March 2023

LA officials discuss wastewater improvements

LAKE ARTHUR — Town officials recently approved a resolution that would allow the mayor to apply for loans and grants through the clean Clean Water State Revolving Fund, operated by Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), to make necessary repairs and upgrades to the town’s wastewater treatment plant.

State board recognizes four JDP schools

The state education department recently recognized four parish schools for the impact educators have made on students despite facing various obstacles over the last two years.

Crawfish Condo

Article Image Alt Text

This one-foot-tall crawfish condo was spotted recently in Jeff Davis Parish. Some species of crawfish can be found in burrows, creating mud chimneys that can measure up to around a foot in height from the displaced dirt.

SFM: It’s time to ‘spring forward,’ check lifesaving devices

Article Image Alt Text

State Fire Marshal (SFM) Chief Dan Wallis is reminding all Louisianans to check the status of the life-saving devices in their homes, like smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms, when changing their clocks ahead one hour for Daylight Saving Time at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 12.

Early voting kicks off Saturday

Early voting week for the March 25 Municipal Primary Election kicks off Saturday. The ballot includes tax renewals for Fire District No. 3 and Gravity Drainage District No. 9.

Two kidnapped Americans found dead in Mexico, two others alive

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Two of four Americans abducted in Mexico last week when their van was caught in a shootout were found dead, a top Mexican official said Tuesday. The two others have been found alive, with one wounded.

WeightWatchers gets into prescription weight loss business

(AP) — WeightWatchers shares soared Tuesday after the company said it was getting into the prescription drug weight loss business with the acquisition of Sequence.

Biden says new taxes on the rich can help save Medicare

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday proposed new taxes on the rich to help fund Medicare, saying the plan would help to extend the insurance program’s solvency by 25 years and provide a degree of middle-class stability to millions of older adults.

Chinese minister warns China, US on course for conflict

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang warned Tuesday that Beijing and Washington are headed for “conflict and confrontation” if the U.S. doesn’t change course, striking a combative tone at a moment when relations between the rivals are at a historic low.

Powell: Rate hikes could accelerate if economy stays strong

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve could increase the size of its interest rate hikes and raise borrowing costs to higher levels than previously projected if evidence continues to point to a robust economy and persistently high inflation, Chair Jerome Powell says in prepared testimony to a Senate panel.