Condolences: Former Louisiana Lt. Gov. Robert “Bobby” Freeman has died. Family members told WAFB-TV that Freeman died this morning after having suffered an aneurysm last week. He was 82 years old. Freeman served as lieutenant governor from 1980 to 1988 before coming a Plaquemine city judge. Freeman also served in the Louisiana Legislature from 1968 to 1980 prior to his tenure as lieutenant governor. He was a member of the LSU boxing team and served in the U.S. Army, WAFB reports. In a statement, La. Gov. John Bel Edwards remembered Freeman’s passion for serving. “While he may no longer be with us, the state of Louisiana is a better place because of Lt. Governor Freeman’s work, and his legacy will live on for generations. We are keeping his family and friends in our thoughts and prayers during this time of loss.”
Milestone: LSU says the class of 2015-16 set records in terms of the number of degrees awarded and for its number of minority degree holders. The university says 4,102 degrees were awarded during the spring commencement, the largest number for a single commencement. The overall 2015-16 class totaled 6,508 students receiving degrees. The previous high was in 2011-12 when 6,251 degrees were awarded for the full academic year. The recent graduating class also included 697 African-American graduates; 336 Hispanic graduates; 3,485 female graduates; and 148 degrees being awarded to veterans. The class also included 3,338 TOPS scholarship recipients.
Game over: The Louisiana IceGators have suspended play for next season due to planned renovations to the Cajundome in Lafayette. In a Facebook post today, Louisiana IceGators General Manager Louis Dumont says the arena renovations will begin at the end of this month and run through the end of November. The Louisiana IceGators are part of the Southern Professional Hockey League. The league’s 2016-17 season begins in October, making participation unfeasible. “Countless hours have been spent between myself, the owners, IceGators staff and Cajundome management looking at different scenarios on how we can make this season happen. At this time suspending operations for this season is the best route to take,” Dumont says.
