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• No new funds needed for Okla. tornado recovery

  May 21, 2013 3:05 PM

  WASHINGTON - Top lawmakers and officials say the federal government has plenty of money on hand to pay for recovery efforts in the devastating tornado that struck Oklahoma. The government has more than $11 billion in its main disaster relief fund. Recovery costs in Moore, Okla., are expected to be... more »

• Senators reject new school funding formula

  May 21, 2013 11:41 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Senators have killed a $3.5 billion public school funding proposal submitted to lawmakers by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. The Senate Education Committee voted Tuesday to reject the formula, because of concerns about proposed changes to special education and gifted student payments to schools. The... more »

• Analyst says funding gap for LSU hospital deals

  May 17, 2013 3:46 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The first three LSU hospital privatization deals appear to use up 94 percent of the funding Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration set aside for eight such arrangements. That was the assessment Friday of the Legislative Fiscal Office, a nonpartisan office that provided an update to the Senate Finance... more »

• Local schools owed $30M because of court ruling

  May 15, 2013 1:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Superintendent of Education John White says the state owes local school districts $30 million because the Louisiana Supreme Court threw out this year's public school funding formula. The Supreme Court ruled that lawmakers couldn't fund a voucher program to send children to private school through the formula... more »

• Bills to revamp early childhood education advance

  May 10, 2013 8:45 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Proposals to tie public funding to student performance and issue letter grades to Louisiana's public and private early childhood education programs are finding easy passage through the Legislature. Two Senate bills are the cornerstones of Gov. Bobby Jindal's attempt to restructure early childhood education and to create uniform... more »

• Gay LSU students celebrating graduation with public funds Play Video

  May 9, 2013 10:34 PM

  BATON ROUGE - It's called the Lavender Graduation Ceremony and who gets the bill is rubbing some the wrong way. This year, LSU's Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Questioning community is flashing pride with lavender stoles and a ceremony. But there's push back because their ceremony is separate and... more »

• Revised Medicaid expansion proposed to House panel

  May 8, 2013 11:31 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Two Republicans joined with Democrats on the House health committee to advance a proposal to tap into federal funding available to offer insurance to the working poor. But one of those Republicans says his vote was a mistake. The House Health and Welfare Committee already rejected a... more »

• Future of school funding in question

  May 8, 2013 10:39 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Lawmakers working on next year's budget now have new questions to answer when it comes to school funding. The Louisiana Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the state can't use its normal school funding formula for its voucher program. Critics of the program said doing so took... more »

• La. Supreme Court rules voucher funding unconstitutional Play Video

  May 7, 2013 10:47 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The state's highest court ruled today that the funding formula for Gov. Bobby Jindal's key education reform, school vouchers, violates the state's constitution. Today's ruling was 6-1, with Justice Greg Guidry dissenting. It affects Act 2, which diverts per-student funding to private and parochial schools to... more »

• House committee strips $500M from budget

  April 29, 2013 1:30 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The House budget-writing committee stripped nearly $500 million in patchwork financing proposed by Gov. Bobby Jindal from next year's $24 billion budget. The move would mean steep cuts on health care and colleges. But the proposed cuts approved Monday by the Appropriations Committee aren't necessarily expected to... more »

• Jindal proposes restoring funding for some programs

  April 26, 2013 3:16 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Governor Bobby Jindal's administration proposed restoring funding for several programs when the Appropriations Committee takes up next year's budget on Monday. The proposal includes $700,000 for breast and cervical cancer screenings at LSU hospitals, $1 million toward the Department of Children and Family Service's Family Violence Prevention... more »

• Regents oppose community college funding bill

  April 26, 2013 9:55 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The state's top higher education board doesn't support the community college system's efforts to get construction funding outside of the traditional budget process. The Board of Regents on Thursday told the head of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System that the proposed legislation he is... more »

• Donaldsonville shedding light on history Play Video

  March 28, 2013 6:14 PM

  DONALDSONVILLE - A piece of history along Donaldsonville's Mississippi river front is getting a face-lift. Crescent Park, and the area around the park, will be updated with a new pavilion, a paved plaza, park lighting, trees and a dominant gateway, leading people to downtown. The city will use $780,000... more »

