Respond to this Story

The Crescent City Classic,
the annual 10k race that sends runners -- many in costume -- from Jackson Square to City Park, was recently named the second most competitive race in the world by Running Times magazine. Seven of the top men's 10k times in history were achieved at the CCC, says its elite athletic coordinator, Gary Gomez. This year's race is scheduled for April 10.

Louisiana
has made significant improvements in strengthening its child passenger safety laws in the past three years, according to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign. Louisiana SAFE KIDS credits new laws that require proper restraint of infants and children in vehicles as recommended by national safety organizations. Louisiana was one of 27 states listed as making notable progress.

Michael L. Lomax,
president of Dillard University since 1997, has been named the new president and CEO of the United Negro College Fund. Lomax will start his leadership of the national scholarship organization June 1. During his tenure at Dillard, Lomax presided over a 49 percent increase in enrollment and a 300 percent increase in private funding, plus a $60 million campus renovation, according to the university.

Suzanne Haik Terrell
the former state Elections Commissioner, gave top aides a going-away present before leaving office in the form of almost $85,000 in overtime pay. Records obtained by the Baton Rouge Advocate show little overtime was granted to workers the first three years of Terrell's term, but nearly half came in the months before her term ended in January. State officials call the action legal, but outrageous.

Other Stories This Week in News & Views:

Commentary
Giving Back to Our Bands

News Feature
The Smell Test
Lemon Aid
Big Chiefs and Mother-in-Laws

Politics
Heavy-handed Is the Standard

Penny Post
Nikola Tesla's Brain

Letters to the Editor