Louisiana
Louisiana education faces budget cuts. Here’s how the ‘fiscal cliff’ happened in the state
Radiance Technologies I-Bowl’sClaire Rebouche talks about the teams
Radiance Technologies I-Bowl chairperson Claire Rebouche talks about the teams
The budget for Louisiana education is facing up to $250 million in possible cuts for the 2025-2026 school year in order to make up for the state government’s deficit.
These budget cuts will potentially affect both preschool education and higher education institutions.
While legislation has trepidations when it comes to refusing money to preschools, it is possible that preschools will not be immune to budget cuts.
Louisiana education system faces possible budget cuts for the 2025-2026 school year
According to Invest in Louisiana, these budget cuts are a result of the “fiscal cliff” Louisiana is said to face in 2025, which will be when $650 million in tax revenue is anticipated to roll off the books.
State legislature created the fiscal cliff, however, it can avoid the budget cuts by renewing, or replacing, the tax revenue, says Invest in Louisiana.
According to the Louisiana Board of Regents, in light of the $0.45 sales tax ending in the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the Board of Regents was tasked to create a plan for higher education institutions to accommodate a $250 million reduction.
What does this mean for Louisiana universities?
The Louisiana Board of Regents presented a higher education budget in Sept. 2024. Highlights from the presentation include discussions surrounding the increase in the total cost of operations, updates on campus enrollment, financial outlook priorities and concerns about the impact of budget cuts.
In addition to this, budget cuts within higher education institutions would result in program reductions, faculty layoffs, increased staff workload, as well as the reduction of scholarship funds.
Potentially $50.4 million, or 20.3%, will be reduced from scholarships including TOPS, Go Grants, RCP, the Patriot Scholarship and GO Youth ChalleNGe.
Louisiana
A Louisiana Macy’s will close in 2025; Here’s where the retailer is shutting its doors
Calvary’s Carlie Guile talks about her organ donor friend Elana Franks
Calvary’s Carlie Guile talks about her organ donor friend Elana Franks
Macy’s confirmed that it will be closing its store location in the Acadiana Mall in Lafayette.
This store is one of 66 Macy’s that will be closing nationwide, and is the only one that will be closing in the state of Louisiana.
An official date for the Lafayette Macy’s closure has not yet been released.
Macy’s location in Lafayette one of 66 store locations closing nationwide
Other Macy’s store locations in Louisiana can be found in Baton Rouge and Metairie.
Macy’s first announced its plan in February 2024 to close a number of store locations across 22 states. The major retailer said it plans to close a total of 150 “underproductive” stores over the course of three years.
Macy’s has also said that these store closings are being done in order to prioritize resources and investments in current, productive stores. Working towards sustainable and profitable sales growth, Macy’s will close 150 stores and invest in updates within 350 stores that will remain open going forward.
Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
Louisiana
Louisiana remembers Billy DiMaio
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — On Friday, Jan. 10, Louisiana is remembering Billy DiMaio, a victim of the Jan. 1 Bourbon Street attack.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry declared a period of mourning, ordering that all flags over state buildings be flown at half-staff.
On Friday, the state is remembering DiMaio, who was from New Jersey and a New York-based account executive for a radio station company.
At a Sunday news conference, Landry said he is remembered as a star student and a lacrosse player who had “an unwavering work ethic and positive attitude and kindness.”
Louisiana State Superintendent Cade Brumley also asked school systems to consider a moment of silence at 9 a.m. during the period of mourning.
The New Orleans Police Department and the Archdiocese of New Orleans will ring the bells of St. Louis Cathedral every day through Jan. 23, between 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. to honor and remember the lives lost and those affected by the terror attack.
Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.
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Louisiana
Lower fees coming to homeowner insurance in Louisiana but premiums still high • Louisiana Illuminator
Homeowners in Louisiana will see a small discount on the fees they pay on top of their property insurance premiums this year.
The Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Board of Directors voted Thursday to bring an early end to a 1.36% assessment added to all residential and commercial property insurance policies in the state. Louisiana Citizens is the state-run insurer of last resort for homeowners in environmentally risky areas who cannot find coverage on the private market.
The assessment, which goes toward paying off bonds for debt that Louisiana Citizens incurred from paying claims from hurricanes Katrina and Rita, was originally set to expire in June 2026 but will now end this April.
Gov. Landry signs Temple-backed insurance package
Additionally, those insured through Louisiana Citizens will no longer have to pay a 10% surcharge when they begin a new policy or renew their existing policy this year. The waiver, part of newly enacted legislation, took effect on Jan. 1 and will last for the next three years.
Both changes are part of Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple’s efforts to tame skyrocketing insurance rates in Louisiana.
“When Commissioner Temple took office and became chair of the Citizens Board of Directors, he encouraged our staff to find innovative ways for Louisiana Citizens to operate more efficiently and find savings for policyholders,” Louisiana Citizens CEO Richard Newberry said in a press release. “Our team identified this opportunity and brought it to the board for approval at today’s meeting.”
Although most policyholders will see relatively small savings from the changes, Temple said every little bit helps.
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