Katie Jane Fernelius
@kjfernelius.bsky.social
Journalist in New Orleans with VeriteNews.org. Work in BBC World Service, The Guardian, Oxford American, The Nation, In These Times, The Assembly NC, The New Republic, INDY Week & elsewhere.
📧: kfernelius@veritenews.org
👩🏼💻: kjfernelius.com
📧: kfernelius@veritenews.org
👩🏼💻: kjfernelius.com
Pinned
Hey #NewOrleans, I’m a journalist covering the local government for @veritenewsnola.bsky.social! At Verite, we engage with the community & try to dig into stories that have real impact on people, especially those who are marginalized. So, don’t be a stranger: I’m open to your questions & concerns!
Reposted by Katie Jane Fernelius
Moreno pledged to fix Safety and Permits. Almost a month into her tenure, she has yet to name a new director.
Moreno's top deputy says an announcement on a Safety and Permits director is coming soon.
Moreno's top deputy says an announcement on a Safety and Permits director is coming soon.
Moreno pledged to fix Safety and Permits. Almost a month into her tenure, she has yet to name a new director.
Moreno's top deputy says an announcement on a Safety and Permits director is coming soon.
veritenews.org
February 5, 2026 at 9:45 PM
Moreno pledged to fix Safety and Permits. Almost a month into her tenure, she has yet to name a new director.
Moreno's top deputy says an announcement on a Safety and Permits director is coming soon.
Moreno's top deputy says an announcement on a Safety and Permits director is coming soon.
Reposted by Katie Jane Fernelius
Verite News reporters @tristanbaurick.bsky.social and @halleparker.bsky.social tested for lead in the soil at more than 80 New Orleans parks and found about half had dangerous levels of the toxic metal. veritenews.org/2026/02/05/p...
Unsafe lead levels found in half of New Orleans playgrounds
Verite News tested lead levels at more than 80 parks. Even trace amounts of the toxic metal can cause learning problems and behavioral issues in children.
veritenews.org
February 6, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Verite News reporters @tristanbaurick.bsky.social and @halleparker.bsky.social tested for lead in the soil at more than 80 New Orleans parks and found about half had dangerous levels of the toxic metal. veritenews.org/2026/02/05/p...
Reposted by Katie Jane Fernelius
Balancing joy and responsibility: The New Orleans residents trying to make Mardi Gras more sustainable
Organizations in New Orleans are pushing to make Mardi Gras more environmentally-friendly by examining the culture around throws and making more sustainable options for krewes.
Organizations in New Orleans are pushing to make Mardi Gras more environmentally-friendly by examining the culture around throws and making more sustainable options for krewes.
Balancing joy and responsibility: The New Orleans residents trying to make Mardi Gras more sustainable
Organizations in New Orleans are pushing to make Mardi Gras more environmentally-friendly by examining the culture around throws and making more sustainable options for krewes.
veritenews.org
February 4, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Balancing joy and responsibility: The New Orleans residents trying to make Mardi Gras more sustainable
Organizations in New Orleans are pushing to make Mardi Gras more environmentally-friendly by examining the culture around throws and making more sustainable options for krewes.
Organizations in New Orleans are pushing to make Mardi Gras more environmentally-friendly by examining the culture around throws and making more sustainable options for krewes.
Reposted by Katie Jane Fernelius
Poison at Play: Unsafe lead levels found in half of New Orleans playgrounds
Verite News tested lead levels at more than 80 parks. Even trace amounts of the toxic metal can cause learning problems and behavioral issues in children.
Verite News tested lead levels at more than 80 parks. Even trace amounts of the toxic metal can cause learning problems and behavioral issues in children.
Poison at Play: Unsafe lead levels found in half of New Orleans playgrounds
Verite News tested lead levels at more than 80 parks. Even trace amounts of the toxic metal can cause learning problems and behavioral issues in children.
veritenews.org
February 5, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Poison at Play: Unsafe lead levels found in half of New Orleans playgrounds
Verite News tested lead levels at more than 80 parks. Even trace amounts of the toxic metal can cause learning problems and behavioral issues in children.