• Donaldsonville approves funding for riverfront

  March 28, 2013 7:50 AM

  DONALDSONVILLE - Council members have approved two line-item issues for next year's budget, both aimed at improving the city's image. One item will bring $780,000 in state funding to the city for use with its plan to renovate Donaldsonville's Mississippi riverfront. Mayor Leroy Sullivan Sr. said the funds were originally... more »

• La. Supreme Court hears arguments in voucher appeal Play Video

  March 19, 2013 6:47 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Arguments lasted for about an hour today at the Louisiana Supreme Court in the state's appeal of the school voucher funding formula. At stake is the ability to pay for Governor Bobby Jindal's centerpiece school reform, which a lower court ruled violated the state's constitution. The... more »

• State appeals voucher ruling in court Play Video

  March 19, 2013 10:03 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - Louisiana Supreme Court justices will hear arguments this afternoon from state attorneys as they appeal the ruling against the controversial school voucher program. Supporters of the program gathered on the courthouse steps to hold a rally this morning. District Court Judge Tim Kelley ruled the... more »

• Senate Democrats prepare government funding bill

  March 11, 2013 4:15 PM

  WASHINGTON - Senate Democrats are preparing a catchall government funding bill that denies President Barack Obama money for implementing signature first-term accomplishments like new regulations on Wall Street and his expansion of government health care subsidies but provides modest additional funding for domestic priorities like health research. The measure is... more »

• BESE approves K-12 funding plan Play Video

  March 7, 2013 6:14 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved Gov. Bobby Jindal's school funding formula for the 2013-2014 school year, which protects his school voucher program. Last year a judge ruled the funding formula unconstitutional. That case is on appeal with the state Supreme Court. ... more »

• BESE considers 2013-14 school funding formula

  March 7, 2013 10:36 AM

  BATON ROUGE - State education officials heard a briefing this morning on the school funding formula for the 2013-2014 school year. Superintendent of Education John White held the teleconference at the start of BESE's regularly scheduled meeting. News 2's Mike Steele is at the meeting and will have... more »

• West Feliciana resumes counseling program

  February 27, 2013 8:14 AM

  ST FRANCISVILLE - The West Feliciana Parish School Board has voted to resume a career counseling program it dropped several years ago when state funding was frozen. Supervisor Al Lemoine told the board Tuesday the money to resume the program is coming from a federal grant routed through Baton Rouge... more »

• School district prepares for funding uncertainties

  February 15, 2013 9:48 AM

  GREENSBURG - The St. Helena Parish School Board has approved a reduction in force policy for 2013-14 in case declines in state funding and federal and local grants require the district to cut employees. Superintendent Kelli Joseph says school officials are not certain that a reduction in force would be... more »

• DHH: Hospice program to stay open, get reforms Play Video

  January 23, 2013 4:40 PM

  BATON ROUGE - State health officials announced late this afternoon that the Medicaid Hospice Program would not end on Feb. 1 as scheduled. Secretary Bruce Greenstein with the Dept. Of Health and Hospitals said enough money from existing grants had been found to keep the program going until reforms... more »

• Obama taking 23 actions aimed at gun violence

  January 16, 2013 11:18 AM

  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama is taking 23 executive actions aimed at curbing gun violence that don't require congressional action, including measures to encourage schools to hire police officers, increase research on gun violence and improve efforts to prosecute gun crime. The executive actions are part of an overarching... more »

• Judge rules school voucher funding unconstitutional Play Video

  November 30, 2012 2:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A district court judge ruled today the funding formula in Gov. Bobby Jindal's school voucher program violates the state's constitution. Judge Tim Kelley made the ruling after a week of arguments and testimony in Baton Rouge. He said it was against the constitution to send tax... more »

