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• IRS: Top official first told of targeting in 2012

  May 13, 2013 5:00 PM

  WASHINGTON - The Internal Revenue Service says acting IRS Commissioner Steven T. Miller was first informed in May 2012 that tea party groups were inappropriately targeted for scrutiny. A month later he wrote a member of Congress to explain the process of reviewing applications for tax-exempt status without mentioning the... more »

• Police: Third incident now believed to be fire

  April 15, 2013 4:16 PM

  BOSTON - Police said an incident at the JFK Library in Boston is now believed to have been a fire, after the police commissioner said at a press briefing it was an explosion. Commissioner Ed Davis told reporters just before 4 p.m. CT they were treating the incident at... more »

• Players union head says Goodell not trusted

  February 20, 2013 9:04 AM

  NEW YORK - The head of the NFL players association isn't a big fan of the commissioner. Union leader Domonique Foxworth says NFL players don't trust Roger Goodell because of the Saints bounty case, in particular. The president of the NFL Players Association adds he wouldn't be able to persuade... more »

• NFL lifts suspension of Saints coach Payton

  January 22, 2013 9:50 AM

  NEW YORK - NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has reinstated New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton following a season-long suspension for his role in the team's bounty scandal. The announcement comes Tuesday, a day after Payton met with Goodell. At the meeting, Payton took responsibility for the actions of his coaching... more »

• Vilma's defamation suit against Goodell dismissed

  January 17, 2013 5:24 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A federal judge has dismissed New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma's defamation lawsuit against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in connection with the bounty case. U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan in New Orleans said Thursday the bounty matter "feels as protracted and painful as the Saints season... more »

• Ex-ATC official's trial postponed

  December 18, 2012 10:54 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The criminal trial of Murphy J. Painter, former commissioner of the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, has been postponed until April 22. The Advocate reports Painter's trial was scheduled to begin Monday, but U.S. District Judge James J. Brady granted a request for a delay.... more »

• La. insurance dept offers online rate comparisons

  December 18, 2012 10:34 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says his department's new online system will make it easier for Louisiana residents to shop for the best insurance rates in their cities. You can't get quotes for your house and car. The auto insurance guide compares quotes for a 2004, 2007 or... more »

• Vilma urges rejection of Goodell motion to dismiss

  December 14, 2012 10:55 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - Saints linebacker Jon Vilma has filed a motion urging a federal judge to reject the NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's motion to dismiss the Saints linebacker's defamation lawsuit. Vilma's motion filed Friday says Goodell acted with reckless disregard for the truth when basing initial allegations about Vilma upon... more »

• Donelon won't approve $50K raise for Citizens CEO

  November 9, 2012 6:45 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has rejected a $50,000 pay raise for the top executive of Louisiana's state-run property insurance company. Donelon said Friday that he won't sign off on the raise for Richard Robertson, CEO of the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. The salary hike would have... more »

• NBA commissioner to step aside

  October 26, 2012 9:36 AM

  NEW YORK - David Stern spent nearly 30 years growing the NBA, turning a league that couldn't even get its championship series on live prime-time TV into a projected $5 billion a year industry. Confident the NBA is in good shape and certain he has found someone who can... more »

• NBA commissioner to step aside

  October 25, 2012 3:39 PM

  NEW YORK - NBA Commissioner David Stern has informed the NBA Board of Directors that he will retire on Feb. 1, 2014, 30 years to the day after he took charge of the league. He will be replaced by Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver. Stern told owners during their two days... more »

• Caddo advances pajama, saggy pants legislation

  October 16, 2012 10:26 AM

  SHREVEPORT - The Caddo Parish Commission will decide Thursday whether to formally encourage businesses to prohibit patrons from wearing pajamas in their establishments. Commissioners voted during their work session Monday to give District 3's Michael Williams his due process and advance his resolution to their regular agenda. Earlier... more »

• Smith, Hargrove visit NFL for talks on bounties

  September 18, 2012 4:02 PM

  NEW YORK - Will Smith and Anthony Hargrove have left their meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell regarding the Saints bounty scandal. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello says the players left the NFL offices around 4 p.m. (EDT), about three hours after they arrived. Smith and Hargrove did not make themselves... more »

• Insurance Commissioner discusses claims after Isaac Play Video

  September 11, 2012 9:04 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Many residents in south Louisiana continue to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Isaac. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon stopped by 2une In with information on what to if you have hurricane damage such as flooding and how to file a claim. For more information contact... more »

• State offices in 15 parishes closed Monday

  August 26, 2012 6:51 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The State Commissioner's office said state offices in 15 parishes would close tomorrow ahead of tropical storm Isaac. The affected offices are in parishes under a hurricane warning which was issued earlier this evening. State Commissioner Paul Rainwater said some essential personnel would stay on... more »

• Motor vehicles commissioner resigning in August

  July 17, 2012 12:50 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's motor vehicles commissioner, Nick Gautreaux, is leaving the job in August. Gautreaux told The Advocate that he is planning a career in corporate development and governmental work, a move that will keep him closer to home and his five children in Youngsville. A former state senator,... more »

• Former commissioner to plead guilty to racketeering

  July 2, 2012 3:12 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Federal authorities said a former deputy insurance commissioner will plead guilty to racketeering charges as part of the undercover FBI investigation "Operation: Blighted Officials" The U. S. Attorney's Office in Baton Rouge accused Richard L. Chambers, Sr., of LaPlace with racketeering and forfeiture in a Bill... more »

