The Advocate's Top Headlines

with Jennifer Wadsworth | Assistant metro editor

Good morning. Between the long-awaited results of the decennial census and ever-changing pandemic protocols, we've got lots of news for you today. Let's catch you up on some of the latest headlines …

Population shifts

East Baton Rouge grew at a slightly faster clip than the state overall, according to the first local results from the 2020 Census. Some communities around the capital city saw populations expand at an even higher rate, pushing the 12-parish region past the one-million mark. 

David Mitchell crunched the numbers. Here's what he found.

Panning out, it looks like much of Louisiana's population growth concentrated in the southern parts of the state — especially in urban and suburban areas. Some northern parishes, by contrast, saw steep declines. 

When we zero in on storm-battered communities like Lake Charles, however, the census results are less reliable. Reporter Mike Smith explains why in this story. 

New COVID rules

The cover charge to get into restaurants, bars and other venues in New Orleans will be either proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test, the mayor announced Thursday.

As for Baton Rouge? Mayor-President Sharon Weston-Broome told us she has "no immediate plans to implement a citywide vaccine mandate for private entities."

"The plan needed to enforce such a mandate could possibly minimize the time and resources dedicate to community vaccinations," she said, noting how that's her "first goal."

Even so, Broome said she "wholeheartedly" supports businesses that take the initiative to impose vaccine mandates of their own.

Meanwhile, here's a look at what other major U.S. cities adopted vaccine mandates. And here's the latest on LSU's pandemic plans as the fall semester fast approaches. 

Day & Night

Eric Schmitt deftly combines his job as an English instructor at LSU with his songwriting skills. Catch him performing music from his latest album, "Bees in the Eaves," Saturday at the Red Dragon Listening Room.

Play On 

You know him, you love him and Saturday night Carencro's own Marc Broussard takes the stage at L'Auberge. Get the details and check out who else is playing in the area this weekend here.

Thanks for reading!