Verite News tested lead levels at more than 80 parks. Even trace amounts of the toxic metal can cause learning problems and behavioral issues in children.
Reposted by Katie Jane Fernelius
Helena Moreno sworn in as New Orleans mayor under storm clouds of budget deficit, layoffs
Moreno takes office facing a massive projected deficit for the year, which has already led to layoffs and furloughs of city employees.
Moreno takes office facing a massive projected deficit for the year, which has already led to layoffs and furloughs of city employees.
Helena Moreno sworn in as New Orleans mayor under storm clouds of budget deficit, layoffs
Moreno takes office facing a massive projected deficit for the year, which has already led to layoffs and furloughs of city employees.
veritenews.org
January 12, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Helena Moreno sworn in as New Orleans mayor under storm clouds of budget deficit, layoffs
Moreno takes office facing a massive projected deficit for the year, which has already led to layoffs and furloughs of city employees.
Moreno takes office facing a massive projected deficit for the year, which has already led to layoffs and furloughs of city employees.
Reposted by Katie Jane Fernelius
Eleven American Samoans in Alaska face serious prison time for voting in the only country they’ve ever known. Theirs is a wild story of colonialism, cops, “voter fraud” panic, small-town beef, and family. I spent months on this + am so glad to now be able to share it: boltsmag.org/prosecuted-f...
Americans by Name, Punished for Believing It - Bolts
In a small Alaska town, American Samoans face prosecution for voting in the only country they’ve ever known. They live in a limbo, created by colonial expansion, that now confuses even public official...
boltsmag.org
January 8, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Eleven American Samoans in Alaska face serious prison time for voting in the only country they’ve ever known. Theirs is a wild story of colonialism, cops, “voter fraud” panic, small-town beef, and family. I spent months on this + am so glad to now be able to share it: boltsmag.org/prosecuted-f...
Reposted by Katie Jane Fernelius
I interviewed Helena Moreno days ahead of her inauguration for @veritenews.org — veritenews.org/2026/01/07/h...
‘I want to be judged by the fact that people stop leaving New Orleans’: Moreno prepares to take over Mayor’s Office - Verite News New Orleans
Verite News sat down with incoming mayor Helena Moreno to discuss the city budget crisis, layoffs and how to grow the city’s economy.
veritenews.org
January 7, 2026 at 8:51 PM
I interviewed Helena Moreno days ahead of her inauguration for @veritenews.org — veritenews.org/2026/01/07/h...
Reposted by Katie Jane Fernelius
‘I want to be judged by the fact that people stop leaving New Orleans’: Moreno prepares to take over Mayor’s Office
Verite News sat down with incoming mayor Helena Moreno to discuss the city budget crisis, layoffs and how to grow the city’s economy.
Verite News sat down with incoming mayor Helena Moreno to discuss the city budget crisis, layoffs and how to grow the city’s economy.
‘I want to be judged by the fact that people stop leaving New Orleans’: Moreno prepares to take over Mayor’s Office
Verite News sat down with incoming mayor Helena Moreno to discuss the city budget crisis, layoffs and how to grow the city’s economy.
veritenews.org
January 7, 2026 at 8:27 PM
‘I want to be judged by the fact that people stop leaving New Orleans’: Moreno prepares to take over Mayor’s Office
Verite News sat down with incoming mayor Helena Moreno to discuss the city budget crisis, layoffs and how to grow the city’s economy.
Verite News sat down with incoming mayor Helena Moreno to discuss the city budget crisis, layoffs and how to grow the city’s economy.
