john bel edwards Archives

Louisiana Governor: On the Inauguration of Joe Biden – Kamala Harris

19Jan

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Louisiana Governor: On the Inauguration of Joe Biden – Kamala Harris

Baton Rouge, LA (STL.News) Gov. John Bel Edwards is traveling to Washington, D.C., and will attend the Inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris this week, representing the state of Louisiana at the ceremonial transition of power from one administration to the next. Gov. Edwards said: “Less than two weeks ago, our United States Capitol was besieged by a riotous mob determined to prevent Congress from performing its constitutional duty to count electoral college votes certified by the states. Their insurrectionist actions were patently un-American and mark one of the most shameful days in our country’s history. But after great darkness comes the light. Congress did count and certify the electoral college votes, and on Wednesday, Joe Biden an...

Louisiana Governor: Arq’s Innovative Fuel Facility for St. Charles Parish

15Jan

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Louisiana Governor: Arq’s Innovative Fuel Facility for St. Charles Parish

Gov. Edwards Announces Arq's Innovative Fuel Facility for St. Charles Parish Baton Rouge, LA (STL.News) Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards and Arq CEO Julian McIntyre announced the company will develop an industrial facility in St. Rose, Louisiana, to produce Arq’s proprietary Arq Fuel™ product. The site will receive an intermediate wet-cake material produced from discarded mined materials, and will transform it into a cleaner and valuable blending component for oil products entering the power-generation and marine industries. Arq will invest up to $40 million at the St. Rose site owned by International-Matex Tank Terminals, or IMTT. The project will entail a thermal drying facility; blending and product-handling equipment; transportation infrastructure; and storage tanks. Arq will creat...

Louisiana: Court Ruled in Favor of the Governor’s Life-Saving Orders

14Jan

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Louisiana: Court Ruled in Favor of the Governor’s Life-Saving Orders

Another Federal Court Sides with Gov. Edwards, Denying Appeal by Bar Owners to Overturn COVID Mitigation Measures LA (STL.News) Today, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth District denied an appeal by 21 bar owners seeking to overturn Gov. John Bel Edwards’ mitigation measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Louisiana, marking the ninth time that a court has ruled in favor of the governor’s life-saving orders. Gov. Edwards said: “None of the decisions I have made for the past 10 months have been easy, especially when it comes to limiting businesses, and I am pleased that another court has upheld what I have always said: that these orders are completely constitutional, legal and necessary to protect public health. All of these sensible mitigation measures were recommen...

Louisiana: Disaster Declaration Request Approved by White House

13Jan

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Louisiana: Disaster Declaration Request Approved by White House

Gov. Edwards’ Request for Hurricane Zeta Major Disaster Declaration Approved by the White House LA (STL.News) Gov. John Bel Edwards’ request for a Major Disaster Declaration due to damage in Louisiana from Hurricane Zeta has been approved by President Trump. This will help provide direct assistance to those people and communities impacted by the storm. Hurricane Zeta made landfall in Lafourche Parish on October 28 as a very strong likely Category 3 system with sustained winds of at least 110 mph, higher wind gusts and heavy rainfall. In addition, some areas hit by Zeta are also still recovering from Category 4 Hurricane Laura, Category 2 Hurricane Delta and the ongoing battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. The Major Disaster Declaration includes this specific support: INDIVIDUAL ...

Louisiana Governor Extends Phase 2 COVID Mitigation Measures

13Jan

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Louisiana Governor Extends Phase 2 COVID Mitigation Measures

Gov. Edwards Extends Louisiana’s Phase 2 COVID Mitigation Measures, Strongly Recommends Businesses Move to Remote Work for Employees LA (STL.News) Gov. John Bel Edwards today extended his modified Phase 2 order, keeping COVID mitigation measures in place for another 28 days, and strongly recommended that all businesses in Louisiana move to remote work for as many employees as possible, as COVID cases and hospitalizations surge in Louisiana. The Governor’s statewide mask mandate also stays in place. “What we are seeing is a huge spike in COVID cases and hospitalizations across the state, putting us in a dangerous position where we are seeing major stress on our health care systems. These continued mitigation measures are completely necessary, but they only work if people follow them. ...

Louisiana Governor’s Office Staffer Tests Positive for COVID-19

11Jan

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Louisiana Governor’s Office Staffer Tests Positive for COVID-19

(STL.News) A member of Gov. John Bel Edwards’ team has tested positive for COVID-19, the Governor’s office disclosed this morning. The person is at home in isolation, per guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and the Louisiana Department of Health. The person did not have close contact with the Governor.

