278 stories in our archive · page 6 of 12.
Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry's office is evaluating a new voting system from Smartmatic to replace the state's outdated election machinery. The company demonstrated its proposed system at the Louisiana State Archives, though the demonstration has faced skepticism from observers.
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Downtown Lafayette Unlimited held a meeting Wednesday to discuss the progress the downtown area has achieved since 2020, while also addressing ongoing challenges facing the district. The meeting highlighted developments and future initiatives for the downtown Lafayette community.
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Louisiana is addressing the problem of abandoned and neglected boats cluttering its waterways with proposed legislation that would fine Louisianans for leaving boats unattended. Local residents and workers in affected areas are supporting the measure as a necessary step to clean up and protect the state's water systems.
Read moreSpeaker of the House Mike Johnson held a closed-door legislative meeting in Sulphur for over 200 business leaders to discuss legislative priorities for Southwest Louisiana. The event brought together local business community members to hear directly from the House Speaker about upcoming legislative initiatives.
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Two women, Marva Williams and Shameka Bazile, have been arrested and charged with forgery, public payroll fraud, and theft in connection with their employment at Lafayette Renaissance Charter Academy. The charges suggest unauthorized manipulation of payroll records at the local charter school.
Read moreTwo former Lafayette Riverfront Convention and Visitors Commission (LRCA) employees, Shameka Bazile and Marva Williams, have been arrested and charged with public payroll fraud, theft, and forgery related to the misuse of tens of thousands of dollars in public funds. Both women have been released on bail as the investigation into the alleged scheme continues.
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Lafayette Consolidated Government is conducting a nationwide search to fill the position of Director of Traffic, Roads, and Bridges after the departure of Warren Abadie. The position oversees traffic management and infrastructure development for the city.
Read moreThe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority are hosting a public meeting Thursday in Abbeville to discuss updates on the Southwest Coastal Home Elevation Project. This initiative aims to protect homes in the coastal region through elevation improvements.
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The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation to rename the Lafayette Veterans Affairs Health Clinic in honor of Rodney C. Hamilton, a prominent veteran advocate. The bill recognizes Hamilton's contributions to supporting veterans in the Lafayette community.
Read moreState Senator Bob Hensgens from Abbeville claimed he did not sign a non-disclosure agreement regarding a potential aerospace project in his district, but public records show he did sign an NDA. The discrepancy raises questions about transparency regarding the project.
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The Lafayette Police Department has launched an investigation into Lafayette Renaissance Charter Academy following a complaint filed on April 2 alleging payroll mismanagement and financial impropriety. The allegations include claims of payroll fraud, forgery, ethics violations, and theft at the charter school.
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Cajun Navy 2016 has filed a defamation lawsuit against United Cajun Navy, claiming the organization has damaged its reputation and the reputation of its volunteers. The lawsuit seeks to protect the Cajun Navy 2016 name and the integrity of those who have served under it.
Read moreLafayette City-Parish Government (LCG) is advising residents against making roadside donations at intersections, citing safety concerns and lack of vetting of recipients. The advisory is part of a community education initiative encouraging residents to support trusted local organizations instead.
Read moreFEMA is reminding disaster survivors in Louisiana how to properly use relief funds they receive. Recipients must spend assistance only on approved disaster-related expenses and should be careful stewards of the money.
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A Lafayette Parish School System board member is publicly addressing a conflict with the board president regarding allegations of improper relationships in the district's health insurance contracting decisions. The dispute highlights concerns about potential inside deals in how LPSS manages its health insurance policies.
Read moreSt. Landry Parish animal control services were briefly shut down by Parish President Jessie Bellard due to budget shortfall and lack of dedicated funding, but operations reopened the following morning. The closure highlighted funding challenges facing the parish's animal control department.
Read moreLouisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has had all felony charges against her dismissed by a special prosecutor just weeks after her indictment. The dismissal marks a significant development in the case involving the state's top legal officer.
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St. Landry Parish animal control operations, which faced closure, will now continue under management by a nonprofit organization. Parish President Jessie Bellard is negotiating an agreement to transfer the operations following significant community and nonprofit support for keeping the services open.
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Reggie Thomas has announced his candidacy for a second six-year term as Lafayette City Marshal. His campaign platform emphasizes expanded community partnerships and improved school safety initiatives.
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St. Landry Parish President Jessie Bellard has reversed an order to shut down animal control operations, allowing the department to continue serving the parish through the end of the year. The decision buys time as parish leadership seeks nonprofit assistance to help manage the rising costs of operating the animal control service.
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Lafayette Parish Tax Assessor Justin Centanni is launching "parish pop-up" events to bring property tax assistance directly to residents throughout local communities. These mobile events aim to help Lafayette Parish residents with tax-related questions and services in convenient locations near their homes.
Read moreLafayette Parish Tax Assessor Justin Centanni is launching pop-up events throughout the parish to bring property tax assistance services directly to local communities. The initiative aims to help residents, especially seniors, access services like the senior freeze program without having to travel to the downtown office.
Read moreState Senator Bob Hensgens addressed rumors about Space X and Blue Origin potentially locating operations in the area during a parish meeting. The senator spoke directly with residents about the matter, though no public questions were permitted during or after the event.
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Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says the indictment against her was a misuse of the grand jury system after charges were dismissed. Murrill called the indictment "extraordinarily disturbing" and vowed that the legal matter is not over as she seeks answers about how the charges were brought.
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