AG accused of pulling strings for megadonor, campers sent home because of COVID and more drainage drama in Ascension

The Advocate's Top Headlines

with Jennifer Wadsworth | Assistant metro editor

We appreciate you checking in on your way to the weekend. Here's what is going on.

Drainage drama

Council members who voted to depose the head of East Ascension's flood-protection district now say they're willing to compromise. A handful of them plan to meet Sunday with Parish President Clint Cointment — the ousted drainage director — to reach some kind of deal.

"We continue to hear from residents on all sides of this important issue — and we are taking action," the council coalition wrote in a shared statement Friday. "We pledge to work with the parish president towards a compromise that will result in improved efficiency and long-term policies that are sustainable, science-based solutions for today's and tomorrow’s issues."

Reporter David Mitchell has the story.

Friends in high places

AG Jeff Landry apparently used his official capacity to help a megadonor pal with an adoption dispute.

"There’s no justification for this," one public integrity expert told The Advocate. "This isn’t a criminal investigation. I don’t see anything in here that even identifies a criminal violation. There are no allegations of criminal wrongdoing in any of this."

Reporter John Simerman has the scoop.

Camp COVID

Manresa House of Retreats temporarily closed earlier this week after officials learned that recent visitors to the Jesuit-run facility in Convent had tested positive for COVID-19. Meanwhile, about 200 girls were sent home from Camp Abbey in Covington after additional cases of COVID and a rampant stomach virus.

Here's what we know about the situation.

Goings-on about town

Looking for something to do this weekend?

Here are five things to check out in and around Baton Rouge.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your day!