Latest News

Course Choice Scaled Back After Court Ruling

Amy Jeffries — Sat, 25 May 2013 16:36:00 +0000

State Superintendent John White wants to scrape the Department of Education's administrative budget to pay for public school students to take individual courses from private providers.

The Course Choice program had been included in the formula that supports public schools.

Mayor Landrieu Unveils Piazza d'Italia Renovation Plans

Eileen Fleming — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

That little slice of Italy depicted in a downtown New Orleans plaza is getting another makeover. Officials are still hoping to attract people and commerce to the monument designed to look like an Italian plaza.

Red Snapper Fisheries In Limbo

Kelly Connelly — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:32:00 +0000

According to federal regulations, Louisiana’s nine-day recreational red snapper fishing season legally starts next weekend. But some fishermen have been landing snapper since the state season started in March — at the risk of also landing a ticket from federal authorities.

The discrepancy between state and federal red snapper authorities is the subject of a bill sponsored by Sen. Bret Allain. Allain wants to put an all-out ban on red snapper, reasoning that if the fisheries are in such dire straits, maybe they shouldn’t be fished at all.

Dust Settled, State Lawmakers More Measured On Education Reforms

Amy Jeffries — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:57:00 +0000

Earlier this month, Louisiana's Supreme Court ruled that the way the state's private school voucher program was paid for was unconstitutional. It can't be paid for through the Minimum Foundation Formula, or MFP -- the pool of money that supports public education.

Rep. Kirk Talbot, a Republican from New Orleans who voted in favor of the education overhaul Gov. Bobby Jindal pushed hard for last year, says the missteps in the funding of the voucher program gave some in the legislature, " a little bit of heartburn."

Frugal State House Committee Backs Education Spending

Kelly Connelly — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:36:00 +0000

The House Appropriations Committee Wednesday approved $60 million in capital spending for the state’s technical colleges over the next five years — despite the state’s tight purse-strings.

Chairman Jim Fannin insisted that investing in the technical college system will grow the economy and the tax base.

Have You Seen This Purloined Pig?

Jason Saul — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:38:24 +0000

The New Orleans Police Department is asking for the public's help in locating a stolen pig statue, snatched from in front of a business in the 3400 block of Esplanade Ave. on the morning of May 1.

The statue is a pig dressed in a chef's outfit, holding a sign that reads "EAT MORE CRAWFISH".

Police spokesman Frank Robertson says the statue is valued at $6700, and was taken from a business that had a themed marquee. He says the police don't have any leads at this time, "But hopefully we will after we air this."

Economic Development Head: Oklahoma City Is Open For Business

editor — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:49:00 +0000

The former head of the North Louisiana Economic Partnership, Kurt Foreman, is keeping a close eye on the rebuilding process in tornado-ravaged Moore, Okla., as executive director of economic development for the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce. His chamber represents 5,400 companies, Foreman said, and now the focus is on helping the ones in Moore.

“The retail section of its community is devastated. Their hospital has been hit hard.

Can Playtime Help Classtime? One Program Gets High Marks

Eileen Fleming — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

A new study from Stanford University shows a program being used during recess at six New Orleans elementary schools is enhancing the children’s education. About 2,200 students are now in the local Playworks project.

La. Public School Funding Uncertain

Kelly Connelly — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:33:00 +0000

Next year’s method for funding for public schools is a bit up in the air after the Senate Education Committee rejected the proposed formula from the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The formula, called the Minimum Foundation Program, or the MFP, was shot down last week because of a clerical error: BESE sent the legislature a draft of the MFP rather the final version.

Pelicans To Pick Sixth In NBA Draft

Jason Saul — Wed, 22 May 2013 03:52:51 +0000