Reposted by Katie Jane Fernelius
After ICE agent shoots, kills person in Minneapolis, activists in New Orleans take to the streets
Hours after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis, activists from the New Orleans Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression gallered protesters…
Hours after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis, activists from the New Orleans Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression gallered protesters…
After ICE agent shoots, kills person in Minneapolis, activists in New Orleans take to the streets
Hours after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis, activists from the New Orleans Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression gallered protesters in Lafayette Square to demand ICE and other federal agencies leave the city.
veritenews.org
January 8, 2026 at 3:34 AM
After ICE agent shoots, kills person in Minneapolis, activists in New Orleans take to the streets
Hours after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis, activists from the New Orleans Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression gallered protesters…
Hours after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis, activists from the New Orleans Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression gallered protesters…
Reposted by Katie Jane Fernelius
Important context for claims that the Nicole Renee Good was obstructing/assaulting officers before she was shot & killed:
The last time immigration agents shot a woman (Marimar Martinez, Chicago) they made similar claims. Prosecutors have already dropped the charges www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news...
The last time immigration agents shot a woman (Marimar Martinez, Chicago) they made similar claims. Prosecutors have already dropped the charges www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news...
Deadly Minneapolis ICE shooting echoes Franklin Park, Marimar Martinez shootings during Operation Midway Blitz
The deadly Minneapolis shooting by an ICE agent that killed a woman Wednesday morning recalls shootings by federal immigration agents in Chicago during the height of Operation Midway Blitz in the fall...
www.cbsnews.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:26 PM
Important context for claims that the Nicole Renee Good was obstructing/assaulting officers before she was shot & killed:
The last time immigration agents shot a woman (Marimar Martinez, Chicago) they made similar claims. Prosecutors have already dropped the charges www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news...
The last time immigration agents shot a woman (Marimar Martinez, Chicago) they made similar claims. Prosecutors have already dropped the charges www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news...
Reposted by Katie Jane Fernelius
Read this Trump TruthSocial post and then click the link below to watch the video of what actually happened.
January 7, 2026 at 9:09 PM
Read this Trump TruthSocial post and then click the link below to watch the video of what actually happened.
I interviewed Helena Moreno days ahead of her inauguration for @veritenews.org — veritenews.org/2026/01/07/h...
‘I want to be judged by the fact that people stop leaving New Orleans’: Moreno prepares to take over Mayor’s Office - Verite News New Orleans
Verite News sat down with incoming mayor Helena Moreno to discuss the city budget crisis, layoffs and how to grow the city’s economy.
veritenews.org
January 7, 2026 at 8:51 PM
I interviewed Helena Moreno days ahead of her inauguration for @veritenews.org — veritenews.org/2026/01/07/h...
Reposted by Katie Jane Fernelius
As a native of the Washington, D.C. metro area, Verite's Drew Costley put off visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture for close to a decade, until the Trump administration started threatening it.
veritenews.org/2025/12/30/n...
veritenews.org/2025/12/30/n...
I took the National Museum of African American History and Culture for granted. Trump’s threats changed that.
As a native of the Washington, D.C. metro area, I put off visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture for close to a decade, but the Trump administration’s push to alter the d...
veritenews.org
December 30, 2025 at 5:22 PM
As a native of the Washington, D.C. metro area, Verite's Drew Costley put off visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture for close to a decade, until the Trump administration started threatening it.
veritenews.org/2025/12/30/n...
veritenews.org/2025/12/30/n...
My un-imitable colleague & pal @drewcostley.bsky.social wrote about their first visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture — affectionately known as The Blacksonian — and why it took them so long to visit, for @veritenews.org.
veritenews.org/2025/12/30/n...
veritenews.org/2025/12/30/n...
I took the National Museum of African American History and Culture for granted. Trump’s threats changed that.
As a native of the Washington, D.C. metro area, I put off visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture for close to a decade, but the Trump administration’s push to alter the d...
veritenews.org
December 30, 2025 at 6:04 PM
My un-imitable colleague & pal @drewcostley.bsky.social wrote about their first visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture — affectionately known as The Blacksonian — and why it took them so long to visit, for @veritenews.org.
veritenews.org/2025/12/30/n...
veritenews.org/2025/12/30/n...
Reposted by Katie Jane Fernelius
Disturbing allegations in this lawsuit. Story by Verite education reporter Safura Syed.
