Our schools teach us the importance of literacy and the value of numbers, among many other subjects that guide the future of our young people. In regards to the latter of the numbers, the figures we hear in terms of teacher pay give one the idea that Louisiana may not merit a passing grade i…

I noticed on Facebook that Mr. Wascom was asking the people of Watson if they wanted to support a tax that would fund spraying poison on their streets. Mr. Talbert then challenged Mr. Wascom to address spraying poison where he lived if he really thought it was poison. The funny thing was aft…

There’s a common misconception about economics – that the study is based around the exchange of money. The focus of economics, however, is producing visual results of reactions to incentives.  

Baton Rouge’s echo chamber was filled with theories last week about the momentous spike in early voting. Nearly all of the reads and interpretations, including the recent analyses published by Louisiana’s daily newspapers, attributed the 10 percent early voting turnout to a variety of nation…

The people have spoken, as we often hear in the aftermath of an election.     

I have been living in Livingston Parish a number of years and recently turned 62 years of age. I have been pondering that I would like to see a couple of milestones occur before I go to the great parish in the sky.......The landing of man on the planet Mars and the completion of the construc…

It would appear that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is going to cause problems for as long as it is able.

How far can $1,500 go in 2018?      

If you think the somewhat quiet midterm elections will mark the end of campaign rhetoric and personal attacks, think again.     

I'm wondering if everybody is getting these telemarketer phone calls like I am. I average two or three a day on each of my phones. I'm just wondering if we should call our congressman and our two senators. Each time we get a call, I think if we call their office, I believe they would get up …

This Thursday, the Livingston Parish Council will be considering a $53 million budget, including $1 million in extra sales tax revenue.

It’s not as if political anthropologists needed more than a clock and a calendar to know as much, but Gov. John Bel Edwards has definitely transitioned into full campaign mode.

Dear editor,

Elections often bring questions of how many registered voters will show up at the polls. In the case of the Nov. 6 election, it has brought quite a surprise.     

As is customary in Louisiana, voters will be asked to vote yae or nae Nov. 6 on constitutional amendments for the ever-growing legal document that provides the framework for our state.  

I hope the voters in this parish educate themselves about the Sheriffs enormous sales tax proposal. It disappoints me that our sheriff is using the safety of our children and our emotions to push this tax on us. This tax will put Juban Crossing at a sales tax of over 11% and that is absurd. …

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 11, states: “Everyone charged with a penal offense has the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law in a public trial at which or she has all the guarantees necessary for his or her defense.”     

It’s not as if political anthropologists needed more than a clock and a calendar to know as much, but Gov. John Bel Edwards has definitely transitioned into full campaign mode.

I just saw the commercial of Garret Graves standing in the Washington Street exit on the interstate saying that exit was stupid. No, what’s stupid is him standing in the middle of the interstate. Plus, it’s illegal, and why hasn’t he been arrested? I guess we all know.

Urban Sprawl has been an economic study and developmental trend throughout history, however the term wasn’t coined until the 1950s – some believe it was first referenced due to London’s sprawling neighborhoods, others used it to describe the flight from urban centers in the United States.

Let’s turn our attention for a moment to some political news.

On Monday, October 22, Sheriff Jason Ard indicated that any revenue generated above the cost to operate the School Resource Officer Program would be retained by his office for other operations of his office. Come on Sheriff Ard, is this really a tax for the School System or the Sheriff's Office?

The weeks leading into a major election usually bring with them a barrage of campaign ads and a share of controversial allegations hurled between candidates -- both true and not so true.     

Nearly 30 miles separate Interstate 12 from the Sunshine Bridge, so it seems a shutdown would have little effect on Livingston Parish.    

When was the last time you heard about polio?

The visit by U.S. Sen. John N. Kennedy to Denham Springs High School on Friday spoke volumes about an element sorely missing in government.    

I, as a woman, am sick to death of the #me to,movement.

Within the confines of Livingston Parish, two D’s have emerged as the main focal points for any serious political candidate in this 2018 election – drainage and development.

Let’s start with what we know.

The day of reckoning is right around the corner on a longstandinTg debate in Livingston Parish.    

My name is Bobby Allen Achord. I live in Walker. I am 100% opposed to the perpetual sales tax proposed by our sheriff that will generate millions for a slush fund exclusively for him. This is from a news station in Lafayette. “Police officers are getting ready for their new roles as School R…

It was very, very red in Tiger Stadium on Saturday night.

Here are a few signs here and there promoting the candidates for secretary of state, but not nearly enough to signal to voters that a statewide election is scheduled for Nov. 6. 

Editor’s note: The News asks readers and commenters to remember that local comments only will be accepted and published. A column on April 26, 2018, explained The News is moving away from national commentary, focusing on local, community-based banter. The News will accept national comments o…

Nine million dollars may seem like an enormous amount of money -- and, by all means, it is -- but the figure left the Livingston Parish School Board breathing a huge sigh of relief.    

Sometimes, when we work hard enough, life rewards our efforts with the goal which we focused on the most.

Ask many reporters about their fascination, and quite often they will bring up the same interest.

One month remains before the Nov. 6 primary election, yet the race for a prominent state post has fallen under the radar.    

Eastside Elementary: I have read your RULES for carpool pickup and I abide by them. If I arrived before your designated time that my wheels can touch school property, I am instructed to go all the way around the school and get back in the line. I do it. Here is my issue-- your 'rules' in BOL…

Readers of The News may have – hopefully - noticed that both this Thursday’s edition, and last Thursday’s edition, reflected a full-size map of Livingston Parish on the front page.      

Turnover in the Louisiana House of Representatives, and to a lesser degree in the Senate, is the story that just keeps on giving for political reporters. Personally, I’ve never seen an abandon-ship mentality run so strong in any elected body that I’ve covered during the past 18 years.

Four days after he described Christine Blasey Ford, the accuser of Judge Brett Kavanaugh, as a “very credible witness," President Donald Trump could no longer contain his feelings or constrain his instincts.

I read the new where a mother was trying to enroll her children at one of the schools. Shame Shane Shame on the School Board and their Lawyer passing the buck on this family .Its ashame that this has to go to a hearing or court having to get the child or children in that school . If the scho…

he U.S. political landscape is complicated, to be sure. For many, they consider the answer to any legislation as a black or white response – which has caused some extreme divisions among the population.

The wait is apparently over.    

Many of us can bookmark our lives by certain events, and in my case, I can even do it in terms of my employment in Livingston Parish.   

Most Americans learn not much later than elementary school about the importance of leading by example.    

Editor’s note: The News asks readers and commenters to remember that local comments only will be accepted and published. A column on April 26, 2018, explained The News is moving away from national commentary, focusing on local, community-based banter. The News will accept national comments o…