Daily Dime

November 27, 2023

High school diplomas for sale 

The number of students in unapproved private schools in Louisiana has nearly doubled since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. But it’s hard to determine what kind of education the approximately 21,000 students are receiving – or if they’ve learned anything at all.… Read more...

November 17, 2023

Census 2022: Poverty, Income and Health Insurance in Louisiana

The latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau includes some good and bad news for Louisiana. Louisiana’s official poverty rate decreased slightly in 2022, but still remains the second highest in the nation. The state’s uninsured rate fell to another record low and income inequality decreased slightly.… Read more...

November 16, 2023

Changing course on climate change 

Gov.-elect Jeff Landry has tapped a climate-change skeptic with a background in agribusiness to serve as his administration’s top environmental steward, sparking concerns that the incoming administration will back away from the state’s current goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.… Read more...

November 15, 2023

Small-business pandemic funds mired in red tape

Louisiana’s economic development agency is receiving criticism from the U.S. Treasury Department and startups and small business groups over its inability to distribute federal stimulus money. States across the country, on average, have distributed approximately 30% of the funds from the State Small Business Credit Initiative.… Read more...