News

Some Louisiana schools will receive posters with the motto “In God We Trust” written in Arabic to be placed in classrooms to comply with a new bill the Louisiana Legislature passed on Tuesday. (Image courtesy of Chaz Stevens)

Some Louisiana schools will receive posters with the motto “In God We Trust” written in Arabic to be placed in classrooms to comply with a new bill the Louisiana Legislature passed on Tuesday. (Image courtesy of Chaz Stevens)

Arabic ‘In God We Trust’ signs will test limits of Louisiana’s law

(not verified)
Friday, June 9, 2023
Some schools across Louisiana will soon receive free “In God We Trust” signs to hang in their classrooms, though the designs might not be what some state lawmakers had in mind when they passed the new mandate Tuesday. House Bill 8, co-sponsored by Republican Reps.

New report details UL Lafayette’s impact on state economy

Rebecca Chaisson
Friday, June 9, 2023
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette had a statewide economic impact of $2.7 billion for fiscal year 2021-2022. That total supports more than 34,600 jobs – one out of every 78 jobs in the state. UL Lafayette’s $1.

Louisiana’s $50B coastal plan approved by Legislature

Rebecca Chaisson
Friday, June 9, 2023
The Louisiana Legislature has unanimously approved a $50 billion plan to protect and restore the state’s diminishing coast over the next 50 years. “We’re not just throwing money at the problem,” Gov.

Teacher pay raise turns into $2K stipend

Rebecca Chaisson
Friday, June 9, 2023
Under a compromise approved in the chaotic closing minutes of the spring session Thursday, state lawmakers limited a $2,000 pay increase for teachers to a one-year stipend and cut $100 million from what the Senate had sought for the Louisiana Department of Health.

Parish sales tax collections up 3.2% over last year

Rebecca Chaisson
Friday, June 9, 2023
St. Landry Parish sale tax collections through May were up 3.2% or $1,218,187 over revenues in the same period in 2022. Total collections through May were $38,880,690 compared to $37,662,503 in 2022. May collections in the parish were $7,565,192, up $164,208 or 2.2% over May 2022 collection.

City budget includes police pay raise

Rebecca Chaisson
Friday, June 9, 2023
The starting pay for Eunice Police increases from $12.75 an hour to $16 an hour in the 2023-2024 city budget up for approval at Tuesday’s Board of Aldermen meeting. Mayor Scott Fontenot announced the proposed salary increase at a meeting Thursday to set the agenda for the meeting.
Angela Rathle, supervisory National Park Service ranger. (Photo by Myra Miller)

Angela Rathle, supervisory National Park Service ranger. (Photo by Myra Miller)

Acadian Cultural Center to reopen in 2024

Rebecca Chaisson
Friday, June 9, 2023
The Prairie Acadian Cultural Center in Eunice, closed since 2019, is projected to reopen in May 2024, according to Angela Rathle, supervisory National Park Service ranger. Rathle spoke Wednesday at the Eunice Rotary Club meeting.
The Eunice Head Start Center.

The Eunice Head Start Center.

St. Landry Parish School Board loses Head Start grant

Rebecca Chaisson
Thursday, June 8, 2023
The St. Landry Parish School Board effective July 1 will no longer administer the Head Start program in the parish. A news release from the Office of Head Start and the School Board was released Thursday afternoon.
Beulah LeJeune Berry

Beulah LeJeune Berry

Beulah LeJeune Berry

Myra Miller
Thursday, June 8, 2023
IOTA-On a beautiful afternoon of June 7, 2023, a sweet and gentle mother, Beulah LeJeune Berry, passed away in the comfort of her home surrounded by her loving family at the age of 95. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at the St.
Senate President Page Cortez proposed lifting the state spending cap, and the House agreed on Wednesday. (Photo by Francis Dinh/LSU Manship School News Service)

Senate President Page Cortez proposed lifting the state spending cap, and the House agreed on Wednesday. (Photo by Francis Dinh/LSU Manship School News Service)

House raises state spending limit

(not verified)
Thursday, June 8, 2023
The House voted 85-19 Wednesday to raise the Legislature’s limit on spending to make use of much of the large pile of extra cash flowing into state coffers. Senate Concurrent Resolution 3 would raise the expenditure limit for this fiscal year and next.