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La. has new plan to compete for jobs
Strategy calls for incentives, focus on high-growth sectors BY BLAKE PATERSON
automaker Hyundai in recent months, released a new strategic plan for economic development on Gov. Jeff Landry’s administra- Wednesday that included a road tion, which has boasted about map for making investments in the multibillion-dollar investments technology sector and other growfrom social media giant Meta and ing industries.
Staff writer
The 40-page plan, produced by a team of consultants in partnership with Louisiana Economic Development, bills itself as a blueprint to “build the most robust, innovative, and high growth economy in the Southeast.” It also sought to diag-
nose why Louisiana has struggled to add jobs and what the state can do to stem the flow of residents to other states for better opportunities. Among the recommendations, the report calls for a new incentive program for businesses that offer jobs with wages above the regional benchmarks; creation of
State board calls for UNO to return to LSU system
a dedicated fund for site development; an increased focus on rural areas and small businesses; and more support for regional economic development organizations. The plan offered broad strategies as opposed to specific policy proposals, legislation or funding
ä See PLAN, page 7A
Gabbard calls Signal chats ‘mistake’ Trump officials face grilling over leaked military plan
BY DAVID KLEPPER Associated Press
STAFF FILE PHOTO By JOHN McCUSKER
The University of New Orleans was part of the LSU system before a 2011 move to the University of Louisiana system.
Proposal comes as school struggles in ‘dire’ fiscal state
BY MARIE FAZIO Staff writer
Citing University of New Orleans’ urgent financial crisis, the Board of Regents recommended Wednesday that UNO transition out of the University of Louisiana system and be put back under the control of the LSU system, which oversaw the university until about a decade ago. The proposal by the Board of Regents, which oversees public higher education in Louisiana, comes after state Senate President Cameron Henry and House
Speaker Phillip DeVillier last month asked the board to study the “financial, academic and operational considerations” of such a move. For more than a decade, UNO has been part of the UL system, which includes eight other universities across the state. Board members voted Wednesday to send the proposal to the state Legislature, which would have to pass legislation to formalize UNO’s transfer. The move must also be approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the accrediting agency that oversees UNO.
“We anticipate this transfer will produce a bold vision to strategically redesign UNO and position it as a major developer of talent for the Greater New Orleans Region,” Board of Regents Chair Misti Cordell said in a statement. Governing systems have significant authority over the colleges and universities they oversee. They supervise the schools’ leaders, provide fiscal oversight and approve hiring and staffing plans, according to the Board of Regents study that recommended UNO’s
WASHINGTON — Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said Wednesday it was a “mistake” for national security officials to discuss sensitive military plans on a group text chain that also included a journalist — a leak that has roiled President Donald Trump’s national security leadership. Speaking before the ä The House Intelligence Atlantic Committee, Gabbard releases the said the conversation Signal chat included “candid and sensitive” information showing about military strikes detailed against Houthi rebels attack plans. in Yemen. But as she PAGE 4A told senators during ä Jeffrey testimony on Tuesday, she said the texts did Goldberg not contain any classi- scheduled to speak at New fied information. “It was a mistake that Orleans Book a reporter was inadver- Fest., SEE STORy tently added,” Gabbard ON NOLA.COM said. Wednesday’s hearing was called to discuss an updated report on national security threats facing the U.S. Instead, much of the focus was on the text chain, which included Gabbard, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Secretary of Defense Pete
ä See GABBARD, page 4A
ä See UNO, page 8A
Bourbon St. security plans shared with officials BY SOPHIE KASAKOVE
sible strategy might involve closing off the street from Iberville Street to St. Ann Street nearly full time. Police said that was one of several preNew Orleans Police Department leaders said Wednesday that city officials are liminary recommendations that a security still weighing plans to close off the city’s consultant has advised New Orleans take most famous street to vehicles, but a pos- to secure Bourbon Street and surrounding Staff writer
WEATHER HIGH 82 LOW 67 PAGE 8B
areas, months after the deadly New Year’s Day attack on Bourbon Street exposed gaps in the city’s security plans. Speaking to a crowd of French Quarter residents, business owners and workers,
ä See BOURBON, page 7A
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, flanked by FBI Director Kash Patel, left, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, testifies as the House Intelligence Committee holds a hearing on worldwide threats on Wednesday.
Business ......................6A Commentary ................7B Nation-World ................2A Classified .....................7D Deaths .........................3B Opinion ........................6B Comics-Puzzles .....3D-6D Living............................1D Sports ..........................1C
12TH yEAR, NO. 227