Another year is in the books, here’s a look back at some of the biggest stories in 2024. It started with Jeff Landry being sworn in as Louisiana’s 57th governor on January 7th. During a 30-minute speech on the steps of the Louisiana’s Capitol, Landry called for unity….
“Our people are one in the same. When we provide that unity. When we show that we can come together and solve the problems of this state we then show America and the world how it will be done.”
Landry guided lawmakers through a tough on crime special session in February and the regular session saw the approval of several education reforms. The governor also signed into law a bill that calls for the displaying of the Ten Commandments in every public classroom. The law is being challenged in the courts and one of the plaintiffs is Joshua Herlands.
“Politicians have absolutely no business forcing their religious beliefs on my kids or any kids or attempting to indoctrinate them with what they think is the right version of a particular piece of religious text.”
The final special session of the year saw major tax reform approved. It will result in lower individual income taxes, but a higher state sales tax. Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says the governor’s tax overhaul also improves the business climate…
“Since this administration began, our goal has been to position Louisiana to win, and I will say we have done nothing greater than what we did in the last three weeks to move that ball and position Louisiana to win.”
State and local officials celebrated a big economic development win in November with the announcement that Meta will build a ten-billion dollar Artificial Intelligence Data Center in Richland Parish. Governor Landry called Meta’s investment a game changer for Louisiana…
“We are delivering on new jobs and economic growth on a scale that was unimaginable before this year.”
In sports, LSU gymnastics won its first national championship in school history in April. In March, LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey threatened litigation against the Washington Post. Mulkey wanted to be proactive against what she called an upcoming hit piece on her…
“I’ve hired the best defamation law firm in the country and I will sue the Washington Post if they publish a false story about me.”
The article from award-winning Post reporter Kent Babb spoke chronicled Mulkey’s wife and it has quotes from former disgruntled player, but it was far from being a bomb shell report.
Governor Landry got people talking when his office arranged for a live tiger mascot to be on the field when LSU played Alabama on November 9th…
“The opportunity to bring our mascot back on that field is an unbelievable opportunity, and it also points out the conservationist to those people who say “no.” I will tell you that tigers that live in sanctuaries is a lot longer than the tigers that live out in the wild.”
The live Tiger did not help LSU as they lost to Alabama 42-to-13.
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