Feature
La. residents believe police treat Black people worse, LSU survey finds
Policing was the only issue where a majority of Louisiana residents — including a majority of White residents — said Black people face discrimination. […]
Articles by News Editor
Feature
Social worker sues Louisiana over respite care regulations
Ursula Newell-Davis cares deeply for those most in need in her New Orleans community. After two decades of working with special needs children, she decided to launch a company that would provide much-needed respite services to this vulnerable population. Inspired by her experience as a special needs […]
Education
Louisianans support taxes for childcare, early education
Early childhood education and childcare programs are popular among Louisiana residents even if it means raising taxes to support them, according to a recent report by LSU researchers. The report states that three-fourths of the […]
Community-La
CareSouth event continues with Moderna vaccine
CareSouth Medical and Dental is hosting its third Community Vaccine Event on Friday, April 16 at its Baton Rouge Clinic, 3140 Florida St., from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. In light of the recent decision by […]
Drum Roll
Buchanan to oversee Woman’s physician services
Woman’s Hospital has welcomed Eboni Thompson Buchanan as vice president of physician Services. She is responsible for the strategic direction and growth of Woman’s physician practices and the continued advancement of clinical services. Buchanan, a […]
Feature
Criminal justice advocates push to increase funding, change policing
While incarcerated, Norris Henderson spent time reviewing the cases of other prisoners. He realized that many cases ended in convictions because public defenders lack the resources to provide defendants with an adequate defense. […]
Feature
‘I’m doing what many didn’t do for us’ Chambers said, endorses Peterson
In separate announcements, East Baton Rouge Councilmembers Erika Green, and Carolyn Coleman along with Baker Mayor Darnell Waites, EBR Constable Terrica Williams, and State Reps. C. Denise Marcelle and Larry Selders have endorsed State Sen. […]
Baton Rouge
La GOP praises T rump endorsement of Kennedy
The Louisiana GOP recently emailed its praise of Former President Donald T rump’s endorsement of U.S. Senator John Kennedy for re-election. In a statement, the organization said: The LAGOP congratulates Senator Kennedy and looks forward to working […]
Education
SU College of Ag hosts recruitment fair, March 24
The Southern University College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences (CAFCS) is inviting high school juniors and seniors, Southern University students, and students interested in transferring to Southern to its’ virtual recruitment fair at 6 […]
Events
VIPS brings ‘Education Then and Now’ discussion
On Feb. 26,join Volunteers In Public Schools for a discussion on the experiences Black Americans endured to obtain an education in East Baton Rouge Parish. The virtual event, Education, Then and Now: Is It Still […]
Commentary
A question for you: vaccine or body bag?
Today there is a crisis in Black America that is greater than the Tuskegee experiment itself. That experiment for more than 30 years deliberately used Black men as lab rats to test the effects of […]
Feature
Impacted by winter storm? Time to complete damage reports
The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is encouraging Louisianans impacted by winter storms are urged to fill out the Louisiana disaster preliminary damage self-report. This includes anyone who received damage due to […]
Events
Baton Rouge
North Baton Rouge COVID vaccination clinic rescheduled
Due to the extended severe winter weather this week, the North Baton Rouge COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic has been rescheduled to February 26 and 27 for residents’ safety. […]
Business
Eddie Lewis III to be a voice in national ag policy
For the first time, a Louisiana sugar cane farmer will be on the federal board that oversees sugar and sweetener policy in the nation. Eddie Jude Lewis III of Youngsville has been appointed to the Agricultural […]
Buy the Book
Author honors sister with children’s book ‘A’Tiffa’s Mystery Adventure’
Tyra T. Wilson has released her first children’s book, A’Tiffa’s Mystery Adventure, an adventure story that helps young readers develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The Ponchatoula native penned her first book in the honor […]
History
Voting history discussion to continue despite library board rejection
The ongoing controversy involving the Lafayette Parish Library Board of Control’s rejection of a grant to fund a discussion of voting rights has garnered the attention of State Sen. Gerald Boudreaux, the ACLU of Louisiana, […]
Community-La
Vaccines available for La. residents 65+ starting Feb. 8
Limited amounts of COVID vaccines are available at select locations only for: Persons ages 65 years or older in the community* First responders to serve as vaccinators Law enforcement and other first responders* Dialysis providers […]
Community-La
Additional cases of COVID variant found in Southwest La.
