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Ernest J. Wright, a civil rights trailblazer in New Orleans, was the city’s first Black social worker.

The ceremony was one part of a two-day stretch of events marking Morial’s life. On Sunday, the community was invited to a public visitation. Monday’s ceremony was followed up with a traditional second line and private family mass and burial.

Louisiana lawmakers passed a final budget and several other items earlier this week, bringing the regular session — the third legislative session this year — to a close. See what passed.

Lawmakers gave final approval to a judicial budget with one-time stipends for judges and brought this year’s session to a close just minutes before the 6 p.m. deadline.

Lawmakers are one step closer to wrapping up this year’s session after the House passed the bulk of a state budget with some mixed results for education efforts.

Lawmakers in the Senate are expected to consider the state budget proposal on Friday, making it unlikely the session will end ahead of schedule.

A bill to get rid of a required 20-minute lunch break for teenage workers is headed to Gov. Jeff Landry’s desk after lawmakers in the House approved the proposal. Several other major items are still awaiting approval.

Lawmakers in the Senate gave final approval to a bill requiring all public schools and universities to report on diversity initiatives and spending.

Lawmakers have yet to give final approval to legislation that would pave the way for education savings accounts in the state, a bill calling for a constitutional convention and the coming year’s budget. Lawmakers hope to wrap up the session in the next week.

Lawmakers on the House Appropriations Committee approved a state budget that cuts funding for early childhood education by $24.3 million. The proposed budget also lowers last year’s one-time stipends for public school teachers to $1,300.