A bill that would lift licensing requirements to braid hair is dead in this year’s legislative session. Mel Bridges has more.
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Considering Louisiana has among the highest property and auto insurance rates in the country, insurance coverage for your pet here is the most affordable. Brooke Thorington has more.
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This year’s edition of the KIDS COUNT Data Book shows the pandemic had an unprecedentedly harmful effect on student learning. Annie E. Casey Foundation President Lisa Hamilton says this report shows a higher percentage of Louisiana students suffered from trauma than students nationwide.
Hamilton says what’s interesting is that Louisiana did not see as many students who were chronically absent as the rest of the country.
Though the report found 30% of all students nationally were chronically absent from 2019 to 2022, nearly double pre-pandemic rates, Hamilton says Louisiana students are staying in school, and it shows.
Hamilton says there are still pandemic funds out there that could help schools catch students up.
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A bill that would lift licensing requirements to braid hair did not make it through this year’s legislative session. Bill sponsor Mike Bayham of Chalmette says the bill is important to promote jobs in Louisiana.
The current rules say braiders must have at least 500 hours of education, which can cost as much as 20 thousand dollars. Critics of the bill say the hours are essential for education and safety. Bayham says they are cost-prohibitive and unnecessary.
Though the bill failed in the House Commerce Board, Bayham intends to bring the bill back next year, when he says the conditions are more favorable.
In addition to this legislation, a separate lawsuit against the licensing process is going through appeals.
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Even though Louisiana ranks among the country’s highest property and automobile insurance rates, you’d be surprised to learn that when it comes to pet insurance, Bayou State is ranked the most affordable. Dayna Drake with MarketWatch Guides says the statewide average to insure your pet is $36 a month.
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The national average is $46 a month. The price of pet insurance varies depending on the type of pet, breed, and coverage. Insurance for dogs costs more compared to cats.
Drake says location is a driving factor for costs, and Louisiana’s lower cost of living is reflected in veterinary costs. She also credits a state law for pet insurers.
Like humans, routine care for your pet, she says, is best so any disease or illness can be caught early. Among the types of things pet insurance will pay for, depending on your coverage are…
Drake says pet insurance in general does not cover pre-existing conditions or procedures that are considered elective.