News

Edwards signs bill to protect schools from COVID-19 lawsuits

Gov. John Bel Edwards has signed a bill meant to protect schools from lawsuits if a teacher or student contracts COVID-19. Critics said House Bill 59, the last one approved during June’s special session, leaves students and teachers vulnerable and might increase liability for the state.

State’s GDP falls fifth-most in the nation

Louisiana’s gross domestic product declined 6.6% during the first quarter of the year, fifth most of any state, according to a U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis estimate. Nationally, GDP was down an estimated 5%.

Edwards releases $50M in CARES Act funding for K-12 schools, higher education

Gov. John Bel Edwards announced that $50 million through the CARES Act for the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER) Fund is now available for K-12 schools and higher education.

School reopening plan on the horizon

The St. Landry Parish school system’s plan for reopening its schools is expected to be released soon. The overview of the program may have been released Friday, but is expected to be on the Board’s website at slpsb.org. Albert Hayes Jr.

St. Landry Parish Sheriff Office reports arrests

The following are arrests reported by the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office. July 9 Eric Leon Lacy, 37, 2200 block of Highway 178, Sunset. Domestic abuse battery (child endangerment). Arrested by St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office. Jodie Nicole Darby, 39, 300 block of Bertrand Road, Opelousas.

Eunice Police Arrests

The following are arrests by Eunice Police. July 8 Megan Fontenot, 24, 1100 block of Green Oaks Loop, Eunice. Probation warrant. Damion Sonnier, 37, 200 block of Dulles, Eunice. Probation violation, hold. Corey Keith Scott, 20, 200 block of Veterans, Eunice.

Eunice Police Radio Logs

The following are excerpts from the Eunice Police Department radio dispatch logs. July 8 04:10 Caller in Bernice Street area advised heard several gun shots. 04:29 Enroute. Unable to located any evidence of shooting. 05:03 Theft of a bike reported. Call came from 1600 block of West Peach.

News notes

Grab & Go meals for kids through Aug. 5 Restoring God’s Glory Ministries is part of the summer feeding program for kids. Lunches will be available through Aug. 5. There will be a cooked lunch and snacks served daily from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

LSU study seeks ideas on how to cope with crisis

LSU Department of Sociology Associate Professor Frederick Weil and more than 50 LSU students begin in-depth interviews with families and community leaders this month to source novel solutions for how to meet basic needs during an unprecedented crisis, such as the current pandemic.

Southern University to launch THC line of medical cannabis products

The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, part of the Southern University System, together with Ilera Holistic Healthcare (Ilera Holistic), today became the nation’s first historically Black university (HBCU) to launch its own THC medical cannabis products.