SUMMARY: Bollinger Shipyard LLC, a Louisiana-based ship builder, has agreed to pay $1 million to settle allegations of violating the False Claims Act by billing the U.S. Coast Guard for labor provided by ineligible workers from 2015 to 2020. The settlement, amounting to $1,025,000, stems from Bollinger’s failure to confirm employee eligibility, as required by contract. U.S. officials reinforced the importance of contractors adhering to obligations for operational readiness and safety. Although the claims are unproven, the settlement highlights federal efforts to combat fraud in government contracting. Bollinger has a long history of servicing contracts for the Coast Guard and other agencies.

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SUMMARY: Student attendance is a growing concern in Louisiana’s education system. Union Parish Schools Superintendent Kathy Stockton emphasizes holding parents accountable for truancy, noting that consistent school attendance is vital for preparing students for the workforce. In Louisiana, students absent for five consecutive days without permission are considered truant, and parents may face fines or jail time. The truancy rate in Union Parish dropped by 22% last year. Stockton highlights after-school programs to help students catch up, but stresses that they can’t replace in-class learning. She advocates for making education a priority to prepare students for real-world challenges.

Truancy and absenteeism in schools a key focus for Louisiana, Union Parish

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SUMMARY: Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith reported significant crime reductions in 2024 compared to 2023, attributing improvements to community cooperation and crime prevention efforts. Calls for service dropped from 15,606 to 12,675, with arrests decreasing from 5,669 to 5,350. Homicides fell by 35% from 82 to 54, and shooting incidents decreased as well. Other notable reductions included rapes, robberies, burglaries, and vehicle thefts. The department seized over 11,000 illegal firearms. DUI arrests were slightly down, despite staffing challenges. However, vehicle-related fatalities remained consistent at 32, highlighting areas needing improvement in driving safety.

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