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(AP) — The St. Landry Parish School Board voted 6-5 to retain an option to buy out Edward Brown’s contract, even though the school district may not have the money to do so. The Advocate reports Brown’s contract as superintendent doesn’t end until Dec. 31. In April, the board voted against renewing for at least one year Brown’s current three-year contract. Brown was selected superintendent in May 2013. He has said he plans to work in the school district until his contract expires. Brown attended yesterday’s board meeting, but he did not speak about the matter. St. Landry, which is anticipating a general fund deficit of $2 million when the 2015-16 fiscal year ends today, cannot afford to pay two superintendents, said board member Kyle Boss.
ST. MARTIN PARISH DEPUTIES HAVE ARRESTED A 15 YEAR OLD MALE FROM CECILIA AND CHARGED HIM WITH AGGRAVATED SECOND DEGREE BATTERY AND ARMED ROBBERY FOR ROBBING AND SHOTING A MAN WITH A BB GUN IN HENDERSON ON JUNE 14TH.
A PICTURE AND SURVEILLANCE VIDEO HAS BEEN RELEASED TO HELP IDENTIFY A SUSPECT CONNECTED TO SEVERAL CAR BURGLARIES AND OTHER CRIMES IN THE GLADE SUBDIVISION IN LAFAYETTE PARISH. THE PHOTO AND VIDEO CAN BE SEEN ON SEVERAL NEWS WEBSITES INCLUDING KLFY.COM. IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON THE IDENTITY OF THE SUSPECT PLEASE CONTACT THE LAFAYETTE CRIME STOPPERS AT 232-TIPS.
LAKE CHARLES CITY COUNCILWOMAN LUVERTHA AUGUST RECENTLY ASKED THE CITY TO LOOK INTO REGULATING AUTO MECHANICS WORKING OUT OF THEIR HOMES OR IN RESIDENTAL AREAS. AUGUST SAYS SHE’S RECEIVED COMPLAINTS FROM RESIDENTS ABOUT A VARITY OF ISSUES AFFECTING NEIGHBORS AND PERSONAL PROPERTY. AUGUST DOESN’T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH WORK BEING DONE ON CARS AT A HOME, BUT WHEN VEHICLES START LINING UP ON A STREET, IN A DRIVEWAY OR ON OR NEAR A RESIDENT’S HOMES OR PROPERTY IT BECOMES A PROBLEM. AUGUST BELIEVES FINES COULD HELP CURB THE EFFECT AUTO SHOPS IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS HAVE ON RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS.
LAW ENFORCEMENT CRACKING DOWN ON DRUNK DRIVING THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND. JULIE DARCE HAS MORE.
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(AP) — New job training requirements are kicking in for thousands of non-working, childless adults in Louisiana who receive food stamps. Gov. John Bel Edwards issued the executive order in April. The requirements begin Friday. The Department of Children and Family Services says about 52,000 food stamp recipients, who get a maximum of $194 in assistance each month, will be affected by the order. The non-working, childless food stamp recipients will have to go in person to one of 59 state Business and Career Solution Centers for job search assistance and referrals to available adult education programs. People who are working or in school are exempt. Edwards has maintained a federal waiver of work requirements for childless adults in the food stamp program, while enacting the job training and placement requirements.
(AP) — Louisiana is becoming the first state in the Republican-dominated Deep South to expand its Medicaid program. More than 233,000 people — largely the working poor — have been enrolled so far in the government-financed insurance coverage offered under the health law championed by President Barack Obama. The expanded coverage starts Friday. Medicaid expansion fulfills of one of Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards’ main campaign promises. Those eligible for coverage include adults ages 19 to 64 with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level — about $33,500 for a family of four. Republican legislative opposition largely disappeared when Edwards issued his executive order laying the groundwork for expansion, which is estimated to save Louisiana $180 million-plus in the new budget year.
(AP) — Louisiana’s income forecasts have been updated to reflect tax changes backed by lawmakers, adjustments needed to keep the budget that begins Friday in balance. But other money problems loom, including concerns Louisiana might have to take out a short-term loan to keep cash flowing and government services operating until taxes are collected. The Revenue Estimating Conference on Thursday revised its income projections, to account for the more than $260 million in taxes raised in the just-ended special session and to add in dollars from fee hikes passed in the earlier regular session. Total adjustments were about $371 million. Cuts still will fall across state services when the new budget year starts Friday, and there are worries the state could close the books for the current budget year with a deficit.
