N O L A.C O M
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T h u r s d ay, M ay 1, 2025
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Bill to inject health into food programs advances
Plan may be in works for Plaza Tower Skyscraper could become senior affordable housing
BY ANTHONY McAULEY | Staff writer
STAFF PHOTOS By JAVIER GALLEGOS
A massive crowd fills the Senate Health and Welfare Committee meeting room during the discussion of SB14 by Sen. Patrick McMath, left, at the State Capitol on Wednesday. The crowd was large enough to fill an overflow room upstairs.
Food dyes, sugary drinks would be restricted in plan BY EMILY WOODRUFF | Staff writer A bill that proposes to bring the Make America Healthy Again movement to Louisiana went before a packed Senate Health and Welfare Committee on Wednesday, which ultimately advanced the bill out of committee and to the full Senate. The proposed law, Senate Bill 14, is part of a national effort to reshape food policy led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. MAHA’s broad agenda includes regulating soda and candy purchases under social welfare programs, removing fluoride from public water systems, rolling back pharmaceutical interventions and removing
Sen. Patrick McMath, R-Covington, speaks while presenting SB14 during a Senate Health and Welfare Committee meeting at the State Capitol on Wednesday.
ultra-processed food from schools. The end goals are to curb obesity, reduce chronic illness and restore individual autonomy in health decisions. Louisiana consistently ranks near the bottom in national health metrics, including obesity, diabetes and child well-being. Sen. Patrick McMath, a Republican from Covington who authored the bill, said he worked with the Trump administration and Kennedy to craft the measure. “This movement is taking place across the country,” said McMath, who said other states passing similar legislation have had it fast-tracked for federal approval.
ä See HEALTH, page 4A
The owners of Plaza Tower, which for decades has been one of New Orleans’ most visible eyesores, may finally have a viable plan to bring the blighted skyscraper back into commercial use. The executor of the estate of the late Joe Jaeger, who had owned the building since 2014, said Wednesday that he is in talks with Lincoln Avenue Communities, a California-based affordable housing developer, to transform the 45-story tower into a residential complex for qualified elderly tenants. The high-rise, which is located across from Amtrak’s Union Passenger Terminal at the corner of Howard and Loyola avenues, has been deteriorating since the last tenants left in 2002. In recent years, it has become a hazard, causing periodic street
ä See PLAZA, page 4A
STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER
The owners of Plaza Tower, seen in the background, which for decades has been one of New Orleans’ most visible eyesores, may finally have a viable plan to bring the blighted skyscraper back into commercial use.
Tulane students may face consequences after March protest Suspended student Rory MacDonald speaks in front of Tulane University on March 19 during a news conference to demand the release of Mahmoud Khalil and Leqaa Kordia, and oppose deportation of immigrants and Trump’s executive order against DEI programs. STAFF FILE PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER
WEATHER HIGH 85 LOW 73 PAGE 8B
Seven at peaceful demonstration investigated
About 40 students passed around a microphone and took turns speaking about Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University student activist who was detained after participating in pro-Palestinian protests, while Tulane UniverBY MARIE FAZIO | Staff writer sity police officers stood at the ready with metal barricades demarcating The peaceful protest by students at campus property. Then they marched Tulane University in March resembled peacefully on public sidewalks dozens of past demonstrations that oc- through campus and briefly rallied on curred without incident — except this St. Charles Avenue before disbanding. time some participants could face seriä See STUDENTS, page 5A ous consequences.
Business ......................6A Commentary ................7B Nation-World................2A Classified .....................7D Deaths .........................3B Opinion ........................6B Comics-Puzzles .....3D-6D Living............................1D Sports ..........................1C
12TH yEAR, NO. 262