Governor John Bel Edwards has provided his input on how one-point-six billion dollars in federal coronavirus aid should be spent. Edwards says 400-million dollars should go towards refilling the unemployment trust fund, which is bankrupt, and the only other way to re-fill it is by taxing businesses.
All of the funding comes from the American Rescue Plan approved by Congress earlier this year.
The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed two cases of the COVID-19 Brazilian variant in Louisiana.
The Brazilian variant is one of now three variants circulating in Louisiana. Kanter says officials getting vaccinated can help prevent mutations and infections of COVID-19
The State Fair is underway in Shreveport and having the event in the spring is a first for the Bayou State staple. State Fair President Chris Giordano says due to COVID they postponed last year’s fall event and instead of canceling the 114th edition they opted for a spring and fall fair this year. So far feedback is positive.
The fair runs through May 9th.
A bill to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco and vaping products in Louisiana from 18 to 21 passes in House Judiciary 8 to 2. Denham Springs High School Assistant Principal Justin Wax says vaping and cigarette use among teens is an ever-growing issue.
The bill now heads to the house for debate.