The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed two additional cases of the COVID-19 variant, in Southwest Louisiana. This brings the state’s total number of confirmed cases of the variant to five. Two identified in Region […]
Education
Musician PJ Morton becomes Dillard’s artist-in-residence
“I’m so excited to be partnering with Dillard University,” said multi-Grammy Award winner PJ Morton who was recently named the new artist-in-residence at Dillard University. “As both an HBCU graduate and a New Orleanian, it’s […]
Entertainment
Love at the movies. Theatre offers private booking
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, Marcus Theatres invites friends and lovers to experience their own personal auditorium with a private cinema. Now through the end of February, guests can book the space, enjoy […]
Education
Drink maker endows $10 million to Grambling, Xavier, Dillard, others
Grambling, Dillard, and Xavier have received part of a $10 million funding to change the complexion of the beverage alcohol industry […]
Events
BRCC presents ‘Fearless’ Black History Month series
Celebrate Black History Month at Baton Rouge Community College with a series of empowering events, including community discussion on being more comfortable about race on Feb. 4, a poetry night on Feb. 18 with lyricist […]
Events
Baker Heritage Museum: Calling all writers for Black History virtual event
The Baker Heritage Museum is hosting a virtual event celebrating Black History Month and are looking for poets and writers to share their original work with the public. This will be a pre-recorded event focusing […]
Entertainment
Versha Sharma , Josh Johnson returns to Centenary for virtual convocation
Versha Sharma ’08, senior correspondent at NowThis, interviews Josh Johnson ’12, a writer for The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, in this event […]
Drum Roll
Angela Machen named Baker CAO
Angela Machen, Ph.D, has been appointed by Mayor Darnel Waites as the city administrative officer. She is an expert in environmental health, risk assessment, regulatory toxicology, epidemiology, and community health. She is a member of […]
Drum Roll
Ammons appointed as Southern University at New Orleans chancellor
The Southern University Board of Supervisors approved the appointment of James H. Ammons Jr. as the permanent chancellor of Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO). The appointment comes at the recommendation of System President-Chancellor Ray […]
National
5 Louisiana Congressmen voted to overturn Biden’s Presidential Win.
Five of the six Republican members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation sided with President Donald Trump on Wednesday night, Jan. 6, in an attempt to stop President-elect Joe Biden taking office. Sen. John Kennedy and Reps. […]
Baton Rouge
Edwards appoints members to SU and ULS system boards
Gov. John bel Edwards appoints members to the Board of Supervisors of Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College and University of Louisiana System. The Board of Supervisors of Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College is […]
National
AME church sues Proud Boys after racist attack, burning BLM flag
A legal organization specializing in civil rights cases announced Monday that it was suing the Proud Boys and one of its founders, Enrique Tarrio, over vandalism of a historically Black church in Washington, D.C. In […]
Community-La
107 pharmacies in 51 parishes receive COVID vaccine Jan. 4
Starting Jan. 3, 2021, Louisiana will begin receiving the first very limited doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine that will be available at 107 pharmacies across the state. The vaccines will be available only for those […]
Baton Rouge
Four appointed to State Board of Regents
Gov. John Bel Edwards has appointed four citizens to several Louisiana boards and commissions. Judy A. Brown of Homer has been appointed to the Board of Regents. Brown is the senior vice president and banking […]
Baton Rouge
NBR’s Renoir District earns cultural district designation from state
The Renoir Arts and Cultural District in North Baton Rouge has been certified as a “Louisiana Cultural District” by the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism. The new district includes the encompassing communities of East […]
Commentary
COMMENTARY: Judge Janice Clark’s legacy lives on
It has been said that “Legacy is not what’s left tomorrow when you’re gone. It’s what you give, create, impact and contribute today while you’re here that then happens to live on.” Janice Clark’s legacy will be an infinite piece of Louisiana history for years. […]
Commentary
COMMENTARY: COVID recovery can not happen without education recovery
