April 2018

Made in the Shade

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Jennings resident Warren Hoag’s goats roam in a field near his house, grazing and lounging in the shade.

Trump tweets about conspiracies behind challenges

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Russia collusion probe. The Stormy Daniels allegations. Escalating tension with Moscow.

The tempests that have buffeted the White House for months merged into a maelstrom this week and threatened to engulf President Donald Trump, who on Wednesday railed against members of the Justice Department by name and used Twitter to threaten military strikes in Syria and taunt a nuclear-armed power.

China denies Xi comments aimed at settling US dispute

BEIJING (AP) — China’s government on Thursday denied President Xi Jinping’s promise of market-opening measures this week was aimed at settling a tariff dispute with Washington and said negotiations are impossible under “unilateral coercion” by the United States.

A commerce ministry spokesman, Gao Feng, complained U.S. President Donald Trump’s government has “shown no sincerity,” according to the official Xinhua News Agency. Gao said the two sides have yet to start negotiations.

Teachers shouldn’t have to ask for more money

It’s not quite summer vacation but teachers in Oklahoma and Arkansas are staying home anyway due to their belief that they deserve a pay increase.

Teachers in West Virginia just ended a nine day walk-out that ended in students not getting an education for nearly two weeks and a well-deserved five percent increase in pay.

Our state could be next.

Let them talk

Even though he is one of the vilest men in the history of the world, Hitler was also one of the best at writing and delivering speeches. The way Hitler spoke to Germans at the time convinced many that what he was doing to millions was OK because he said all the right words, in the right order.

A downside of casinos in Louisiana

Several quick financial fixes are being discussed in the current session of the Legislature involving the expansion of gambling. Here’s an interesting thought. Why is it that Louisiana and neighboring state Mississippi are always on the bottom of every national ranking involving virtually every aspect of a state’s quality of life? Yet casino gambling is widespread throughout both states at a level not found any place else in America outside of Las Vegas.

Emily Joyce Conner Gothreaux

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Emily Joyce Conner Gothreaux, 92, died peacefully on April 10, 2018.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Seven Dolors in Welsh at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 12, 2017, with Rev. Alan Trouille officiating.

Visitation was held at Hixson Funeral Home in Welsh from 4-9 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, 2018, with a rosary at 6 p.m. Visitation will resume Thursday from 9 a.m. until time of service.

Emily will be laid to rest next to Billy at Prien Memorial Park Cemetery in Lake Charles following Mass.

Elodie C. Papillon

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Funeral services for Mrs. Elodie C. Papillon, 92, will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 14, 2018, at Jennings United Methodist Church, with Rev. Walter Parker officiating.

Lawmakers searching for consensus on sexual-harassment bills

BATON ROUGE (AP) — Louisiana lawmakers agree they want to strengthen state policies against sexual harassment. But they have gotten bogged down on what approach to take and whether to hide some of the harassment allegations and investigation details from the public.

Three proposals aimed at requiring governmentwide anti-harassment training and policies are pending in the Senate. All three measures initially emerged from a Senate committee, only to be sent back Tuesday evening in hopes of reaching consensus on one bill.

Trump says ‘missiles coming’ against Syria

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defying Russian warnings against U.S. military strikes in Syria, President Donald Trump said Wednesday that missiles “will be coming” in response to Syria’s suspected chemical attack that killed at least 40 people.

“Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria,” Trump tweeted. “Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and ‘smart!’ You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!”