Louisiana Illuminator
@lailluminator.com
Independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization with a mission to cast light on decisions made in Baton Rouge and their impact across the state.
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LATEST: State officials have denied a request from Smitty’s Supply Inc. to dispose of wastewater and stormwater from its disaster cleanup into drainage ditches that lead to the Tangipahoa River. @wesmuller.bsky.social reports lailluminator.com/2025/12/23/s...
State rejects Smitty’s Supply request to dispose of wastewater, storm runoff in drainage
LDEQ denied a request by Smitty’s Supply to discharge wastewater from its disaster cleanup into ditches that flow to the Tangipahoa River.
lailluminator.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:10 PM
LATEST: State officials have denied a request from Smitty’s Supply Inc. to dispose of wastewater and stormwater from its disaster cleanup into drainage ditches that lead to the Tangipahoa River. @wesmuller.bsky.social reports lailluminator.com/2025/12/23/s...
No other state exports as much LNG as Louisiana, and a consumer group's study finds that could lead to higher electric bills, @eplunk.bsky.social reports. lailluminator.com/2025/12/19/l...
Louisiana’s LNG export boom will fuel higher electricity costs, report finds • Louisiana Illuminator
Prices have steadily risen for natural gas throughout 2025, for residents and industry alike, and Louisiana finds itself at the center of the boom. A nation-leading three liquified natural gas export ...
lailluminator.com
December 19, 2025 at 7:20 PM
No other state exports as much LNG as Louisiana, and a consumer group's study finds that could lead to higher electric bills, @eplunk.bsky.social reports. lailluminator.com/2025/12/19/l...
LATEST: Louisiana's Liz Murrill joins other AGs "concerned" about President Trump's order to remove Schedule I status for marijuana. lailluminator.com/2025/12/18/r...
Trump signs order to loosen federal restrictions on marijuana, but it’s still illegal • Louisiana Illuminator
Administration officials and medical doctors flanked Trump during the Oval Office signing, with some speaking to the potential medical benefits of marijuana.
lailluminator.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:28 PM
LATEST: Louisiana's Liz Murrill joins other AGs "concerned" about President Trump's order to remove Schedule I status for marijuana. lailluminator.com/2025/12/18/r...
Just a week after the Landry administration ended a $4.2 billion Medicaid contract covering more than 330,000 people, state officials backed off their original plan and said they would seek an extension of the arrangement instead. @jsodonoghue.bsky.social reports lailluminator.com/2025/12/16/l...
Louisiana backs off Medicaid contract termination, will offer extension through March • Louisiana Illuminator
Just a week after Gov. Jeff Landry’s administration confirmed the sudden end of a $4.2 billion Medicaid contract that provides health insurance to more than 330,000 people, state officials backed off ...
lailluminator.com
December 16, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Just a week after the Landry administration ended a $4.2 billion Medicaid contract covering more than 330,000 people, state officials backed off their original plan and said they would seek an extension of the arrangement instead. @jsodonoghue.bsky.social reports lailluminator.com/2025/12/16/l...
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he will not allow a floor vote this week on a bipartisan amendment supported by moderate Republicans that would extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced tax credits. @jennifershutt.bsky.social reports lailluminator.com/2025/12/16/r...
No US House vote to extend health care subsidies, Speaker Johnson says • Louisiana Illuminator
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he will not allow a floor vote this week on a bipartisan amendment to extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced tax credits.
lailluminator.com
December 16, 2025 at 7:41 PM
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he will not allow a floor vote this week on a bipartisan amendment supported by moderate Republicans that would extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced tax credits. @jennifershutt.bsky.social reports lailluminator.com/2025/12/16/r...
COMMENTARY: Aside from appealing to the most xenophobic elements of the MAGA crowd, the Trump administration's immigration enforcement efforts in SE Louisiana have had negligible practical or symbolic impact, @greglarose.bsky.social writes lailluminator.com/2025/12/16/i...
Trump’s immigration tactics aren’t taking root in Louisiana • Louisiana Illuminator
In Southeast Louisiana, there is a palpable distaste for Trump’s immigration tactics. It goes deeper than general opposition to tearing families apart and indefinitely detaining people with little to ...
lailluminator.com
December 16, 2025 at 6:16 PM
COMMENTARY: Aside from appealing to the most xenophobic elements of the MAGA crowd, the Trump administration's immigration enforcement efforts in SE Louisiana have had negligible practical or symbolic impact, @greglarose.bsky.social writes lailluminator.com/2025/12/16/i...
THEY'RE LIKE US: A study from Tulane University on brown anole lizards found these invasive reptiles are more aggressive toward native green anoles when it gets hotter. @eplunk.bsky.social reports lailluminator.com/briefs/invas...
