By Greg LaRose | Editor-in-Chief
“It’s not the best situation” — Jonathan Jung, a German researcher who collaborated with an LSU scientist to evaluate the health of the Flower Garden Banks, the Gulf of Mexico’s coral reef ecosystem. Learn more in today’s top story.
A scuba diver takes a core sample of coral from a reef in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, located roughly 100 miles off the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Texas. (Photo courtesy of NOAA)
By Elise Plunk
An isolated reef off the coast of Louisiana and Texas holds within its corals a record of Earth’s history, and scientists are reading it to understand how nutrients from the Mississippi River are affecting the reef’s health amid rising threats to corals around the globe.
At least seven states have passed laws making equally shared parenting time the legal default in child custody cases. (Photo by Troy Bennett for Maine Morning Star)
By Anna Claire Vollers
Supporters say a formal 50-50 custody standard makes divorce proceedings more equitable for fathers — who historically have been awarded less custody time than mothers — and encourages them to maintain an active role in their children’s lives. But critics say the standard might harm vulnerable women and children by making it more likely that children must spend time with a parent who isn’t safe.
Otto Kitsinger/States Newsroom
By Julie O’Donoghue
Candidates in Louisiana’s 6th Congressional District agree healthcare coverage affordability is a major public concern, but they have drastically different proposals for fixing the problem.
By Piper Hutchinson
LSU System President Wade Rousse said its New Orleans campus recruited 21% more new students than it did last fall and dramatically increased its retention of students already enrolled. The anticipation is that enrollment will increase over the next year, he added. “Make no mistake though, the financial situation of LSU New Orleans remains challenging,” Rousse said.
COMMENTARY
By Andrea Hagan
Louisiana holds the people it sentences to the letter of the law. Its corrections department holds itself to whatever its staff can manage. A new federal lawsuit from formerly incarcerated people who were held beyond their sentences pushes for officials to apply a formal release deadline once terms are served.
D.C. DIGEST
Bill to set college sports rules clears first procedural Senate vote | States Newsroom
FBI’s Patel dodges questions in rambunctious Senate hearing | States Newsroom
Iran war costs top $40B and billions more monthly, analysis finds | States Newsroom
NEWS FROM THE STATES
Pennsylvania reports 2 more measles deaths | Penn Capital-Star
Charlie Kirk’s family blames university for security lapses | Utah News Dispatch
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