State Rep. Jack McFarland makes sure every House member gets to weigh in on the state budget. (Photo by Cross Harris / LSU Manship School News Service) BATON ROUGE — When people think of Jack McFarland, they think of the clean-cut, white-haired logger from Winnfield who knows the state budget inside and out as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. What many don’t know is that his career in politics came from something as simple as doing others’ laundry. When McFarla

State Rep. Ryan Bourriaque is pushing to fix the state’s road and bridges. (Photo by Cross Harris / LSU Manship School News Service) BATON ROUGE — State officials say they will prioritize maintenance projects, especially on rural roads and bridges, as they seek to reduce an estimated $19 billion backlog in highway projects. They also are counting on the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction, an entity created by the Legislature last year, to speed up the contracting proces

The Louisiana Logging Council is putting on its second annual Klays for Kids Clay Shoot, it's fundraiser that helps the Children's Miracle Network in Louisiana. Louisiana Loggers have long been big supporters of the hospital network that helps children with special needs. Over the past several years, Loggers have raised about $63,000 for the five network hospitals in the state. Klays for Kids Clay Shoot is another way, in addition to its Log-A-Load program, to help this worth

Ready to get a free tree? Come to the Louisiana Forestry Associaiton's office at 2316 S. MacArthur Drive in Alexandria beginning at 7:30 a.m. and get some trees! The annual event celebrates Arbor Day in Louisiana on the third Friday of January, which is Jan. 16, this Friday. The Tree Giveaway will have seedlings of Bald Cypress, Shumard Oak and Persimmon, provided by ArborGen. Also available will be some saplings of Pond Cypress, River Birch and Sawtooth Oak, provided by our

Louisiana Works, the state employment agency, will implement changes to its unemployement insurance program begining with new claims filed Jan. 4. The changes include increased work search requirements for those filing for unemployment. Filers will be required to completed five work-search activities, up from three, which could include applying for jobs, attending interviews, updating a résumé or participating in job-search or training programs. The new law, Act 151, that was

Roy O. Martin III, left, and Scott Poole On the occasion of its 102 nd anniversary, RoyOMartin, a leader in the wood-products and forest management industry, announced that longtime Chairman and CEO Dr. Roy O. Martin III will step back from his role as Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2026. Dr. Martin will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors and assume additional responsibilities as Chief Investment Officer. The company’s current President an