Louisiana Governor Announces Boards and Commissions Appointments

6Jan

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Louisiana Governor Announces Boards and Commissions Appointments

Gov. Edwards Announces Boards and Commissions Appointments (STL.News) Gov. John Bel Edwards announced his appointments to several Louisiana boards and commissions. Board of Regents The Board of Regents serves as the state’s leading force for talent development through quality, affordable postsecondary education for all. Through statewide academic planning and review, budgeting and performance funding, research, and accountability, the Board of Regents coordinates the efforts of the state’s 33 degree granting public institutions in addition to Louisiana State University & Southern University Agricultural Centers and Pennington Biomedical Research Center. Judy A. Brown of Homer has been appointed to the Board of Regents. Brown is the senior vice president and banking center m...

5Jan

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Politics

Louisiana Governor Announces Boards and Commissions Appointments

Gov. Edwards Announces Boards and Commissions Appointments (STL.News) Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced his appointments to several Louisiana boards and commissions. Board of Regents The Board of Regents serves as the state’s leading force for talent development through quality, affordable postsecondary education for all. Through statewide academic planning and review, budgeting and performance funding, research, and accountability, the Board of Regents coordinates the efforts of the state’s 33 degree granting public institutions in addition to Louisiana State University & Southern University Agricultural Centers and Pennington Biomedical Research Center. Judy A. Brown of Homer has been appointed to the Board of Regents. Brown is the senior vice president a...

Louisiana: Launches Business Startup Program for Veterans

11Nov

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Louisiana: Launches Business Startup Program for Veterans

LA (STL.News) Today, Louisiana leaders launched an innovative program to hone the entrepreneurial skills of veterans who start a business in the state. Pathway to Assist Veteran Entrepreneurs, or PAVE, is a partnership of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, Louisiana Economic Development, the Louisiana National Guard and the Louisiana Small Business Development Center Network. PAVE begins with three online courses available 24 hours a day. Upon completing that self-paced training, veterans register for a virtual boot camp. Following the interactive boot camp, each veteran receives ongoing support from a designated counselor in the LSBDC Network. The program is open to Louisiana military personnel or veterans who intend to start a business. “Through service to their nation, ou...

Louisiana Governor: Technology Agreement with University Shreveport

10Nov

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Louisiana Governor: Technology Agreement with University Shreveport

Gov. Edwards Announces Technology Agreement with Louisiana State University Shreveport LA (STL.News) Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards and Chancellor Larry Clark of Louisiana State University Shreveport announced a more than $3 million agreement to advance student careers in technology. Louisiana Economic Development will contribute $1.2 million and LSUS will contribute $2 million through a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement to build a next-generation learning environment, one that advances technology through all degree programs at the fastest-growing university in the state. The CEA follows an additional investment of $750,000 by LSUS to create a Design-Thinking Lab and a 10,000-square-foot Cyber Collaboratory, which was dedicated at today’s announcement and is central to the technology agreemen...

Louisiana, FEMA Approves Governor’s Request for Individual Assistance

9Nov

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Louisiana, FEMA Approves Governor’s Request for Individual Assistance

FEMA Approves Gov. Edwards' Request for Individual Assistance for Five Additional Parishes Impacted by Hurricane Delta LA (STL.News) The federal government has approved Gov. John Bel Edwards’ request for FEMA Individual Assistance for people in five additional Louisiana parishes impacted by Hurricane Delta, including Beauregard, Lafayette, Rapides, St. Landry and St. Martin parishes. This brings the total number of parishes approved for aid to 10. Both homeowners and renters may now apply for federal disaster assistance for uninsured and underinsured damage and losses resulting from Delta. “Including these additional parishes is critical to the recovery of our people in Southwest Louisiana who are working hard to pick up the pieces from Delta’s damage and restore their lives. I apprecia...

Louisiana Governor: Renewable Energy Initiative for Gulf of Mexico

9Nov

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Louisiana Governor: Renewable Energy Initiative for Gulf of Mexico

LA (STL.News) Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced a renewable energy initiative for the Gulf of Mexico, with plans to harness Louisiana’s strengths in offshore energy production for the development of wind power, the nation’s No. 1 source of renewable energy. Gov. Edwards presented his vision at today’s inaugural meeting of the Climate Initiatives Task Force he created earlier this year. Offshore wind energy will be one of many strategies pursued by the task force to curb the growth of greenhouse gas emissions that have reduced air quality, contributed to coastal erosion through sea rise, and increased the severity of weather events. “I have asked Dr. Walter Cruickshank and the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to help us establish a task force of federal, state and local offici...

