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Louisiana Illuminator
‘Dead zone’ in the Gulf of Mexico predicted to be bigger than average this summer
NEW ORLEANS — The “dead zone” forms in the Gulf of Mexico every summer. It’s caused by nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, largely from farm fertilizer and municipal runoff, which are carried down the Mississippi River and into the gulf. Algae feeds on those nutrients and when it dies, bacteria deplete oxygen in the […] The post ‘Dead zone’ in the Gulf of Mexico predicted to be bigger than average this summer appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
After U.S. Supreme Court decision to allow bump stocks, U.S. Senate rejects bill to ban them
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts blocked a bipartisan bill Tuesday that would ban bump stocks following a Supreme Court decision that repealed a Trump-era rule against using the gun accessory. Ricketts, a Nebraska Republican, objected to New Mexico Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich’s request that the chamber approve his bill — cosponsored by Nevada Democratic […] The post After U.S. Supreme Court decision to allow bump stocks, U.S. Senate rejects bill to ban them appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
Louisiana lags on electric vehicle charging program, but DOTD sees ‘no reason to rush’
Two years after receiving federal funding to build electric vehicle charging stations across the state, Louisiana has yet to ask for bids from companies that might want the money. However, state transportation officials say there is a reason for their sluggish pace. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), plans to start the request-for-proposal […] The post Louisiana lags on electric vehicle charging program, but DOTD sees ‘no reason to rush’ appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
Juneteenth holiday: An important moment to contemplate our nation’s past and present
What in the world could they have been thinking? That’s one of the questions (or, at least, one hopes it is) that most white Americans ask themselves periodically when contemplating the evil of human slavery – the institution that undergirds so much of their modern privilege and wealth. How could any human being ever think […] The post Juneteenth holiday: An important moment to contemplate our nation’s past and present appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
St. Tammany’s embattled coroner targeted under new state laws
Gov. Jeff Landry has signed two new laws to weaken the authority of St. Tammany Parish’s controversial coroner who is already the subject of a recall campaign. Dr. Christopher Tape drew scrutiny from lawmakers after a WWL-TV investigation revealed he had been accused of child sex abuse in New Mexico decades ago and then settled […] The post St. Tammany’s embattled coroner targeted under new state laws appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
U.S. House ethics panel adds allegations to Matt Gaetz investigation
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House Ethics Committee released a statement Tuesday saying it has “identified additional allegations that merit review” based on its investigation of prior allegations that Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz had inappropriate sexual relationships and violated rules by accepting gifts. The committee is investigating allegations that Gaetz may have “engaged in […] The post U.S. House ethics panel adds allegations to Matt Gaetz investigation appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
Scientists argue over the origins of COVID-19 before U.S. Senate panel
WASHINGTON — Scientists debated the origins of COVID-19 on Tuesday, trading barbs over whether the bulk of evidence available points to a natural spillover event from a wild animal or a virus designed in a lab and then let loose through an inadvertent leak. The hearing in front of the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and […] The post Scientists argue over the origins of COVID-19 before U.S. Senate panel appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
Federal broadband expansion projects see mixed progress in Louisiana
Louisiana has completed several of its American Rescue Plan Act rural broadband projects across the state, while a separate federal broadband program is lagging behind schedule. Approximately 78% of the ARPA projects are either actively under construction or have been completed, and the remaining ones should be completed within the next 12 months, according to […] The post Federal broadband expansion projects see mixed progress in Louisiana appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
Biden to unveil protections for some undocumented spouses, easier DACA work visas
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration Tuesday will announce deportation protections for long-term undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens, along with quicker approval of work permits for those in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. President Joe Biden will formally make the announcement during an afternoon White House event to celebrate the 12th anniversary of […] The post Biden to unveil protections for some undocumented spouses, easier DACA work visas appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
Gov. Jeff Landry, in dispute with ethics board, signs law giving himself more control over it
Gov. Jeff Landry has signed a new law to give him control over the Louisiana Board of Ethics, even as a dispute between him and board members continues. The ethics board charged Landry last year with failing to disclose flights he took to and from Hawaii on a political donor’s private plane while Landry was […] The post Gov. Jeff Landry, in dispute with ethics board, signs law giving himself more control over it appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
Republican state attorneys general oppose new gag order in Trump documents case
Twenty-four Republican state attorneys general have interceded in the classified-documents prosecution of Donald Trump, opposing special counsel Jack Smith’s request that the trial judge bar Trump from making hostile statements against federal law enforcement. In a 27-page amicus brief filed by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, the states complain that Smith’s motion to amend the […] The post Republican state attorneys general oppose new gag order in Trump documents case appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
New Louisiana law seeks crackdown on civil disobedience in campus protests
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has enacted a law to exclude acts of civil disobedience from free speech protections on college campuses. Senate Bill 294 by Sen. Valarie Hodges, R-Denham Springs, was billed as a pro-free speech proposal. The bill was designed to “shore up protections” for campus speech, Hodges said “What we need on […] The post New Louisiana law seeks crackdown on civil disobedience in campus protests appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
Gov. Jeff Landry gives state workers Wednesday off to observe Juneteenth
Gov. Jeff Landry will close state offices Wednesday in observance of Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Landry issued an executive order at the end of last month directing the heads of state agencies and institutions to honor the day off in conjunction with the federal government. “Juneteenth Day […] The post Gov. Jeff Landry gives state workers Wednesday off to observe Juneteenth appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
Americans with HIV are living longer. Federal spending isn’t keeping up.
