Investigations
Former Louisiana House speaker part of $9 million swampland deal at taxpayer expense
The state of Louisiana has set aside $9 million to buy 2,000 acres of swampland in St. James and Lafourche parishes that is partly owned by Charles DeWitt, a former House speaker and Public Service Commissioner. State government is making the purchase for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, which intends to use the property […]
Industry overpumping of Baton Rouge groundwater could pollute the supply for residents
The pristine Baton Rouge water source is facing a serious and worsening threat from over pumping: saltwater intrusion. Much of it can be attributed to unchecked water use by the industrial sector.
Louisiana Sen. Sharon Hewitt has history of passing bills to benefit oil and gas, her husband
Public records shared with Floodlight in partnership with The Lens, The Illuminator and The Guardian, show state Sen. Sharon Hewitt of Slidell also pushed for laws that would benefit her husband’s company.
Coroners’ records missing on Ronald Greene death
Questioning coroners and a paramedic, Louisiana lawmakers on the special committee investigating the Ronald Greene case learned some new details about the 49-year-old’s death in Louisiana State Police custody. But critical testimony fell short as the coroners deferred questions to others not in attendance and said official records in the case are missing. Answering questions […]
Critical testimony could be out of reach for Ronald Greene committee
Thursday’s hearing might provide lawmakers with answers to some critical questions surrounding the Greene case such as why the Union Parish coroner listed the car wreck and “agitated delirium” as causes of death in spite of the wounds on Greene’s body, the lack of damage to his vehicle and the suspicions an ER doctor noted.
Law firm has charged Louisiana Legislature $78,000 for ‘redistricting advice’ so far
An out-of-state law firm has charged the Louisiana Legislature $78,081 for providing “redistricting advice,” according to an invoice released Thursday after a public records request. It’s unclear when the law firm performed the work and what type of services it provided.
Louisiana lobbyist arrested for domestic violence faces restrictions, questions at Capitol
A politically-connected Louisiana lobbyist who was arrested for domestic violence has been visiting the Capitol this week, even though one of his alleged victims works in the building and has a protective order in place against him. The circumstances have raised red flags for domestic violence prevention advocates who question why the accused man isn’t […]
In Louisiana, rape survivors are denied access to their own medical records
Ten years ago, Yvonne Williams agreed to have her body photographed, poked and prodded as part of a forensic medical exam — or rape kit exam — at the Interim LSU hospital in New Orleans. Williams hoped the exam would lead to the arrest of the man she was confident assaulted her, but it didn’t […]
Quality Jobs program shows poor return on investment even after excluding Pelicans
The Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s most recent analysis that painted a lackluster picture of the state’s Quality Jobs incentive program specifically excluded the New Orleans Pelicans from the study because, the auditors said, the extremely large salaries being reported by the team would have likely skewed the results. “They were such an anomaly from the rest […]
New Orleans Pelicans get millions in incentives for creating ‘quality jobs’ for NBA players
The New Orleans Pelicans receive a $3.65 million cash rebate every year from Louisiana — more than any other company — by counting its professional basketball players’ positions as newly-created direct jobs under the state’s Quality Jobs program, an economic incentive that’s supposed to encourage companies to create well-paid, full-time jobs for residents. In 2020, […]
Who’s responsible for Louisiana’s nursing home evacuation plans? State officials won’t say
Louisiana state government does little to screen the nursing home natural disaster evacuation plans required by law or to ensure that nursing homes carry out those plans as written, according to several state government officials and records released by the Louisiana Department of Health this month. The health department reviews the nursing home evacuation plans, […]
Louisiana nursing home owner who warehoused patients is a political donor
The nursing homes owner who left nearly 850 of his patients in an unsanitary warehouse following Hurricane Ida has been a generous supporter of both Democratic and Republican politicians in Louisiana. State and federal campaign finance records show Bob Dean has given at least $289,000 to candidates since 1994 both as an individual and through […]