Louisiana
New Louisiana bill aims to protect workers who take time off for organ donation
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – A new push at the Louisiana State Capitol is aiming to remove a major barrier to organ donation by protecting workers who choose to save a life.
Baton Rouge attorney Andrea Angee is co-leading the effort, drawing from a deeply personal experience that inspired her advocacy.
In 2020, Angee’s mother went into kidney failure. Determined to help, Angee made the decision to donate one of her own kidneys.
“It’s very difficult to articulate… I just wanted my mother to live,” Angee said.
The procedure and recovery kept her out of work for about four weeks. While Angee said she was fortunate to have an employer who supported her during that time, she says many others may not have that same security.
“Nobody should have to make a choice between saving a life or keeping a job, but that’s the reality that we face right now,” she said.
Angee is now advocating for Senate Bill 409, sponsored by Sen. Brach Myers, which would provide job protection along with paid and unpaid leave for people who choose to become living organ donors.
Supporters say the measure could help increase the number of donors by removing financial and employment risks that often discourage people from stepping forward.
According to advocates, about 2,000 people in Louisiana are currently waiting for a transplant.
Angee believes offering job security could encourage more people, especially those hoping to help loved ones, to consider donation.
“There are many people who are willing to consider living donation, especially if it’s a loved one… they want to step up and save their life,” she said. “But the reality is, they have to question whether they’ll have a job to come back to if they don’t have leave protection.”
She says no one should have to pay a price to save someone’s life, especially when so many are still waiting.
“The moment is now to do it,” Angee said.
You can read the entire bill here.
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Louisiana
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A Washington think tank proposed capping annual Social Security benefits at $100,000 for couples as a way to shrink a looming deficit in the retirement trust fund.
When it comes to retiring, the best places to do so often are affordable, have a high quality of life and access to quality healthcare.
If you’re looking for a place to retire, Niche has identified the best places for retirees in Louisiana.
In its list, Niche has taken into account factors like weather, crime rates, housing costs and access to amenities.
The 5 best places to retire in Louisiana according to Niche
These are the top five best places to retire in Louisiana, according to Niche.
1. Oak Hills Place
Oak Hills Place is a suburb of Baton Rouge and is the overall best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb, located in East Baton Rouge Parish, has a population of 9,038 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. The area is highly rated for families, diversity, as well as health and fitness. Here, the median home value is $437,900 and the median rent is $1,422, according to Niche.
2. Westminster
Westminster is another suburb of Baton Rouge and is the second-best place to retire in Louisiana. Located in East Baton Rouge Parish, this suburb has a population of 2,559 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. This area is highly rated for nightlife, diversity, families, health and fitness, as well as commute. The median home value here is $266,100 and the median rent is $1,482, says Niche.
3. River Ridge
River Ridge is a suburb of New Orleans, located in Jefferson Parish, and is the third-best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb has a population of 13,312 and offers residents a dense suburban feel. The area is highly rated for public schools, family, nightlife and diversity. The median home value is $357,400 and the median rent is $1,127, according to Niche.
4. Westlake
Westlake is a town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. With a population of 4,743, this town offers residents a rural feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, jobs, cost of living, nightlife and weather. Here, the median home value is $166,100 and the median rent is $1,049, says Niche.
5. Prien
Prien is another town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. This town has a population of 7,119 and offers residents a suburban rural mix feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, nightlife and weather. The median home value here is $278,000 and the median rent is $1,292, according to Niche.
Presley Bo Tyler is the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team reporter for USA Today Network. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
A motorcyclist is recovering after a West Monroe crash involving an 18-wheeler, while Chevron won a Louisiana Supreme Court ruling shifting a major coastal lawsuit back to lower courts. Ouachita deputies arrested a suspect and recovered more than a dozen guns, Mississippi passed a new school social-media safety requirement, and Louisiana’s House advanced a unanimous state budget. A new recovery center opened, and multiple weekend events are underway across northeast Louisiana, plus national updates include stock-market stress guidance, a Ford F-150 recall, Spirit Airlines uncertainty, and tax-refund tips.
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