News

LAFAYETTE — Planning is underway for the establishment of the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Blanco is a UL Lafayette alumna and the only woman to serve as Louisiana governor.
The policy center and archive will house Blanco’s gubernatorial papers. It also will contribute interdisciplinary, independent research to a host of public policy areas, including criminal justice reform, poverty and economic opportunity, governmental ethics, and education.

Despite rumors of a lengthy closure, the bridge in downtown Abbeville is expected to reopen next week.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) closed the bridge on June 20 to make repairs. The initial estimate for closure had the work completed after three weeks.
Abbeville Mayor Mark Piazza said he spoke with Rep. Bob Hensgens Tuesday afternoon. Hensgens spoke with a Bill Oliver of the DOTD about the bridge earlier in the day. Oliver told Hensgens that the bridge is likely to be reopened on July 18.

Kaplan’s new mayor, Mike Kloesel, called for a special meeting last Tuesday to make appointments for his four year term.
In a standing room only crowd, four appointments breezed through the nominations and were unanimously voted on. They include:
•Kaplan Herald - official publication.
•City attorney - Calvin Woody Woodruff.
•City auditor - Kolder, Champagne and Slaven.