State

Mercury and fish advisories issued for 11 waterways

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
The Louisiana Departments of Health, Environmental Quality, and Wildlife and Fisheries issued a series of fish consumption advisories for 11 bodies of water. These most recent advisories include one new warning and updates to ten previously issued warnings.

Louisiana’s nonfarm employment continues to increase over the year

Harlan Kirgan
Monday, April 22, 2024
Data released Friday by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics shows nonfarm employment continues to add jobs over the year. The state’s seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment for March 2024 is 1,957,900 jobs, an increase of 500 jobs from the March 2023 figure of 1,957,400 jobs.
Right now is a great time to get those vegetable gardens growing. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Right now is a great time to get those vegetable gardens growing. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Spring showers to summer flowers checklist

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, April 19, 2024
As we transition from the lower temperatures of winter to the vibrant energy of spring, gardeners throughout the state are rolling up their sleeves, ready to nurture their green spaces into lush, blooming spaces.
Sen. Heather Cloud, R-Turkey Creek, pictured at the March 21, 2023, Senate Finance Committee meeting. (Greg LaRose/Louisiana Illuminator)

Sen. Heather Cloud, R-Turkey Creek, pictured at the March 21, 2023, Senate Finance Committee meeting. (Greg LaRose/Louisiana Illuminator)

Bill advances to exempt most state government records from public disclosure

(not verified)
Friday, April 19, 2024
A Louisiana Senate panel signed off on a bill Wednesday that would essentially rewrite state public records law by exempting nearly every record at all levels of government from public scrutiny.

Study finds postpartum depression costs state millions

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, April 19, 2024
A study commissioned by the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families shows that Postpartum Depression (PPD), a condition affecting about 7,500 mothers in Louisiana, costs the state economy an estimated $280 million over a five-year period.
A boom traps litter in Bayou Fountain. (Photo provided by Jeff Kuehny)

A boom traps litter in Bayou Fountain. (Photo provided by Jeff Kuehny)

6 tons of litter later, Burden borrow pit becomes lab for environmental research

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, April 19, 2024
A little more than two years ago, elected officials, community leaders and volunteer groups descended on a borrow pit and wetlands area at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden for a press conference calling attention to the problem of litter. The scene then was much different than it is now.

Lights out urged for spring bird migration

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
The Louisiana Wildlife Federation (LWF) is calling upon residents and businesses throughout the state to join others in turning off bright or excess lighting from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. through May 31 to help protect the billions of migratory birds that fly through Louisiana at night during this period.
Former Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Courtney Phillips will be paid $475,000 in her new position at LSU. (LDH photo)

Former Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Courtney Phillips will be paid $475,000 in her new position at LSU. (LDH photo)

Former La. health secretary, Landry adviser to make $475,000 at LSU

(not verified)
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Former Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Courtney Phillips will be paid $475,000 in her new position at LSU. (LDH photo) Louisiana’s former health secretary who spent months advising Gov.
Rep. Beau Beaullieu, R-New Iberia

Rep. Beau Beaullieu, R-New Iberia

Constitution changes proposed

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
The Louisiana House Tuesday kicked off discussion of Gov. Jeff Landry’s call for a convention this spring to pare down the state’s Constitution. HB 800, sponsored by Rep.