Latest news with #MissLouisiana
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Advocates rally at Louisiana Capitol for the homeless
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Dozens of advocates gathered on the steps of the Louisiana Capitol Thursday, calling on lawmakers to work together to tackle the root causes of housing insecurity and to advocate for the homeless and unhoused. 'This is vital,' one advocate said. 'It's vital that we show up, that we're in community with one another, that we're speaking with one voice, and that the legislators hear the message we're trying to send.' Among those leading the call for change was Elsa Dimitriadis, Executive Director of the Acadian Regional Coalition on Homelessness and Housing. Dimitriadis said homelessness is not a distant issue—it's something her organization confronts daily. 'I wish people could see the faces that we do every day,' she said. 'It's our aging community who are priced out of housing, it's young people exiting foster care into homelessness, and it's veterans.' Dimitriadis stressed that homelessness can affect anyone. 'We're all just a couple of bad circumstances, bad decisions, or unexpected events away from being unhoused,' she said. At the heart of Thursday's rally was concern over a bill moving through the Senate that would make unauthorized public camping, including homeless encampments, a criminal offense. The legislation proposes a $500 fine for a first offense and increases to $1,000 and possible jail time for repeat violations. Critics argue that the bill would criminalize homelessness and put vulnerable individuals in a cycle of poverty and incarceration. 'Homelessness is not a crime,' said Cheryl Richard, an advocate who once experienced homelessness herself. 'We need to speak to those we put in office and tell them this must stop.' Richard noted that many who showed up to protest the legislation had either experienced homelessness themselves or had close friends or family who had. Other advocates echoed the call for solutions rooted in compassion and cooperation. 'We just want to work with state leaders to find better ways to support the homeless and unhoused community,' one advocate said. As the legislative session continues, opponents of the bill say they'll keep pressing for policies that prioritize housing, not punishment. Advocates rally at Louisiana Capitol for the homeless Baton Rouge native crowned Miss Louisiana's Teen 2025 Mayor-President Edwards launches 'Pray for the Parish' initiative in Baton Rouge Tim Cook says Trump tariffs could cost Apple more than $900M in June quarter Feeding America CEO addresses rising hunger crisis in US Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mayor-President Edwards launches ‘Pray for the Parish' initiative in Baton Rouge
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — In a heartfelt call for unity and safety, Mayor-President Sid Edwards has launched a new community-wide initiative titled 'Pray for the Parish'—aimed at bringing East Baton Rouge Parish together through prayer and reflection. The inaugural event kicked off on Thursday at the Raising Cane's River Center in downtown Baton Rouge, aligning with the National Day of Prayer. The gathering featured local leaders, residents, and clergy uniting in prayer for the parish's safety and future. Mayor Edwards addressed a somber reality facing the city: while the summer break offers youth a time for rest and recreation, it also poses a risk for increased violence. 'We're going to keep not only our young people but all of the people of the parish safe,' Edwards told attendees. Reflecting on his past as a football coach, Edwards shared an emotional statement. 'I was counting touchdowns as a coach, he said. 'Now I'm counting bodies. It keeps me up at night—I worry about it, especially our young people.' This marks Edwards' fourth month in office. According to data from the City of Baton Rouge, homicides are currently down 23% compared to the same time last year. Still, Edwards emphasized that gun violence remains a critical issue. 'You know, people talk about a murder problem—yeah, we do. But there's a bullet problem too. Too many guns out there,' said Edwards. 'Pray for the Parish' is set to become a quarterly event, with gatherings planned every three months to continue fostering community connection and collaboration. Former Baton Rouge Police Chief Jeff LeDuff echoed the initiative's mission, stating, 'If we can pray together, we can also get out here and address the crime problems together.' Looking ahead, the Mayor's Office plans to roll out 10 to 12 youth engagement programs this summer, and local service members will be deployed to patrol neighborhoods in an effort to minimize crime and increase visibility. Through 'Pray for the Parish,' Mayor Edwards hopes to spark not just spiritual healing, but lasting action. Advocates rally at Louisiana Capitol for the homeless Baton Rouge native crowned Miss Louisiana's Teen 2025 Mayor-President Edwards launches 'Pray for the Parish' initiative in Baton Rouge Tim Cook says Trump tariffs could cost Apple more than $900M in June quarter Feeding America CEO addresses rising hunger crisis in US Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Feeding America CEO addresses rising hunger crisis in US
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — An official with the nonpartisan organization, Feeding America, shares details about the hunger epidemic across the nation. Data shows that nearly 50 million people in the United States are experiencing food insecurity, with 14 million of those being children. Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, has a strong desire to help people across the country who are experiencing hunger. 'One of the best things about Feeding America is that we are a network that includes over 200 food banks across the country,' said Babineaux-Fontenot. 'We have agency partners and meal programs, over 60,000 all across the country, partner state associations, like Feeding Louisiana.' According to Babineaux-Fontenot, food insecurity rates have increased annually. 'Food insecurity rates have been going up, but one of the great things about our network is that we focus on the people and the policy, we don't focus on politics at all,' she shared. Babineaux-Fontenot said if you are interested in donating or volunteering at any food bank across the country, you can visit the Feeding America site to find the nearest food bank. You can help by donating funds or even food, she added. 'There's not just one way to help,' Babineaux-Fontenot said. 'This issue impacts every single one of us. Every single one of us has an opportunity to be part of something positive to change it, so I hope people will.' Hundreds rally at Louisiana Capitol for Anti-Hunger Day to highlight food insecurity Advocates rally at Louisiana Capitol for the homeless Baton Rouge native crowned Miss Louisiana's Teen 2025 Mayor-President Edwards launches 'Pray for the Parish' initiative in Baton Rouge Tim Cook says Trump tariffs could cost Apple more than $900M in June quarter Feeding America CEO addresses rising hunger crisis in US Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
