BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — At Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, lawmakers from Washington D.C. celebrated the start of their “Newborn Essential Support Toolkits” program.

U.S. Representative Julia Letlow, whose Congressional District now reaches into Baton Rouge, is showing major enthusiasm for one of her main projects coming to life.

“You’ll find me in Washington D.C. championing women’s health, it’s one of my number one concerns,” said Letlow. “Our team got together in D.C., after talking to all of you, about what your needs are – the moms and dads. So we put a package together to send home to new parents.”

Letlow and Cheri Johnson with Woman’s Hospital said the kits include nearly everything new parents and babies need.

“It has maternity pads for mom, breastfeeding supplies for mom, breast pads, diaper cream, three packs of diapers, even little newborn outfits,” said Johnson.

State Senator Regina Barrow said the kits are made possible through a public-private partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services, and the nonprofit “Baby 2 Baby.”

“We’re happy to be a part of this historic moment,” said Barrow. “It’s great seeing this level of camaraderie from the federal, state and local level.”

Lawmakers said the goal is to reduce stress and mortality for new parents.

“I represent the Fifth District of Louisiana,” said Letlow. “We have rural healthcare deserts, and we want to provide services for underserved areas as well.”

Johnson said the kits will be hand-delivered to new parents while they’re at the hospital.

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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

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.

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