• Senator sees Goodell, calls off bounty hearing

  June 20, 2012 6:22 PM

  WASHINGTON - A high-ranking senator is calling off a proposed hearing on bounties in professional sports because he is satisfied with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's response to the issue, including setting up an anonymous hotline. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the No. 2 Senate Democrat, met with Goodell on Wednesday.... more »

• Painter released after federal court hearing

  June 5, 2012 10:40 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A federal judge released former Alcohol and Tobacco Control commissioner Murphy Painter on his own recognizance after a hearing over several indictments this morning. On May 23, a federal grand jury handed up an indictment against Painter for charges of computer fraud, making false statements and... more »

• Ex-ATC commissioner sues for wrongful termination Play Video

  November 28, 2011 4:37 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Former Alcohol Tobacco Control Commissioner Murphy Painter was in court today taking up a lawsuit he filed against the State Inspector General's Office, the Governor's Office and the Department of Revenue. Painter claims he was defamed in the Inspector General's report released last year and wrongfully terminated... more »

• Strain re-elected as La. agriculture commissioner

  October 22, 2011 9:54 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain is getting a second term in office. Strain, a Republican veterinarian from Covington, easily defeated two opponents Saturday who had raised little to no money to challenge his re-election bid. A former state House member, Strain said he had managed the... more »

• Donelon re-elected as La. insurance commissioner

  October 22, 2011 9:51 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is retaining his elected post. Donelon, a Republican from Metairie, sailed to re-election Saturday. He defeated little-known Democrat Donald Hodge, who criticized Donelon for receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign donations from insurance companies. A former lawmaker, Donelon... more »

• Insurance Commissioner gives tips after storm

  September 7, 2011 10:45 AM

  Following the events of Tropical Storm Lee, Commissioner Donelon is reminding Louisiana citizens of the steps that you should take if you incurred damages to your property as a result of a storm. Filing your claim: After any disaster in which you incur property damages, it's important to call... more »

• Strain: USDA will honor crop insurance for flooded farmers

  May 14, 2011 9:37 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's agriculture commissioner says farmers who had crop insurance will get reimbursed if their crops are damaged by flooding caused by the Mississippi. Commissioner Mike Strain said the U.S. Department of Agriculture had agreed to honor crop insurance payments for farmers with insurance that either lose... more »

• College commissioner backs La. tuition increases

  March 31, 2011 2:45 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. - Louisiana's new higher education commissioner is asking lawmakers to back a series of tuition and fee increase proposals offered by the Jindal administration to boost revenue for state colleges and help offset previous cuts. Jim Purcell told the House Appropriations Committee that in an ideal... more »

• La. Higher ed commissioner gets 3-year contract

  March 3, 2011 2:06 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. - Louisiana's new higher education commissioner, Jim Purcell, has signed a three-year contract with the state that gives him a $275,000 salary each year. Purcell, who has been director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, was appointed by the Board of Regents last week. ... more »

• Court finds Painter in violation of restraining order

  February 24, 2011 10:34 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A Baton Rouge judge found former Alcohol and Tobacco Control Commissioner Murphy Painter in violation of his restraining order against Kelli Suire after Painter attended a funeral for Suire's aunt. Painter was initially fined $500 for the infraction but the judge suspended that and placed him... more »

• Purcell recommended for commissioner's job

  February 23, 2011 1:50 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Arkansas's top education leader could be Louisiana's next commissioner of higher education. Dr. Jim Purcell received a favorable recommendation from the Board of Regents Search Committee today, and his hiring will go before the full board Thursday for consideration. Purcell has been the director of... more »

• Next higher ed commisioner will make $275,000

  February 18, 2011 12:15 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Lawmakers have set a $275,000 salary package for Louisiana's next higher education commissioner. The Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget agreed without objection Friday to the pay plan, which is a drop from the $425,000 annual salary package given to the previous commissioner. The Board... more »

• Regents: No timeline for choosing a higher ed leader

  January 26, 2011 12:52 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The state's top college governing board is continuing its search for a new higher education commissioner with no definite timeline for choosing someone. Robert Levy, chairman of the Board of Regents, says while the board would like to pick someone soon, he's not sure if a new... more »

• Judge reviewing "personal" emails sought by Painter

  January 13, 2011 11:59 AM

  BATON ROUGE – A judge has denied former ATC commissioner Murphy Painter access to the personal emails of a woman he’s accused of stalking. Former ATC employee Kelli Suire filed a restraining order against Painter after his resignation last year. Today the judge said he would review the emails in... more »

• Sen. Nick Gautreaux named OMV Commissioner

  December 22, 2010 11:46 AM

  BATON ROUGE – Governor Bobby Jindal has selected state Senator Nick Gautreaux of Acadiana to serve as the Commissioner of the Office of Motor Vehicles, replacing retiring Commissioner Kay Hodges. “Senator Gautreaux brings years of experience in managing private businesses and serving in state government,” said LSP Superintendent Mike Edmonson.... more »

• Former LHSAA commissioner may have to pay money back

  October 21, 2010 7:05 PM

  The Louisiana High School Athletic Association doesn't know if it will make former Commissioner Tommy Henry pay back the $131,000 state auditors said he spent. State auditors said Henry admits many of the 2,000 purchases he made from 2005 to 2007 were personal. They said he spent $50,000... more »

• Outside firm hired for higher ed commissioner search

  September 22, 2010 5:25 PM

  The Board of Regents has chosen a search firm to help find Louisiana's next higher education commissioner. The board picked Florida-based company Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc. to recruit candidates for the job. The work is estimated to cost $105,500, but the final contract terms haven't been negotiated. The... more »