Parents accuse Bonnabel High employees of hitting, humiliating special education student
The federal civil rights suit was based on footage from in-classroom cameras, which will soon be required in special education classrooms around the state.
The federal civil rights suit was based on footage from in-classroom cameras, which will soon be required in special education classrooms around the state.
Parents accuse Bonnabel High employees of hitting, humiliating special education student
The federal civil rights suit was based on footage from in-classroom cameras, which will soon be required in special education classrooms around the state.
veritenews.org
October 28, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Disturbing allegations in this lawsuit. Story by Verite education reporter Safura Syed.
Reposted by Katie Jane Fernelius
The state of Louisiana, under the direction of Trump-allied Gov. Jeff Landry, is trying to takeover the finances of the city of New Orleans. It's majority-Black, the state's largest city and a Democratic stronghold.
State begins process of potential takeover of New Orleans finances
A little-known state committee will meet Wednesday to determine whether the financially troubled city meets legal criteria for a takeover.
A little-known state committee will meet Wednesday to determine whether the financially troubled city meets legal criteria for a takeover.
State begins process of potential takeover of New Orleans finances
A little-known state committee will meet Wednesday to determine whether the financially troubled city meets legal criteria for a takeover.
veritenews.org
October 28, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The state of Louisiana, under the direction of Trump-allied Gov. Jeff Landry, is trying to takeover the finances of the city of New Orleans. It's majority-Black, the state's largest city and a Democratic stronghold.
Reposted by Katie Jane Fernelius
Complaint: Pregnant immigration detainees in Louisiana and Georgia experiencing abuse, neglect
Mistreatment of pregnant people in detention facilities has resulted in miscarriage in some cases, civil rights groups allege.
Mistreatment of pregnant people in detention facilities has resulted in miscarriage in some cases, civil rights groups allege.
Complaint: Pregnant immigration detainees in Louisiana and Georgia experiencing abuse, neglect
Mistreatment of pregnant people in detention facilities has resulted in miscarriage in some cases, civil rights groups allege.
veritenews.org
October 22, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Complaint: Pregnant immigration detainees in Louisiana and Georgia experiencing abuse, neglect
Mistreatment of pregnant people in detention facilities has resulted in miscarriage in some cases, civil rights groups allege.
Mistreatment of pregnant people in detention facilities has resulted in miscarriage in some cases, civil rights groups allege.
Reposted by Katie Jane Fernelius
Loss of $120M in expected FEMA funding threatens city’s ability to pay bills, officials say
A Cantrell administration official says that FEMA has not been kicking out expected funding because of New Orleans’ status as a ‘sanctuary city’ on immigration. . New Orleans, facing a $160M deficit, may…
A Cantrell administration official says that FEMA has not been kicking out expected funding because of New Orleans’ status as a ‘sanctuary city’ on immigration. . New Orleans, facing a $160M deficit, may…
Loss of $120M in expected FEMA funding threatens city’s ability to pay bills, officials say
A Cantrell administration official says that FEMA has not been kicking out expected funding because of New Orleans’ status as a ‘sanctuary city’ on immigration. . New Orleans, facing a $160M deficit, may not be able to make its payroll.
veritenews.org
October 23, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Loss of $120M in expected FEMA funding threatens city’s ability to pay bills, officials say
A Cantrell administration official says that FEMA has not been kicking out expected funding because of New Orleans’ status as a ‘sanctuary city’ on immigration. . New Orleans, facing a $160M deficit, may…
A Cantrell administration official says that FEMA has not been kicking out expected funding because of New Orleans’ status as a ‘sanctuary city’ on immigration. . New Orleans, facing a $160M deficit, may…
Reposted by Katie Jane Fernelius
Landry warns Louisiana won’t issue SNAP benefits for November if shutdown persists
More than 800,000 people in Louisiana receive SNAP benefits.
More than 800,000 people in Louisiana receive SNAP benefits.
