307 Jazz & Blues Club in February 2003, they had no...

Rideau's Release

Convicted of manslaughter, Wilbert Rideau is a free man after 44 years of incarceration. At the Lafayette Visitors Center on Evangeline Thruway last Wednesday, Wilbert Rideau signs the guest...

Scheduling Conflict

At Lafayette High, one of three parish high schools implementing an eight-course rotating class schedule this year, students and teachers are begrudgingly adapting. Is block scheduling worth...

High Stakes Video Poker

Off-track betting goes to a special election vote in Acadia Parish. When Acadia Parish voters pull the lever this Saturday, Jan. 15, they will be wagering whether the establishment of a hotly...


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