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Lessons learned in Louisiana’s disaster recovery can aid Ukraine’s recovery

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Lessons learned in Louisiana’s disaster recovery can aid Ukraine’s recovery


Louisiana isn’t any stranger to catastrophe restoration. Louisianians by nature are resilient individuals, as are courageous Ukrainians defending their homeland from Russia. In recovering from report setting hurricanes and the biggest oil spill ever in U.S. waters, Louisiana has realized many classes, a lot of which ought to inform the U.S. restoration efforts to help Ukrainians in rebuilding their properties, companies and lives. 

When the warfare ends, Russia can be held accountable for damages induced to Ukraine.  Lawmakers in Washington are working to make sure that accountability, with just lately launched bipartisan laws, The Ukrainian Sovereignty Act of 2022, sponsored by Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) and Fred Upton (R-Mich.). The laws would permit Ukrainians impacted by the Russian invasion to hunt financial damages by means of the U.S. judicial system for any losses incurred, with judgments paid from seized Russian belongings or Russian oligarchs the U.S. has sanctioned.

Whereas properly supposed, the U.S. judicial system isn’t designed to deal with such a big class of anticipated claimants effectively. Including to their burdens, Ukrainians must search damages right here, resulting in a probably lengthy and cumbersome restoration course of. Courts would more than likely must appoint a particular grasp to manage such an enormous claims pool. Whereas U.S. residents and Ukrainians ought to have entry to U.S. courts to hunt financial damages from Russia’s unlawful actions, classes realized from Louisiana’s catastrophe restoration present a swifter means for justice.

The BP oil spill off Louisiana’s coast resulted in two primary avenues for sufferer awards: 1) a Sufferer Compensation Fund (Gulf Coast Claims Facility), and a couple of) the court docket supervised settlement program which the Ukrainian Sovereignty Act might set in movement.

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The Gulf Coast Claims Facility was the sufferer’s compensation fund that started accepting claims in August 2010 roughly 5 months after the BP spill started. This fund was led by Ken Feinberg who oversaw the 9/11 Compensation Fund. Feinberg and different contractors arrange workplaces within the impacted areas of Louisiana and different states, employed translators, held city corridor conferences discussing the method and documentation wanted to confirm claims. In 18 months, the Fund processed 1.2 million claims for people and companies paying out $6.5 billion in settlements. In some circumstances, emergency funds have been made as soon as a declare was deemed legitimate. It additionally paved the best way for extra advanced litigation to proceed within the judicial system.

The U.S. District Courtroom supervised settlement program changed the Feinberg Fund starting in June of 2012 the place it processed greater than 386,000 claims. This course of led to cost gives totaling greater than $9.2 billion.

The 2-tiered system utilized in Louisiana and different gulf coast states was not with out flaws.  Accusations of wrongful denial of claims or underpayments, submission of fraudulent claims and different points surfaced with each applications however that’s anticipated with any catastrophic declare. This course of needed to additionally consider not a lot injury to actual property (as within the case of Ukraine) however lack of enterprise income which is extra sophisticated. The Feinberg Fund additionally overpromised on timeliness of funds requiring additional oversight and enhancements alongside the best way to make sure settlements have been being disbursed extra successfully.

The precious classes realized from Louisiana’s compensation course of might be integrated right into a “Ukraine Settlement Fund” system making certain better effectivity and transparency. For instance, a claimant’s settlement might be posted on a web site, an appeals course of applied, fraud hotlines accessible to report dangerous actors and the GAO might carry out random audits all as a method to make sure a good course of.

A Feinberg Fund-like course of is a greater method to a speedier restoration in Ukraine. Claimants might meet with U.S. insurance coverage adjusters within the subject and file their claims straight with out want for authorized counsel. This course of would nonetheless permit Ukrainians a selection on whether or not to hunt reduction by means of the “Ukraine Settlement Fund” or a U.S. Courtroom. 

Dingell and Upton are heading in the right direction in the case of holding Russia liable for what they’ve executed to the Ukrainian individuals. They need to seek the advice of with Ken Feinberg together with their Louisiana colleagues to be taught what Louisiana’s classes can educate us about the very best method to help the Ukrainian individuals.   

Shane Doucet is a Principal at Doucet Consulting Options. He has represented native governments in restoration efforts earlier than the U.S. authorities for Hurricane Katrina and the good flood of Baton Rouge in 2016. He has additionally represented Louisiana claims contractors concerned with the Gulf Coast Claims Facility for the BP Deepwater Horizon Catastrophe.



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Louisiana

Letters: State should invest in training mental health providers

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Letters: State should invest in training mental health providers


Most of Louisiana is classified as a mental health professional shortage area, leaving countless families — especially children —without access to critical mental health services. According to the National Survey of Children’s Health, over half of children in Louisiana who experience mental health challenges do not receive the care they need. This is a staggering number given that this study estimates that 30.3% of children ages 3-17 have at least one emotional, developmental or behavioral health disorder. This unmet need has far-reaching consequences, affecting school performance, family stability and community safety.

