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• State Debating Higher Education Tuition Hikes Play Video

  April 30, 2013 7:26 PM

  Depending what happens in the legislature, tuition could rise for thousands of students at universities across the state. Tuesday, the House Education Committee held a hearing on a proposed bill which would allow universities to raise tuition without legislative approval. "We're trying desperately to maintain quality and performance... more »

• Tuition increase OK'd for 90,000 college students

  February 27, 2013 8:52 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The University of Louisiana Board of Supervisors has approved a 10 percent tuition hike at all nine of their campuses for the 2013-14 school year. The Advocate reports the average increase for in-state students will be $546, bringing a year's tuition to about $6,103. That's... more »

• Would Lafayette Voters Approve a 1-Cent Sales Tax Increase? Play Video

  December 18, 2012 11:30 PM

  A sales tax increase was brought up at Tuesday night's Lafayette City-Parish council meeting as a way to offset budget woes. There was talk of proposing a one-cent increase in sales tax as soon as next year. Councilman Brandon Shelvin opened up the discussion, saying in light of recent... more »

• Wet Weather Increases Mosquitoes and West Nile Risk Play Video

  September 3, 2012 10:23 PM

  A warning everyone in Acadiana needs to know about: Mosquito populations are on the rise and the risk of West Nile could increase. Wet weather from Hurricane Isaac is to blame. As we see more mosquitoes, there's also a growing concern over West Nile Virus. It's already been a... more »

• Property values increase in Lafayette Parish

  July 10, 2012 6:56 AM

  LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - Several public agencies in Lafayette Parish have scheduled hearings next month on whether to keep property taxes at their current levels to bring in more revenue. The Advocate reports property values are estimated to be up with this year's reassessment, and public agencies are required to... more »

• Lunch prices to increase at some schools

  June 8, 2012 11:49 AM

  HOUMA, La. (AP) - Parents will pay more for school lunches next year, as federal rules expand while budgets shrink. The Lafourche Parish School Board voted this week to raise the price of each breakfast and lunch by 10 cents. In Terrebonne Parish, the cost of breakfast will stay the... more »

• Sales tax increase for outlet mall approved

  May 30, 2012 8:22 AM

  GONZALES, La. (AP) - The Gonzales City Council has voted unanimously to enact a 1-cent sales tax increase at Tanger Outlet Center as part of a new economic development agreement. The Advocate reports the tax increase, to be collected through the newly created Tanger Mall Economic Development District, will go... more »

• Baton Rouge area homes sales increase in April

  May 16, 2012 9:05 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Baton Rouge area homes sales rose 21 percent in April, with real estate agents in the eight-parish region selling 616 homes compared with 510 that month a year ago. The dollar volume rose 16 percent to $116.1 million, compared with $100.4 million in April 2011.... more »

• Ascension council proposes pay increase

  April 20, 2012 9:48 AM

  GONZALES, La. (AP) - Ascension Parish Council members have taken the first step toward giving themselves a 33 percent pay increase, boosting their pre-tax salaries from $1,200 to $1,600 per month. The council introduced the increase on a 7-3 vote Thursday. The proposal will be set for a public hearing... more »

• Alexandria council votes to increase utility rates

  April 4, 2012 9:55 AM

  ALEXANDRIA, La. (AP) - The Alexandria City Council has voted to increase utilities rates to help pay for future infrastructure improvements. The Town Talk reports those two items were among the big-ticket changes in the 2012-13 budget approved by the council Tuesday by a 6-1 vote. District 1 Councilman Ed... more »

• Police pension costs increase

  March 19, 2012 8:57 AM

  MONROE, La. (AP) - Effective July 1, municipalities' contribution into Louisiana's Police Employees' Retirement System will increase another 4 percent to 31 percent, costing some cities hundreds of thousands. Monroe city Accounting Director Stacey Haney tells The News-Star the rate increase will cause the city to pay $2.9 million next... more »

