Govt + Politics
Biden taps Rachel Levine, Pennsylvania’s top public health official, for federal post
President-elect Joe Biden has tapped Pennsylvania’s top public health official for a cabinet-level post, the incoming administration said early Tuesday. Biden has named state Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine as his assistant health secretary, putting her on track to become the first openly transgender official to face confirmation by the U.S. Senate. The news was […]
More than 21,000 Guard members from 50 states headed to D.C., and numbers may grow
WASHINGTON — Wednesday’s presidential inauguration ceremony may have a scaled-down audience due to the pandemic, but the security presence on hand to ensure it goes smoothly will be supersized. At least 21,000 National Guard men and women — from all 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia — will provide security support for […]
Louisiana’s Gen. Russel Honoré to investigate security failures at U.S. Capitol
Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré (U.S. Army – Ret.) was appointed to a commission that will investigate security failures during the Jan. 6 pro-Trump riot at the U.S. Capitol that sought to forcibly prevent members of Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s victory as 46th president of the United States, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Friday. Pelosi […]
Folgers tax-break saga ends with rejection by New Orleans City Council
The New Orleans City Council rejected all of the Folgers Coffee Company’s property tax exemption applications in a final decision on Thursday, giving the city an estimated $14 million in revenue over the next 10 years. The council voted unanimously to reject the four applications sought by the coffee giant for its facilities in New […]
Attorney General Jeff Landry declines to join other AGs in singling out U.S. Capitol attack for condemnation
Attorney General Jeff Landry declined to sign a letter 50 other state attorneys general sent to the U.S. Department of Justice Tuesday condemning the right-wing attack on the U.S. Capitol. Landry had previously declined to participate in a similar gesture by a group of 15 Republican attorneys general condemning that attack. Instead, Landry issued a […]
U.S. House votes to again impeach Trump, as a ‘clear and present danger’
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House voted Wednesday to impeach President Donald Trump for a second time, charging him with inciting violent rioters last week who rampaged through the U.S. Capitol, temporarily derailing the tally of presidential votes and leading to at least five deaths. The 232-197 vote concluded a swift, truncated process in the House, […]
In opposing impeachment, Rep. Steve Scalise quotes Lincoln, promotes ‘healing’
Rep. Steve Scalise, the House Republican Whip who represents Louisiana’s First Congressional District, quoted Abraham Lincoln Wednesday and called for healing as pushed back against Democrats’ motion to impeach President Donald Trump a second time. Scalise, who was shot in 2017 by a gunman targeting Republicans and saved by U.S. Capitol Police, praised the officers […]
‘We told you so,’ Rep. Cedric Richmond tells Republicans defending Trump during second impeachment proceeding
U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond said “We told you so” to his Republican colleagues in a 1-minute speech from the House floor supporting a second impeachment of President Donald Trump. Richmond, a Democrat who represents Louisiana’s Second Congressional District, is soon to leave Congress to work as senior advisor and director of public engagement for President-elect Joe […]
Sedition and conspiracy charges among the 170 cases opened in federal probe of U.S. Capitol attack
WASHINGTON—Almost a week after a violent mob stormed the U.S. Capitol, top officials at the FBI and Department of Justice held their first press conference on Tuesday to announce that they are directing prosecutors to issue a slew of sedition and conspiracy charges against pro-Trump rioters. More than 170 cases have been opened relating to […]
Head of Republican attorneys general group resigns amid Capitol robocall controversy
The executive director of the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) resigned Monday after news outlets exposed that the association played a part in organizing Wednesday’s rally that turned into a riotous mob that ransacked the U.S. Capitol and directly led to five deaths. Executive Director Adam Piper submitted his resignation after initially denying his organization […]
Feds tell states to give COVID-19 vaccine to anyone over 65 in bid to speed rollout
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Tuesday directed state officials to expand who is getting vaccinated for COVID-19, and announced that all available doses will be distributed to states instead of holding back a reserve of follow-up doses. Under the policy changes outlined by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, states should begin vaccinating […]
Metairie House Representative Charles Henry resigns
State Rep. Charles Henry, R-Metairie, resigned Tuesday from the Louisiana House of Representatives a little over a year after being elected to the position. Henry is the brother of state Sen. Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, who previously held the same seat. “With the birth of my son last spring and the pandemic, like so many Americans, […]