N O L A.C O M
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M o n d ay, M ay 11, 2026
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Merchel and her son Kaiser Nelson watch a lioness and her cubs during the Mother’s Day celebration at the Audubon Zoo on Sunday.
SIGNIFICANT
MOTHERS
Officials balk at overhaul of school funding
Report suggests sweeping changes to system BY PATRICK WALL Staff writer
Louisiana’s decades-old system for funding public schools is “stagnant and outdated” and fails to send enough money to schools with the greatest needs, according to a new report that’s been presented privately to top state officials. Produced by national consultants and commissioned by Louisiana Kids Matter, an influential education advocacy group, the report includes potential sweeping changes to the funding system that the group says would better allocate money based on student needs and local resources. The changes would boost the dollar amount that schools receive for each student, and cost the state an additional $330 million. The people behind the report, which has not been publicly released, met privately last month with Louisiana Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley, members of the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, state Speaker of the House Phillip DeVillier and members of Gov. Jeff Landry’s administration. The meetings caused a stir, with Brumley calling one proposal “alarming” and saying a funding overhaul would be “unworkable” in the short term, according to emails obtained through a public records request. “I agree that it should not move forward — as is — at this time,” Brumley wrote to two of his deputies after the presenta-
ä See FUNDING, page 7A STAFF PHOTOS By ENAN CHEDIAK
Bonnie Vassalo dips 4-year-old Brightly Vassalo as they dance to Irma Thomas’ performance on the Capital One Stage during the Mother’s Day celebration at the Audubon Zoo on Sunday. Irma Thomas performs on the Capital One Stage during the Mother’s Day celebration on Sunday.
ELECTION 2026
La. Supreme Court race heats up Pair of northshore judges vie for votes BY JOHN SIMERMAN Staff writer
reopen the strait and roll back Iran’s nuclear program. Trump’s rejection of the Iranian response included no details. In an earlier post, he accused Tehran of “playing games” with the United States for nearly 50 years, adding: “They will be laughing no longer!” Trump is giving diplomacy
The race for an open seat on the Louisiana Supreme Court has turned bitter as two northshore judges vie for Republican votes in a closed-party race to decide a district redrawn to a deeper red. First Circuit Court of Appeal Judge Blair Edwards of Tangipahoa Parish and 22nd Judicial DisBurris trict Judge Billy Burris of Washington Parish have flexed conservative poses while supporters tag their opponents as soft or compromised. Burris and Edwards are campaigning to serve out the remaining few years of a 10-year term left open Edwards last year when Will Crain stepped down from the court for a seat on the federal bench in New Orleans.
ä See IRAN, page 7A
ä See JUDGES, page 6A
Trump: Iran’s response to ceasefire ‘unacceptable’ President rejects Tehran’s reply to U.S. proposal
ported that Tehran war via Pakistani merejected the U.S. prodiators on Sunday, but U.S. President Donald posal as amounting to Trump quickly rejected surrender, insisting it in a social media post instead on “war repaas “TOTALLY UNACrations by the U.S., full Iranian sovereignty BY JON GAMBRELL CEPTABLE!” — the over the Strait of Horlatest setback to efforts and SAMY MAGDY to resolve the standoff Trump Associated Press muz, an end to sancin the Persian Gulf that tions, and the release DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran has throttled shipping and sent of seized Iranian assets.” Washington’s latest proposal sent its response to the latest energy prices soaring. Iranian state television re- addressed a deal to end the war, U.S. proposal to end the Iran
WEATHER HIGH 83 LOW 71 PAGE 6B
Classified .....................7D Deaths .........................3B Nation-World................2A Comics-Puzzles .....3D-6D Living............................1D Opinion ........................4B Commentary ................5B Metro ...........................1B Sports ..........................1C
13TH yEAR, NO. 272