SAFETY TYREE SKIPPER TO RETURN FOR BOWL GAME 1C THE
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W e d n e s d ay, d e c e m b e r 10, 2025
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HUD halts homelessness funding
Acadiana programs in limbo BY STEPHEN MARCANTEL
the notice that advocates warned would drastically cut permanent housing programs and send people The Department of Housing and back on the streets. HUD withdrew the notice MonUrban Development on Monday temporarily revoked its notice of day afternoon, shortly before a federal funding for homelessness U.S. District Court hearing in programs after two lawsuits chal- Rhode Island on two lawsuits filed lenged policy changes included in by the National Alliance to End Staff writer
Homelessness and 20 states, Politico reported. The department posted an update to its website, stating that the withdrawal will allow it “to make appropriate revisions“ and that it “intends to exercise this discretion and make changes to previously issued CoC NOFO to account for new priorities.” Those priorities emphasized transitional housing with work requirements and addiction treat-
ment, at the expense of permanent housing solutions. The policy change also mandated that only 30% of the agency’s Continuum of Care funding can be used for permanent housing, down from roughly 90%. The Acadiana Regional Coalition on Homelessness previously said the changes would create chaos and exacerbate visible homelessness in the region, affecting at
FEEDING FAMILIES
least half of the 350 households in permanent housing or rapidrehousing programs. Also included in the rescinded funding notice were a litany of ways an agency could be disqualified from receiving federal funding, including public complaints, showing racial preference, participating in harm-reduction models
ä See HUD, page 9A
Louisiana yanks a Medicaid contract
330,000 people pushed to other plans BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer
Louisiana has halted a contract with United Healthcare to provide Medicaid coverage for roughly 333,000 people in Louisiana, less than a month before next year’s agreement was set to take effect. People on the United Healthcare plan will be redistributed to other plans, the Louisiana Department of Health said. “LDH will begin the transition process of moving your Medicaid members to other contracted Medicaid Managed “The Care Plans for a January 1, 2026 immediate effective date,” impact is the Medicaid Direcchaos and tor Seth Gold confusion. ” wrote to United in a letter dated Dec. SEN. GERALD 2. “We expect BOUDREAUX, United to continD-Lafayette ue to abide by all of the terms of its current contract with LDH through the expiration date. We also expect your full cooperation with transitioning your members to their new Medicaid Managed Care Plans.” Some state leaders said they were concerned the abrupt change could cause confusion or disruptions for the thousands of people who rely on that Medicaid health plan, like requiring them to find new doctors. “The immediate impact is the chaos and confusion,” said Sen. Gerald Boudreaux, D-Lafayette, a longtime member of the Senate health committee. He also sits on the budget oversight committee that approves the contracts.
ABOVE: Volunteer Michael Uhler takes Lisa Chance’s donation Tuesday during the 39th annual FoodNet Food for Families Food Drive hosted by KLFy-TV and Catholic Charities of Acadiana at the Cajundome. RIGHT: Volunteer David Moresi sorts donations at the Cajundome during Tuesday’s food drive. STAFF PHOTOS By LESLIE WESTBROOK
ä See MEDICAID, page 9A
Tiny earbones in fish unlock their secret lives Scientists seek anglers’ contributions to study population
day on the water, solemnly serious men or women in state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries T-shirts approach. The initial, slightly paranoid thought for many anglers: Yikes, did I mismeasure a speckled trout and accidentally keep one slightly under the 13-inch limit? BY MIKE SMITH But no reason to worry in this case. Staff writer The Wildlife and Fisheries gang isn’t It’s a moment that can spark dread looking to confiscate your catch. They only want your fish’s earbones. among even the most scrupulously lawIt’s not some ritual described in a Dr. abiding Louisiana fishermen. As you return to the dock after a fine John song. The earbones, or otoliths,
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collected through a quick slice to the head, have revealed a wealth of information on the secret lives of fish to marine biologists, especially age. That info is then used to help determine the health of fish populations. The practice is by no means limited to Louisiana, or even the Gulf. Globally, it has uncovered vital new info over the years, including the fact that red snapper can live to 50 years old or
Two earbones, or otoliths, are removed from a flounder for study by scientists. PHOTO PROVIDED By LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES
ä See EARBONES, page 7A
Business ......................8A Commentary ................3B Nation-World ................2A Classified .....................6A Deaths .........................4B Opinion ........................2B Comics-Puzzles .....7C-9C Living............................5C Sports ..........................1C
101ST yEAR, NO. 163