Members of a New Orleans flood protection authority voted on a resolution Thursday opposing a bill sought by Gov. Jeff Landry's administration that would reduce the size of the agency’s board and scrap the expert panel that vets potential new members. The changes would reverse some of the reforms put in place following the devastating levee breaches that occurred during Hurricane Katrina. Good government groups in addition to board members have sounded the alarm over the proposal. Board members voted 4–1 to approve the resolution, which states that they have...

The Houston Landing, a nonprofit digital news outlet, said it is shutting down due to “financial challenges” less than two years after it was launched. The Landing started in publishing in June 2023, backed by more than $20 million in seed funding from a host of organizations, including Houston Endowment, American Journalism Project and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The publication was launched after a two-year study from the American Journalism Project found Houston residents said they did not feel they had access to a deeply reported...

In the fall of 2018, Dr. Lana Joseph made a unique “house call.” The New Orleans audiologist took an Uber to the Smoothie King Center, where a few giant bodyguards ushered her backstage for an appointment with Drake, the rap superstar who was in town to perform. Joseph injected silicone into Drake’s ears, creating the mold that would be used to make new, custom in-ear monitors, a type of fancy wireless earbuds used by most professional musicians on stage. The experience and others like it got Joseph thinking: In her...

Acadian Ambulance will honor its top EMTs and paramedic of the year during its annual May 9 in Lafayette. Now in its 54th year, Acadian will name a top paramedic and top EMT along with top EMTs and paramedics in each of its 14 regions in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Tennessee. All honorees were nominated and voted on by peers in their district while also participating in an interview process with Acadian’s leadership team. Top honorees will go to Joannie Sanchez, a flight registered nurse with Acadian Air Meds and...

Tulane University’s top executives made the rounds in Baton Rouge Wednesday, meeting with legislative leaders and Gov. Jeff Landry’s key staffers to tout the university’s economic impact during the annual Tulane Day at the Capitol. Tulane President Mike Fitts and Chief Operating Officer Pat Norton were joined by students, employees and stakeholders gathered behind a half a dozen tables in the rotunda outside the senate chambers distributing pamphlets that sought to tell the story of Tulane by the numbers. The university has an annual economic impact of $5.2 billion, generates...

Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority approved the agency’s annual plan Wednesday, which forecasts record spending of nearly $2 billion on projects aimed creating new wetlands, elevating homes and building additional hurricane protections. But more than a quarter of that spending, $573 million, is tied to one project, the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion, which is in limbo after Gov. Jeff Landry questioned its effectiveness and state officials issued a 90-day pause on the project earlier this month.

In partnership with The Acadiana Advocate, the705 is recognizing its annual Top 20 Under 40 Acadiana Leadership Award honorees, presented by Advancial Federal Credit Union. Honorees will be recognized at a May 2 banquet. For tickets, visit bit.ly/20under40for2025. Joelle Nixon is owner and counselor of Joiful Counseling Services. Tell me about your life growing up. Where are you from, and who were your biggest influences on your life? I grew up in Louisiana surrounded by a strong community of Black women who shaped my values, resilience and sense of purpose....

Southeastern Louisiana University and the College of Business recently announced the appointment of Wayne Ricks as the new director of the Louisiana Small Business Development Center at Southeastern. Ricks brings experience in business consulting and economic advancement, aligning perfectly with the LSBDC’s mission to foster the growth and success of small businesses in Livingston, St. Helena, St.

ROCKING: The next free Rockin' the Rails concert, featuring rock-a-billy party band and fan favorites Christian Serpas & Ghost Town, will literally rock the Covington Trailhead stage on April 17 from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Bring chairs and blankets for seating. Another Rockin' the Rails concert is scheduled April 24 with the Pontchartrain Shakers. SUNSET: The next Sunset at the Landing free Friday concert is scheduled April 18 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at the foot of Columbia Street in Covington, featuring David Bandrowski & the Rhumba Defense with John Fohl. Everyone...