Author

Louisiana Illuminator

Louisiana Illuminator

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.

A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries game warden approaches two duck hunters in a blind.

Wildlife & Fisheries secretary quits following reports linking him to federal probe

By: - April 14, 2023

The leader of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries turned in his resignation Friday after reports have tied him to an ongoing federal investigation involving bribery. Gov. John Bel Edwards’ office confirmed that Jack Montoucet will step down as LDWF secretary. He had held the post since his appointment in 2017. Deputy Secretary Robert […]

A screen capture of police dashboard camera video shows Rapides Sheriff's Deputy Rodney Anderson struggling with motorist Derrick Kittling

Rapides DA clears police officers in two shootings: report

By: - April 10, 2023

Rapides Parish District Attorney Phillip Terrell will not bring charges against two police officers who were involved in separate shootings in November, according to our news partners at KALB-TV. One of the shootings resulted in the death of a motorist who was pulled over for having dark window tint. Terrell’s office issued nearly identical letters […]

New Orleans skyline with City Hall, Superdome

Utility service company to bring headquarters, 141 jobs to New Orleans

By: - April 5, 2023

A company that provides services to utility companies will open an office in New Orleans that will serve as its new headquarters. United Utility Services is expected to create 141 jobs over the next five years, the economic development organization Greater New Orleans Inc. announced Wednesday. “As our company expands, the need arose to establish […]

Courtney Phillips posed with arms crossed

La. Health Department leader Courtney Phillips to resign this week

By: - April 3, 2023

The person placed in charge of the Louisiana Department of Health just as the COVID-19 pandemic was taking root will leave her post later this week. Gov. John Bel Edwards said Monday that Courtney Phillips will resign Thursday, a little over three years after she was hired as LDH secretary. Stephen Russo, the department’s executive […]

A pair of large, rusted tanks sit next to an abandoned well oil well in St. Martin Parish.

Edwards marks capping of 100 orphaned wells; thousands remain

By: - March 24, 2023

Gov. John Bel Edwards announced this week that more than 100 orphaned oil and gas wells have been plugged over two months thanks to money made available to Louisiana through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Another 30-plus wells will be handled before the end of the month, according to the governor’s office.   The federal resources […]

Representative Edmond Jordan

Jordan, Skrmetta consider run for insurance commissioner, report says

By: - March 16, 2023

A member of the Louisiana Public Service Commission and a state lawmaker could become candidates for state insurance commissioner after the incumbent said this week he will not seek re-election. According to our partners at WVUE-TV Fox 8 News, PSC District 1 Commissioner Eric Skrmetta, a Republican from Metairie, and Rep. Edmond Jordan, D-Baton Rouge, […]

Report: Arraignment date set for troopers in Ronald Greene death

By: - February 17, 2023

A date has been set for five white troopers with Louisiana State Police to be formally charged for their alleged roles in the May 2019 death of Black motorist Ronald Greene. Their arraignment is set for April 11 in Third Judicial District Court, which covers Lincoln and Union parishes, our partners at KALB-TV report. A […]

Governor’s mother, Dora Jean Edwards, dies at 87

By: - January 20, 2023

Dora Jean Edwards, the mother of Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards and matriarch of a Tangipahoa Parish family rooted deep in politics, died Friday morning. She was 87. The governor announced her death in a statement: “It is with a heavy heart that I share that my mother, Dora Jean Edwards, has passed away,” Edwards […]

LABI will feature governor candidates at annual meeting

By: - January 19, 2023

The state’s top business lobby will feature four of the declared Republican candidates for governor as speakers for its annual meeting in March. The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry announced Thursday its confirmed speakers for the March 2 event are state Sen. Sharon Hewitt, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, State Rep. Richard Nelson and […]

The bow of a vehicle ferry

Federal money to replace ferries in Cameron, Plaquemines

By: - December 22, 2022

A federal grant will pay for the design and construction of new ferries for commuters in Cameron and Plaquemines Parish, but it will be at least a couple of years before the replacements are in service. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announced Thursday $25 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation will cover […]

In this photo illustration, a cellphone can be seen displaying the logos for Chinese apps WeChat and TikTok in front of a monitor showing the flags of the United States and China.

Attorneys general want Apple, Google to raise age ratings for TikTok

By: - December 16, 2022

Attorneys general from 15 states want Apple and Google to increase their age ratings for  the social media application TikTok.

Tornadoes claim 3 lives in Louisiana, severe weather threat continues

By: - December 14, 2022

Severe weather in Louisiana over the past 24 hours has spawned tornadoes that have been blamed for three deaths, with the threat persisting through Wednesday evening. A 30-year-old woman and her 8-year-old son were killed Tuesday night in rural Caddo Parish after a tornado struck their home, and authorities in St. Charles Parish confirmed a […]