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S at u r d ay, M a r c h 15, 2025
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Senate passes funding bill
GOING UP
Six-month measure averts shutdown BY KEVIN FREKING and LISA MASCARO Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The Senate passed a six-month spending bill on Friday hours before a government shutdown, overcoming sharp Democratic opposition to the measure and sending it to President Donald Trump to be signed into law. The vote was 54-46. Democrats voiced frustration that Republicans went ahead with a measure they said included little input from them, and one they viewed as shortchanging key priorities such as health care and housing assistance. But in the end, some of them viewed a shutdown as a worse outcome and supported Democratic leader Chuck Schumer’s effort to allow the bill to come to a final vote. Democrats were confronted with two painful options: allowing passage of a bill they believe gives President Donald Trump vast discretion on spending decisions or voting no and letting a funding lapse ensue. Schumer gave members of his
Construction moves along on the $65 million renovation project at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium at Cajun Field on Tuesday. The stadium is scheduled to open in August for the 2025 football season. The new west tower will look like a completely new structure, featuring 34 suites, 40 loge boxes and 524 club seats.
ä See SENATE, page 4A
Diversity efforts at Tulane probed 45 universities part of federal investigation
STAFF PHOTOS By BRAD KEMP
BY PATRICK WALL
Staff writer
The Department of Education is investigating Tulane University for alleged racial discrimination because its graduate programs have partnered with a group that promotes diversity, federal officials said Friday in a move that aligns with the Trump administration’s crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. The department’s Office for Civil
ä See TULANE, page 4A
Four constitutional amendments on ballot in Louisiana BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer
On March 29, residents in every parish will have the chance to vote on four proposed amendments to the Louisiana Constitution. The changes deal with courts, taxes, how juveniles are treated in the criminal justice system, and elections for judges. Three of the constitutional amendments have faced controversy — and court challenges. One of those, Amendment 2, is part of
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a push by Gov. Jeff Landry and the Legislature to overhaul Louisiana’s tax system. This month, every ballot includes the four proposed amendments, but some parishes will vote on local issues, too. There are 23 parishes that will consider just the amendments, while 41 parishes will also vote on local races or propositions. Early voting runs from March 15 to March 22, excluding Sunday, and early voting locations are open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Voters can find out where to vote at www.GeauxVote.com, on the GeauxVote mobile app or by calling their parish registrar of voters. Here are the four proposed constitutional amendments in the order they appear on the ballot.
family preservation courts, within a parish or a judicial district. It would also clarify that, under the Louisiana Constitution, the state Supreme Court has authority over disciplinary cases involving lawyer misconduct by out-of-state attorneys working in Louisiana. Amendment 1 Currently, the constitution only This amendment would give says the Supreme Court has austate lawmakers new, broader au- thority over “disciplinary proceedthority to create regional or state- ings against a member of the bar.” Proponents say Amendment 1 wide specialty courts. Currently they can only create specialty ä See AMENDMENTS, page 4A courts, such as drug courts or
Business ......................3B Deaths .........................2B Nation-World ................2A Classified .....................2B Living............................5C Opinion ........................4B Comics-Puzzles .....7C-9C Metro ...........................1B Sports ..........................1C
ELECTION 2025
EARLY VOTING Early voting runs from March 15 to March 22, excluding Sunday, and early voting locations are open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Voters can find out where to vote at www.GeauxVote.com, on the GeauxVote mobile app or by calling their parish registrar of voters.
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