Anti-Tenure Louisiana Legislator Wants To Require Annual College Faculty Reviews

Sen. Stewart Cathey does not want to abolish tenure for professors at Louisiana's public universities.

La., Health Department Leader Courtney Phillips To Resign This Week

The person placed in charge of the Louisiana Department of Health just as the COVID-19 pandemic was taking root will leave her post.

Louisiana Senate President Prioritizes Budget Issues Over Abortion Rights

Louisiana's first wide-ranging legislative session since its abortion ban took effect starts next week.

Proposal Would Let Parishes Keep More Oil And Gas Taxes

A Louisiana lawmaker has proposed a constitutional amendment to allow parish governments to keep a larger share of oil and gas taxes.

John Bel Edwards Urges Louisiana Medicaid Members To Update Contact Information

Gov. Edwards asks Louisiana's 2 million Medicaid members to confirm and update their contact information ahead of possible disenrollment.

Nuns Trying To Build New Orleans Solar Garden Want Fair Price For Power

An order of nuns wants to build a community solar plant in New Orleans, but pesky city regulations are getting in the way.

With Bogalusa Facebook Threat, Racism In La., Rears Its Ugly Head

Bogalusa's first Black mayor said he has filed a complaint with police over a comment from a Facebook group page..

New Orleans Government Remains Understaffed Despite Abundance Of Cash, Dire Needs

NEW ORLEANS — The city of New Orleans is in the midst of an unusual budget dilemma -- it has more money than it can spend.

"We Are In Danger!" LGBTQ+ Students Make Plea To Authorities, As Countless Bills Filed

Outside Ben Franklin High, hundreds of students gathered to commemorate International Transgender Day, also voicing their apprehension.

UNO President To Resign This Summer

U. of New Orleans President John Nicklow will resign at the end of June to assume the presidency of the Fla., Institute of Technology.

Proposed Rule Would Limit Louisiana Government Support For Sexual Assault Victims

Sexual assault victims could access only a fraction of the public money other crime victims are entitled to receive.

Commentary: Failed Cantrell Recall Effort Could Lead To Changes In Louisiana Law

The action-packed recall attempt against New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell failed in explosive fashion.

Feds Add Toxic Capitol Lakes Cleanup To Priority List

The long-contaminated Capitol Lakes area in Baton Rouge is being moved to the front of the line for remediation money.

Ivey Proposes Flat Tax He Says Will Benefit The Poor

A Louisiana lawmaker is proposing a flat tax that he says would actually benefit poor people while maintaining conservative principles.

Here's Where Renewable Power Is Increasing (And Where It's Not); There Was An 18 Percent Increase In Solar Generation In La.

Despite supply-chain problems amid the lingering effects of the pandemic, 2022 saw major increases in solar and wind power in the U.S.

Orphaned Oil Wells Are One Problem; Inactive Wells Are Potentially Much Bigger

Louisiana leaders took a victory lap last week for their quick work in plugging 100 orphaned oil and gas wells in just two months.

Chlorine Leak Reveals Gaps In Lake Charles Area's Alert System

Every Monday, at noon, for years, the sirens would ring out to the residents of Westlake, Lake Charles, and surrounding areas.

Donelon Pushes Lawmakers To Fund Grants For Hurricane-Proof Roofs

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon wants state lawmakers to fund a grant program that helps homeowners reinforce their roofs.

With Heated Opposition, St. Tammany Library Board Keeps Challenged Books On Shelves

A Slidell resident called a pivotal 1970 civil rights work by Toni Morrison a "piece of garbage," the report states.

Louisiana Plans To Spend $196 Million To Check Medicaid Enrollees' Status

Gov. John Bel Edwards' administration has proposed spending $195.8 million to reach out to Medicaid enrollees, and check qualifications.

Tax Incentives Start Rush For Carbon Capture Projects; In La., Over Two Dozen Proposed

For years, fossil fuel companies have been reluctant to build carbon capture facilities, except to recover oil, and La., is taking a lead.

Five Louisiana Colleges Shut Down Internet After Security Threat

Five Louisiana college campuses pulled the plug on their internet service last Friday after “an indicator of compromise” was detected.

Alonzo Knox Wins Slugfest In House District 93 Runoff

A contentious runoff for a seat in the Louisiana House of Representatives ended with the second-place finisher surpassing the front-runner.

In Commentary, "Far-Right GOP" Recognized "For The Hypocrisy That It Is"

The first meeting of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government was held last week.

Proposal Would Require Transgender Youth To Have Parents' Permission For Different Name At School

A bill the Louisiana Legislature will consider would prohibit school employees from calling students by their preferred names.

"Police Jury" Member's Language In Attempted Book Banning Called "Unconstitutional"

A library patron said she believes the GOP's goal is to "gut the library from the inside," according to the report.

Donelon Backs ‘Tort Reform' For Homeowner's Insurance

Donelon backs this proposal, after pushing so-called tort reform legislation in 2020 that failed to reduce auto insurance rates.

Louisiana Higher Education: Higher Ed Braces For AI; SU-Shreveport Chancellor Named

The Louisiana Illuminator takes a weekly look at news from universities and colleges around the state. Have a tip, or want to submit?

Edwards Marks Capping Of 100 Orphaned Wells, But Thousands Remain, Report States

Gov. John Bel Edwards announced this week that more than 100 orphaned oil and gas wells have been plugged over the last two months.

Louisiana Budget Negotiations Face Additional Barrier With Spending Cap

Gov. John Bel Edwards and state lawmakers may have to clear additional hurdles this year to spend all the money available to them.

Campus Sexual Violence Report Provides More Questions Than Answers

A state senator who's called for greater accountability from Louisiana colleges about sexual misconduct on campuses, isn't pleased.

Proposal Would Give Louisiana Lawmakers Their First Pay Raise In Four Decades

A bill the Louisiana Legislature will consider would give state lawmakers their first raise in over 40 years.

Opinions Vary On Departing DEQ Secretary Chuck Carr Brown; Data Is Definitive

It's not unusual that a state agency leader leaves during the last year of a governor's term.

Plans Still Shaky For BR-NOLA Passenger Rail

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has about two weeks left to draft its initial plans.

LDEQ Draft Permit Rattles Neighbors Of Hazardous Waste Disposal Site

COLFAX – Sliska Larry read the proposed operating permit for the expanded Clean Harbors hazardous waste disposal site.

Solar Microgrids Planned For Shreveport Neighborhoods

Community leaders in Caddo Parish are proposing solar microgrids for neighborhoods near Shreveport to give residents places to take shelter.

Louisiana Spent $7.7 Million On Death Penalty Defense, Yet Hasn't Executed Anyone In 13 Years

La., spent $7.7 million providing legal defense to those facing the death penalty in 2022, according to the state Public Defenders' Office.

Calls For Food Assistance Triple As Pandemic SNAP Benefits End

The federal government ended at the end of February the extra food assistance provided to families in need through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Judge Rules Against Coffee Giant In Tax Exemption Lawsuit

An Orleans Parish judge lifted an injunction in the Folgers Coffee Co. tax exemption lawsuit.

DCFS Has Received 78 Reports Of Child Trafficking Since Jan. 1

A law requires La., authorities to direct reports of suspected child trafficking to the state Department of Children and Family Services.