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U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson shoots blanks in GOP’s culture war
The first meeting of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government was held last week, and it was pretty much what we’ve come to expect from the Republican-led chamber: An exercise in self-indulgence. Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, presided over Thursday’s hearing that looked into whether a memo from the U.S. […]
Alonzo Knox wins slugfest in House District 93 runoff
NEW ORLEANS – A contentious runoff for a seat in the Louisiana House of Representatives ended with the second-place finisher in last month’s primary surpassing the frontrunner. Alonzo Knox won the race that mattered Saturday, besting Sibil Fox Richardson with 54% of the vote in the general election between two Democrats. The runoff settled who […]
5 Louisiana colleges shut down internet after security threat
Five Louisiana college campuses pulled the plug on their internet service later Friday after “an indicator of compromise” was detected, according to statements from three of the schools. The University of New Orleans, LSU AgCenter, Southern University in Shreveport, Nunez Community College and River Parishes Community College proactively moved to shut down their campus internet […]
Campus sexual violence report provides more questions than answers
A state senator who’s called for greater accountability from Louisiana colleges about sexual misconduct on campuses isn’t pleased with the amount of information administrators are providing. Sen. Beth Mizell, R-Franklinton, authored a law last year that requires public two- and four-year schools to report twice annually how they handle power-based violence complaints. She and other […]
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 […]