Latest news with #ShreveportCityCouncil
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Statewide anti-squatting bills supported by Shreveport City Council
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – The Shreveport City Council looks to propose changes in state law to eliminate the city's ongoing issues with blight and squatters. The council unanimously approved a resolution Monday that supports three bills filed at the Louisiana Capitol. House Bill 262 by Representative Tammy Phelps would change the term 'squatter' to 'adverse possessor.' House Bill 512, introduced by Representative Phelps, would establish the crime of criminal blighting. Senate Bill 189, introduced by Senator Sam Jenkins, would establish the Louisiana Land Bank Authority, enabling local authorities to acquire and manage properties and issue bonds for financing purposes. The council's resolution stated that Phelps and Jenkins both represent the inner city of Shreveport and asked the Louisiana legislature to pass their bills in order to address the city's ongoing issues with squatters. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Government Plaza enhanced security, repaving Youree Dr.; mayor shares updates
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)—During his weekly morning address, Mayor Tom Arceneaux addressed various issues impacting Shreveport residents. He touched on improved security at Government Plaza, gave an update on the project on Youree Drive, and discussed his involvement with 'Love the Boot' week. Government Plaza will soon have tighter security protocols for all guests, a move that Arceneaux says began before his time as mayor. The mayor explains that the public safety committee, which included two current council members, Tabatha Taylor and Grayson Boucher, began enhancing security at Government Plaza during Adrian Perkins' administration. 'We have enhanced the process, and it really was improved when Sheriff Whitehorn took office. He brought on a was a security expert. we probably have one of the least secure government buildings in the country,' he explains. Resolution opposing DOGE, Trump actions in federal government passes in Shreveport City Council Mayor Arceneaux also gave an update on the Youree Drive repaving project. According to the Louisiana DOTD, the portion of the project stretching from Stoner Avenue to Kings Highway has been fully repaved. They are now in the process of repaving Kings Highway to Southfield Road. Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux says that because Youree Drive is a state highway, the state decides what material will be used to repave it. He says asphalt makes for a great surface but requires more maintenance. 'I think it's moved on quickly. Youree Drive is a very highly trafficked area, of course, so, it is a major inconvenience, but I think it'll be it'll be finished in fairly short order and people will enjoy the new surface,' says Mayor Arceneaux. The project is set to be completed in late June. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Shreveport City Council pass anti DOGE/Trump resolutions
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)—Resolutions passed during Tuesday's meeting expressed the Shreveport City Council's stance on decisions made in Washington, D.C. The council passed three resolutions opposing cuts made by the Department of Government Efficiency—Doge and the Trump Administration; the Caddo Commission took similar action last week, passing three resolutions authored by Commissioner Ken Epperson. The first resolution opposes cuts made to national aid programs and any future cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, Veterans Programs, SNAP, Head Start, and the Departments of Education and Defense. Mayor Arceneaux outlines 2024 progress, pain points in State of the City report The second resolution opposes the mass firings of federal employees. The third opposes tariffs on trading partners. The resolutions were sponsored by councilwomen Tabatha Taylor and Ursula Bowman and councilmen Alan Jackson and James Green. All voted in favor, along with Councilman Gary Brooks. Two councilmen, Councilman Grayson Boucher and Jim Taliaferro, voted no. The resolutions will be forwarded to the President of the United States and the Louisiana Federal Congressional Delegation. This comes after the Caddo Parish Commission passed three similar resolutions last week, all sponsored by Commissioner Ken Epperson. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mayor Arceneaux outlines 2024 progress, pain points in State of the City report
