Trash-hauling slowed by COVID-sick workers in Baton Rouge, Seacor hearings continue with testimony from rescuers

The Advocate's Top Headlines

with Jennifer Wadsworth | Assistant metro editor

Good morning and welcome to the weekend. Here's what we've been reporting on …

LSU COVID rules

Louisiana's flagship university says it will allow in-person-online classes — but only for those with at least 100 students. And only during “peak infection periods,” according to an email school officials sent early Friday explaining LSU President William Tate's directive. That means fewer than 5% of class sections even quality.

The hybrid learning threshold along with Tate's decision to make vaccination optional — at least until coronavirus shots get FDA approval — drew plenty of ire from faculty, many of whom voiced their displeasure at the latest LSU Board of Supervisors meeting.

Reporter Caroline Savoie was there to cover it. Here's her story.

Seacor hearing

Two weeks of Coast Guard hearings on Seacor Power — whose April 13 capsizing marked the deadliest sea wrack off the Louisiana coast in decades — continued Friday with riveting testimony from one of the rescuers. Reporter John Simerman filed this dispatch from the proceedings in Houma.

Trash woes

The fast-spreading delta variant is sidelining trash haulers and landfill workers in Baton Rouge. The staffing shortages add more delays to routes already slowed by an uptick in the sheer volume of garbage collected. Reporter James Finn explains how the city-parish and its contractor are dealing with the problem in this story.

Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy the rest of the day!