LA Gov. Edwards Announces Members of Climate Initiatives Task Force

6Nov

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LA Gov. Edwards Announces Members of Climate Initiatives Task Force

LA (STL.News) Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced his appointments to the Climate Initiatives Task Force, which will recommend strategies to cut statewide net greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28% by 2025, 40-50% by 2030, and 100% by 2050, among other issues relating to how the climate affects Louisiana. In Executive Order 2020-18, Gov. Edwards called on leaders from across government, the private sector, academic institutions, and civil society to follow the science to arrive at policies able to help reduce Louisiana’s contributions to global climate change while fully recognizing Louisiana’s climate vulnerabilities and its industrial and economic characteristics. “Just as we have done with coastal protection and restoration, we are building an inclusive, science-driven process to lead ...

Louisiana Governor Edwards Announces Clinical, Software Expansions

6Nov

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Louisiana Governor Edwards Announces Clinical, Software Expansions

Gov. Edwards Announces Clinical, Software Expansions in Denham Springs, Bogalusa LA (STL.News) Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards and CEO Evon Roquemore of Brightside Clinic and Everso Systems announced that mental health clinic Brightside and behavioral health software-development firm Everso will create a combined 20 new direct jobs at their respective facilities in Bogalusa and Denham Springs, Louisiana. The new direct jobs will provide an average annual salary of $45,000, plus benefits. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the expansions will result in 25 new indirect jobs in Livingston and Washington parishes, for a total of 45 new jobs in the Capital and Southeast regions of the state. The firms also will retain 24 existing jobs. Brightside Clinic in Denham Springs and Bogalusa are ...

LA Gov. Edwards Statement on the Closing of Shell Refinery in Convent

5Nov

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LA Gov. Edwards Statement on the Closing of Shell Refinery in Convent

LA (STL.News) Today, Gov. Edwards issued the following statement on the closing of the Shell refinery in Convent, La: “We are disappointed to learn that Shell’s Convent Refinery in St. James Parish will be closing in the near future. This is a difficult decision for Shell and a challenging time for the company’s 700 Convent employees and their families. The State of Louisiana will support them in every way we can through the Rapid Response Unit of the Louisiana Workforce Commission and through prioritized placement of these talented workers within our state. “It’s important to note that Shell is reducing the number of standalone refineries companywide in favor of consolidated industrial sites that integrate refining and chemical operations. This decision is not due to a lack of compet...

LA Gov. Edwards: Sentencing of Holden Matthews for Burning Churches

3Nov

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LA Gov. Edwards: Sentencing of Holden Matthews for Burning Churches

Gov. Edwards' Statement on the Sentencing of Holden Matthews for the Burning of Three African-American Churches in 2019 LA (STL.News) Gov. Edwards issued the following statement on the sentencing of Holden Matthews for the burning of three African American churches in St. Landry Parish in 2019. "Hate is not a Louisiana value, and decimating three historically African American churches is beyond disturbing,” said Gov. Edwards. “The same would be true of any place of worship. What Holden Matthews confessed to doing has deeply impacted many lives and threatened the sense of security of members of St. Mary Baptist Church, Greater Union Baptist Church and Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. I pray he truly understands the depth of the pain he has caused. We are all inspired by the continued str...

Louisiana Gov. Edwards Announces Appointment of Lamar A. Davis

30Oct

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Louisiana Gov. Edwards Announces Appointment of Lamar A. Davis

Gov. Edwards Announces Appointment of Captain Lamar A. Davis as the Deputy Secretary of Public Safety Services and Superintendent of the Louisiana State Police Baton Rouge, LA (STL.News) Today, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards announced the appointment of Louisiana State Police Captain Lamar A. Davis as the Deputy Secretary of Public Safety Services and Superintendent of the Louisiana State Police (LSP). Capt. Davis replaces Col. Kevin Reeves who is retiring after 30 years of service with State Police. “Capt. Davis has led an exemplary career in law enforcement and has earned the respect of his colleagues. I am confident that he will continue to lead this agency with the utmost professionalism and highest standards in order to protect the public’s safety,” said Gov. Edwards. “He ha...

Pres. Trump Approves Gov. Edwards’ Request for Federal Cost Share

30Oct

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Pres. Trump Approves Gov. Edwards’ Request for Federal Cost Share

Pres. Trump Approves Gov. Edwards' Request for a 100 Percent Federal Cost Share for Activity Related to Hurricane Laura Baton Rouge, LA (STL.News) Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards received confirmation that President Donald J. Trump has authorized a 100 percent Federal cost share for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, for a 30 day period of activity related to Hurricane Laura. Hurricane Laura made landfall in Cameron Parish August 27. It is one of five named storms that hit Louisiana in 2020, a record for the state. “We are grateful to Pres. Trump and his administration for their quick response to this urgent request and thankful for the relief it will provide for the state and all of the communities impacted by Hurricane Laura, which was...