Editorials  (top)

It's time to take the 'NEXT STEP'
First, there was Challenge Day.

Louisiana Educational Assessment Program
One of the aims of Louisiana's high-stakes testing program was to curb social promotion in public schools. Instead of basing promotion in fourth- and eighth-grade on letter grades assigned by teachers, students had to demonstrate that they could read or do math at a fundamental level.

Louisiana remains on shaky ground
Gov. Bobby Jindal has been busy at his writing desk, it seems.

U.S. attorney is a critical post for La.
Last month's presidential appointment was an important one for law enforcement in Louisiana. After nearly a year in office, President Barack Obama appointed a new U.S. attorney for the Western District of Louisiana. The appointee has a name that's familiar in Louisiana legal circles and still manages to break some ground.

Not a glamorous report card for Louisiana
Two recent reports on education issues - one that ranks states' public school systems and another that highlights innovation and culture-change concerning career/technology centers - offer reasons for some celebration as well evidence for needed change.

Who Dat say dis idn't de Saints year?
With Super Bowl Sunday only three days away, everyone's getting on the bandwagon.

State taking a good step on education
The debate on raising the bar for school performance has two important lessons.

For all our differences, we are so similar
More than 1,300 miles separate the Tri-parishes and Haiti.

God speed, Charlie, Delta
The Tri-parish area bids goodbye this week to troops with two local Army National Guard companies - Houma's Charlie and Thibodaux's Delta companies.

U.S. debt climbing on Congress' watch
Members of Congress have been quick to wag a finger at the heads of auto companies, big banks and other private firms, accusing them of mismanagement because their spending greatly exceeded their revenues.

Have a merry little Christmas
Sale fliers, the blare of radio and television advertisements, screaming youngsters, impatient motorists and abrupt customers - all signs of the times.

Don't forget the troops this holiday season
For most people, the holiday season is a time to forget fears, celebrate family and look forward to a new year. For the families of the local men and women who will be shipped off to Iraq next month, that may not be so easy. It is our view that in between sipping egging and snuggling under the mistletoe, we should all take a moment to celebrate the sacrifice these brave men and women are making.

Beck, Limbaugh went too far with comment
Conservative radio-talk show hosts Glen Beck and Rush Limbaugh have gone too far this time.

Where are all the swine flu vaccines promised?
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has a consoling message for everyone who has tried unsuccessfully to get the H1N1 vaccine: Don't worry - more vaccine is on the way.

Tri-parishes progressing despite U.S. economy
The national media may be on a non-stop "woe is the world" soapbox, but the outlook in the Tri-parishes is much more positive.

Will cash crunch cost La. its TOPS
Don't look now, but LSU System President John Lombardi has found our Achilles heel.

Lafourche disputes deeper than charter
The third time is a charm in Lafourche Parish, it seems.

Justice of the Peace a poor reflection of state
The nation is wondering how it is possible in 2009 that a justice of the peace could refuse to marry a man and a woman because one is black and the other is white.

Was Nobel Peace Prize pick a bit of a stretch?
Who are we to argue with Scandinavians?

Oil, gas production's toll on the cost
A federal Minerals Management Service study concludes what Louisianians have known for a long time: oil and gas production has taken a significant toll on Gulf Coast wetlands, contributing to this state's land loss crisis.

It's time to address the Gulf dead zone
Reducing agricultural runoff that flows into the Mississippi River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico is crucial to shrinking the annual dead zone that forms off Louisiana's coast, but those efforts need to target farms that produce the most pollution.

Race issue is more than just a Houma delimma
Though some believed that controversies about race in the U.S. would be eliminated after the election of the country's first African-American president last year, they have not let up.

Old wounds are slow to heal in Terrebonne
Despite decades of breaking down barriers, the issue of race continues to play a critical - and sometimes uncertain - factor in how justice is perceived and administered in American society.

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Letters  (top)

Reader: Credit card interchange fees effect small business owners in big ways
Dear Editor:

La. Bankers Association CEO offers explanation of latest premium hikes
Dear Editor:

Single-board system smartest choice for state's 4-year universities
Dear Editor:

Reader: Melancon, Landrieu 'think like piranha' with health care votes
Dear Editor:

State director's math fuzzy, according to reader
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Soldier: America can be proud of work in Iraq
Dear Editor:

Keeping employees healthy solution to lowering health care costs
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Don't speed this holiday, LHSC director advises
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Physician says reform bill punishes small business
Dear Editor:

Health reform draws fire
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Reader to Landrieu: Cut Reid's cake, not Medicare
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Press Releases  (top)

Occupant Protection for Children
Safety Information

" Myspace Safety Tips for Parents"
The Thibodaux Police Department would like to share some safety tips in regards to internet safety - for parents. The internet is a constantly growing educational resource for children and can be a positive experience. Millions of children surf the internet for school and entertainment every day. Children also communicate through e-mail, chat rooms, and message boards. Unsupervised, the internet can be dangerous, exposing children to on-line predators and inappropriate material.

School Bus Stops: a risky part of the ride
Why students are in danger

Abuse and Teens Statistics
Nearly three in four teens (72%) say boyfriend/girlfriend relationships usually begin at age 14 or younger.