Politics & Policy

The Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal allegedly misused more than $800,000 between August 2020 and April 29, 2021, according to a report from the Louisiana legislative auditor. 

A North Carolina city official has resigned her post while accusing her colleagues of conflicts of interest regarding a potential deal with Baton Rouge-based Bernhard Capital Partners. 

Many predicted that national paid work leave would become a reality in 2021. The pandemic was an indicator that American workers desperately needed financial support, however, the future of national paid leave is still undecided.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is touting this week’s oil-and-gas land lease sale—the first to take place during the Biden administration—saying it could deliver $100 million to the state in the next year.

Louisiana added the largest number and percentage of construction jobs of all 50 states in October, the Associated General Contractors of America announced today.

Without advance warning or even a press release, House Speaker Clay Schexnayder last night named new chairs for roughly one-third of the standing committees in the Legislature's lower chamber. While the appointments made by the GOP speaker were prompted by previously known vacancies, they nonetheless represent the most sweeping midterm leadership changes the House has seen in recent memory.

Major public projects cannot be relied upon exclusively to mitigate flood risk, speakers said during Thursday’s closing session of the Center for Planning Excellence’s Smart Growth Summit. 

A proposed development of 60 single-family homes off of Burbank Drive called Maple Cove, which was to be built completely in a flood zone, was removed from the Metro Council agenda Wednesday after it was also blocked by the Planning Commission in September.

College sports fans believe that, on average, NCAA football players should receive a yearly salary of $170,815—if the Supreme Court’s landmark decision earlier this year hadn’t categorically ruled out salaries for college athletes. However, LSU fans polled thought the salaries should be even higher, at $219,778.

Two of Baton Rouge’s three river-adjacent casinos saw significant revenue gains last month, leading to a market-wide increase of 20.7%, according to the latest report to the Louisiana Gaming Control Board made public today.