Our Views: New leadership may be needed in Louisiana’s House after legislature failure

Rep. Walt Leger III, D-New Orleans, stands at the lectern asking the House to vote to direct the committee to report HB1 as House Speaker Rep. Taylor Barras, R-New Iberia, right, watches during the closing minutes of the last day of the regular legislative session Thursday June 8, 2017, in Baton Rouge, La.. In the 2017 Legislature, passing the budget bills for the fiscal year beginning July 1 was supposed to be the easy part.

Political Horizons: 3-ring circus of a regular session slides into special session

Rep. Walt Leger III, D-New Orleans, stands at the lectern asking the House to vote to direct the committee to report HB1 as House Speaker Rep. Taylor Barras, R-New Iberia, right, watches during the closing minutes of the last day of the regular legislative session Thursday June 8, 2017, in Baton Rouge, La.. During floor debate in the final week of the regular legislative session, Democratic Rep. Barbara Norton, of Shreveport, apparently had enough of Republican Rep. Valarie Hodges from Denham Springs.

Louisiana House leaders want to pare spending in budget deal

Probation and parole officers fill out messages for lawmakers in the Louisiana House chamber, trying to persuade the Legislature to keep the officers' pay raise in next year's budget, on Wednesday, June 7, 2017, in Baton Rouge, La. less Probation and parole officers fill out messages for lawmakers in the Louisiana House chamber, trying to persuade the Legislature to keep the officers' pay raise in next year's budget, on Wednesday, June 7, ... more Probation and parole officers line up outside the Louisiana House chamber, as they work to persuade lawmakers to keep their pay raise in next year's budget, on Wednesday, June 7, 2017, in Baton Rouge, La.

Political Horizons: New legislative independence frustrates old process

Republican House Majority Leader Lance Harris, R-Alexandria, center, and House Speaker Taylor Barras, R-New Iberia, right, listen Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry Jr., R-Metairie, left, during a legislative recess on the House floor while awaiting legislation from the Senate which addresses the state budget deficit Monday Feb. 20, 2017, in Baton Rouge. Gov. John Bel Edwards smiled a lot but wasn't happy Thursday morning as he schmoozed his way around the lobby outside the public dining room - the town square of the State Capitol.

Our Views: Beware of future road, bridge cuts

DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson discusses the governor's task force recommendations to boost state aid for roads and bridges by $700 million per year Monday Feb. 20, 2017, in Baton Rouge, La. While the experts have devices to measure pavement quality, Louisiana drivers are apt to describe their experiences in more personal terms, in the part of the anatomy where the wallet is located.

Flooded Glen Oaks High returning to campus but to temporary classrooms

Students from Glen Oaks High School in Baton Rouge are set to return their school grounds for classes sometime in the spring, but they will be moving back into a sea of temporary classrooms because a return to the permanent buildings will have to wait another two more years at least. East Baton Rouge Parish Superintendent Warren Drake said he's received preliminary approval from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to purchase and install at least $7.5 million worth of temporary buildings at the high school, including a cafeteria, career-and-technical building and 30 classrooms.

CIA report concludes Russia interfered in election; Trump’s camp: ‘Time to move on’

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a "Get Out The Vote" rally to stump for Republican senate candidate, Louisiana Treasurer John Kennedy, and other congressional candidates, in Baton Rouge, La., Friday, Dec. 9, 2016. ORG XMIT: LAGH105 President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a "Get Out The Vote" rally to stump for Republican senate candidate, Louisiana Treasurer John Kennedy, and other congressional candidates, in Baton Rouge, La., Friday, Dec. 9, 2016.

USDA designates Pointe Coupee Parish as a disaster area

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated Pointe Coupee Parish as a primary natural disaster area due to damages and losses caused by severe storms and flooding that occurred in August. Farmers and ranchers in Avoyelles, Concordia, Iberville, St. Landry, St. Martin, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana parishes also qualify for national disaster assistance because their areas are contiguous.

Grace Notes: Louisiana flood aid a rare reason for hope out of Washington

President Barack Obama shakes hands with Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, accompanied by Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., after making a statement about the flooding following a tour of Castle Place, a flood-damaged area of Baton Rouge, La., Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016. Obama is making his first visit to flood-ravaged southern Louisiana as he attempts to assure the many thousands who have suffered damage to their homes, schools and businesses that his administration has made their recovery a priority.

Will you have to elevate? Follow live as Metro Council addresses important post-flood questions

Debris lines the street on Cedar Bend Avenue in the Park Forest subdivision west of Sherwood Forest Blvd during East Baton Rouge Parish flood cleanup on Monday August 22, 2016. Debris lines the street on Cedar Bend Avenue in the Park Forest subdivision west of Sherwood Forest Blvd during East Baton Rouge Parish flood cleanup on Monday August 22, 2016.