KATC.com

Tagged News

• Terrebonne approves bids for $19.3M in new levees

  December 31, 2012 4:54 AM

  HOUMA, La. (AP) - The Terrebonne Levee District plans to start building two new levee sections after approving bids for the work. That includes levees that will tie into the massive floodgate on the Houma Navigation Canal, which is under construction, the Houma Courier reports . A 3-mile, 10-foot-tall section... more »

• Lafayette board approves water restriction

  December 21, 2012 8:55 AM

  LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - A yearlong legal battle over Lafayette's contract to provide water to the neighboring city of Broussard escalated this week. The Advocate reports the Lafayette Public Utilities Authority voted on Tuesday to authorize the administration to deny all requests for additional water service from Broussard. Broussard officials... more »

• State panel approves Lafayette parks tax election

  December 21, 2012 8:46 AM

  LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - The State Bond Commission has voted to approve an April 6 vote in the city of Lafayette on a property tax increase to support the struggling Parks and Recreation Department. The Advertiser reports the department stands to gain an estimated $6.5 million annually if voters approve... more »

• Central board approves new salary schedule

  December 12, 2012 8:10 AM

  CENTRAL, La. (AP) - The Central School Board has approved a new salary schedule that places less emphasis on an employee's experience and education, and more on whether the job is in demand and how effective the employee is in doing that job. Superintendent Michael Faulk told the board Monday... more »

• DeQuincy approves safety tax renewal

  July 10, 2012 8:17 AM

  DEQUINCY, La. (AP) - DeQuincy City Council members have approved an ordinance levying a half-cent public safety tax renewed by voters for 15 years in November. The DeQuincy Police Department receives 58 percent of the revenue generated by the tax, which brings in just over $247,000 each year. Council members... more »

• Palestinian president approves Arafat autopsy

  July 9, 2012 6:14 AM

  RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) - A top aide says Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has given his permission to exhume the remains of his predecessor, Yasser Arafat. The decision came days after a Swiss institute found elevated traces of a radioactive agent reportedly on Arafat's belongings, reviving speculation the legendary Palestinian... more »

• Iberville School board approves 4 new jobs

  June 13, 2012 7:31 AM

  PLAQUEMINE, La. (AP) - The Iberville Parish School Board decided to create four new positions that will give the district a supervisor of technology and three new program directors at its two Math, Science and Arts academies. The Advocate reports the board was divided during Monday's meeting on whether or... more »

• Monroe school board approves 3 charter schools

  May 30, 2012 10:29 AM

  MONROE, La. (AP) - The Monroe City School Board has approved three applications for charter schools. With a vote of 5-1 Tuesday, The News-Star reports the board approved Neville High School, Excellence Academy and Vision Learning Academy as charters. The schools must now work with the district to finalize contracts.... more »

• School Board Approves Re-Organization Plan 5-4

  May 2, 2012 10:44 PM

  An overhaul of the Lafayette Parish School Board central office is currently in the works. Superintendent Dr. Pat Cooper said at Wednesday night's meeting that he's "not playing games" with his turn around plan. Part of that plan, re-organizing the central office, passed with a 5-4 vote. Some of the... more »

• La. House approves private school tax rebate

  March 28, 2012 6:29 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The Louisiana House backed a proposal Tuesday to give a dollar-for-dollar state tax rebate to people who donate money to nonprofits that give scholarships to help students attend private and parochial schools. The proposal by Rep. Kirk Talbot, R-River Ridge, is part of Gov. Bobby... more »

• Senate approves states receiving Gulf spill fines

  March 9, 2012 6:20 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate has approved using the bulk of water pollution fines stemming from the 2010 Gulf oil spill to pay for restoration in five Gulf states. The BP oil company could be fined $5.4 billion to $21.1 billion under the Clean Water Act, depending on whether it's... more »

• State approves Medicaid claim firm

  March 2, 2012 8:40 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The Jindal administration has approved a $185 million multi-year contract with Maryland-based company called CNSI to take over Medicaid claims processing. The Advocate reports the signing of the contract came eight months after the state Department of Health and Hospitals chose the firm and after... more »

