wgno.com – Jared Paul Joseph – 2025-05-10 10:13:00
SUMMARY: New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr announced his retirement from the NFL due to a severe right shoulder injury, including a labral tear and significant rotator cuff degeneration. After consulting with the Saints and his wife, Carr decided retirement was the best option, as surgery would have sidelined him for the entire 2025 season with no guarantee of full recovery. Carr joined the Saints in 2023 with a $150 million contract but faced multiple injuries over two years, missing several games in 2024. Over 27 games, he threw 40 touchdowns and 6,023 yards. The Saints will now rely on their young quarterbacks.
States are intensifying efforts to combat human trafficking despite federal funding cuts that threaten crucial survivor support programs. Several states have introduced or passed bills to strengthen penalties, enhance education, and provide better victim services. However, advocates warn that without consistent funding, these laws may fall short. Recent U.S. Department of Justice cuts to public safety grants have impacted anti-trafficking initiatives. Although human trafficking cases are rising, experts emphasize that the issue remains underreported due to its hidden nature. Some states are focusing on unique populations, such as rural and Native communities, to better address trafficking.
States are moving to strengthen protections against human trafficking, but some advocates warn that federal funding cuts could undermine efforts to support survivors.
This year, lawmakers in several states have introduced bills to expand education, strengthen penalties and fund survivor support. But some victim service providers say these efforts might fall short, with millions of dollars in federal cuts threatening programs that help trafficking victims heal and rebuild their lives.
Human trafficking is the exploitation of people through force, fraud or coercion for the purposes of sex or labor. It often involves victims who lack control over their circumstances — whether due to threats, manipulation or economic dependency — and can occur in both illicit and legal industries, from commercial sex work to agriculture, domestic work and construction.
A poll released in March by the University of California, Irvine and the anti-trafficking nonprofit EverFree found that while nearly 99% of Americans view trafficking as a global and national issue, only about 80% believe it’s a problem in their own state — a gap that hinders local prevention efforts, experts say.
The poll, which was conducted in October, also found that just 19% of respondents ranked human trafficking as a top national concern.
“Because it’s such a dark, challenging issue, there’s a dissonance that happens where you don’t want to believe that [trafficking] happens in your community,” Kelsey Morgan, the CEO and co-founder of EverFree, said in an interview. “To admit or to acknowledge that it’s happening in your community requires action.”
Lawmakers across the country are considering or have already passed a range of bills this year aimed at curbing human trafficking and supporting survivors. Many approaches focus on prevention, education, tougher penalties and expanding support services.
In Michigan, a pair of new laws will allow certain hearsay statements from trafficking survivors to be admitted in court and permit relevant prior acts to be used as evidence in human trafficking cases. In March, Utah enacted a law that increases criminal penalties for sex and labor trafficking offenses. In Tennessee, a new law set to take effect next year requires tattoo artists to complete up to one hour of training on recognizing and reporting signs of trafficking.
In California, lawmakers are considering a bill that would establish a “Survivor Support Fund” and criminalize loitering with the intent to purchase sex. The Oregon House passed legislation in April targeting illicit massage businesses by expanding enforcement authority and increasing criminal penalties and fines.
Other states are taking steps to raise awareness and improve accountability. The Florida and Montana legislatures passed bills mandating trafficking prevention education and training in schools. Both bills await action by governors.
To admit or to acknowledge that it’s happening in your community requires action.
– Kelsey Morgan, EverFree CEO and co-founder
A bill in Indiana would require gas stations, rest areas and welcome centers to display trafficking awareness posters, and mandate training for employees at food and lodging establishments. It passed in April and was sent to the governor.
Lawmakers in Florida and Georgia also have passed legislation that aims to strengthen criminal trafficking penalties, particularly in trafficking cases involving children or people with disabilities.
Minnesota is weighing several new proposals, including one to increase oversight of adult entertainment venues and massage parlors. The governor signed into law another measure that will require biennial legislative reports on the state’s child trafficking prevention efforts.