• Bill would increase salaries for La. judges

  March 1, 2012 8:36 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A New Orleans area lawmaker is sponsoring a proposal to boost judges' salaries across the state for the next two years, to get them to the average paid to their colleagues across the South. Rep. Jeff Arnold, a Democrat, notes on the bill that he... more »

• Allstate wants a rate increase

  January 23, 2012 11:09 AM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Allstate Corp. is asking to raise rates for 144,000 Louisiana homeowners who get their insurance coverage from two Allstate companies. According to the state insurance department, Northbrook, Ill.-based Allstate wants an average 11.3 percent increase for 71,000 homeowners covered by Allstate Insurance Co. The company is... more »

• Louisiana 1st-time jobless claims increase

  July 22, 2011 10:43 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending July 16 increased from the previous week's total. The state labor department figures released Friday show the initial claims increased to 4,398 from the previous week's total of 4,053. The figure was lower than... more »

• Youngsville trash fees to increase on Friday

  June 29, 2011 9:06 AM

  YOUNGSVILLE, La. (AP) - Residents in Youngsville will pay higher garbage collection fees beginning Friday. Rick Garner, the city's chief executive officer, say the monthly charge will rise from $14 to $16 with the next billing cycle. According to the minutes of a recent Youngsville City Council meeting, The Advertiser... more »

• Speed Limit Increases on Portions of I-49

  April 18, 2011 7:19 PM

  Starting today, drivers along rural sections of I-49 will be able to press the gas a little harder. For twelve years, Tom Rutherford has been traveling the roads in his big rig. Many of those trips along I-49 near Ville-Platte northward to Shreveport. "If the speed limit is 75,... more »

• Should the Speed Limit be Increased on Sections of I-49?

  April 18, 2011 3:31 PM

  Do you think the speed limit should be increased from 70 to 75 MPH on rural sections of I-49 from mile-marker 23 near Ville Platte on northward to Shreveport? We want to hear your rant! E-mail hoyt.harris@katctv.com. We could air your rant tonight at 10. more »

• Post Office trying again to get an increase on stamps

  October 22, 2010 11:12 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The post office is trying again to get a rate increase. The agency announced Friday that it is appealing the Postal Regulatory Commission's rejection of its requested increase. The post office had asked for a 2-cent increase in January in the price of First Class stamps,... more »

• LA Experiencing 726% Increase in Wildfires Compared to Last Year

  October 11, 2010 2:42 PM

  There has been 726% increase in wildfires compared to this time last year. KATC's Chris Paulsen will have the latest on how the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry is handling the increase and what you can do to prevent them at 5 and 6. The Image is... more »

• Louisiana Wheat Acreage Expected to Increase

  August 31, 2010 7:29 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - LSU AgCenter expert Steve Harrison says Louisiana's wheat acreage could easily double this year from the 150,000 acres planted last year, because prices are up substantially. Harrison, a small grains breeder, says that seed is "locked up" and will be hard to get. He says... more »

• Increase in Parent Participation for Incoming College Freshmen

  July 28, 2010 11:57 AM

  LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - This summer, nearly 2,900 incoming freshmen attended mandatory orientations at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and they weren't alone. A record number of parents nearly 1,500 attended optional sessions for parents, said Paul Eaton, ULL's orientation director. Last year, 2,600 students attended the mandatory sessions... more »

• Increase In Tourism On Alabama Beaches

  July 16, 2010 6:54 PM

  GULF SHORES, Ala. (AP) - It didn't even take a full day for Alabama beaches to see an increase in tourism after BP PLC said it capped the oil gusher in the Gulf of Mexico. Rental lounge chairs were full outside of hotels and condominiums on the Alabama coast on... more »