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux shared the highs and lows of city governance on Friday in his 2024 State of the City report. The mayor said the city ended in good fiscal condition despite many challenges. He credits cooperation among his administration and the Shreveport City Council for ending 2024 with a $29 million operating reserve. Tax collection was mentioned, and Arceneaux said that while the last three months of 2024 showed improvement in sales tax revenue, it remained the same as the previous year, resulting in a revenue shortfall. 2024 ended with a higher unemployment rate than the mayor would have liked, closing December at 4.1% saying, 'The current rate is good but not entirely satisfactory. The unemployment rate does not account for underemployment, which we believe is still significant. We must all continue our efforts to increase local business and add well-paying jobs to the economy.' 100 Days of Querbes celebration underway Arceneaux highlights accomplishments such as the passage of three capital bond propositions, managing Mardi Gras through police staffing shortages and scheduling issues, steady reduction in violent crime, solidifying an agreement to improve SPD headquarters at 1234 Texas Street and negotiate temporary substations for police personnel, ongoing water issues, and working through property standards issues. He also mentioned Humor and Harmony's success in the short time it was coordinated and executed. The mayor ended the high notes with his acceptance into the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, where he received in-person and virtual training to become a more effective mayor and leader at no cost to the city. He said the city is receiving additional assistance in developing a plan to address blight and redevelopment. Read Mayor Arceneaux's State of the City report below: State-of-the-City-2024Download Blight fight—The mayor noted that blight is still too prevalent in Shreveport, even though property standards demolished 229, primarily residential structures, in 2024. This is still an increase from 2023 and 2022, and with the help of Bloomberg HCLI, a local team will develop a long-range plan to attack blight and encourage neighborhood development. Crime – More POST-Certified officers joined the Shreveport Police Department in 2024 than in 2023, 'We hope to make that a trend, resulting in more officers available for crime fighting and the apprehension of perpetrators of crime.' The mayor also noted that the more than 1600 Real Time Crime Center camera feeds, which are anticipated to exceed 2000 feeds in 2025, are a helpful resource in solving crimes, particularly homicides and attempted homicides. Shreveport mayor unveils 2025 summer internship for college students Bond projects – a dashboard for capital projects that will allow residents to track the progress of specific projects- is coming in 2025. Economic Development – Mayor Arceneaux lists the long-term lease of Stageworks to G-Unit Film and Television Louisiana, LLC., as a first-quarter benchmark for 2025. 'The Administration continues to feel confident that G-Unit will bring new life to the television and film industry, and other significant economic benefits to Shreveport.' Mayor Arceneaux also restated his confidence in Economic Development Director Bill Sabo, whom he believes will provide strong, sound leadership and bring 'more activity to build the local business climate and economic activity.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Speeding kills but are cameras the solution, city council debates
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)—In a four-to-three vote, the Shreveport City Council passed a resolution to install Blue Line Solution speeding cameras on targeted streets outside school zones. An assessment was conducted due to the number of speeding calls in interior streets. Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor, who is representing District A, says her constituents want change. 'For me it's to curtail speeding in those interior areas where there are not sidewalks, people- we have a lot of drag racing which is a real issue in this city, and then actually me listening to one of my constituents who is a student who talked about the level of speeding when she is walking to school, her and her peers, and how we need to curtail that,' said Taylor. Speed camera enforcement coming to non-school zones after city council vote She says automobile accidents are a real problem. Councilmembers agree that safety is the utmost priority, but some are unsure that cameras are the right solution. Councilman Jim Taliaferro of District C says, 'my district is very opposed, what I choose to do is if we have some speed issues, as any district does, what I do is file a speed complaint with the Shreveport Police Department and they have to work a speed complaint.' He says that the face-to-face interaction with an officer is essential. 'I've always believed that if you get stopped you need to be able to talk or engage with that officer. Unfortunately, because this is a civil issue, and that Blue Line uses those cameras to actually cite the violator. You don't have to appear so that's always been one of my issues,' said Taliaferro. The study defines ' speeding ' as going at least 11 MPH over the speed limit. The city says there is no set date for when cameras will be installed. 'Sure, it's going to catch people, and then eventually it won't catch people because just like any school zone, we become creatures of habit. And therefore, hopefully our behavior changes. And then what happens? Are we going to try to expand it to me,' said Taliaferro. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
