News

Council torn over salary decrease

ELTON — With all elected positions on the ballot this fall, Elton officials are working to establish fixed salaries for the mayor and chief of police, while also determining compensation for the town clerk and council members. Facing ongoing budget challenges, town leaders hope to strike a balance between fiscal responsibility and offering salaries that will encourage qualified residents to seek office.
Creative Circle member Bailey G. Landry works on her sculpture for the community art exhibit for Steel Magnolias. Landry is one of the artists who contributed art for the display. Daily News photo by Erin Hargrave

Blooming with Strength

As audiences prepare to laugh, cry and connect with the beloved story of Steel Magnolias, a special community exhibit opening alongside A Block Off Broadway’s latest production invites visitors to celebrate the real-life women who embody the play’s enduring themes of strength, resilience and grace. Creative Circle of SWLA has partnered with A Block Off Broadway to create a unique display featuring photographs, artwork, memorabilia and personal stories honoring local “Steel Magnolias” — women who have made a lasting impact on the lives of family members, friends and community members.

Louisiana lawmakers move to expand TOPS-Tech eligibility

(The Center Square) — A new law will loosen eligibility rules for TOPSTech awards, part of a broader push to steer more students into technical and vocational training as the state tries to meet workforce demands tied to major industrial investments. The bill still awaits the signature of Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, and will then head to the Governor.

Gulf Coast is becoming America’s emergency fuel hub, study shows

(The Center Square) — The U.S. Gulf Coast is becoming the country’s “emergency fuel hub” following the Trump administration’s suspension of parts of the Jones Act, a federal law that restricts shipments of energy-related cargoes between domestic ports to American-flagged vessels, according to analyses of maritime data.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Calendar Guidelines Items for Community Calendar must be submitted during regular weekday business hours at least two weeks prior to the day of the event. Events run in the order of their posted dates and ONLY AS SPACE ALLOWS.

School board to hold teacher job fair

Jeff Davis Parish School Board is hosting its annual teacher job fair to recruit educators for the upcoming school year. Teachers seeking employment for the 2026-27 school year are invited to Jennings Elementary School on Monday, June 8, to meet with principals from around the parish, as well as JDSB members and other school officials, according to Assistant Superintendent Ben Oustalet.

Constitutional amendment on expropriation to go before voters

After many failed attempts in recent years to strengthen private property protections against expropriation in Louisiana, a package of measures by District 30 Rep. Charles “Chuck” Owen for Beauregard and Vernon parishes unanimously cleared legislative committees and won broad approval in the House and Senate, advancing new restrictions on foreign adversaries, placing a constitutional amendment before voters and launching a formal review of whether portions of Louisiana’s expropriation laws conflict with the state constitution.
A Block Off Broadway is preparing for the opening of its production of Steel Magnolias at the Strand Theatre in downtown Jennings. The show highlights the strength, resilience and tenacity of a tightknit group of Southern women, which includes Amy Leger (left), Brenna Laubauch and Sadia Duncan (below). Daily News photos by Erin Hargrave

ABOB resurrects Steel Magnolias

A Block Off Broadway Community Theatre is gearing up for the opening night of its spring performance, and the community is invited to attend. ABOB, in conjunction with the Jeff Davis Arts Council, will be presenting “Steel Magnolias” by Robert Harling.

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