Kellen Moore’s journey to the Saints started in a small town in Washington 1C
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‘There’s a learning curve,’ former football coach says BY PATRICK SLOAN-TURNER | Staff writer In the lobby of the mayor-president’s office on the third floor of City Hall, a digital clock ticks down the days, hours, minutes and seconds until East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sid Edwards’ first term ends. He often points to it when someone comes to meet with him. “We have that much time to make a difference,” Edwards tells them. Sunday marks the 100th day of Edwards’ term, and he points to several big wins so far. But he also acknowledges his introduction to politics has had some turbulence, and he has had to learn some lessons the hard way. “On the front end, when the plane’s taking off, everything’s coming at you,” Edwards said. “It’s only when you get to that 30,000 feet that it doesn’t feel like you’re moving at all. We’re not there yet, but I’m also not on the runway anymore either.” In just over three months, the former high school football coach turned political
ä See EDWARDS, page 6A
STAFF FILE PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK
Gov. Jeff Landry faces challenges over the state budget, auto insurance and his private school voucher program, among others.
Landry’s path through session will require deft politics Governor opens regular session Monday
BY TYLER BRIDGES | Staff writer
STAFF FILE PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS
In his first 100 days as East Baton Rouge mayor-president, Sid Edwards has faced budget shortfalls, messaging woes and a high-profile library funding battle.
Gov. Jeff Landry was riding high when he kicked off the regular legislative session a year ago. Only months before, he had outpaced the field to be elected governor. Shortly after taking office, he called two special sessions where state lawmakers approved almost everything he wanted. But Landry is now facing headwinds when he convenes his second regular session as governor on Monday. On March 29, voters handed Landry his worst defeat in his 15 months as governor by soundly rejecting all four changes to the state constitution he sought.
Landry is also encountering a restive Republican freshman class in the House that is pushing for changes in car insurance laws that the governor and his trial lawyer allies oppose. “His political honeymoon is over,” said veteran pollster and political consultant Bernie Pinsonat. “He has to do a better job of selling his accomplishments and bringing stuff to the public that will satisfy their problems.” A poll conducted by Pinsonat and Greg Rigamer for conservative business owner Lane Grigsby immediately after the March 29 ballot box defeat showed that voters were evenly divided on Landry, with 45% offering favorable and unfavorable views of him. The poll also showed that 45% of the people surveyed believe Louisiana is heading in the wrong direction while 38% said the state is heading in the
ä Lawmakers seek solution to
insurance crisis. PAGE 4A
right direction. To be sure, history shows that a governor’s honeymoon won’t last long. In the case of Landry’s Democratic predecessor, John Bel Edwards, it didn’t last even a day. House Republicans broke 40 years of tradition on the day Edwards was inaugurated as governor by refusing to accept Edwards’ choice to be speaker of the House. The Republican majority, instead of selecting Edwards’ Democratic pick, chose a little-known Republican, thenRep. Taylor Barras of New Iberia. Under Barras, the House leadership made Edwards call in political favors to pass
ä See LANDRY, page 8A
Baton Rouge schools superintendent to release closure strategy ‘Facility alignment plan’ follows months of work
nally on the verge of releasing his recommendations for school closures, mergers and other changes in operations. This announcement has been a long time coming for the school system, which is built for 60,000BY CHARLES LUSSIER | Staff writer plus students but these days eduAfter months of work and three cates fewer than 40,000. well-attended community meetCole’s recommendations are ings, East Baton Rouge Parish being released Tuesday at a speSuperintendent LaMont Cole is fi- cial meeting of the parish School
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will vote on his recomBoard. The meeting — a mendations when it meets workshop during which no again on May 1, and failing votes are planned — will that he will likely schedule center around what Cole a special meeting soon afis calling a “facility alignment plan.” ter. The meeting is scheduled Any changes approved to start at 4 p.m. at the Inby the board would take place over the summer struction Resource Center, Cole in advance of the 2025-26 1022 S. Foster Drive, next school year, which starts in early door to the School Board Office. Cole said he is hoping the board August.
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Public school enrollment in Louisiana has declined by about 6% since before the COVID pandemic. The declines have led Caddo, Jefferson and school districts in the state to close schools, and now it is East Baton Rouge Parish’s turn. Two-thirds of East Baton Rouge Parish public schools have lost students compared with
ä See SCHOOLS, page 5A
100TH yEAR, NO. 287