With a new presidential administration, we have an opportunity to begin on the path to a strong recovery from the pandemic. But COVID-19 recovery cannot happen without education recovery. And true education recovery must focus on ensuring every child’s civil right to quality teaching and learning in our nation’s public schools. […]
Community-La
Blue Christmas service scheduled for Dec. 21
Blue Christmas is for anyone grieving the loss of someone this Christmas season […]
Community-La
Online directory connects you with therapists of color
CliniciansofColor.org, is a free, online mental health directory that connects consumers with therapists of color. The Clinicians of Color directory targets the Black, Indigenous, People of Color community to provide therapeutic resources. The guide also […]
Community-La
Louisiana adopts CDC guidance to shortened COVID quarantine, while stressing the risk
The Louisiana Department of Health has adopted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recently updated guidance that allows people who may have been exposed to COVID-19 to shorten their quarantine period from 14 days […]
Business
Lottery drawings produce $6.1 Million in winnings
Scratch-Off Winners Claim $13.3 Million The Louisiana Lottery Corporation reported more than $6.1 million in winning tickets for its draw-style games during November, highlighted by one Easy 5 jackpot-winning ticket worth $302,914. Also during November, […]
History
HistoryMakers, the largest African American digital archive, brings influential leaders to slow the loss of Black history
Danny Glover, Ken Frazier, Valerie Jarrett, Eric Holder, Nikki Giovanni, Johnnetta B. Cole, James Clyburn, Anita Hill, Daymond John to be featured at The HistoryMakers 20@2020 Convening […]
Baton Rouge
Capitol High School breaks ground for half-acre community farm
Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome recently hosted the groundbreaking of a half-acre school garden at Capitol High School. The garden is a result of the collaboration of Geaux Get Healthy, a program out of the Mayor’s […]
Baton Rouge
Without Ms. Forrest, there would be no CareSouth
New clinic is named in honor of former Capitol City Family Health Center CEO CareSouth Medical and Dental held the grand opening of the Rose V. Forrest/ CareSouth Pediatrics and WIC Clinic, 3324 Florida St., in […]
Community-La
With COVID rates better than other states, Louisiana cases continue, may spike
Newly released data from the White House shows that Louisiana is having fewer new COVID cases than other southern states. According to the data, Louisiana has the lowest number of per capita cases among any […]
Baton rouge
Farewell, Clyde Jude Chustz
Clyde Jude Chustz Clyde Jude Chustz was born on September 2, 1940 in Lakeland, La., as the sixth child of Evelyn Amar and Lawrence Chustz. He relocated to Baton Rouge at age ten. Clyde left […]
Drumline
Patel and Robinson join OLOL Physicians Group
Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group welcomed Jason Patel, MD, to its Covington clinic and Jembber L. Robinson, MD, PharmD, MBA, to its Slidell clinic. Dr. Patel specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate […]
obituary
Farewell, Mary Ellen Fondel Semien
Mary Ellen Fondel Semien Mary Ellen Fondel Semien was born on August 10, 1935, to Rosa Beatrice Williams and David James Fondel Sr. Mary Ellen, was the sixth child born to this union and was […]
obituary
Farewell: Earl Butler
Earl Butler On March 30, 1948, Earl K. Butler was born to the late Oralee Gales Butler and Eli Jack Butler in Jackson, La. went to be with the Lord peacefully on Thursday, September 10, […]
Community-La
Emergency rental assistance program improves for La. residents impacted by COVID
The Louisiana Housing Corporation announced improvements to the Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program (LERAP) to improve access for renters and landlords impacted by COVID-19 . LHC has reduced the application length and divided it into […]
Hammond
Dr. J.L. Garrett, Hammond’s first Black veterinarian dies
Dr. Johnnie Lee “J.L.” Garrett, the oldest civil rights and community leader in Hammond, died on August 30, 2020. The veteran civil right leader was born in Newton County Texas on November 24, 1925. He […]
Baton Rouge
Zachary student, Kyra Griffin, wins Ronnie Edwards scholarship
Urban Restoration Enhancement Corporation recently selected Kyra Griffin as the 2020 Ronnie Edwards Scholarship recipient. Griffin is a recent graduate of Zachary High School where she earned a 3.6. grade point average. She is an […]
Baton Rouge
BRCC, EBR Schools sign proclamation to launch Early College Academy
