SUMMARY: Flood insurance is crucial in Louisiana due to frequent flooding from rising water and storms. Costs for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) have soared, leading to 70,000 policy cancellations between 2022-2024, exacerbating the state’s home insurance crisis. While homeowners like Theryn Henkel prioritize coverage, affordability remains a significant issue, with premiums rising sharply. The NFIP’s recent reform, Risk Rating 2.0, aims to reflect true risk but has made insurance unaffordable for many. Community-based mitigation strategies are needed, and transparent risk evaluation processes must be improved to address this ongoing insurance crisis linked to climate change.

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SUMMARY: The University of New Orleans (UNO) is facing a $10 million budget shortfall and is actively seeking private donations and federal research funding at the Washington Mardi Gras event. UNO President Kathy Johnson, alongside alumni and officials, aims to enhance the university’s profile by hiring a federal lobbyist from Washington Navigators. Despite spending approximately $20 million on research in 2023, UNO must maintain its R2 status. Previous budget struggles trace back to Hurricane Katrina and state funding cuts. Johnson’s leadership is considered vital for navigating the current crisis as state support for higher education remains stagnant.

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SUMMARY: A recent audit by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor highlighted ongoing issues with the LaCarte purchasing card program within the Department of Energy and Natural Resources (DENR). The audit revealed incomplete documentation, delayed deactivation of card access, and lack of proper approvals on forms, increasing the risk of unauthorized use of public funds. Specifically, 21% of enrollment forms lacked approval signatures, and timely access termination was not conducted for 67% of former employees. DENR management acknowledged the findings and proposed a corrective action plan, aiming to strengthen internal controls and improve accountability in handling public funds.

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