Changes are coming to DCFS, thanks to the just-completed legislative session. Andrew Greenstein reports.
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The Senate is holding a hearing today on the Protect College Sports Act. Kace Kieschnick reports.
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There will be several changes within the Department of Children and Family Services as a result of the just-completed legislative session. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow initially sought to abolish the agency altogether. While that quest went nowhere, she was able to get other legislation to the governor’s desk, including one that adds a law enforcement liaison within the department.
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Barrow had tried to get nine liaisons, one for each region in the state, but she noted the state did not have money in the budget for that.
Barrow says one of the main purposes of her bill is to strengthen communication within the department. She says currently, the stakeholders which investigate child abuse cases haven’t always worked closely together.
Barrow says the end goal of her bill is to improve communication within the stakeholders of the agency to better protect children.
Cut 5 (08) “…definitely be narrowed.”
Last year, 53 children with cases being investigated by DCFS died; and 30 have died this year so far.
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The LHSAA is bringing the Boys’ Basketball State Championships back to the CAJUNDOME. Marsh Madness has been held at the Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles since 2014 and previously spent 15 years in Lafayette. LHSAA Assistant Executive Director Karen Hoyt says she’s excited to work with the community.
The CAJUNDOME will host the championships for the next two seasons before bidding reopens in 2028. Hoyt says basketball coaches have been asking to bring the tournament back to Lafayette for years.
The CAJUNDOME underwent a 21-million-dollar renovation in 2016 that included improved seating, improved lighting and a new court. Hoyt says the community has history and experience hosting boys’ basketball, and the arena has been home to the state volleyball tournament since 2021.
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The U.S. Senate heard arguments today on the Protect College Sports Act this morning. The bill provides a framework of antitrust exemption and athlete protections to give control back to the NCAA in the NIL era. USA Today’s Blake Toppmeyer says SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey has begged Congress to step in but has now released a joint statement with the Big Ten against the bill.
The conference’s primary grievance against the bill is the proposed pooling of media rights. Toppmeyer says smaller schools would love to get a piece of the revenue, but it doesn’t make sense for the two richest conferences.
The SEC and Big Ten, of course, can’t stop the bill from moving ahead, but there has been speculation it could push them to break off from the current NCAA structure.
The bill preserves NIL and revenue sharing for student-athletes, but adds regulations to snuff out illegitimate deals and cap-evading loopholes. It also provides medical insurance for athletes, but Toppmeyer says the bill limits the earnings of athletes and their representation.
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Drivers are starting to feel some relief at the gas pumps. The big question is, how long will this downward trend continue? Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says gasoline prices have dropped about 17 cents over the last week.
Cut 12 (06) “…$3.81 a gallon.”
Redman says even though a deal between the U.S. and Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is still pending, there’s something else that’s causing gas prices to fall – but that drop could be short-lived.
Cut 13 (12) “…price of gasoline.”
Redman says now that the calendar has flipped to June, tropical activity in the Gulf of Mexico could have a profound impact on gasoline prices.
Cut 14 (11) “…prices up higher.”