DECATUR, Ga. — Malcolm Reid recently marked the anniversary of his HIV diagnosis on Facebook. “Diagnosed with HIV 28 years ago, AND TODAY I THRIVE,” he wrote in a post in April, which garnered dozens of responses. Reid, an advocate for people with HIV, said he’s happy he made it to age 66. But growing […] The post Americans with HIV are living longer. Federal spending isn’t keeping up. appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
Americans used to unite over tragic events − and now are divided by them
Tragedy seldom unifies Americans today. Every year, horrific crises induce tremendous suffering. Most are privately tragic, affecting only those directly harmed and their immediate relations. A small number, though, become politically notorious and, therefore, publicly tragic. Natural disasters, school shootings, terrorist attacks and economic crises can become public tragedies. Sexual assaults – primarily of women […] The post Americans used to unite over tragic events − and now are divided by them appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
Backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion spreads to more states
SALT LAKE CITY — Shortly after taking office in 2023, Republican state Rep. Katy Hall heard from constituents complaining about how their adult children were required to write diversity, equity and inclusion statements while applying for medical and dental schools and other graduate programs in Utah. “It doesn’t seem right,” Hall said. “It doesn’t seem […] The post Backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion spreads to more states appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
LGBTQ advocates fear a second Trump term would double down on restrictions
LGBTQ+ advocates are gearing up for a possible second Trump administration by planning future litigation, deepening relationships in Congress and mobilizing voters. If former president Donald Trump is re-elected, advocacy groups expect him to enact anti-LGBTQ+ policies that are more far-reaching and extreme than those he put in place during his first term — based on […] The post LGBTQ advocates fear a second Trump term would double down on restrictions appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
Anti-abortion groups say Supreme Court’s mifepristone ruling won’t deter them
In the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling Thursday to maintain current access to the abortion medication mifepristone, abortion-rights advocates and opponents vowed to continue their respective battles over the drug. Mifepristone is one of two drugs used to treat miscarriages and terminate a pregnancy during the first trimester, and is the most […] The post Anti-abortion groups say Supreme Court’s mifepristone ruling won’t deter them appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
States struggle with unreliable federal funding for making sure elections are secure
WASHINGTON — The federal government has sought to bolster election security for years through a popular grant program, but the wildly fluctuating funding levels have made it difficult for state officials to plan their budgets and their projects. Rising misinformation and disinformation about elections, often fueled by conspiracy theories, as well as threats against election […] The post States struggle with unreliable federal funding for making sure elections are secure appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
Louisiana likely to pay Loyola law school to handle death penalty cases
Gov. Jeff Landry’s administration plans to contract with Loyola University College of Law in New Orleans to represent people facing the death penalty as well as youth charged with first-degree murder. The school would be one of five entities getting money to handle capital punishment defense for the state. State Public Defender Rémy Starns briefly […] The post Louisiana likely to pay Loyola law school to handle death penalty cases appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
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The Louisiana Illuminator is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization driven by its mission to cast light on how decisions are made in Baton Rouge and how they affect the lives of everyday Louisianians, particularly those who are poor or otherwise marginalized. Here readers will find in-depth investigations and news stories, news briefs and commentary, all of which is intended to help them make sense of how state policy is crafted, how it helps or hurts them and how it helps or hurts their neighbors across the state. Notwithstanding the way political reporting is often presented, we see politics as neither sport nor entertainment. There are quality-of-life consequences – even life-and-death consequences – to environmental permitting decisions, to health care policy, to income- and sales-tax rates, to budgetary cuts and to economic development plans. For those reasons, the Illuminator does not cover politics in a way that centers on politicians, their squabbles with one another or their career ambitions. Instead, we center on Louisianians from Ouachita to Calcasieu, from Plaquemines to Caddo who must live with the decisions their political leaders make. Though we’re located in Baton Rouge, we understand that the ramifications of decisions made in our capital are felt across the state and that those stories are often best told in cities, towns and parishes far from the halls of power. As our name indicates, our mission is to shine a bright light on Louisiana, to highlight the state’s successes and its examples of good and responsive government and to expose its failures and corruption. An affiliate of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers like you, the Louisiana Illuminator retains editorial independence.
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