The Louisiana House has approved a 30-billion dollar spending plan for next fiscal year. It contains nearly a billion dollars in federal aid that’s being used to avoid deep cuts to state services. The proposal fully funds TOPS, K-through-12 schools and social services. The budget heads to the Senate, but final approval is not expected until a special session that will start on Monday night.

LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan says students will have to wear masks when they return to campus in August…
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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is set to receive $73 Million in Federal Assistance to help the state’s fishing industry offset financial losses from freshwater flooding in 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic. LDWF Assistant Secretary Patrick Banks says the total estimated loss to the industry for flooding last year is $338 million, but any assistance is appreciated.
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Banks says LDWF must develop a spending plan for the funds before they are received.