Louisiana Archives

Politics

Louisiana: JAG-LA Receives 5 of 5 Award for Outstanding Achievement

LA (STL.News) Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards, who serves as chairman of the National Jobs for Americas Graduates (JAG), announced that once again JAG-Louisiana has received the 5 of 5 Award for achieving all five standards set by the national organization for being consistent in quality and high achievement levels for student outcomes during the last year. This is a coveted award that Louisiana is proud to have achieved over the past 15 years. “During the most difficult time in America’s history, Louisiana JAG has shown grit in the face of adversity,” said Gov. Edwards. “JAG programs throughout our state have taken seriously their responsibility to create change and teach our young people the skills they need to succeed in life no matter how overwhelming the obstacles that come before t...

Health

Louisiana launches COVID Defense In response to 3rd Surge

COVID Defense is Louisiana’s free, easy-to-use phone app that provides residents of Louisiana the information needed to fight COVID-19, without compromising their privacy Baton Rouge, LA (STL.News) Gov. John Bel Edwards announced the launch of COVID Defense, Louisiana’s exposure notification mobile application for Google and Android phones to slow the spread of COVID-19. Louisianans can now receive notifications informing them if there is a risk they were exposed to someone who has tested positive for the virus. Use of the technology is completely voluntary, private, and secure. COVID Defense does not collect the location of a phone or individual to detect exposure, and it does not share a user's identity. App users must opt in to use the tool and may opt out at any time. No persona...

Politics

Louisiana: $52 Million Plan for International Paper in Bogalusa

Gov. Edwards Announces $52 Million Modernization Plan for International Paper in Bogalusa Baton Rouge, LA (STL.News) Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards and International Paper Bogalusa Mill Manager Bernie Chascin announced the company plans to invest up to $52.2 million in capital to increase the efficiency of the mill, which has been a manufacturing mainstay of Washington Parish for more than a century. Through the project, International Paper plans to retain the mill’s 492 direct jobs that provide an average annual salary of more than $86,000, plus benefits. In Bogalusa, IP operates a paper mill and an associated corrugated box plant. The modernization program would enhance the paper mill’s efficiency by upgrading the recovery boiler system, along with filtration, condenser and acid sys...

Health

Louisiana: Retired Medical Providers to Volunteer as Vaccinators

Baton Rouge, LA (STL.News) To boost the speed of administering COVID-19 vaccines to the community, the Louisiana Department of Health is encouraging retired medical providers to help put shots in arms. "We do not expect the vaccine to become widely available for the general public until spring or summer, but we are doing all we can now to make sure we are ready when that time comes," said Dr. Sundée Winder, Interim Executive Director of the Bureau of Community Preparedness. "We appreciate qualified retired medical providers who are willing to join the effort to begin putting this pandemic behind us." Those eligible to volunteer include retired: Physicians and osteopaths, Nurses, Pharmacists, Dentists, Paramedics and emergency medical technicians, and Physician’s ...

Politics

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...

Health

Louisiana DH: 64 Parishes To Receive COVID Vaccine this week

Louisiana Health Department: 298 vaccine providers in all 64 parishes will receive COVID vaccine this week LA (STL.News) These providers – including 150 chain pharmacies, 112 independent pharmacies, 19 federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), 3 rural health clinics (RHCs), and an additional 14 healthcare sites – represent all nine public health regions and 64 parishes of the state. While the state was able to resupply the majority of providers that received COVID vaccine doses last week, future distribution is dependent on vaccine made available to the state, among other factors. To stress, there is no guarantee that providers receiving vaccine this week will receive vaccine in the future. These vaccines will be available only for those in Phase 1B, Tier 1: Persons ages 70 yea...

General

Louisiana: Antonio Galloway Arrested For Child Pornography

Baton Rouge, LA (STL.News) Attorney General Jeff Landry's Cyber Crime Unit has arrested a Shreveport man on child exploitation charges. Antonio Galloway, 29 of Shreveport, was arrested and charged with 14 counts of Pornography Involving Juveniles Under the Age of Thirteen (possession). The arrest was a result of a joint investigation with the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Louisiana State Police, Bossier City Marshall's Office, and Shreveport Police Department. "Internet crimes against children are horrific offenses that inflict lifelong damage to their victims," said Attorney General Landry. "I am proud of the work my office’s investigators, examiners, and agents do protect Louisiana’s children." Galloway was booked into the Caddo Correctiona...

Politics

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...

Politics

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...

Politics

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 ...

Politics

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. ...

Politics

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.

Health

Louisiana: Governor Statement of COVID-19 Deaths in State

(STL.News) Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards issued the following statement Friday on COVID-19 deaths in Louisiana, after the Louisiana Department of Health reported 105 COVID deaths today, the second highest daily death count since the start of the pandemic. The highest number of deaths Louisiana has reported in a day was 129 deaths on April 14, 2020. Gov. Edwards said: “Today, Louisiana is reporting 105 new COVID deaths, the second highest number since April of last year. We have lost nearly ten months of hard work to slow the spread of COVID in our state and, despite all warnings from medical professionals and public officials, some people still insist on ignoring the mitigation measures that are proven to work, including wearing face masks. Today, we mourn the loss of 7,833 L...

Politics

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...

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...

Politics

Louisiana Governor Office Staff Tests Positive for COVID-19

LA (STL.News) A member of Gov. John Bel Edwards’ team tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday evening, the Governor’s office disclosed on Thursday morning. The person is in isolation and did not have close contact with the Governor. One other staff member who was deemed to have close contact with this person is quarantining for 14 days from exposure, per guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and the Louisiana Department of Health. STL.News References: louisiana Gov. John Bell Edwards can also be view on DSN News

Politics

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...

Politics

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...