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Issues found with federal grants to Louisiana homeland security office | Louisiana

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Emilee Calametti | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-03-17 14:22:00

(The Center Square) — A recent audit reported that the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness did not comply with reporting requirements for the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act.

This is not the first instance either. The Louisiana Legislative Auditor noted that this is the second consecutive year that the homeland security office has not complied with specific reporting requirements in federal law — this year for two programs. 

According to the auditor’s office, the Hazard Mitigation Grant and Flood Mitigation Assistance programs must report specific information for obligating actions equal to or over $30,000 in federal funds for a subaward to a non-federal entity to the FFATA Subaward Reporting System no later than the end of the month following when the obligation was made. 

With these guidelines in place, four of 11 Hazard Mitigation Grant subawards tested totaling $3,898,561 were submitted 54 to 117 days after the due date. There were also 12 of 15 Flood Mitigation Assistance subawards tested totaling $21,245,124 submitted 115 to 176 days after the due date.

The Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant is a program under FEMA that provides resources and funding for communities seeking disaster preventative measures. The Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant is another FEMA program that provides funding to reduce the risk of flood damage to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program.

This is the second year the homeland security office has not complied with reporting guidelines for the Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant. The auditor’s office addressed the consecutive years of noncompliance in their report after finding that management had not addressed the previous year.

“Our Corrective Action Plan from FY23 is being implemented; however, there are still issues beyond our control in the FSRS system, as far as permissions for more than one staff, as well as the report from homeland security office Grants working as it should,” Sandra Gaspard, assistant director of the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Division, noted in the response to the audit.

The auditor’s office offered some recommendations in the report, including the homeland security office bolstering its internal controls. This would allow award information to be entered on time adhering to federal requirements. 

However, in the office’s response, Gaspard noted that the Federal Funding and Accountability and Transparency Act Subaward Reporting System is changing soon.

“FSRS is being retired this Spring, and the process for the new system entry will require an entirely new implementation plan,” said Gaspard.

The homeland security office anticipates its corrective action plan to be completed in 90 days. 

Emilee Ruth Calametti serves as staff reporter for The Center Square covering the Northwestern Louisiana region. She holds her M.A. in English from Georgia State University and soon, an additional M.A. in Journalism from New York University. Emilee has bylines in DIG Magazine, Houstonia Magazine, Bookstr, inRegister, The Click News, and the Virginia Woolf Miscellany. She is a Louisiana native with over seven years of journalism experience.

The post Issues found with federal grants to Louisiana homeland security office | Louisiana appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com

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Red Cross helping after dozens displaced at Gentilly Ridge Apartments

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wgno.com – Ashley Hamilton – 2025-09-03 15:56:00

SUMMARY: A five-alarm fire at the Gentilly Ridge Apartment Complex in New Orleans displaced over 100 residents, including families and formerly homeless tenants. The fire took nearly three hours to control, causing significant damage to one of the three buildings. The American Red Cross, led by regional CEO Kenneth St. Charles, quickly responded by providing temporary shelter, financial assistance, and coordinating with city officials for housing solutions. Residents were transported to Joe Brown Park, where they received meals from Second Harvest Food Bank. Authorities urge the public to donate financially via the Red Cross, as direct supply donations are not accepted at the scene or shelter.

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NOLA on the ‘wrong track’ in new poll

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wgno.com – Susan Roesgen – 2025-09-02 15:44:00

SUMMARY: A recent poll of 520 likely New Orleans voters reveals 66% believe the city is headed in the wrong direction, with only 22% feeling positive. Conducted by Silas Lee & Associates, the survey highlights residents’ concerns about frequent power outages, flooding, potholes, and neglected infrastructure since Hurricane Katrina. Over 80% want elected officials to prioritize infrastructure improvements, including drainage, electricity, sanitation, and street conditions. Additionally, 92% have experienced power outages, with 38% facing many. Voters are closely watching mayoral candidates’ plans ahead of the October election, anticipating a runoff due to strong competition and widespread demand for change.

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Council to finalize Lemoine Building purchase, Northside rezoning

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thecurrentla.com – Camden Doherty – 2025-09-02 10:16:00

SUMMARY: In June, the Lafayette City Council approved $6.5 million in bonds for LFT Fiber to purchase the former Lemoine building at 214 Jefferson Street, currently its rented headquarters. LUS allocated $3.5 million from reserves for sewer and power line repairs due to stormwater infiltration causing losses and limiting new housing connections. The Council plans to rezone over 30 properties between Mudd Avenue and E. Simcoe Street for mixed commercial and residential use to promote development, despite challenges from a new short-term rental ban. Additionally, the 400 Block of Renaud Drive will shift from industrial to mixed-use zoning. ADA upgrades at Rosa Parks Center are delayed, doubling the timeline from three to six years.

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