ADVOCATE THE
T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA
|
S u n d ay, F e b r u a ry 23, 2025
$2.50X
Louisiana considers changes to civil service
Senator seeks improved government efficiency BY ALYSE PFEIL | Staff writer After Gov. Jeff Landry earlier this month attempted to remove civil service protections for hundreds of engineers and attorneys across state government, a broader effort to give Louisiana elected officials greater control over more than 35,000 workers in the civil service system could be underway. Some argue a system that was originally designed to reward competency and merit over political connections is falling woefully short, instead keeping employees in their jobs regardless of their performance. “We do not have a meritocracy, which is critical for providing a high level of service in an efficient and effective way,” said Sen. Jay Morris, RWest Monroe. “Civil servants work for the people of the state, and the people deserve a more efficient government.” Morris said he will likely bring
ä See CHANGES, page 5A
Pope Francis in critical condition after respiratory health crisis
STAFF PHOTOS By JAVIER GALLEGOS
Float riders make tosses from the top deck of a royalty float as the Krewe of Orion parade rolls through downtown on Saturday.
BEADS BY
EXAMPLE MARDI GRAS
BY NICOLE WINFIELD and SILVIA STELLACCI
2025
Associated Press
ROME — Pope Francis was in critical condition Saturday after he suffered a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis while being treated for pneumonia and a complex lung infection, the Vatican said. T h e 8 8 - y e a r- o l d pope, who remains conscious, received “high flows” of oxygen to help him breathe. He also received blood transfusions after tests showed low counts of platelets, Francis which are needed for clotting, the Vatican said in a late update. “The Holy Father’s condition continues to be critical, therefore, as explained yesterday (Friday), the pope
ä See POPE, page 6A
WEATHER HIGH 51 LOW 47 PAGE 8B
The Tiger Ragtag Marching Band plays as the Krewe of Orion parade rolls on Saturday.
FOR MORE, THEADVOCATE. COM
The Golden Grannies dance down River Road as the Krewe of Orion parade rolls through downtown.
Gordon McKernan takes on Morris Bart on his home turf Personal injury firms vying to be biggest in the state BY TYLER BRIDGES | Staff writer “One Call, That’s All.” With that tagline, Morris Bart III built the biggest personal injury law firm in New Orleans.
“Get Gordon. Get it Done.” With that tagline, Gordon McKernan more recently built the largest personal injury law firm in Baton Rouge. Now McKernan is challenging Bart on his home turf in what is shaping up to be an epic battle between two legal titans — with big bank accounts, fierce competitive streaks and a flair
ä See FIRMS, page 4A Bart
Business ......................1E Deaths .........................4B Opinion ........................6B Classified ..................... 3F Living............................1D Nation-World ................2A Commentary ................7B Metro ...........................1B Sports ..........................1C
McKernan
100TH yEAR, NO. 238
THANKS FOR MAKING US THE
Most Visited CAsiNo IN BATON ROUGE
TheQueenBR.com