Invasive brown lizards get angrier when the heat is on, Tulane researchers find • Louisiana Illuminator
Researchers have learned something new about the lizards taking over New Orleans landscapes. In addition to thriving despite ultra-high levels of lead in their blood, it turns out they can get pretty ...
lailluminator.com
December 16, 2025 at 3:42 PM
THEY'RE LIKE US: A study from Tulane University on brown anole lizards found these invasive reptiles are more aggressive toward native green anoles when it gets hotter. @eplunk.bsky.social reports lailluminator.com/briefs/invas...
REGULATORS, DISMOUNT: As the Trump administration sheds staff and funding at the EPA, a new analysis places Louisiana among states that have notably slashed their pollution regulation resources even as industry expands. @eplunk.bsky.social reports lailluminator.com/2025/12/12/b...
Before Trump slashed EPA, Louisiana pared back staff, funding at its environmental agency: report • Louisiana Illuminator
As the Trump administration sheds staff and funding at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a new analysis places Louisiana among states that have notably slashed their pollution regulation resou...
lailluminator.com
December 12, 2025 at 1:55 PM
REGULATORS, DISMOUNT: As the Trump administration sheds staff and funding at the EPA, a new analysis places Louisiana among states that have notably slashed their pollution regulation resources even as industry expands. @eplunk.bsky.social reports lailluminator.com/2025/12/12/b...
🐮NO BULL: Louisiana lawmakers voted Thursday to spend $2 million in state money on a pro rodeo/music festival coming to the Caesars Superdome in April. @jsodonoghue.bsky.social reports lailluminator.com/2025/12/11/l...
Louisiana will spend $2 million in public funds on professional rodeo event at the Superdome • Louisiana Illuminator
Louisiana lawmakers voted Thursday to spend $2 million in state money on the Hondo Rodeo Fest coming to the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans from April 10-12.
lailluminator.com
December 11, 2025 at 11:48 PM
🐮NO BULL: Louisiana lawmakers voted Thursday to spend $2 million in state money on a pro rodeo/music festival coming to the Caesars Superdome in April. @jsodonoghue.bsky.social reports lailluminator.com/2025/12/11/l...
NEW: Rep. Mike Echols wins the Louisiana House Republican Caucus chairman’s race, revealing possible fissures between GOP lawmakers who align with the governor and those willing to occasionally oppose him. @jsodonoghue.bsky.social reports: lailluminator.com/briefs/louis...
Gov. Landry’s pick wins Louisiana House Republican Caucus chairman’s race • Louisiana Illuminator
While the Senate frequently pushes back on Landry’s agenda, the House has been more likely to go along with the governor’s requests.
lailluminator.com
December 11, 2025 at 11:31 PM
NEW: Rep. Mike Echols wins the Louisiana House Republican Caucus chairman’s race, revealing possible fissures between GOP lawmakers who align with the governor and those willing to occasionally oppose him. @jsodonoghue.bsky.social reports: lailluminator.com/briefs/louis...
BIG CONTRACTS: LSU could pay its new president and chancellor millions annually under lucrative deals approved today that include dozens of incentives. @piperhutch.bsky.social reports some of their bonuses have no limits. lailluminator.com/2025/12/11/l...
LSU president, chancellor can earn millions in incentives • Louisiana Illuminator
LSU could pay its new president and chancellor millions annually under lucrative contracts that include dozens of incentives
lailluminator.com
December 11, 2025 at 8:03 PM
BIG CONTRACTS: LSU could pay its new president and chancellor millions annually under lucrative deals approved today that include dozens of incentives. @piperhutch.bsky.social reports some of their bonuses have no limits. lailluminator.com/2025/12/11/l...
Attorneys for the states of Florida and Texas filed another lawsuit this week seeking to restrict access to a medication abortion drug and challenging the 2000 approval of a generic version. @kelciemmorris.bsky.social reports lailluminator.com/2025/12/11/r...
Lawsuit from Texas, Florida AGs takes another crack at limiting abortion pill access • Louisiana Illuminator
It’s the latest in a series of actions state Republican officials have taken to limit how mifepristone, one of two drugs used to end a pregnancy before 10 weeks, can be dispensed.
lailluminator.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Attorneys for the states of Florida and Texas filed another lawsuit this week seeking to restrict access to a medication abortion drug and challenging the 2000 approval of a generic version. @kelciemmorris.bsky.social reports lailluminator.com/2025/12/11/r...
DEVELOPING: The U.S. Senate in long-anticipated votes failed to advance legislation to address the rising cost of health insurance, leaving lawmakers deadlocked on how to curb a surge in premiums expected next year. @jennifershutt.bsky.social reports lailluminator.com/2025/12/11/r...
