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Opinions vary on departing DEQ Secretary Chuck Carr Brown; data is definitive
It’s not unusual that a state agency leader leaves during the last year of a governor’s term, so the exit of Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Chuck Carr Brown doesn’t jump out as out of the ordinary. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson resigned to enter the governor’s race, but there’s no indication Brown has any […]
DCFS has received 78 reports of child trafficking since Jan. 1
A new law requires Louisiana authorities to direct all reports of suspected child trafficking to the state Department of Children and Family Services. Its director told lawmakers Thursday the DCFS mandated reporting hotline has handled 78 juvenile trafficking calls this year, the large majority of them involving sex trafficking. Of the cases authorities have been […]
Calls for food assistance triple as pandemic SNAP benefits end
The federal government ended the extra food assistance provided to families in need through the COVID-19 pandemic at the end of February, and now state officials say they’re hearing from people in need. Calls to Louisiana’s 211 information line from citizens seeking food aid have tripled since the start of February, according to Department of […]
Nungesser to propose museum merger with Secretary of State sites
Nine state museums are the responsibility of the Louisiana lieutenant governor, and nine other sites are operated by the Secretary of State. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser wants to place them under the same umbrella and create regional entities to handle their management. He’s bringing forward the strategy as widespread issues within the Office of State […]
Tlaib leads effort to strengthen landmark civil rights laws
A group of Democratic U.S. House members on Thursday called for the GOP-led chamber to pass H.R. 697, the Justice For All Act, legislation they said will protect Americans from racial discrimination. U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, was joined by fellow Democrats Cori Bush of Missouri, Steven Horsford of Nevada and Sheila Jackson Lee of […]
Stephen Waguespack announces run for Louisiana governor
The head of state’s top business organization formally informed its board members Thursday he would be stepping down to run for governor. Stephen Waguespack, who’s led the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry for 10 years, enters a crowded field of Republicans already committed to the race. Multiple sources told the Illuminator earlier this week […]
In governor’s race, we’ll see if ‘Wags’ can tail top dog Landry
One of the bigger questions hanging over the 2023 governor’s race has been answered now that Congressman Garret Graves, R-Baton Rouge, has opted to stay out. His decision came Tuesday morning, just hours after news broke that his good friend and Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack would become a candidate. “After […]
Food stamps cut off mostly for non-financial reasons, audit finds
When a Louisiana family loses public food assistance, it’s most often not because they don’t qualify for it. A new report from the state Legislative Auditor found that more than half the time the reasons are procedural rather than financial. The auditor conducted an efficiency review of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) within the […]
Watchdog group questions Alexandria Police training; lawsuit in progress
A national legal watchdog group is criticizing the Alexandria Police Department for its training methods, citing “disregard for the Constitution” based on dashboard- and body-camera footage from a June 2022 traffic stop. Multiple citations issued to the motorist who was pulled over were later dismissed by the city. The Institute of Justice is representing the […]
Bond Commission keeps banking options open, despite Jeff Landry’s wishes
Members of the State Bond Commission met Friday and opted against placing any restrictions on the banks Louisiana is allowed to borrow money from based on the institution’s environmental, social or governance views. Concerns that limiting the state’s choice could cost taxpayers in terms of higher interest overcame calls from Attorney General Jeff Landry to […]
Louisiana’s rural health disparities deserve a longer look
Legislative task forces are often the product of proposed legislation that runs out of steam. Seeing that their bill has no chance of advancing, a lawmaker will often propose a study resolution to convene a panel to examine the issue they’re confronting. Some task forces are pointless and politically reckless, while others result in substantive […]
Cantrell recall would make significant history in Louisiana
Organizers of a recall petition to oust New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell had until 4:30 p.m. Wednesday to file their petition with the required number of verified signatures to force a special election on the matter. A successful recall in a city this large would be unprecedented, as standards to remove elected officials in many […]