State

Louisiana may prohibit release of mug shots before conviction

The Louisiana Legislature is considering a ban on the release of almost all police mug shots unless a person is convicted of a crime. The proposed restriction could impact the way media reports on arrests throughout the state. House Bill 729, sponsored by Rep.

Louisiana prison officials push for air conditioning after fighting lawsuit

The head of Louisiana’s prison system is pushing state lawmakers for funding to install air conditioning at its facilities statewide to make it easier to retain correctional officers. None of the seven prisons in the system have air conditioning for prisoner dormitories.

High fuel prices won’t bring jobs because oil companies won’t drill

Rising fuel prices typically lead to job growth in an energy hub like Louisiana, but experts say the state is unlikely to see much of a benefit this year as fossil fuel companies have so far been hesitant to spend more on drilling and production.

Barksdale airman sues over COVID exemption

By Victor Skinner The Center Square A senior airman stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base is suing over the Biden administration’s military COVID-19 vaccination mandate after officials denied her religious exemption. Senior Airman Faith Crocker filed a lawsuit Monday in the U.

Fertilizing on a budget

Fertilizer prices spiked in U.S. markets in late 2021. Now, as we are getting ready for spring planting, the price of fertilizer continues to skyrocket. Farmers and even home gardeners are feeling the pinch and looking for alternative ways to provide nutrients for their gardens.

Newspapers have a busy session, too

The Louisiana Press Association’s new lobbying team is facing a regular session that will take aim at a vital component of the newspaper business — advertising revenue.

Lawmakers propose bills to guarantee rape survivors access a medical records

Two lawmakers have filed legislation to mandate that sexual assault survivors be given access to reports of their forensic medical exams.

Edwards to let public health emergency expire

Just over two years after the first COVID death in Louisiana, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Monday that the public health emergency will expire on Wednesday, crediting the availability of vaccines, antivirals and quality masks.

Edwards’ text messages on Ronald Greene’s death sought

State lawmakers on a special committee investigating allegations of a coverup in the 2019 death of a Black motorist in State Police custody want to know more about trooper cellphones that were “sanitized” or wiped clean of data and more recent text messages sent to Gov. John Bel Edwards.

State climate task force sets eyes on federal dollars

The governor’s Climate Initiatives Task Force met Wednesday for the first time since unanimously passing a climate action plan in January, the first of its kind in the Gulf South.