• Foundation to invest $25M in NO charter schools

  November 29, 2012 8:06 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - The Texas-based Laura and John Arnold Foundation will invest $25 million to help create and expand high-performing charter schools in New Orleans. The foundation focuses its investments across the country in the areas of education, criminal justice, public accountability and research integrity. Caprice Young, vice... more »

• Iberia school board: Halt federal cuts

  November 8, 2012 8:01 AM

  NEW IBERIA - The Iberia Parish School Board has voted to support a resolution asking Congress to prevent $810,000 in cuts from impacting the school system's budget as it relates to funding for special education. Superintendent of Schools Dale Henderson says the 2011 federal Budget Control Act includes automatic... more »

• Major funding initiative to be announced for LSU

  October 2, 2012 10:32 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Gov. Jindal's office said a major announcement for LSU would be made later this morning. Jindal's office did not include any details about what the announcement concerned, just that it would be a "major funding announcement." The announcement is scheduled for just before noon. Mike... more »

• Southern new model for fund-cut schools

  September 27, 2012 12:51 PM

  BATON ROUGE - As Louisiana's colleges limp along after losing nearly half-a-billion dollars in state funding over the past four years, educations officials say Southern University may emerge as the model for how universities restructure themselves going forward. The Advocate reports representatives from the state's four public college systems appeared... more »

• LSU seeking hospital partners amid funding woes

  August 13, 2012 2:43 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The head of the LSU System, William Jenkins, says he's talking to private hospital leaders about ways to partner and keep the university-run hospitals open despite ongoing budget woes. But he acknowledged Monday that with shrinking funding and large numbers of uninsured patients, LSU will have a... more »

• LSU comes up with temporary fix to limit cuts

  July 27, 2012 4:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE - LSU health care leaders say they will use patchwork funding to keep their safety net hospitals open and lessen the blow of budget cuts that threatened to shutter facilities. Plans outlined to the university governing board Friday will cut about $50 million from public hospitals and clinics,... more »

• Moody's takes note of La. Medicaid cut

  July 17, 2012 10:46 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Moody's Investors Service says Louisiana's loss of as much as $859 million in Medicaid financing is a "credit negative" for the state. The notation from the bond-rating agency does not yet affect the state government bond rating - currently high investment grade and stable - but denotes... more »

• Balloon championship delayed to October

  July 16, 2012 12:46 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Organizers announced today that the 2012 Louisiana Hot Air Balloon Championship is being pushed back two months to October. Ascension Parish officials said they rescheduled the event, which was to take place in two weeks, to Oct. 5 and 6 for more favorable weather conditions. ... more »

• State announces health cuts from Medicaid loss Play Video

  July 13, 2012 3:42 PM

  BATON ROUGE - LSU's system of public and charity hospitals and clinics face the deepest cuts in Louisiana's plans on how to deal with the loss of $859 million in federal Medicaid funding. The system will lose $316.5 million in funding, the bulk of the $523 million in cuts... more »

• Islamic school no longer on La. voucher list Play Video

  June 5, 2012 5:51 PM

  KENNER - A fight over funding for the state's new voucher program caused a heated debate over an Islamic school. The Louisiana House approved a funding plan for public schools on the last day of session. Before the approval, state Representative John Bel Edwards, D-Amite, spoke about the Islamic... more »

• Lawmakers concerned about vouchers funding Muslim school

  June 5, 2012 11:11 AM

  BATON ROUGE- The Louisiana Legislature passed a funding plan for public schools on the last day of session, but not before debate which included a discussion about what types of schools could benefit from Governor Bobby Jindal's voucher plan. The plan makes vouchers or scholarships available to some students... more »

• $3.4B school funding plan gets final passage

  June 4, 2012 3:16 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana House has given final legislative passage to a $3.4 elementary and secondary school spending plan, without reaching the vote threshold needed to pass a bill in the chamber. House Speaker Chuck Kleckley decided that since the multibillion dollar spending plans were contained in a legislative... more »

• House approves school funding plans

  June 4, 2012 11:17 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The House passed a bill regarding school funding plans. They approved the $3.4 billion elementary and secondary education funding formula. Senators previously agreed in a 24-15 vote to approve the BESE-crafted plan without any changes. Some have complained the state Board of Elementary and Secondary... more »