Landry warns Louisiana won’t issue SNAP benefits for November if shutdown persists
More than 800,000 people in Louisiana receive SNAP benefits.
veritenews.org
October 23, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Landry warns Louisiana won’t issue SNAP benefits for November if shutdown persists
More than 800,000 people in Louisiana receive SNAP benefits.
More than 800,000 people in Louisiana receive SNAP benefits.
Wait, I feel like this – reported by Axios! – is kind of a big deal. Apparently, AG Liz Murrill is considering taking over the city of New Orleans' finances ???
www.axios.com/local/new-or...
www.axios.com/local/new-or...
October 23, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Wait, I feel like this – reported by Axios! – is kind of a big deal. Apparently, AG Liz Murrill is considering taking over the city of New Orleans' finances ???
www.axios.com/local/new-or...
www.axios.com/local/new-or...
The Mayor isn't the only city-wide office we vote for in New Orleans. We also vote for two City Council at-large seats. Yet those races have gotten considerably less attention this year. So, we decided to talk to candidates – and dig deeper into their platforms for @veritenews.org. Check 'em out!
October 9, 2025 at 9:19 PM
The Mayor isn't the only city-wide office we vote for in New Orleans. We also vote for two City Council at-large seats. Yet those races have gotten considerably less attention this year. So, we decided to talk to candidates – and dig deeper into their platforms for @veritenews.org. Check 'em out!
Today, Sandra Green Thomas, the chief of staff for Cm Eugene Green, posted a distressing video on TikTok of what appears to be a deceased person outside Duncan Plaza, near City Hall. She blamed the opioid addiction crisis and also Unity of New Orleans.
October 9, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Today, Sandra Green Thomas, the chief of staff for Cm Eugene Green, posted a distressing video on TikTok of what appears to be a deceased person outside Duncan Plaza, near City Hall. She blamed the opioid addiction crisis and also Unity of New Orleans.
Reposted by Katie Jane Fernelius
Challengers look to unseat 3 City Council incumbents
JP Morrell, Freddie King and Eugene Green face competition in their reelection bids for New Orleans City Council.
JP Morrell, Freddie King and Eugene Green face competition in their reelection bids for New Orleans City Council.
Challengers look to unseat 3 City Council incumbents
JP Morrell, Freddie King and Eugene Green face competition in their reelection bids for New Orleans City Council.
veritenews.org
October 6, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Challengers look to unseat 3 City Council incumbents
JP Morrell, Freddie King and Eugene Green face competition in their reelection bids for New Orleans City Council.
JP Morrell, Freddie King and Eugene Green face competition in their reelection bids for New Orleans City Council.
Reposted by Katie Jane Fernelius
This is what I’ve been reporting on for months. Agencies are taking money and repurposing it against Congressional instructions, and there’s no way to know what they are taking the money from or what they are using it for.
Billions in Taxpayer Dollars Have Become Virtually Untraceable
The Trump administration’s aggressive approach to overhauling the executive branch has obscured how federal dollars are actually being spent — even for the members of Congress.
www.notus.org
September 26, 2025 at 2:05 PM
This is what I’ve been reporting on for months. Agencies are taking money and repurposing it against Congressional instructions, and there’s no way to know what they are taking the money from or what they are using it for.
Reposted by Katie Jane Fernelius
New Orleanians are being priced out of the city. Can the next assessor make a difference?
A progressive candidate is challenging longtime Orleans Parish Assessor Erroll Williams for the job.
A progressive candidate is challenging longtime Orleans Parish Assessor Erroll Williams for the job.
New Orleanians are being priced out of the city. Can the next assessor make a difference?
A progressive candidate is challenging longtime Orleans Parish Assessor Erroll Williams for the job.
veritenews.org
September 26, 2025 at 1:00 PM
New Orleanians are being priced out of the city. Can the next assessor make a difference?
A progressive candidate is challenging longtime Orleans Parish Assessor Erroll Williams for the job.
A progressive candidate is challenging longtime Orleans Parish Assessor Erroll Williams for the job.