US Senate hits stalemate on solution to spiraling health insurance costs • Louisiana Illuminator
The U.S. Senate failed to advance legislation Thursday on rising cost of health insurance, leaving lawmakers deadlocked on how to curb an expected surge in premiums.
lailluminator.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:25 PM
DEVELOPING: The U.S. Senate in long-anticipated votes failed to advance legislation to address the rising cost of health insurance, leaving lawmakers deadlocked on how to curb a surge in premiums expected next year. @jennifershutt.bsky.social reports lailluminator.com/2025/12/11/r...
LATEST: More than 330,000 Louisiana Medicaid enrollees will have to move to other plans after state leaders backed out its provider contract with Aetna. @jsodonoghue.bsky.social reports some lawmakers and advocates expect those people to see disrupted health care.
lailluminator.com/2025/12/10/l...
lailluminator.com/2025/12/10/l...
Louisiana lawmakers, advocates worry ending Medicaid contract could create care gaps • Louisiana Illuminator
Several Louisiana senators and health care advocates are aghast at Gov. Jeff Landry administration's decision to abruptly cancel a massive contract providing health insurance to hundreds of thousands ...
lailluminator.com
December 11, 2025 at 4:27 PM
LATEST: More than 330,000 Louisiana Medicaid enrollees will have to move to other plans after state leaders backed out its provider contract with Aetna. @jsodonoghue.bsky.social reports some lawmakers and advocates expect those people to see disrupted health care.
lailluminator.com/2025/12/10/l...
lailluminator.com/2025/12/10/l...
LATEST: State lawmakers are questioning an ongoing reorganization at Louisiana’s child welfare agency, raising concerns that the effort could result in the loss of experienced employees. lailluminator.com/2025/12/10/l...
Lawmakers fear DCFS reorganization could cost Louisiana experienced child welfare workers • Louisiana Illuminator
Legislators were also critical of the leadership at the Department of Children and Family Services and its lack of experience in child welfare.
lailluminator.com
December 11, 2025 at 12:48 AM
LATEST: State lawmakers are questioning an ongoing reorganization at Louisiana’s child welfare agency, raising concerns that the effort could result in the loss of experienced employees. lailluminator.com/2025/12/10/l...
LATEST: Speaker Johnson commits to a vote next week on a package he says would lower health insurance costs for more Americans than just those enrolled in Obamacare. @jennifershutt.bsky.social reports its uncertain whether there are enough GOP votes to approve it. lailluminator.com/2025/12/10/r...
US House GOP promises vote on reducing health care premiums, but few specifics disclosed • Louisiana Illuminator
The Louisiana Republican’s promise didn’t come with any details about which bills would be included in the package or whether the legislation will have the GOP votes needed to pass.
lailluminator.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:37 PM
LATEST: Speaker Johnson commits to a vote next week on a package he says would lower health insurance costs for more Americans than just those enrolled in Obamacare. @jennifershutt.bsky.social reports its uncertain whether there are enough GOP votes to approve it. lailluminator.com/2025/12/10/r...
The WIC program sees lower participation rates in Louisiana, where the number of food retailers that accept the benefits has fallen by nearly half over the past dozen years. @greglarose.bsky.social reports an audit looks into the reasons behind the trend lailluminator.com/2025/12/09/w...
Far fewer grocery stores accepting WIC benefits in Louisiana, audit finds • Louisiana Illuminator
Another factor contributing to lower WIC participation rates in Louisiana is an increase in mothers who breastfeed their infants.
lailluminator.com
December 9, 2025 at 10:08 PM
The WIC program sees lower participation rates in Louisiana, where the number of food retailers that accept the benefits has fallen by nearly half over the past dozen years. @greglarose.bsky.social reports an audit looks into the reasons behind the trend lailluminator.com/2025/12/09/w...
The U.S. Dept. of Education proposes permanently axing an income-driven student loan repayment plan in which more than 7 million student loan borrowers are enrolled. Shannon Miranda reports for @statesnewsroom.com lailluminator.com/2025/12/09/r...
Trump administration aims to officially scrap Biden student loan forgiveness program • Louisiana Illuminator
The Department of Education has proposed an agreement to permanently axe an income-driven student loan repayment plan with more than 7 million enrollees.
lailluminator.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:30 PM
The U.S. Dept. of Education proposes permanently axing an income-driven student loan repayment plan in which more than 7 million student loan borrowers are enrolled. Shannon Miranda reports for @statesnewsroom.com lailluminator.com/2025/12/09/r...
UPDATE: Gov. Jeff Landry’s administration is now revising its plan to cancel two of the state’s six Medicaid contracts that provide health insurance to hundreds of thousands of Louisiana residents. @jsodonoghue.bsky.social reports. lailluminator.com/2025/12/09/l...