• House, Senate clash over $3.4B school funding plan

  June 1, 2012 4:06 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana House and Senate are at odds over a $3.4 billion public school funding formula, with days remaining before the legislative session ends. The House backed a formula Friday that stripped language that would have created a new college scholarship program sought by the Jindal administration.... more »

• Metro Council likely to cut CATS funding in 2013 Play Video

  April 23, 2012 5:53 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The majority of the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council said it will pull funding from the Capital Area Transit System starting in 2013. CATS CEO Brian Marshall said the annual operating budget for the transit system is roughly $12 million, and $3 million of that... more »

• First votes set on voucher, tenure bills Play Video

  March 14, 2012 1:33 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Gov. Bobby Jindal assured members of a House panel that his plan to expand public funding of some students' private school tuition is constitutional, as lawmakers opened hearings Wednesday on his proposals. The Republican governor - in a rare appearance before a legislative committee - disagreed... more »

• BESE considers 2012-13 school funding formula

  February 27, 2012 11:01 AM

  BATON ROUGE- The state's top education board is considering a $3.4 billion public school funding formula that would keep spending per student flat for a fourth straight year. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is holding a Monday special meeting to talk about the proposal, which is supported by... more »

• CATS funding goes to voters Play Video

  January 11, 2012 6:19 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Voters will decide whether or not to increase property taxes to bail out the struggling bus system. The proposed plan raises property taxes within the city limits of Baker, Zachary and Baton Rouge. For a property valued at $150,000, owners would pay an additional $159 a... more »

• Dispute over fire coverage, funding Play Video

  December 30, 2011 5:15 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Baker Fire Chief Danny Edwards says he was given an ultimatum by the District 1 Fire Protection Board. He was told to take less money for help covering Northwest East Baton Rouge Parish or receive none of the tax money from that area. Baker did not accept... more »

• LSU head alleges funding error

  December 24, 2011 1:05 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La - The leadership of the flagship LSU campus is alleging the university was manipulated out of millions of dollars by the LSU System and the Louisiana Board of Regents through the state's higher education funding formula. The disagreement highlights a growing rift between the leadership teams... more »

• College study panel pushes more power for Regents

  November 29, 2011 2:16 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The latest commission studying the governance of Louisiana's public colleges is suggesting that the Board of Regents have more power over college management boards and state funding for them. The panel backed 21 recommendations Tuesday to forward to lawmakers. Among the suggestions that would need... more »

• Louisiana gets another $390M in FEMA aid

  November 15, 2011 11:29 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana is receiving another $390 million in federal hazard mitigation money, to raise homes and make other improvements to protect against future storms. The money comes from FEMA. U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu and Gov. Bobby Jindal announced the additional money Monday. Landrieu says Louisiana had... more »

• Secretary of State candidates diverge on funding

  October 18, 2011 2:30 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La.- In office less than a year, Secretary of State Tom Schedler isn't guaranteed to keep his spot come January. Schedler is heading into the final days of a tough fight to hold onto the job, in an election battle with the politically-seasoned and term-limited speaker of... more »

• Galvez Plaza canopy in limbo

  September 14, 2011 5:15 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council votes tonight to approve funding of a massive stainless-steel canopy hanging over a stage in downtown Baton Rouge. The canopy and stage will be used for outdoor concerts and other performances. The $1 million project has drawn some... more »

• Pre-kindergarten programs under microscope

  August 21, 2011 4:22 PM

  BATON ROUGE- State officials say Louisiana's pre-kindergarten programs have become a confusing array of efforts with varying standards, costs and successes. Board of Elementary and Secondary Education member Walter Lee says they need better organization, structure, and services. He spoke during a special forum last week. The Advocate... more »

• Pennington military announcement

  August 10, 2011 6:42 PM

  Pennington Biomedical research center has a new $6 million grant to help keep our military going. It's good news for the center as it helps with funding issues. more »

