COVID vaccine mandates start rolling in; LSU forgives student debts

The Advocate's Top Headlines

with Matthew Albright | Assistant metro editor

Good morning! It was a busy news day yesterday. Let's get you all caught up.

Vaccine mandates rolling in

The FDA's announcement Monday that it had given full approval to the Pfizer version of the COVID vaccine stirred a wave of announcements of vaccine requirements. That includes many Louisiana universities, state government offices, and major oil companies.

We're expecting more announcements in the near future, so keep watching for more.

Masks in schools

Last week, the state education board had a meeting where they planned to discuss Gov. John Bel Edwards' mask mandate, which requires students and teachers in K-12 schools to wear masks indoors. But the meeting was abruptly adjourned because of an unruly crowd of anti-mask protestors.

Some state lawmakers have been pushing the education board to re-convene and debate whether it can override the governor. But BESE says it isn't going to do that.

This story explains the whole debate.

Dropping student loan debt

LSU said yesterday that it's forgiving about $7 million worth of student debt held by about 4,000 students. Southern, Grambling, and other universities have taken a similar approach, using money from the huge federal stimulus bill.

This story explains whose debt is being relieved and how it will work.

Thanks for reading, and have a great day!