Action! The Metro Council is being asked to allow the AMC Network to shoot a pilot TV show called Hap and Leonard at the former Woman’s Hospital campus on Airline Highway for up to six months. The council will take up the request at its meeting Wednesday. The city-parish purchased the former hospital campus in 2013 for $10 million and has since converted it into a public safety complex. Mayor Kip Holden’s office says AMC Network would reimburse the city-parish for utilities used during filming. “The pilot and the possibility of a recurring series could be the beginning of an economically advantageous partnership for the city-parish,” according to a council meeting agenda space request from the mayor’s office.
For those who serve: Gov. Bobby Jindal is asking lawmakers to approve two measures aimed at making it easier for veterans to get a college degree in Louisiana. The Associated Press reports one bill would require the state’s public colleges to accept credits earned by veterans from accredited schools that have contracts with the Department of Defense to offer classes at military bases. The other bill would create a “veterans friendly” campus designation for schools that meet a list of requirements intended to ease the transition to campus for students with a military background. Lawmakers will consider the proposals in the legislative session that begins April 13.
Funds for the future: State education leaders are asking lawmakers to spend $78 million more on the public school financing formula next year. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education agreed Thursday to advance the funding request submitted by Education Superintendent John White, The Associated Press reports. The $3.6 billion formula proposal includes several increases, and is $44 million larger than Jindal’s recommendation for the 2015-16 school year. Lawmakers will consider the school financing formula in the session that begins in April.
