Paying it forward: Louisiana Technology Park announced today that it’s receiving a $262,000 technology grant from Microsoft, marking the largest software grant the Tech Park has received since opening its doors in 2001. The grant includes software and support for Louisiana Technology Park programs, including the park’s incubator and Tech Park U accelerator program, Level Up Lab and the Louisiana Computer Training Lab. Additionally, the grant will support video game development workshops, hack-a-thons and other community tech training programs at the Tech Park.
Concentrated power: The Louisiana Board of Regents says it has received notification that its newly upgraded computer system, known as QB-2, has been designated as the 46th most powerful in the world, according to the TOP500 Supercomputer Sites. QB-2 is an upgrade from the original supercomputer launched in 2007, which was known as Queen Bee, and is the cornerstone of the Louisiana Optical Network Initiative. QB-2 is a high-performance computer cluster system with a 1.5-petaflops capability. The Board of Regents has more details. See the complete listing of the world’s most powerful supercomputers.
Going through the motions: An Obama administration lawyer told a federal judge that Louisiana’s decision to use the Common Core education standards was voluntary, not coerced by the federal government. The Associated Press reports attorney Caroline Lewis Wolverton asked U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick today to throw out Gov. Bobby Jindal’s lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education. Jindal’s lawsuit accuses the department of manipulating $4.3 billion in federal grant money and policy waivers to force states to adopt the multistate Common Core standards in English and math. Jindal lawyer Jimmy Faircloth says that violates the state sovereignty clause in the Constitution and federal law. Dick didn’t immediately rule after today’s hearing. A ruling is expected in December.
