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S u n d ay, M ay 25, 2025
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Can La. speed up fortified roof adoption?
Bills considered to require permits, offer $10K tax credit BY SAM KARLIN | Staff writer While Louisiana lawmakers have struggled to rein in rising home insurance premiums, one solution can both lower costs and make homes more resistant to hurricane damage: fortified roofs. Now, lawmakers appear poised to pass some bills that are expected to accelerate the pace at which stronger roofs are put on homes. A plan to give homeowners a $10,000 tax credit if they pay for a fortified roof has gained momentum this legislative session, which ends June 12. So has a bill to require local governments to permit new roofs, which can help to verify if they’re built to correct standards. And some lawmakers are pushing to set up a dedicated funding source for a separate and popular state grant program where people enter a lottery to receive $10,000 grants to build fortified roofs. The moves are aimed at a lofty goal: Building higher roof standards on a critical mass of south Louisiana homes — thought to be 25% of the housing stock.
‘Becoming a reality’ New St. Anne Church poised to serve youngsville’s growing Catholic community
BY STEPHEN MARCANTEL Staff writer
The sounds of an organ bellow across the pews of the hall of St. Anne Catholic Church in Youngsville. Gold-trimmed ceilings stretch high while stained glass paints the floor of the Gothic cathedral, which two weeks prior had its first service and dedication after a year and a half of construction. “They’re tuning right now the organ,” said the Rev. Michael Russo as he stood in front of the church’s altar. The Italian-made organ sounded off again while Fabrizio Scolaro meticulously fine-tuned the massive instrument that looms over parishioners, a process that will take two weeks, said Russo. So delicate is it, that tuning takes into account the ambient temperature of the church. The organ is making its debut at this week’s service — a
capstone to the mostly completed first phase of construction. The second phase will see the original church renovated into a room for prayer and baptisms. In total, construction and renovation will cost $16 million, Russo said, with the organ alone costing around $300,000. Parishioners have raised $11 million since 2021. Youngsville’s Catholic community turned out in droves for the church’s first two services, Russo said. The building can hold 850 people compared to the previous 350. While Russo wasn’t sure of the square footage, previous reporting stated the new church would sit at 14,500 square feet. “I was actually this past weekend looking at how full the church is for the Masses, and I’m thinking, ‘I hope I built the church big enough,’ ” Russo said.
ä See FORTIFIED, page 4A
Lawmakers look at expanding gun owners’ rights Bill shrinks area around schools requiring concealed carry permit BY ALYSE PFEIL and SOPHIE KASAKOVE | Staff writers STAFF PHOTOS By LESLIE WESTBROOK
TOP and ABOVE: The interior of the recently constructed St. Anne Catholic Church is seen in youngsville on Monday. The new church is welcoming parishioners after a $16 million renovation and construction project. Parishioners have raised $11 million since 2021. The 14,500-square-foot building can ä See CHURCH, page 4A hold 850 people.
Less than a year after Louisiana agreed to let people carry concealed weapons in public without a permit, bills are now moving through the state Legislature to allow more people to have concealed guns close to schools and along parade routes. On the Fourth of July, constitutional carry — a term favored by gun rights advocates referring to the Second Amendment right to bear arms — became law in Louisiana. Last year, lawmakers also strengthened the state’s preemption of any local gun laws that were more restrictive, prohibiting the enforcement of those ordinances and declaring them null and void.
ä See RIGHTS, page 5A
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100TH yEAR, NO. 329