• Federal Agency Approves Medicaid Contract

  February 15, 2012 9:50 AM

  A proposed $185 million contract with a firm to handle Louisiana's Medicaid claims processing has been approved by the federal government's health agency. The Advocate reports ( http://bit.ly/zeQRsm ) state health agency officials have been waiting for months for the U.S. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services to agree to... more »

• Government approves new Louisiana rum distillery

  February 14, 2012 9:46 AM

  LACASSINE, La. (AP) - A new rum distillery in Lacassine has been approved for operation by the U.S. Treasury Department. Louisiana Spirits LLC plans to use Louisiana sugar cane as the primary ingredient in its rum. The Advocate reports recent rain has caused some construction delays. But the warehouse that... more »

• St. Martin Board Approves School Bond Proposal

  February 2, 2012 8:03 AM

  BREAUX BRIDGE, La. (AP) - The St. Martin Parish School Board has voted to refinance $2.6 million in bonds by authorizing the issuance of new bonds to pay off the 2003 issuances at a taxpayer savings of $116,000. The move would reduce interest rates from a variable rate of up... more »

• Vermilion School Board approves flood project pact

  January 24, 2012 10:41 AM

  ABBEVILLE, La. (AP) - The Vermilion Parish School Board has voted 5-3 to approve an agreement with the Vermilion Parish Police Jury for flood mitigation at Erath High School and Erath Middle School. Board member Tony Fontana, who voted against the agreement, told The Advocat e he had questions as... more »

• St. Martin Council Approves Bond Sale

  October 5, 2011 12:31 PM

  ST. MARTINVILLE, La. (AP) - The St. Martin Parish Council has passed a resolution without opposition to sell bonds worth $7.34 million to repair roads and bridges across the parish. Bond attorney Scott Crawford said he believed the last resolution of support passed by the council in September would allow... more »

• Evangeline school board approves operating budget

  September 8, 2011 7:28 AM

  VILLE PLATTE, La. (AP) - The Evangeline Parish School Board has adopted a new annual operating budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year. Business Manager Amy LaFleur reported Wednesday that the school district anticipates $57.4 million in revenues while total expenditures are expected to be $58.8 million. Other revenue sources totaled... more »

• Alexandria council approves hotel repairs

  August 11, 2011 9:54 AM

  ALEXANDRIA, La. (AP) - The Alexandria City Council has approved $140,000 in repairs to the city-owned Alexander Fulton Hotel. At Tuesday's regular council meeting, the city council voted 6-1 in favor of providing the funds. The Town Talk reports the majority of the $140,000 is going toward repairs to the... more »

• Committee approves a series of sentencing changes

  June 15, 2011 9:03 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A Senate committee has approved three House-backed bills to release low-risk offenders from prison early, moving them near final passage. Two of the bills are part of a legislative package by a bipartisan sentencing commission that seeks to lower the cost of state corrections without... more »

• Acadia Parish Approves School Budget

  July 6, 2010 7:04 AM

  CROWLEY, La. (AP) - The Acadia Parish School Board has unanimously approved a $68.59 million general fund budget for 2010-11 that projects a $1.357 million shortfall. Business Director Mike Leonards said the district is facing increased expenses and less revenues. Leonards expects the district to be faced with $2 million... more »

• New Iberia Approves Pact with Sheriff

  June 2, 2010 7:19 AM

  NEW IBERIA, La. (AP) - The New Iberia City Council has accepted a two-year contract for police protection with the Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office. The council voted unanimously Tuesday in approving the contract, which is worth $5.75 million annually. The vote concluded negotiations between the city and sheriff's office that... more »

• WBR Board Approves $1.8 Million in Cuts

  May 20, 2010 10:38 AM

  PORT ALLEN, La. (AP) - The West Baton Rouge Parish School Board has approved $1.8 million in cuts aimed at helping offset an expected budget shortfall during the 2011 fiscal year. Superintendent David Corona tells The Advocate that 17 teacher positions and five paraprofessional jobs will be eliminated through attrition.... more »

• House Approves Saints License Plate

  March 30, 2010 4:11 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Drivers hoping to show their support of the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints would be able to buy a specialized license plate, under legislation that received approval from a House committee Tuesday. The specialized plate would be designed by working with the NFL team,... more »