Drought, heat, wildfires plague state

This summer, New Orleans and Louisiana faced record-breaking temperatures, along with several wildfires in southwestern Louisiana. So far, there have been 13 three-digit temperature days. 

WWL-TV Chief Meteorologist Chris Franklin stated in a news release that the chances of seeing even one 100-degree day in Louisiana are less than 1%. Sunday Aug. 27, was the hottest day ever in the state of Louisiana, with a temperature of 105. Louisiana is not the only place experiencing raging heat waves; July was the hottest month on record for the entire planet. 

Additionally, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry released that 441 fires have burnt at least 8,385 acres from Aug. 1 to Aug. 24. Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has been active on social media, spreading awareness about the dangers of the wildfires. 

State passes ban on transgender youth healthcare

In June, lawmakers in Louisiana passed a ban on transgender minors’ access to transition care, further legislation that would put a ban on puberty blockers, hormone treatments and surgeries for minors. The ban would also create a punishment for any healthcare professional who attempted to provide that care. 

Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed the bill, but with the legislature’s Republican majority, the bill passed by a large margin to override the veto. 

In a veto letter on June 29, Edwards said “It is unfathomable to think that in my last few months serving as governor of this state that I would sign into law a bill that categorically denies health care for children and families based on propaganda and misinformation generated by national interest groups.”

Louisiana polls show support for capital punishment

According to a new poll, Louisianians opposed Governor John Bel Edwards’ plan to spare the lives of prisoners on death row. 

The last time Louisiana had an execution was in 2010, despite the fact that 57 people are on death row. The poll was administered by The Advocate | The Times-Picayune, The Urban League of Louisiana, WWL-TV of New Orleans, The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, KATC-TV of Lafayette, WBRZ-TV of Baton Rouge and KTBS-TV of Shreveport. 

The polls found that 51% of voters disagree with Edwards’ goal to lessen the number of people on death row and instead commute their sentences to life without parole.  

New Dining options offered on campus

Tulane now offers dining options from Pei Wei and Wildflower Kitchen located in the Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life, which have replaced Star Ginger and Rollin’ n Bowlin’. 

Wildflower Kitchen serves health foods such as bowls, smoothies and toasts. Pei Wei offers authentic Asian and Chinese food. 

There is also a new food truck called the Pizza Hub, which is stationed outside of the Small Family Collaboration Hub that offers late-night dining and accepts meal swipes. Additionally, starting on Sept. 5, the Malkin Sacks Commons will no longer accept Loyola University’s meal swipes and will only accept Wolf Bucks. For Loyola students, breakfast will now be $16, lunch will be $18 and dinner will be $20.

New pool opens in Reily

The Reily Student Recreation Center unveiled its newly-renovated indoor swimming pool on Aug. 25. 

The Olympic-sized pool has gone under major renovations over the past year, adding new features such as new diving stands, new starting blocks, all new lighting and a new filtration and sanitation system for better water quality. 

A new outdoor social pool has also opened, which will be available to all students.