State

Rep. Julie Emerson, R-Carencro

Rep. Julie Emerson, R-Carencro

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Education Savings Account passes in House panel despite cost concerns

Elizabeth White / LSU Manship School News Service
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Parents in Louisiana would receive from $5,000 to $15,000 in state money to send their children to private schools under a Landry administration bill that is moving through the State Legislature.

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Bill expands liability for COVID-19 vaccine mandates

Piper Hutchinson / Louisiana Illuminator
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
The Louisiana House Committee on Civil Law and Procedure advanced a bill Monday that would allow businesses and public entities that require the COVID-19 vaccine to be sued. House Bill 87, by Rep.
Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry, left, sits with Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill as Gov. Jeff Landry speaks on opening day of a legislative special session focusing on crime, Feb. 19, at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge. (Hillary Schienuk/ The Advocate, Pool)

Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry, left, sits with Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill as Gov. Jeff Landry speaks on opening day of a legislative special session focusing on crime, Feb. 19, at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge. (Hillary Schienuk/ The Advocate, Pool)

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Bill seeks absentee ballot restrictions

Wesley Muller / Louisiana Illuminator
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Louisiana’s top election official wants to restrict how voters can obtain and submit forms to request absentee ballots, along with limits on who may assist voters with the ballots themselves.

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Crawfish industry hopes for federal disaster aid

Greg LaRose / Louisiana Illuminator
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Normally, the weeks just before Easter mean peak business for crawfish harvesters, wholesalers and processors, with ample product and high demand.
Both Chinese and American fringe trees are stunning in the landscape and are great small-to-medium-sized trees that fit well in urban settings. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Both Chinese and American fringe trees are stunning in the landscape and are great small-to-medium-sized trees that fit well in urban settings. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

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Fringe trees present a spring spectacle

Heather Kirk-Ballard / LSU AgCenter horticulturist
Thursday, March 28, 2024
If you’ve caught sight of those stunning, petite, white-flowered trees this spring, you’re witnessing one of the most dazzling spectacles of the season: the fringe trees.
Rep. Julie Emerson, R-Carencro, speaking to Rep. Charles Owen in the House Chamber. (Allison Allsop/ Louisiana Illuminator)

Rep. Julie Emerson, R-Carencro, speaking to Rep. Charles Owen in the House Chamber. (Allison Allsop/ Louisiana Illuminator)

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Education Savings Account may be costly

Greg LaRose / Louisiana Illuminator
Thursday, March 28, 2024
A proposal that would allow families to steer Louisiana public education dollars to private schools — regardless of their income — is expected to cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars, with a wide gap between legislative calculations and a good government group’s projections.
Reps. Rhonda Butler, R-Ville Platte, and Rep. Travis Johnson, D-Vidalia. (Submitted photo)

Reps. Rhonda Butler, R-Ville Platte, and Rep. Travis Johnson, D-Vidalia. (Submitted photo)

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Legislative Rural Caucus announces officers

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
The Louisiana Legislative Rural Caucus elected its 2024-25 officers, selecting Rep. Rhonda Butler, R-Ville Platte, as chairwoman. Additionally, the caucus announces the elections of Rep. Travis Johnson, D-Vidalia, as vice chairman and Rep. Jason Dewitt, R-Boyce, as secretary/treasurer.
Lee Kleinpeter in the KRVS studio in 2016, where he produced some of his most popular radio shows. (Photo by KRVS Public Media)

Lee Kleinpeter in the KRVS studio in 2016, where he produced some of his most popular radio shows. (Photo by KRVS Public Media)

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Lee Kleinpeter inducted into Louisiana Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
The Louisiana Association of Broadcasters inducted longtime KRVS 88.7 FM program host Lee Kleinpeter into its Hall of Fame on March 22. The organization honored Kleinpeter during its 2024 Prestige Awards ceremony, a little over a year after he passed away at age 73.
Rep. Bryan Fontenot measured off the 25 feet that his bill would let police officers demand from bystanders. Photo credit: Madison Maronge/LSU Manship School News Service

Rep. Bryan Fontenot measured off the 25 feet that his bill would let police officers demand from bystanders. Photo credit: Madison Maronge/LSU Manship School News Service

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House panel OKs bill giving police space

Madison Maronge / LSU Manship School News Service
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
A House committee moved forward with a bill Tuesday that would criminalize coming within 25 feet of an on-duty police officer if ordered to halt by the officer. Penalties for violations could include a jail term of up to 60 days and a fine of $500.

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Education savings accounts advance

Greg LaRose / Louisiana Illuminator
Friday, March 22, 2024
Parents who want to tap into taxpayer money to send their children to a private school or a different public school could soon have that choice based on legislation a Louisiana Senate committee advanced. Eventually, the resources would be available to any family regardless of their income.