Funding to help victims recover
Some advocates say the legislation nationwide reflects growing awareness of trafficking’s scope — but caution that without consistent funding for victim services and a deeper public understanding of the issue, laws alone won’t be enough to support survivors or prevent trafficking.
In late April, the U.S. Department of Justice canceled 365 federal public safety grants — including some that supported anti-human trafficking programs — disrupting a wide range of services for crime victims, local police departments and correctional facilities.
Since then, the department has restored at least two of the canceled grants — one supporting a national crime victim hotline and another funding a national domestic violence network.
The cuts, which totaled $811 million, were administered through the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, which awarded roughly $3 billion in competitive grants during the 2024 fiscal year, according to Reuters.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the cuts in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating that the department has cut “millions of dollars in wasteful grants.” She also signaled that additional cuts may be on the way.
Underreported to police
Human trafficking data in the United States is limited, but available figures suggest the problem is both widespread and underreported.
FBI data shows that in 2023, there were 2,584 reported trafficking incidents and 3,117 identified victims — a sharp increase from just 22 incidents in 2013, when the agency began tracking trafficking through its Uniform Crime Reporting system. The rise is largely attributed to more law enforcement agencies participating in the data collection system.
Separate data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline, which offers support to victims, identified 9,619 trafficking cases in 2023 — up from 5,551 in 2015. In 2023, the hotline received more than 30,000 tips, or “signals.”
Experts and advocates emphasize that both the hotline and the crime data capture only a fraction of trafficking incidents, given the hidden nature of the crime and the barriers victims face in reporting to police.
Although national data struggles to capture the full scope of trafficking, Minnesota is among the states that have taken extra steps to build their own data collection systems to better understand the issue and support victims.
Its efforts have drawn attention for state officials’ focus on both urban and rural communities, as well as on Native populations that often face barriers to accessing services.
Experts say it’s a common misconception that trafficking is primarily an urban issue — in reality, it can and does happen everywhere.
Still, some victims — including boys and men — may be overlooked.
“Sometimes for male youth, they are not identified as victims. They may show up in the criminal justice system as defendants or they may be adjudicated as juvenile delinquents,” said Caroline Palmer, the human trafficking prevention director at the Minnesota Department of Health. “There’s not really a close look at what might be happening in the background in terms of their victimization and trafficking exploitation.”
Palmer noted that while Minnesota offers programming for all genders, some male-identifying people may not feel comfortable with certain services, highlighting the need for more tailored support to meet everyone’s unique needs.
More than three-quarters of respondents to the UC Irvine-EverFree poll said being a woman greatly increases the risk of trafficking, but only 2% of respondents said the same about men — despite the fact that trafficking affects people of all genders.
Public perceptions about survivors were also influenced by the victim’s age: While 83% of respondents believe minors who are trafficked are always victims, only 61% say the same about adults — a gap that, advocates warn, can contribute to the criminalization of adult survivors.
Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org.
Louisiana Illuminator is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Louisiana Illuminator maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Greg LaRose for questions: info@lailluminator.com.
Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.
Political Bias Rating: Centrist
This content presents a balanced report on legislative efforts across various states to combat human trafficking. It emphasizes bipartisan actions such as education, training, and tougher penalties without advocating for a particular political ideology. The discussion of federal funding cuts includes perspectives from government officials defending such measures, indicating neutrality. Overall, the article focuses on factual information and diverse state-level initiatives, avoiding partisan framing, which aligns with a centrist political stance.
