Latest Louisiana News

College students, inmates and a nun: A unique book club meets at one of the nation’s largest jails

Apr. 23, 2024 16:17 PM EDT

CHICAGO (AP) — For college senior Nana Ampofo, an unconventional book club inside one of the nation’s largest jails has transformed her career ambitions. Each week, the 22-year-old drives a van of her DePaul University peers to Cook County Jail to discuss books with inmates and...

Transgender Louisianans lost their ally in the governor's seat. Now they're girding for a fight

Apr. 23, 2024 15:31 PM EDT

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — As transgender people in Louisiana watched surrounding states in the deeply conservative South implement a slew of laws targeting nearly every facet of their lives in recent years, they counted on their ally in the governor’s office to keep their home a relative oasis. ...

Jac Caglianone's 9-game HR streak ties record. It's one of few bright spots in Gators' tough season

Apr. 22, 2024 17:56 PM EDT

Florida's Jac Caglianone continues to shine in what otherwise has been a dismal season by the program's lofty standards. The two-way star and projected top-five pick in the 2024 Major League Baseball draft tied the NCAA record when he homered for a ninth straight game in a loss at...

Investar: Q1 Earnings Snapshot

Apr. 22, 2024 05:57 AM EDT

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Investar Holding Corp. (ISTR) on Monday reported net income of $4.7 million in its first quarter. The Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based bank said it had earnings of 48 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring gains, came to...

Seeking 'the right side of history,' Speaker Mike Johnson risks his job to deliver aid to Ukraine

Apr. 19, 2024 16:36 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Staring down a decision so consequential it could alter the course of history -- but also end his own career -- House Speaker Mike Johnson prayed for guidance. A conservative Christian, the speaker wrestled over whether to lead the House in approving $95 billion...

Editorial Roundup: Louisiana

Apr. 18, 2024 07:11 AM EDT

The Advocate. April 16, 2024. Editorial: Louisiana’s got a ton of problems. Libraries aren’t among them. Louisiana’s got some big problems that demand the Legislature’s attention, from unaffordable property insurance to crippling out-migration to dilapidated...

New Black congressional district in Louisiana bows to politics, not race, backers say

Apr. 18, 2024 00:25 AM EDT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Politics and race are both factors in a pending court challenge of Louisiana's new congressional maps. How much weight each carries is a major question before three federal judges whose ruling could affect the balance of power in the next Congress. At issue is a...

Louisiana bills seeking to place restrictions on where people can carry guns receive pushback

Apr. 17, 2024 21:36 PM EDT

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — As Louisiana prepares for a new law to go into effect that allows those 18 and older to carry a concealed handgun without a permit, a Republican-controlled committee pushed back Wednesday against bills seeking to restrict where people can carry guns. Among...

Republican AGs attack Biden's EPA for pursuing environmental discrimination cases

Apr. 17, 2024 18:18 PM EDT

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Republican attorneys general attacked the Biden administration’s stated goal of pursuing environmental justice, calling it a form of “racial engineering.‘’ Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and 22 other GOP officials asked the EPA Tuesday to stop using...

Home Bancorp: Q1 Earnings Snapshot

Apr. 17, 2024 17:27 PM EDT

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — Home Bancorp Inc. (HBCP) on Wednesday reported first-quarter earnings of $9.2 million. The bank, based in Lafayette, Louisiana, said it had earnings of $1.14 per share. The results exceeded Wall Street expectations. The...