• Public hospital board scraps federal finance idea

  July 7, 2011 2:53 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. - The management group overseeing plans to build a New Orleans public medical center has withdrawn its request for federal financing to back any debt involved in the hospital construction. The University Medical Center request was scrapped Thursday, in a letter to the U.S. Department of... more »

• 4 schools get $25M for oil spill health studies

  July 7, 2011 1:56 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Studies at four Gulf Coast universities will focus on continuing fear that last year's oil spill is making people sick, especially if they eat lots of fish. All four will look at people's mental and physical health over the next five years. Three will also look... more »

• La. construction budget: No money for BR toll loop

  June 24, 2011 5:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The legislature dealt another blow to the proposed toll loop around Baton Rouge. Funding for the project was not included in the $2.7 billion construction budget. Iberville, Ascension and Livingston Parish Presidents opposed to loop for various reasons. East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Kip Holden... more »

• Report given on new hospital's projected costs

  June 2, 2011 4:25 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Consultants are telling the board overseeing development of a medical complex in New Orleans that their projections show the facility will need 330 to 400 beds by 2020 - shy of the 424 beds currently planned for the $1.2 billion facility. The report by Kaufmann Hall... more »

• Lack of local money puts Superfest's future in question

  May 27, 2011 3:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A lack of local money could make this the last year the Bayou Country Superfest is in Baton Rouge. The Parish Metro Council voted not to include $300,000 in matching funds for the festival in this year's budget. Today, festival director Quint Davis told News... more »

• Capping TOPS money rejected by committee

  May 19, 2011 11:19 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A state senator's bid to cap the amount of money college students can receive through the free tuition program called TOPS was soundly rejected by the Senate Education Committee, a move expected to kill the proposal for the session. The bill (Senate Bill 50) by Sen.... more »

• House committee wraps up work on next year budget

  May 17, 2011 3:33 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Money for salaries, travel expenses and supplies across state agencies would be trimmed and an economic development fund would be raided, under budget plans approved Tuesday by the House Appropriations Committee, which stripped out uncertain revenue proposed by Gov. Bobby Jindal. Lawmakers on the committee removed... more »

• Despite budget woes, lawmakers propose tax breaks

  April 19, 2011 10:53 AM

  BATON ROUGE - As lawmakers lament budget cuts, pay raise freezes and funding gaps for schools, several also are proposing millions of dollars in tax breaks. Tax exemptions for small businesses, towing companies, property owners, parents who pay private school tuition and a "nonprofit corporation whose primary purpose is... more »

• House approves budget-cutting plan

  April 14, 2011 3:39 PM

  WASHINGTON - The House, in a bipartisan vote, has passed a yearlong government funding measure cutting $38 billion from the budget and closing out sometimes quarrelsome negotiations between the Obama administration and Republicans dominating the House. The measure passed Thursday by a 260-167 vote in which dozens of Democrats... more »

• State may have to pay back education stimulus funds

  April 4, 2011 5:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A state audit questions $296 million in federal funds received by the state. $285 million involves federal stimulus money for higher education. According to the audit, the state spent the money on higher education without meeting a key component. The feds required that states fund higher... more »

• Comite River Diversion Canal project could see speed up

  March 9, 2011 10:52 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The Comite River is set to crest 2 1/2 feet above flood stage. The Comite River Diversion Project was planned after floods in the early 80s to prevent flooding. Fifty-three hundred homes and businesses in three parishes were damaged. The diversion canal is 12 miles long... more »

• The Meth Effect: Part 2

  March 1, 2011 10:17 PM

  You already pay for fire equipment and training for law enforcement and emergency agencies. But to keep them safe from meth labs and their hazards, you could soon be paying to clean those labs and foot the bill for extra classes on dealing with the drug. Rural parish authorities... more »

• Education board backs standstill school funding

  February 16, 2011 2:21 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. - The state education board is backing a third year of standstill funding for Louisiana's public school districts. A majority of the 11-member Board of Elementary and Secondary Education agreed Wednesday to the $3.3 billion funding formula for the 2011-12 school year. A second and... more »

