The Advocate's Top Headlines

with Matthew Albright | Assistant metro editor

Good morning! Here are some of our most interesting reads from the past few days:

It's Brian Kelly

Sources told The Advocate on Monday night that LSU will hire Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly. The story broke late, so check back in with us throughout the day today for more. 

This story lays out what we knew last night, and this gives a quick rundown of things to know about him. 

Cash to get COVID tests

Some Louisiana schools are giving students and staff money if they get the COVID test — $25 for the first one and $10 for tests after that. It's an effort to try and catch the virus before it spreads through the school.

On some campuses, the incentives have been a huge success. But many schools declined to participate, and some parents and teachers don't like the idea.

This story breaks down what's happening. 

After the flood, returning a neighborhood to nature

The houses along Silverleaf Street in Gonzales had a flooding problem, and then many of them were totally swamped in the 2016 deluge. Instead of rebuilding, the residents decided to take advantage of federal buyouts.

Now the neighborhood is being returned to wetlands, with new trees standing where homes once stood. This story explains the buyouts and talks to families who took them. 

Plea deal in toddler's killing

The father accused of fatally beating, stabbing and shooting his 11-month-old son has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

This story explains what kind of prison term he might face and what evidence prosecutors had against him. 

Thanks for reading, and have a great day!