The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA)

2 days ago | theadvocate.com | Timothy Boone

The deadline is approaching to apply for a spot in the first statewide technology competition, designed to showcase the latest software and hardware being developed across Louisiana. The Nexus Technology Cup will spotlight innovative developments created by high school and college students, along with tech enthusiasts. The event will be held June 17-June 19 at the Water Campus in Baton Rouge.

2 days ago | theadvocate.com | Kasey Bubnash

Heavy rains that drenched the New Orleans metro area and flooded streets across the city hit a little too close for comfort this week, as The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival kicks off Thursday. But while some scattered showers could continue through much of the week, National Weather Service meteorologist Phil Grigsby said the first weekend of 2025 Jazz Fest is not likely to be a washout. "It's actually just going to be hot — very, very hot," Grigsby said.

2 days ago | theadvocate.com | Robin Fambrough

Baton Rouge's spring high school sports are loaded with outstanding individual performances each and every single week. Who was Baton Rouge's best high school athlete for the week for April 14-20? You get to decide. Here's your chance to make your vote count and choose TheAdvocate.com Athlete of the Week. The poll will wrap up at noon on Thursday, and the winner will be recognized on the The Advocate High School Sports Facebook page.

2 days ago | theadvocate.com | Robin Fambrough

Whether it is framed as a rite of passage or the passing of the torch, the Girls Metro Golf tournament is another milestone for Sophia Macias. The Episcopal senior started playing in the annual postseason event as a middle-schooler. Now she is a Tulane signee who enters the tournament with a different role — a slight pre-tourney underdog by less than two strokes. “It’s definitely bittersweet,” Macias said. “On one hand, I’m really excited to move on to the next step, my college career.

2 days ago | theadvocate.com | Elyse Carmosino

As Louisiana continues to grapple with high rates of student absenteeism, a lawmaker wants to push districts to tackle the issue by tying funding to student attendance so that schools with low attendance rates would get less money. Currently, public school districts receive funding based on how many students they serve and those students’ needs. House Bill 185 by Rep. Barbara Freiberg, R-Baton Rouge, would instead give schools money based on attendance data that districts collect daily.