• Calcasieu Teachers to Get Salary Increase

  July 14, 2010 8:52 AM

  LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) - Despite a projected decrease in sales tax revenues, Calcasieu Parish teachers can expect a salary step increase for the upcoming school year. The $1.3 million general fund revision is the result of better-than-expected sales tax revenues in April and May. The board unanimously approved the... more »

• Acadia Humane Society Complaints Increase

  May 18, 2010 11:40 AM

  Humane Society Release: The Acadia Chapter of the Humane Society of Louisiana has been working non-stop for several months, responding to reports of animal abuse in a tri-parish area: Acadia, St. Landry, and Evangeline Parishes. The group was established more than eight years ago and has investigated thousands of calls;... more »

• State Farm: Homeowners Insurance Increase

  May 6, 2010 5:45 PM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - State Farm Fire and Casualty Co. has won a 9.9 percent average increase for homeowners insurance coverage in Louisiana. Insurance Commissioner James Donelon approved the request Thursday. Earlier, Donelon rejected the company's request for an average 19.1 percent rate hike, calling it unreasonable and unjustified. Last... more »

• State Farm: Homeowners Insurance Increase Request

  March 30, 2010 11:22 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - State Farm Fire and Casualty Co. has filed an average 9.9 percent rate increase request for homeowners coverage in Louisiana. State Farm is Louisiana's largest home insurer with just over 300,000 policyholders. In February, Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon rejected the company's request for an average... more »

• License Increase Questioned

  March 16, 2010 12:53 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Lawmakers questioned the legality of a $15 hike in the cost of a Louisiana driver's license and criticized the jump in price as inappropriate during the tough economic climate. A new or renewed basic license now costs $36.50 for four... more »

• Tuition Increase at Technical Colleges

  March 11, 2010 12:34 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Most of the state's two-year institutions are on track to increase tuition by at least 5 percent in the fall, and they're adding a new $32-per-year student fee. The new fee will help pay for a nearly $40 million student information system for two-year colleges... more »

• Reward Increase For The Return Of A Funeral Urn

  January 14, 2010 7:02 PM

  The reward has been upped in St. Landry Parish for the case of the missing urn. A burglary suspect stole an urn from Dupuis Memorials, but inside were the cremated remains of James Franklin Elder. Now a $2,000 reward is being offered by the family for help finding... more »

• State Farm Asks For Homeowners Insurance Rate Increase

  January 7, 2010 4:24 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - State Farm Fire and Casualty Co., Louisiana's largest homeowners insurer, has asked for a rate hike that will average 19.1 percent statewide. The Louisiana Department of Insurance will consider the request, which could generate $67.6 million, or an average of about $229 per policyholder. The... more »

• LUS Moves Forward With Rate Hikes

  December 1, 2009 6:05 PM

  LUS Director Terry Huval makes another pitch for utility rate hikes before the city-parish council at the meeting on Tuesday night. Huval told the council increases would be used to fund improvements for water, electric and sewer systems. He's says it's an opportune time to raise rates, because fuel prices... more »

• Sales Tax Vote in Grand Coteau Raises Concern

  October 16, 2009 6:07 PM

  Grand Coteau residents take to the polls Saturday to decide whether to increase local sales tax. Tom Colley and his wife co-own Days Gone By, a home decor shop in Grand Coteau. Colley says he wouldn't mind if people in town voted yes to raise local sales tax by... more »

• Cleco bills expected to shrink by year's end services

  October 15, 2009 7:52 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Electricity customers with Cleco Power LLC are expected to see their utility bills drop by the end of the year. That's when the company's Rodemacher 3 power plant goes on line, a petroleum coke-fired generator in central Louisiana that will offer a cheaper... more »

• LUS expected to increase utility rates

  October 5, 2009 9:27 AM

  LAFAYTTE, La. (AP) - A rate increase has been proposed for the Lafayette Utilities System but so far, city-parish council members aren't on board with the idea. Lafayette Utilities System Director Terry Huval said he expected the proposed increase to meet some resistance from some council members. But, he says,... more »