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.

John Bel Edwards Vaccine

Governor will let Louisiana’s COVID-19 public health emergency order lapse after two years

By: - March 14, 2022

Gov. John Bel Edwards said Monday he will allow an order he signed two years ago declaring a public health emergency in Louisiana for the coronavirus to lapse Wednesday.

Voters lined up at a polling precinct

Audit gives Louisiana good marks on election integrity

By: - March 14, 2022

A review of Louisiana's election processes and procedures found that state officials follow practices to ensure the integrity of results when voters head to the polls.

Louisiana congressional district map

Gov. John Bel Edwards vetoes new Louisiana congressional map

By: - March 9, 2022

The map retained a majority of white voters in five of Louisiana's six congressional districts, despite Census data that show the state's Black population has increased to 33% since 2010.

Universities to preserve Louisiana’s history of female political leaders

By: - March 8, 2022

Louisiana universities will collaborate on an initiative to preserve the legacies of the state's female political leaders, the schools announced Tuesday to mark International Women's Day.

Louisiana Legislature makes committee assignments official ahead of regular session

By: - March 4, 2022

The Louisiana Legislature announced updates to committee assignments Friday ahead of its regular session that commences March 14.

Entergy New Orleans will ask regulators to bill customers for $150 million in Ida recovery costs

By: - March 2, 2022

The utility company said in a statement Wednesday that Hurricane Ida depleted its disaster recovery account, and it intends to pay off the securitized bonds over "approximately 15 years" through the ratepayer surcharge.

Dillard University becomes third Louisiana HBCU to receive bomb threat

By: - February 25, 2022

Dillard University closed its Gentilly campus after receiving a bomb threat Friday morning, campus officials announced on social media.

Louisiana Highway 1 bridge in Leeville

Gov. John Bel Edwards to discuss coastal restoration with U.S. Senate committee

By: - February 22, 2022

Gov. John Bel Edwards is heading to Delaware where he will testify Wednesday at a U.S. Senate committee field hearing on coastal restoration and climate change. 

Lake Charles after Hurricane Laura

Public hearings set to plan $600M in Louisiana storm recovery for Delta, Laura victims

By: - February 21, 2022

Four in-person meetings and a virtual hearing are scheduled from March 9 to 16, with events set in Alexandria, Lake Charles, Monroe and Shreveport.

COVID-19 outbreaks at Louisiana nursing homes infect nearly 1,200 staff members

Gov. Edwards extends Louisiana’s COVID-19 emergency order without mask mandate

By: - February 16, 2022

Gov. John Bel Edwards extended Louisiana’s COVID-19 public health emergency order Wednesday but without a required mask mandate for certain settings. All 64 parishes in the state remain at high risk for transmission of the virus.

California company to build sustainable materials plant with 200 new jobs in Louisiana

By: - February 16, 2022

A California company plans to spend $750 million to build a facility in Ascension Parish that will manufacture plant-based material for packaging, textiles and other uses.

Special committee wants Gov. Edwards' text messages in Greene case

Louisiana Legislature to review handling of Ronald Greene’s death in State Police custody

By: - February 10, 2022

A select committee of Louisiana lawmakers will be formed "to review the handling, on all levels" of Ronald Greene's death in State Police custody, House Speaker Clay Schexnayder said in a written statement Thursday morning.