Addressing this gap starts with investing in higher education programs that train the mental health professionals our state desperately needs. Universities such as the University of Louisiana Monroe, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Louisiana Tech University, Grambling State University, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, McNeese State University, Northwestern State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, University of New Orleans, University of Holy Cross, Tulane University, Nicholls State University, LSU and others play a vital role in preparing skilled counselors, psychologists and social workers.

However, the current capacity of mental health training programs is not sufficient to meet the growing demand. We are facing another potential budget shortfall in Louisiana that could impact higher education. Without adequate funding and resources, these programs may struggle to equip students with the expertise and experience required to enter the workforce.

Investing in these programs is not just about addressing today’s challenges — it is about safeguarding the future of Louisiana. By increasing the number of trained mental health professionals, we can improve outcomes for children and families, reduce the strain on emergency services and foster healthier, more resilient communities.

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It is time to prioritize the mental health of our state by supporting higher education programs that make a difference. Together, we can build a brighter, healthier future.

MATTHEW THORNTON

chief executive officer, Center for Children and Families, Inc.

 



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Stabbing death reported at Louisiana prison

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Stabbing death reported at Louisiana prison


(KTAL/KMSS) – A dispute that resulted in an inmate’s death is under investigation at a Louisiana state prison, according to the Department of Corrections.

DOC Director of Communications Ken Pastorick said the incident happened at Southern Correctional Center in Tallulah, Louisiana, and caused the death of Teldric Boyd, 31.

A new release said that around 3:25 a.m. on Monday, Boyd was allegedly stabbed in the neck with a shank by fellow inmate Austin Dean, 33. Correctional center staff is said to have immediately responded and rendered first aid, and then Boyd was brought to a local hospital, where he died at 5 a.m.

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Madison Parish Sheriff’s detectives booked Dean, who they say admitted to stabbing Boyd after an argument the two men had Sunday night.

Boyd was serving a 14-year sentence for various convictions, including racketeering, aggravated battery, two counts of a felon in possession of a firearm, and drug offenses in Rapides Parish.

Dean was serving a 25-year sentence for manslaughter in Rapides Parish and a five-year sentence for aggravated assault on a peace officer; those sentences are to run consecutively.

The investigation is ongoing.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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50 Cent Faces Opposition From Louisiana Senator After Buying More Property In Downtown Shreveport

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50 Cent Faces Opposition From Louisiana Senator After Buying More Property In Downtown Shreveport


50 Cent is at odds with one Louisiana lawmaker who’s taking issue with his growing real estate in Shreveport.

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Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s growing real estate portfolio in Shreveport, Louisiana, is facing resistance from a state lawmaker urging city leaders to exercise greater caution when selling or leasing city-owned property.

The hip-hop mogul responded to a recent news article that revealed Louisiana state Sen. Sam Jenkins Jr.’s concerns about him buying more property in Downtown Shreveport after he bought three new properties last week.

“Sam Jenkins must not want things to turn around in Shreveport,” 50 Cent captioned an Instagram post. “Who would not do a deal to wait for a imaginary deal to come 😳? Or maybe he lacks faith in me. What do you think?”

Jenkins is expressing serious concerns about an excessive concentration of city assets being controlled by a single entity, particularly 50 Cent and his expanding G-Unit Studio empire. Since May, the rapper has invested over $3.7 million in cash to acquire 10 privately owned buildings and vacant lots in Shreveport, located on Texas Street, Spring Street, and Commerce Street.

Last week, 50 Cent added three new properties, including leases on Millennium Studios, the former Expo Hall/Stageworks, and interest in the Red River entertainment District under the Texas Street Bridge. While the Millennium Studios deal “has been made and should be honored,” Jenkins, a Democrat, told The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate, he is urging the city to “pump the brakes a little bit. Let’s try to see what else is out there.”

“I’m just simply saying, let’s just be careful how far we go and begin to look at some performances based upon what we’ve already pledged or promised to do,” Jenkins said.

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In October, Jenkins wrote to Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux outlining his concerns. He also expressed a willingness to meet with 50 Cent to discuss strategies for improving Shreveport’s economic future.

However, 50 Cent took to Instagram again to let Jenkins know he doesn’t like his “tone” and is not interested in meeting with him to discuss his continued investment in Shreveport.

“I don’t understand why this man thinks I would come talk to him after he set this tone,” the rapper wrote. “Don’t hold your breath buddy. 😆”

The “Get Rich or Die Tryin’” rapper followed up with another Instagram post aimed at Jenkins where he declared his plans to stay in Shreveport.

“Tell Sam I said, whether he like it or not, I’m coming to Shreveport LOL 👀ALL ROADS LEAD TO SHREVEPORT 🎥,” he wrote.

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