Author

Piper Hutchinson

Piper Hutchinson

Piper Hutchinson is a reporter for the Louisiana Illuminator. She has covered the Legislature and state government extensively for the LSU Manship News Service and The Reveille, where she was named editor in chief for summer 2022.

A purple sign that says "Student Health Center" stands in front of a building and an oak tree

LSU Board approves health partnership with Our Lady of the Lake

By: - February 10, 2023

The LSU Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a partnership Friday between the university and Our Lady of the Lake. The agreement will see the Catholic health ministry take over most aspects of student health care. Kimberly Lewis, LSU’s chief administrative officer, told the board that LSU would continue to directly provide some services in the student […]

several stacks of books

Louisiana teens eligible for Brooklyn Public Library card

By: - February 8, 2023

The Brooklyn Public Library is offering free digital access cards to teens and young adults nationwide to fight back against a nationwide campaign to remove books from public libraries. Louisianians age 13 to 21 can request a card, which will give them a year of digital access to the library’s collection. The project is part of […]

Attorney General Jeff Landry stands behind a sign that says "protecting innocence." Behind him stand two women, Representative Julie Emerson and Senator Heather Cloud

Attorney general, legislators call for restricting minors’ access to library materials

By: - February 7, 2023

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has called for legislation to restrict what children and teens can check out from public libraries. He released a report Tuesday on what he considers sexually explicit materials available to minors at libraries.  Landry is also a candidate for governor who has been endorsed by the Republican Party of Louisiana.  […]

A football coach walks in front of several football players

Here’s what Brian Kelly’s $1 million overpayment could’ve paid for at LSU

By: - February 7, 2023

The news that LSU football head coach Brian Kelly was overpaid a whopping $1 million in 2022 ruffled some feathers on campus, where faculty are consistently underpaid compared to the regional average.  While $1 million may not sound like a lot in the context of LSU’s athletic riches, it’s a lot of money in the […]

Damaged homes in Chauvin, Louisiana, after Hurricane Ida

Lawmakers call insurance incentive fund a ‘gamble,’ but advance funding anyway 

By: - February 1, 2023

The Louisiana House of Representatives gave final passage Wednesday to a bill to transfer millions of dollars to an incentive fund to lure new property insurers to the state, but some lawmakers are saying it’s a risky move.  House Bill 1, sponsored by Rep. Jerome “Zee” Zerinue, R-Houma, would transfer $45 million to the Insure […]

A tree branch partial obscures the LSU Library

Higher ed tenure task force will not meet; sponsor plans legislation 

By: - January 31, 2023

A Louisiana lawmaker staunchly opposed to permanent tenure for college professors said he will not call a meeting of the policy review panel he created. Instead, he said he intends to introduce legislation but won’t elaborate on its objective.   Sen. Stewart Cathey, R-Monroe, confirmed to the Illuminator he will not convene the Task Force on […]

Louisiana insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, a white man with white hair in a black suit, speaks at podium labeled "NAIC National Association of Insurance Commissioners"

Lawmakers introduce legislation to address insurance crisis

By: and - January 30, 2023

Louisiana legislative leaders introduced a bill Monday that would fund an incentive program to lure insurance companies to the state - but with a few conditions that would limit the providers that qualify to enter the market (Courtesy of Louisiana Department of Insurance)

LSU Clock Tower

Louisiana Higher Ed: LSU students call out rape culture, Southeastern president to retire 

By: - January 27, 2023

The Louisiana Illuminator takes a weekly look at news from universities and colleges around the state. Have a tip or want to submit a Louisiana Higher Ed news item? Contact [email protected] The death of 19-year-old LSU sophomore Madison Brooks, who was struck by a car on Burbank Drive, reignited old feelings of hurt on campus.  […]

a student loan application form pictured with an ink pen

381,000 Louisianians approved for Biden’s student debt forgiveness

By: - January 27, 2023

Out of more than 600,000 Louisianians identified as qualified for Biden’s student loan forgiveness, 381,000 applied and were approved before a federal court case forced the administration to take the application down.  “These borrowers could be benefitting from the Administration’s program right now were it not for lawsuits brought by elected officials and special interests,” a […]

Auditor: LSU overpaid Brian Kelly by more than $1 million

By: - January 25, 2023

LSU head football coach Brian Kelly was overpaid more than $1 million last year, according to an audit of the university’s athletic department by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office. The audit found LSU made double payments to Kelly in May and June and erroneously continued supplemental payments between May and November 2022, totaling $1,001,368.  Kelly […]

red and blue flashing lights atop a police car

LSU president calls for action on underage drinking after student fatality

By: - January 24, 2023

LSU President William Tate is calling for local bars to take responsibility for underage drinking after the death of a student was linked to four individuals who police said had been drinking at a Tigerland bar. Two of the suspects have been charged with rape. In a message to the LSU community, Tate shared that […]

Liz Murrill

Solicitor General Liz Murrill jumps into attorney general’s race

By: - January 23, 2023

Liz Murrill announced her candidacy for Louisiana attorney general Monday with a campaign video released online. She is currently the state’s solicitor general, the top litigator in the attorney general’s office. “Louisiana elects a new AG in 2023,” a voiceover in the advertisement said. “Let’s go with our best advocate, the one protecting our families, […]