• Former CATS CEO reacts to transit system dilemma

  January 27, 2011 6:24 PM

  BATON ROUGE- No magic bullet has emerged in the effort to save the Baton Rouge transit system, as time ticks toward its end in nine months. CATS is short more than $1 million to operate in 2011. It wanted to cut routes, including weekend service, and raise rates to make... more »

• Superfest: Show will go on despite funding crisis

  December 9, 2010 1:59 PM

  BATON ROUGE – A day after the Baton Rouge Metro Council voted to withdraw parish funding for the 2011 Bayou Country Superfest, organizers said they’re still committed to putting the concert on with the community’s help. A statement from the concert’s organizers said they were disappointed in the Council’s vote,... more »

• Library in, Bayou Country money out of EBR budget

  December 8, 2010 8:17 PM

  BATON ROUGE - An action to remove the downtown library from the 2011 budget for East Baton Rouge Parish has failed, but moving money that was intended to help the Bayou Country Superfest has been approved by the Metro Council. Council members voted 7 to 5 in favor of... more »

• Farmers worry Ag Center separation would hurt industry

  December 2, 2010 7:06 PM

  BATON ROUGE – A suggestion from LSU System President John Lombardi to separate the Ag Center from the rest of the university has some higher education officials nodding, and some farmers shaking their heads. Lombardi told the state Board of Regents yesterday that while the ag centers provide a lot... more »

• Jindal discussing higher education funding with stakeholders

  November 30, 2010 2:41 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Higher education officials are discussing the future of their institutions' funding with Governor Bobby Jindal this afternoon. The meeting began at 2:00 p.m. at the Governor's Mansion, and officials are expected to talk about what was discussed with reporters afterward. Higher education officials have been... more »

• State lawmakers reject administration budget plan

  November 19, 2010 1:54 PM

  BATON ROUGE - State lawmakers have rejected a Jindal Administration plan to use 147 million in federal education money to help shore up next year's budget. Instead, the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget overwhelmingly Friday voted to give much of the money to local school districts to use on... more »

• Teachers union "outraged" over funding switch

  November 11, 2010 3:11 PM

  BATON ROUGE – The president of Louisiana’s teachers union said the organization is “outraged” over the redirection of $147 million to shore up higher education cuts. “School districts around the state have based their budgets on the promise of this funding,” said President Steve Monaghan of the Louisiana Federation of... more »

• D.A. Hillar Moore says office facing major budget problems

  November 11, 2010 10:16 AM

  BATON ROUGE- East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore is asking the Metro Council for $500,000 more for his office, and changes in future budget processes. The D.A.'s office in East Baton Rouge is not fully funded by the parish, unlike most parishes. He says something must be done... more »

• Students rally at Capitol to stop education cuts

  November 10, 2010 6:53 PM

  BATON ROUGE - You could hear the chants echo off buildings in downtown Baton Rouge as hundreds of students who flooded the Capitol steps sent a message to lawmakers and Governor Bobby Jindal: stop budget cuts. "What do we want? FUNDING! When do we want it? NOW!" the crowd... more »

• Federal education money to be used to offset cuts

  November 10, 2010 3:42 PM

  BATON ROUGE - State Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek has told school superintendents their districts won't receive an expected infusion of $147 million in federal education money. Instead, The Associated Press has learned that Pastorek told the superintendents in a Wednesday conference call that the Jindal administration plans to use... more »

• FEMA awards $21.8M to continue hurricane recovery

  October 26, 2010 11:23 AM

  FEMA announced today they were giving more than $21.8 million to projects that were continuing the recovery process from hurricanes Katrina and Rita. 12 projects are eligible to receive portions of the funding, including construction work in New Orleans, St. Bernard, Plaquemines and Cameron parishes. The list includes: ... more »