Louisiana partially reverses course to restore Aetna’s canceled Medicaid contract • Louisiana Illuminator
Gov. Jeff Landry’s administration partially pulled back on its plan to cancel two of the state’s six Medicaid contracts with private companies that provide health insurance to hundreds of thousands of...
lailluminator.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:20 PM
UPDATE: Gov. Jeff Landry’s administration is now revising its plan to cancel two of the state’s six Medicaid contracts that provide health insurance to hundreds of thousands of Louisiana residents. @jsodonoghue.bsky.social reports. lailluminator.com/2025/12/09/l...
PAY RAISES: A state government panel set up to evaluate judges’ pay recommends the Louisiana Legislature raise state judicial salaries — again. @jsodonoghue.bsky.social reports lailluminator.com/2025/12/09/l...
Louisiana state panel recommends judges receive pay hikes — again • Louisiana Illuminator
Louisiana’s Judicial Compensation Commission voted Monday to back a plan that would raise pay next year for district court judges by $25,414, appellate judges by $29,111 and state Supreme Court justic...
lailluminator.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:37 PM
PAY RAISES: A state government panel set up to evaluate judges’ pay recommends the Louisiana Legislature raise state judicial salaries — again. @jsodonoghue.bsky.social reports lailluminator.com/2025/12/09/l...
WIFFLE BALL-INSPIRED: An LSU professor and his students could make it cheaper & easier for small towns and rural areas to test for infectious diseases in their wastewater – and help fill considerable gaps in public health data. @eplunk.bsky.social reports lailluminator.com/2025/12/09/l...
LSU researcher invents whole new ball game to boost public health research • Louisiana Illuminator
Research from an LSU professor and his students could make it cheaper and easier for small towns and rural communities to test for infectious diseases in their wastewater, potentially giving them the ...
lailluminator.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:25 PM
WIFFLE BALL-INSPIRED: An LSU professor and his students could make it cheaper & easier for small towns and rural areas to test for infectious diseases in their wastewater – and help fill considerable gaps in public health data. @eplunk.bsky.social reports lailluminator.com/2025/12/09/l...
UPDATE: Cedric Richmond said has he turned down an offer to be the interim president of the Southern University System. @piperhutch.bsky.social reports. lailluminator.com/2025/12/09/c...
Cedric Richmond turns down interim Southern presidency • Louisiana Illuminator
Former U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-New Orleans, said he turned down an offer to be the interim president of the Southern University System.
lailluminator.com
December 9, 2025 at 4:13 PM
UPDATE: Cedric Richmond said has he turned down an offer to be the interim president of the Southern University System. @piperhutch.bsky.social reports. lailluminator.com/2025/12/09/c...
UPDATE: Dozens of oil-covered and injured animals have been recovered since the Smitty’s Supply Inc. disaster in Tangipahoa Parish. Several others were found dead on site or later died from their injuries. @wesmuller.bsky.social reports lailluminator.com/2025/12/08/a...
Dozens of oil-covered animals recovered from Smitty’s Supply disaster • Louisiana Illuminator
A spokeswoman for the Center for Biological Diversity called the report “deeply troubling.”
lailluminator.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:45 PM
UPDATE: Dozens of oil-covered and injured animals have been recovered since the Smitty’s Supply Inc. disaster in Tangipahoa Parish. Several others were found dead on site or later died from their injuries. @wesmuller.bsky.social reports lailluminator.com/2025/12/08/a...
NEW: Louisiana’s next surgeon general is one of RFK Jr's. appointees to a panel that’s implementing his anti-vaccine policy recommendations. She has also openly supported Louisiana's abortion law. @greglarose.bsky.social lailluminator.com/2025/12/08/l...
Louisiana’s new surgeon general is a vaccine skeptic aligned with anti-abortion forces • Louisiana Illuminator
Louisiana’s next surgeon general is part of U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s panel that’s implementing his anti-vaccine policy recommendations.
lailluminator.com
December 8, 2025 at 6:24 PM
NEW: Louisiana’s next surgeon general is one of RFK Jr's. appointees to a panel that’s implementing his anti-vaccine policy recommendations. She has also openly supported Louisiana's abortion law. @greglarose.bsky.social lailluminator.com/2025/12/08/l...
NEW: AG Liz Murrill warns NOPD Chief Anne Kirkpatrick she risks breaking state and federal laws if her officers don’t actively support ongoing federal immigration enforcement efforts in the city. @greglarose.bsky.social reports lailluminator.com/2025/12/05/n...
Murrill: NOPD is breaking laws if it doesn’t ‘fully cooperate’ with ICE, Border Patrol • Louisiana Illuminator
Louisiana’s top criminal justice official has warned New Orleans’ police chief she risks breaking state and federal laws if her officers don’t actively support ongoing federal immigration enforcement ...
lailluminator.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:05 PM
NEW: AG Liz Murrill warns NOPD Chief Anne Kirkpatrick she risks breaking state and federal laws if her officers don’t actively support ongoing federal immigration enforcement efforts in the city. @greglarose.bsky.social reports lailluminator.com/2025/12/05/n...