SUMMARY: Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG) has seen significant financial improvement under Mayor-President Monique Boulet, as highlighted in the latest Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Revenues from taxes and utilities have risen, with LCG’s general funds now exceeding 60% of operating expenses, providing millions in available funds for future projects. LCG has come in under budget, spending less than anticipated, though recruitment issues persist, especially in the police force. LUS Fiber has underperformed, showing minimal revenue growth. Major infrastructure projects, such as road, drainage, and facility improvements, are ongoing, reflecting a more disciplined and competent governance compared to the previous administration.
www.thecentersquare.com – By Nolan McKendry | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-05-09 13:04:00
Louisiana lawmakers are considering bills to enhance oversight on state spending and regulation. Senate Bill 59, by Sen. Mike Reese, would require legislative approval for state agency rules with significant fiscal impact, aiming to increase accountability. Meanwhile, SB 184, by Sen. Heather Cloud, targets nonprofit organizations, mandating financial audits and outcome data for those receiving public funds. Governor Jeff Landry has also launched the Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE), led by a Fiscal Responsibility Czar, to streamline state operations. While the initiatives seek to improve transparency, critics question their necessity and potential duplication of existing oversight.
(The Center Square) − As Louisiana’s legislative session continues, lawmakers are considering multiple bills aimed at increasing oversight of regulatory actions and tightening the rules for how taxpayer money is spent.
One of the early measures gaining traction is Senate Bill 59 by Sen. Mike Reese, R-Leesville, which would require legislative approval before any state agency rule with a significant fiscal impact — defined as at least $200,000 per year or $1 million over five years — could take effect. The bill passed a key Senate vote and now awaits consideration in the House.
Supporters say the bill would improve accountability by ensuring that major regulatory decisions are reviewed by elected officials. The proposal is similar to the so-called “REINS Act” model being promoted in legislatures across the country.
Under current Louisiana law, agencies must include fiscal impact statements with proposed rules, but they are not always subject to legislative approval. SB 59 would expand that oversight, requiring the fiscal office to assess potential costs and trigger committee hearings for high-impact rules. Emergency regulations would also be subject to additional fiscal scrutiny under the bill.
Meanwhile, another piece of legislation — SB184 by Sen. Heather Cloud, R-Allen — would implement new standards for nongovernmental organizations that receive public dollars.
The bill, which is scheduled for further debate in the Senate Finance Committee, would require recipient organizations to provide detailed financial audits, outcome data, and statements of public purpose before receiving state appropriations.
Nonprofits would also need to be registered in Louisiana for at least one year, keep administrative costs under 15% of expenditures, and maintain a physical office in the state. Groups that fail to submit required documentation could face a five-year ban from receiving state funds.
The legislation would consolidate existing data into a searchable portal through Louisiana’s Checkbook platform to allow the public and lawmakers to better monitor how funds are spent.
“These bills are part of a broader effort to increase transparency and ensure responsible stewardship of taxpayer money,” Cloud said during a recent hearing.
In addition to the legislative activity, Governor Jeff Landry has launched a new initiative—the Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE)—tasked with identifying ways to reduce waste and improve performance in state government.
Landry appointed Steve Orlando as Fiscal Responsibility Czar, who is expected to work closely with the Louisiana Legislative Auditor.
A news release from the governor’s office says residents are encouraged to submit suggestions for improving government efficiency via email.
The DOGE initiative has drawn both support and criticism. Supporters see it as a step toward greater fiscal accountability, while critics, including some legislators, question whether it duplicates existing oversight functions already handled by the legislature and the state auditor.
“Legislators create and pass the state’s annual budget, which the governor then signs, with a line-item veto,” Rep. Mandie Landry, D-New Orleans, said in a statement. “A new, bureaucratic entity cannot and should not supersede these constitutional powers.”
Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.
Political Bias Rating: Center-Right
The article primarily reports on legislative efforts and government initiatives in Louisiana aimed at increasing oversight, fiscal responsibility, and transparency in spending. The tone is factual and includes statements from both supporters, including Republican lawmakers and Governor Jeff Landry, and critics, such as a Democratic representative. However, the focus on regulatory tightening, fiscal scrutiny, and government efficiency aligns more closely with conservative, center-right priorities emphasizing limited government oversight and financial accountability. The language is measured and not overtly partisan, maintaining a mostly neutral reporting style without promoting an ideological agenda, but the content’s framing suggests a center-right perspective based on the topics covered and the officials highlighted.