The Early College Academy is being piloted with freshmen and sophomore students from Broadmoor High School. The degrees offered during the first year are in information technology with either application developer or networking and vehicle maintenance technology. […]
Baton Rouge
MetroMorphosis’s Sherreta Harris wins Gen2Gen Innovation Fellowship
Encore.org has selected Sherreta Harrison as one of 15 Gen2Gen Innovation Fellows , a group of the nation’s most talented innovators and entrepreneurs marshaling their best ideas to create and scale intergenerational solutions. Harrison was […]
Baton Rouge
Southern creates official varsity esports team, Christopher Turner named head coach
The University becomes the first higher learning institution with an esports pipeline servicing K-12 through graduate school students. Southern University and A&M College is creating an official varsity esports team, joining more than 300 colleges and universities […]
Commentary
COMMENTARY: Contained rage doesn’t remain contained
It’s a fact. Contained rage does not remain contained in the face of agitation. We have been told by our Saviour, “Be angry, but don’t sin”. In the midst of sustained agitation, poking, and prodding, […]
Community-La
Tangipahoa schools begin Phase 3 Mon., Sept. 14
Students in 7th and 8th grade will be able to join PreK-6th grade students attending school on campus five days a week. High School students will also begin transitioning back to campus on a staggered entrance, beginning Monday, September 14. If you would like your junior high or high school student to engage in school fully online, you must complete our Full Virtual Intent Form. […]
Baton Rouge
Kenna Franklin appointed assistant provost LSU
Louisiana State University in Shreveport is proud to announce Kenna Franklin, EdD, as the new assistant provost for diversity, inclusion, and community engagement. She will lead and coordinate university-wide initiatives fostering and sustaining a diverse, inclusive, […]
Drum Roll
Bossier NAACP elects officers
Lee A. Jester Sr. and Donzell Hughes Sr have been elected president and vice president of the Bossier Parish Branch of the NAACP. Other officials elected this summer were: Melba Walker Baker, 2nd vice president; Chasity […]
Life
Uber donates 1,000 rides for Hurricane Laura evacuees in N.O
Uber has donated 1,000 rides to assist evacuees of Hurricane Laura. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is partnering with United Way to distribute the rides, which are worth $25 each. United Way will […]
History
Shell Louisiana invests $300,000 in River Road African American Museum Rosenwald School
Shell Louisiana has presented a $300,000 grant to the River Road African American Museum in Donaldsonville, to support the restoration of the Museum’s historic Rosenwald School building. When completed, the structure will house the RRAAM […]
Baton Rouge
Diocese of Baton Rouge Catholic Schools accepting displaced students
Displaced families will receive a reduced cost to attend Catholic schools in the Diocese of Baton Rouge. Instead of a registration fee, a small application processing fee may be required. No other usual fees will be charged to displaced families. Likewise, the cost of annual tuition will not be charged, and the monthly tuition cost will be set by each school. […]
News
Locate loved ones who’ve evacuated
The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services has launched “Connect,” a way for families to locate loved ones who evacuated from Hurricane Laura to state-provided hotel rooms. The number to call is 225-342-2727. Alternatively, […]
Events
Tips to avoid indoor air dangers following Hurricane Laura
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reminds communities, families, and business owners to be aware of conditions that could lead to poor or dangerous indoor air quality following Hurricane Laura. Most importantly, always operate portable […]
Baton Rouge
T.I. to deliver keynote during SU symposium
Tip “T.I.” Harris will deliver the Saturday keynote address for the Southern University Law Center’s virtual Sports and Entertainment Symposium. “At the Law Center, we strive to present continuing education seminars where we align our […]
Drum Roll
First cousins make history as valedictorian and salutatorian
Two Landry-Walker High School seniors made history in New Orleans, becoming the first male students and first cousins to graduate from the school as the valedictorian and salutatorian on June 12, 2020. Keisean Garnier and […]
News
State accepting public comments on 2016 floods action plan
The Louisiana Office of Community Development is accepting public comments on Action Plan Amendment 14, which modifies program budgets to help stabilize housing stock and provide critical assistance in areas impacted by the Great Floods […]
Community-La
P-EBT cards arriving in plain white envelopes; Don’t toss!
