Author

Rachel Mipro

Rachel Mipro

Rachel Mipro is a contributing reporter to the Illuminator. She has previous experience at WBRZ and The Reveille and earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Louisiana State University. At LSU, she worked as an opinion editor for The Reveille and as a nonfiction editor for the university’s creative writing journal. In her free time, she enjoys baking, Netflix and hiking.

Virgina Player holds out some of the items that she gives to people at The Philadelphia Center in Shreveport

In Shreveport, meth addiction overshadows opioids

By: - August 29, 2022

SHREVEPORT – Staff at the Philadelphia Center, an HIV resource center, spend their Friday mornings sifting through boxes of needles, condoms and lube. While the smaller needles tend to go faster, the center stocks all varieties for methamphetamine users who need clean supplies. “It’s not just about syringes for us,” Hershey Krippendorf, the center’s development […]

Gay pride flag

LGBTQ community concerned with Louisiana Legislature’s focus on restrictions

By: - June 16, 2022

Attendees and participants at the New Orleans Pride Parade expressed concerns that restrictions on the LGBTQ community are a growing focus of the Louisiana Legislature

As Louisiana doubles down on biomass, Europe cools on alternative energy source

By: - June 14, 2022

Louisiana is pivoting toward green energy, a notable move for a state historically steeped in fossil fuels. But environmental activists are skeptical about whether some options being touted will be the state’s way forward.

Another Louisiana COVID-19 record is short-lived; 14,000 new cases reported Thursday

With fewer people boosted, Louisiana could be more vulnerable to omicron surge

By: - December 22, 2021

In Louisiana, where people are reluctant to get even the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, health care providers are preparing for the worst. Louisiana still has a lower COVID-19 vaccination rate – and a lower percentage of vaccine booster uptake – than almost all other states in the country, leaving its population more vulnerable […]

A surgical mask and an N95 mask hang on display for sale at a pharmacy. Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images.

Louisiana expects omicron surge, with cases already on the rise

By: - December 20, 2021

Ahead of Christmas, Louisiana medical professionals Monday warned of a looming, fifth COVID-19 surge largely due to the rising cases of the extremely transmissible omicron variant.  “If omicron is not already the dominant strain circulating in Louisiana, we feel that it will be very soon,” said Theresa Sokol, the state epidemiologist with the Louisiana Department […]

Gallot says Grambling State University shootings are being addressed

By: - December 17, 2021

Grambling State University President Rick Gallot said his school will retain a campus curfew and has cancelled night events for the foreseeable future in an effort to improve safety. The university has been the sight of eight shootings over the last four years. “The vast majority of problems that we’ve experienced have been as a […]

Hurricane Ida was 'catastrophic' in St. John Parish, Gov. Edwards says

Louisiana governor supports creating second majority-Black congressional district

By: and - December 16, 2021

Gov. John Bel Edwards came out in support of adding a second majority-Black U.S. House district Thursday–a move which would give minority voters much more political sway statewide.  His statements Thursday are the most specific comments Edwards, a Democrat, has made on the political redistricting process. Edwards can veto the political maps put forward by […]

Legislature names 4 to Louisiana Ethics Board

Southwest Louisiana residents split on political redistricting

By: - December 16, 2021

Southwest Louisiana residents were divided over keeping their congressional district intact at Wednesday’s public hearing on political redistricting in Lake Charles. Louisiana’s 3rd Congressional District includes 10 parishes, with industries that range from seafood and agriculture to petrochemicals. It runs from Calcasieu Parish to Iberia Parish and Lafayette.  The Legislature is due to redraw political districts […]

Lamar Davis

Louisiana State Police detective says he was targeted after Ronald Greene investigation

By: - December 13, 2021

A Louisiana State Police detective said that he was targeted by other state police officials after he refused to go along with an alleged “coverup”– possibly of the death of motorist Ronald Greene at the hands of state troopers.  “I said I’m being investigated because I won’t participate in a coverup, I won’t hide evidence […]

Louisiana may change juvenile detention evacuation policies after Hurricane Ida

By: - December 11, 2021

A state commission focused on juvenile criminal justice issues recommended Friday that Louisiana strengthen state laws so that  juvenile detainees are no longer evacuated to adult prisons or jails.   Advocates and parents said  36 teens from the New Orleans Juvenile Justice Intervention Center were traumatized when they were sent to Elayn Hunt Correctional Center, an […]

Slot machines inside a casino

St. Tammany voters to decide on proposed Slidell casino Saturday

By: - December 10, 2021

St. Tammany Parish residents will vote on whether to approve a controversial casino project Saturday. The casino measure is the only item on parish ballot during this weekend’s election.  The St. Tammany Parish Council and Louisiana Legislature voted earlier this year to let parish residents decide whether a new casino can open in Slidell. St. […]

Grambling’s $18 million campus fencing project approved by University of Louisiana System board

By: - December 9, 2021

Grambling State University added an $18 million barrier fencing project to their five-year construction plan as part of a wider plan to address student safety issues, after gaining approval by the University of Louisiana system Board of Supervisors at a Thursday meeting. The project, which will add a “protective perimeter” to the campus, is meant […]