Latest News

Some State Senators Puzzled By Tax Amnesty Solution

Kelly Connelly — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:34:00 +0000

In the Finance committee Thursday Senators questioned the way the House filled the hole it dug in the proposed budget for next year. The House took out one-time money, from selling state property, court settlements, and dedicated funds, and put in a tax amnesty program.

The Legislative Fiscal Office usually considers tax amnesty revenues to be one-time money too.

Analyst Cokie Roberts Steeped In Louisiana Politics

Amy Jeffries — Fri, 17 May 2013 08:32:00 +0000

NPR News Analyst Cokie Roberts grew up in Louisiana in the 1940 and 50s -- the daughter of Hale and Lindy Boggs, who both represented New Orleans in Congress.

Cokie was home, here in Louisiana yesterday, to deliver the keynote speech at LSU's commencement ceremony.

Before all the pomp and circumstance, WRKF's Amy Jeffries caught up with her.

Officials Say Mother's Day Shooting Is Gang Related

Eileen Fleming — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:00:00 +0000

New Orleans police have arrested two brothers in the Mother’s Day shooting that injured 20 people at a Seventh Ward second-line. Officials say the shooting is gang-related.

Charter School Group May Owe More Than $250K For Student Meals

Eve Troeh and Steve Myers and Della Hasselle — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:24:54 +0000

In a report over at The Lens today, Charter School Reporting Corps member Della Hasselle digs into a conflict between the state's Recovery School District and ReNEW Schools, a

Two Suspects In Mother’s Day Parade Shooting Apprehended

Jason Saul — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:52:03 +0000

Akein Scott, the 19-year-old suspected of injuring 20 people by shooting into a crowd at a Mother’s Day second-line this past Sunday, was apprehended by the New Orleans Police Department’s SWAT unit Wednesday night in New Orleans East.

School Voucher Funding Up In The Air

Kelly Connelly — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:32:00 +0000

Hundreds of parents, children, teachers and administrators rallied on the steps of the Capitol calling on lawmakers to find a new way to fund private school vouchers, chanting "You promised/ to put kids first."

The old way to fund vouchers was ruled unconstitutional by the State Supreme Court last week because it routed money through a formula -- called the MFP -- that is dedicated to public schools.

Tibetan Monks Constructing A Mandala

Eileen Fleming — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

One part of the Dalai Lama’s visit to New Orleans is the creation of a sand sculpture by Tibetan monks. The meticulous process is open to public view outside Hall G at the Convention Center.

Suspect Apprehended In New Orleans Second-Line Shooting

Mark Memmott — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:54:00 +0000

"CAPTURED!"

That's how the New Orleans Police Department spread the word on Facebook early Thursday that its officers had "arrested 19-year-old Akein Scott in connection with the shooting of 19 people on Mother's Day."

Update at 4:05 p.m. ET. Second Suspect Arrested:

New Orleans police and U.S. Marshals have arrested Shawn Scott, 24, the brother of Akein Scott.

Southeast School District In Baton Rouge Could Cost State

Kelly Connelly — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:42:00 +0000

A slice of East Baton Rouge Parish, south of I-12 and north of I-10, is a step closer to having its own school district.

The House Education Committee passed the set of bills needed to establish the breakaway district. Approval now falls to the Appropriations committee next to evaluate cost.

'Follow Your NOLA' Campaign Unveiled To Draw Visitors

Eileen Fleming — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

The New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation has unveiled its latest campaign to attract visitors to the city. Recent national news attention of the Mother’s Day shooting makes the job that much harder.