As the first round of Louisiana Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) cards arrive this week, recipients should be on alert for plain white envelopes with an Austin, Texas, return address. The envelope will include the household’s P-EBT card along with […]
Community-La
Nominate your Essential Dad
Dads are essential! Nominate a dad who has been working throughout the COVID-19 crisis for him to be a part of our ESSENTIAL DADS feature. Share his name and email, then he will receive an […]
Baton Rouge
Free COVID-19 testing, supplies at Living Faith on June 9
CareSouth Medical and Dental and other community partners are hosting a COVID-19 Drive-thru Community Testing and Household Supplies and Mask Giveaway at Living Faith Christian Center, 6375 Winbourne Avenue, in Baton Rouge on Saturday, June […]
Baton Rouge
Open Health Care Clinic, Runner’s Courier bring mobile COVID-19 testing to unserved residents
COVID-19 testing expands into North Baton Rouge neighborhoods thanks to partnerships between Open Health Care Clinic, community leaders, businesses, and churches. Early on in March, when the city of Baton Rouge began testing the public […]
News
2020 Youth Peace Olympics goes virtual
2020 Youth Peace Olympics Goes Virtual The First Virtual Opening Ceremony Coming May 30th The Louisiana Center for Health Equity (LCHE), along with the Together We Are More Adolescent Health Collaborative, is excited to announce […]
Drum Roll
Katrina then COVID-19: First-gen graduate, Jason Williams, leaves SUNO Honore Center ready for urban classroom
New Orleans native Jamon Williams said his life’s calling is to teach and help others prosper by learning. In 2015, Williams answered that call by enrolling in Southern University New Orleans and joining the Honoré […]
Community-La
Two hour COVID-19 drive-thru testing site opens Wed., May 6 in Baker; No doctor’s order required
A COVID19 drive-through testing facility in the City of Baker will open Wednesday, May 6, to test anyone who has symptoms of COVID19. All healthcare providers and first responders are encouraged to utilize the testing site regardless if […]
Community-La
Mobile testing begins at Cortana Mall parking lot without doctor’s notice
Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome and Senator Regina Barrow announced that a new COVID-19 drive-thru testing site will open near the Cortana Mall in the Walmart parking lot on Monday, May 4, 2020. The site will […]
Drum Roll
SLU professor wins $265K national grant
Ponchatoula resident and Southeastern Louisiana University professor of organic chemistry Jean Fotie, Ph.D., was awarded a $265,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. Fotie plans to develop greener and sustainable catalytic methods to reduce the […]
Business
Professional Beauty Association launches COVID-19 Relief Fund
The Professional Beauty Association, the largest and most inclusive membership association representing the professional beauty industry by connecting, educating, celebrating and fighting for the community it serves, has announced the creation of the PBA COVID-19 […]