• Southern University to receive $1.6 million in federal funding

  September 29, 2010 8:45 PM

  Southern University at Baton Rouge will receive $1.6 million in funding for the 2010-2011 fiscal year from the U.S. Department of Education. Chancellor Kofi Lomotey said the funding comes from the DOE’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities Institution Aid Program. It will be used for a variety of needs and... more »

• Appeals court considers ban on stem cell research

  September 27, 2010 11:34 AM

  The Obama administration has told an appeals court that a judge's order halting federal funding of stem cell research would result in destruction of valuable biological materials and set back taxpayer-funded work. A three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals in Washington is considering whether to throw out a... more »

• UNO faces tough budget future without federal cash

  September 27, 2010 8:44 AM

  The University of New Orleans is receiving $26 million less in state general funding this year than 2008, though $17 million in federal stimulus money offset some state cuts on a one-time basis. That's according to the LSU Board of Regents. State lawmakers and Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration have warned... more »

• Obama administration to appeal stem cell ruling

  August 24, 2010 5:12 PM

  The Obama administration will appeal a court ruling that undercut its efforts to expand stem cell research, the Justice Department said Tuesday. The appeal is expected this week, said spokesman Matthew Miller. On Monday, a federal judge ruled that the stem cell research violated the will of Congress in prohibiting... more »

• Rapides Parish School Board ends the year in black

  July 30, 2010 6:05 AM

  Rapides Parish School Board officials ended the budget year in the black, but the future may not look as bright. Rapides Parish Schools Superintendent Gary Jones told board members this week to be prepared for what could be a rougher fiscal year ahead, one that could include layoffs. Jones, who... more »

• New construction planned at La. Tech

  July 12, 2010 6:26 AM

  Louisiana Tech University will break ground by December on a new College of Business after receiving $12.4 million in capital outlay funding from the state. The project will be funded with a combination of the capital outlay funds and private donations from College of Business alumni. The new 42,000 square... more »

• People waiting on governor's plans for loop money

  June 29, 2010 5:31 PM

  The state's construction budget bill is still sitting on Governor Bobby Jindal's desk. The bill includes about $1.7 million for the Baton Rouge loop project. Some say the governor should veto that portion of the bill. Signs protesting the loop and the funding can be seen in several... more »

• La. slow in Census response

  April 14, 2010 5:11 AM

  Louisiana citizens are taking their time to fill out Census forms for the important nationwide count going on this year to figure out how many people live in each U.S. town and state. Statewide, about 59 percent of households have responded to the Census. Nationwide, about 67 percent of households... more »

• Jindal proposes I-49 funding

  April 2, 2010 6:06 AM

  Gov. Bobby Jindal is asking lawmakers to put another $44 million toward the completion of a three-mile portion of Interstate 49 North to Arkansas. The dollars are included in the governor's proposed state construction budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Lawmakers have yet to debate the construction... more »

• Katrina and Rita funding flowing faster?

  March 24, 2010 12:10 PM

  The picture you are looking at is the location for the new police station in Gonzales. Tonight on News 2 at 6pm I'll tell you how recovery money from Katrina and Rita may be available faster for projects like this through new legislation. I'll be posting updates throught... more »

• Ethics Board to examine campaign funding

  March 3, 2010 9:49 AM

  The Louisiana Board of Ethics is looking for a little guidance from the Legislature on the appropriate use of campaign dollars. But a chief ethics lawmaker wants the panel to wrestle with the thorny subject first. State law bans "personal use" of campaign funds by candidates. Meanwhile, the law allows... more »

• Police jury blocks delay in tax election

  February 18, 2010 6:25 AM

  The Vermilion Parish Police Jury has voted to block an attempt by Juror Mark Poche to delay a special March election that calls for a 5.7 mill tax for coastal storm protection. Potential revenue from the tax, if passed, is expected to be used as leverage to sell $20 million... more »

• $16 million in education cuts outlined

  January 12, 2010 7:25 AM

  Louisiana's education department has announced more than $16 million in budget cuts for programs in elementary and secondary schools. They include a nearly $2.3 million cut to a program aimed at improving reading and math skills and more than $3 million for adult education programs. More than $825,000 will be... more »