The response to Hurricane Francine is a good reminder of the partnership between Louisiana and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  However, as critical as FEMA is in disaster response, state and local governments are often so strapped for funds that they are forced to innovate in such crises—and quite often they are the most successful …

Here’s what you may have missed in the latest issue of LaPolitics Weekly, published last week… —HIRING AND FIRING: Legislation to weaken Civil Service protections and shake up the Civil Service Commission is likely to be filed again next year… —MORE SPECIAL SESSIONS?: Along with a potential tax-focused special session, lawmakers may find themselves convening …

The storm that divided Louisiana’s timeline into “pre-Katrina” and “post Katrina” came ashore Aug. 29, 2005.  Katrina made its initial landfall on August 25 along the southeast Florida coast as a Category 1 hurricane. After moving west across south Florida and into the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, it intensified rapidly and attained …

—The Advocate: Gov. Jeff Landry picks head for Louisiana Board of Regents under new law giving him that power —Shreveport Times: How a Shreveport senator was thrust into Harris-Trump campaign with Louisiana abortion law —WGNO: What are the odds that Louisiana sees a hurricane this week? —NOLA: Raffles, extra recess, ‘Together Tuesdays’: How Louisiana schools …