Author

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.
Marie Kondo, the White House needs you now
By: Greg LaRose - January 13, 2023
What’s the deal with the trouble our recent U.S. presidents have keeping track of classified documents? Whether it’s Mar-a-Lago or a Maryland garage, we can all agree our chief executives have a problem. Honestly, I think it’s giving Donald Trump and Joe Biden far too much credit to assume they squirreled away top secret papers […]
Path to clear criminal records remains bumpy in Louisiana
By: Greg LaRose - January 12, 2023
NEW ORLEANS – A line with a few dozen people stretched outside the door of the building where volunteers were helping escort folks through the expungement process. It was just a half-hour into the event, and Sherie Thomas had to let those outside know the services would be available again next month. Some 30 people […]
Former Louisiana Democrats chair, state senator gets prison time for wire fraud
By: Greg LaRose - January 11, 2023
A federal judge in New Orleans has sentenced former state senator Karen Carter Peterson to 22 months in prison Wednesday for admitting she used money from her campaign and the state Democratic Party to support a gambling addiction. Peterson, 53, is scheduled to report to prison March 6. “I am humiliated and remorseful for my […]
Louisiana governor’s race 2023: What Landry vs. Schroder might look like
By: Greg LaRose - January 10, 2023
Two statewide elected officials appear headed for a showdown in the Louisiana governor’s race this fall, as Treasurer John Schroder told supporters Monday he will qualify to run. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser also announced he would bypass the election and will instead run to keep his current seat. The declarations come after U.S. Sen. John […]
Special election in New Orleans conflicts with busy Carnival parade day: report
By: Greg LaRose - January 9, 2023
A special election to fill the vacancy in a Louisiana House district based in New Orleans is scheduled for Feb. 18 – the same day four Carnival parades take place in the city. The race is needed to fill the seat in House District 93, which Rep. Royce Duplessis held before being elected to the […]
John Kennedy opts against governor’s race: What’s next?
By: Greg LaRose - January 5, 2023
A lukewarm flirtation from U.S. Sen. John Kennedy with a possible run for Louisiana governor turned cold Wednesday when he announced he would forgo the race. Jeremy Alford with LaPolitics Weekly first reported on the email Kennedy sent to supporters declaring his intention to stay in Washington, D.C. “I have looked hard into my heart […]
Insurance dominates new Louisiana laws for 2023
By: Greg LaRose - January 4, 2023
Following three major hurricanes in two years, the Louisiana Legislature made changes to state law to assist property owners with damage claims in the aftermath of a storm. Some updates also give insurers an opportunity to cover their risk. These and other new state laws took effect Jan. 1. One calls for more transparency for […]
A 2023 Louisiana politics wish list: Is it really asking a lot?
By: Greg LaRose - January 3, 2023
Besides calendar publishers and gym membership directors, is there really anyone that genuinely looks forward to the New Year? Resolutions are just things we’ve put off for some reason, and they’re most likely going to put on the shelf after a few weeks. But it doesn’t have to be that way. It’s time to exert […]
Education Superintendent Brumley jumps on TikTok ban bandwagon
By: Greg LaRose - January 3, 2023
Louisiana Education Superintendent Cade Brumley is the latest state official to call for a ban on the social media application TikTok. In a memo sent to school officials Tuesday, he raised concerns with data security and student privacy. Brumley has called on school systems to remove TikTok from publicly funded devices. He also recommended the […]
Tech firm Excella plans New Orleans hub with 150 jobs
By: Greg LaRose - December 28, 2022
An information technology company has picked New Orleans for its newest hub location and plans to hire 150 new employees over the next five years, according to Gov. John Bel Edwards’ administration. Excella, a 20-year-old company based in Arlington, Virginia, specializes in artificial intelligence and modernizing IT systems, according to Louisiana Economic Development (LED). Its […]
Freezing weather leads to thousands of power outages in Louisiana
By: Greg LaRose - December 23, 2022
Upwards of 15,000 Louisiana utility customers were without power midday Friday as an Arctic cold front sent temperatures plummeting below the freezing mark for nearly all of the state. More than half of those impacted by outages had their power restored as of 4 p.m., but some areas were not expected to have electricity restored […]
Oh, what we’ll miss once government bans TikTok
By: Greg LaRose - December 22, 2022
You can call me a proponent of social media, although I’ll readily admit I don’t use the various options with great frequency. If not for my profession, I probably wouldn’t post more than the occasional family picture or a cheer/rant about my favorite sports teams. Still, I see the value and appeal of being on […]