 BY DOUG GRAHAM | Staff writer On Dec. 7, residents in St. George will vote on an item that will be crucial for the fledgling city. They will be asked to decide whether to transfer revenue from a 2% sales tax that is collected within the city's boundaries from the parish to the newly formed city government. Since the tax is already in place, residents would not see a change in their pocketbooks if they approve the transfer. But without it, the city government will be missing out on about $50 million a year. Read more about the issue.
The Ascension Parish Council has approved an approximately $281 million budget for 2025, which is about $83 million more than last year. About $2 million is going to establish a stand-alone data analytics department, which originally was part of the finance department, parish officials said. Read more about how the parish is allocating its money.
While the 2024 football season is not over yet, the future is always on the mind of LSU coach Brian Kelly, as roster building is a constant reality in college football, columnist Scott Rabalais writes. Programs must map out their path in terms of recruiting, player retention and the ever-popular transfer portal. Read what Kelly shared about the process. | 
