Author

Greg LaRose

Greg LaRose

Greg LaRose has covered news for more than 30 years in Louisiana. Before coming to the Louisiana Illuminator, he was the chief investigative reporter for WDSU-TV in New Orleans. He previously led the government and politics team for The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com, and was editor in chief at New Orleans CityBusiness. Greg's other career stops include Tiger Rag, South Baton Rouge Journal, the Covington News Banner, Louisiana Radio Network and multiple radio stations.

Jeff Landry and John Schroder

Bond Commission keeps banking options open, despite Jeff Landry’s wishes

By: - February 25, 2023

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 […]

COMMENTARY
An MRI scan of a human head

Louisiana’s rural health disparities deserve a longer look

By: - February 24, 2023

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 […]

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell speaks to an audience at the Andrew P. Sanchez Multi-Service Center in the Lower 9th Ward

Cantrell recall would make significant history in Louisiana

By: - February 23, 2023

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 […]

Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans

Pols on parade: Louisiana elected officials celebrate Mardi Gras

By: - February 20, 2023

The masks can make it difficult to identify them, but many Louisiana elected officials take part in Carnival season – and are eager to show it. In an election year, Mardi Gras parades provide an opportunity for candidates to get out in front of the public, albeit a possibly inebriated version of the electorate in […]

Monroe City Councilwoman Kema Dawson

Successful recalls are a small-town phenomenon in Louisiana

By: - February 20, 2023

Organizers of an effort to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell have until Wednesday to turn in roughly 50,000 signatures to force an election to decide whether she keeps her seat. If they are successful, it would mark a rare occasion as there is no history of such campaigns succeeding in large cities.  Records from […]

COMMENTARY
Mayor LaToya Cantrell arrives at the Andrew P. Sanchez Multi-Service Center in the Lower 9th Ward to announce the end of the Road Home program

Signatures to oust Cantrell are one thing; a recall election is another

By: - February 17, 2023

A rousing cheer greeted New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell when she arrived at a Lower 9th Ward community center Thursday. She was there to join Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, Congressman Troy Carter and U.S. Housing Secretary Marcia Fudge to announce the end of the Road Home program. Most of the neighborhood residents gathered were […]

This Dec. 31, 2005, photo taken in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans shows a house sitting atop of an overturned truck and leaning against another house.

Road Home reaches its end, thousands of lawsuits against recipients pulled

By: - February 16, 2023

NEW ORLEANS – The landmark and lambasted government program that attempted to make homeowners whole after Hurricane Katrina has come to an end, federal, state and local officials announced Thursday. The decision cancels thousands of lawsuits against Road Home recipients who used the money to fix their storm damages rather than the intended home elevations. […]

Shawn Wilson

Shawn Wilson retires from DOTD; no word yet on governor’s race

By: - February 15, 2023

The person who has emerged as the most likely Democrat to run for Louisiana governor announced he is retiring from his state job, but so far there’s been no word from outgoing Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson on whether he will enter the race. Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Wednesday that Wilson is leaving his post […]

Treasurer John Schroder talks with supporters after launching his campaign for Louisiana governor

Schroder ends the mystery and enters governor’s race

By: - February 10, 2023

MANDEVILLE – Long considered a probable candidate, Louisiana Treasurer John Schroder made his intentions public Thursday night and announced he is running for governor. He joins a field that so far includes three other Republican contenders. Before a large crowd of supporters at the Fleur de Lis Event Center, Schroder shared his campaign platform on […]

Mona Hardin

Ronald Greene’s mother will attend State of the Union address

By: - February 5, 2023

The mother of Ronald Greene, the Black motorist who died in Louisiana State Police custody after white troopers beat him during a traffic stop, will attend President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address. Mona Hardin is the invitee of Congressman Troy Carter, D-New Orleans, whose office confirmed Hardin will be in the gallery of […]

A damaged home is seen after Hurricane Laura passed through the area on Aug. 27, 2020 in Lake Charles

Louisiana OKs $45 million to lure insurance companies. Will your premiums go down?

By: - February 3, 2023

The Louisiana Legislature gave final approval Friday to a $45 million deposit from the state’s general fund into an incentive fund meant to lure property insurers to the market. The vote brought to an end a five-day special session to address the state’s insurance crisis, which has forced 120,000 households to obtain coverage from the […]

COMMENTARY
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minnesota), House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-New York) and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) hold a news conference following a GOP caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol on January 10, 2023 in Washington, D.C.

Far right just wants a fight over COVID, not facts

By: - February 2, 2023

Recent actions from the far right give proof that they have no interest in tackling the pressing concerns of our country – just the opposite in fact. What’s more important to them is earning meaningless merit badges from a dwindling flock of followers swayed more by unfounded fears than facts. Take House Majority Leader Steve […]