Melinda Deslatte
@melindadeslatte.bsky.social
PAR Louisiana research director. Former Associated Press reporter. Adjunct at LSU Manship School.
Graduate of LSU and the University of Maryland.
Budget nerd. Football fan. Policy wonk.
Graduate of LSU and the University of Maryland.
Budget nerd. Football fan. Policy wonk.
apnews.com/article/new-...
#Saints have not exceeded low expectations but see signs of hope heading into their last 7 games (from @brettmartel.bsky.social)
#Saints have not exceeded low expectations but see signs of hope heading into their last 7 games (from @brettmartel.bsky.social)
Saints have not exceeded low expectations but see signs of hope heading into their last 7 games
The New Orleans Saints entered their Week 11 bye tied for the NFC's worst record with the New York Giants at 2-8.
apnews.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:40 PM
apnews.com/article/new-...
#Saints have not exceeded low expectations but see signs of hope heading into their last 7 games (from @brettmartel.bsky.social)
#Saints have not exceeded low expectations but see signs of hope heading into their last 7 games (from @brettmartel.bsky.social)
Full SNAP benefits will return to Louisiana. Some will get extra, Gov. Jeff Landry says. www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/... via @theadvocatebr.bsky.social #lalege
Full SNAP benefits will return to Louisiana. Some will get extra, Gov. Jeff Landry says.
With the end of the federal shutdown, those who get Louisiana SNAP benefits will see their full benefit amount. The elderly and disabled will see a little extra in November.
www.theadvocate.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Full SNAP benefits will return to Louisiana. Some will get extra, Gov. Jeff Landry says. www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/... via @theadvocatebr.bsky.social #lalege
Former Louisiana House Speaker Clay Schexnayder indicted for theft of 'rare state artifact' www.nola.com/news/courts/... (from @theadvocatebr.bsky.social) #lalege
Former Louisiana House Speaker Clay Schexnayder indicted for theft of 'rare state artifact'
He was indicted after an ancient cypress board went missing from his office,
www.nola.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Former Louisiana House Speaker Clay Schexnayder indicted for theft of 'rare state artifact' www.nola.com/news/courts/... (from @theadvocatebr.bsky.social) #lalege
UL Lafayette faculty sound alarm over presidential search, demanding transparency www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/new... via @theadvocateaca.bsky.social #lalege #laed
UL Lafayette faculty sound alarm over presidential search, demanding transparency
"Given the current financial crisis at the University, the next president should be trusted to act in the best interests of the University and the people that constitute this institution. A search pro...
www.theadvocate.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:29 PM
UL Lafayette faculty sound alarm over presidential search, demanding transparency www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/new... via @theadvocateaca.bsky.social #lalege #laed
Louisiana officials, candidates can use campaign cash for D.C. Mardi Gras, ethics board confirms lailluminator.com/2025/11/10/l... (from @jsodonoghue.bsky.social) #lalege
Louisiana officials, candidates can use campaign cash for D.C. Mardi Gras, ethics board confirms • Louisiana Illuminator
The Louisiana Board of Ethics confirmed Friday that elected officials and political candidates can use their campaign money for expenses related to Washington Mardi Gras following a law change earlier...
lailluminator.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Louisiana officials, candidates can use campaign cash for D.C. Mardi Gras, ethics board confirms lailluminator.com/2025/11/10/l... (from @jsodonoghue.bsky.social) #lalege
Reposted by Melinda Deslatte
As Louisiana's new closed primary elections near, a debate over 'no party' voters reignites www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/... via @theadvocatebr.bsky.social #lalege
As Louisiana's new closed primary elections near, a debate over 'no party' voters reignites
Some Louisiana Republicans recently renewed an unsettled debate over whether independent voters should have a say in the GOP primary elections.
www.theadvocate.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:42 PM
As Louisiana's new closed primary elections near, a debate over 'no party' voters reignites www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/... via @theadvocatebr.bsky.social #lalege
Reposted by Melinda Deslatte
When private citizens make a Louisiana political contribution, they provide an address alongside that donation in a public, online database.
Soon, statewide elected officials, legislators and their family members will not have to do the same. #lalege
lailluminator.com/2025/11/07/l...
Soon, statewide elected officials, legislators and their family members will not have to do the same. #lalege
lailluminator.com/2025/11/07/l...
Louisiana ethics board raises questions about judges’ campaign transparency • Louisiana Illuminator
Three elected judges in Louisiana are leveraging a new privacy law to remove their home addresses and spouse’s work addresses from the state’s public campaign finance database that tracks political do...
lailluminator.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:28 PM
When private citizens make a Louisiana political contribution, they provide an address alongside that donation in a public, online database.
Soon, statewide elected officials, legislators and their family members will not have to do the same. #lalege
lailluminator.com/2025/11/07/l...
Soon, statewide elected officials, legislators and their family members will not have to do the same. #lalege
lailluminator.com/2025/11/07/l...
Louisiana ethics board raises questions about judges’ campaign transparency as some judges ask to remove information from the state’s public database that tracks political donations and spending lailluminator.com/2025/11/07/l... (from @jsodonoghue.bsky.social) #lalege
lailluminator.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Louisiana ethics board raises questions about judges’ campaign transparency as some judges ask to remove information from the state’s public database that tracks political donations and spending lailluminator.com/2025/11/07/l... (from @jsodonoghue.bsky.social) #lalege
Why was money taken out of some Louisiana SNAP accounts? And what happens next? www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/... via @theadvocatebr.bsky.social #lalege
Why was money taken out of some Louisiana SNAP accounts? And what happens next?
WASHINGTON – Some Louisiana SNAP recipients had money removed from their cards this week, but the Louisiana Department of Health announced Wednesday that all beneficiaries would receive at least some
www.theadvocate.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Why was money taken out of some Louisiana SNAP accounts? And what happens next? www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/... via @theadvocatebr.bsky.social #lalege
Reposted by Melinda Deslatte
The chairman of a committee tasked with guiding UNO’s transition back to the #LSU System has directed 11 subcommittees to meet privately, in what a First Amendment expert says is a violation of Louisiana’s Open Meetings Law. #lalege #lagov
UNO transition subcommittees will meet privately, in violation of state transparency law • Louisiana Illuminator
The transition committee is a public body subject to the Open Meetings Law, meaning it must hold its meetings in public.
lailluminator.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Reposted by Melinda Deslatte
BREAKING: The #LSU Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to name McNeese State leader Wade Rousse its next system president, and it has picked University of Alabama Provost Jim Dalton as both chancellor and provost of its Baton Rouge campus. #lalege #lagov
LSU splits president-chancellor roles, makes two hires • Louisiana Illuminator
The LSU Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to hire current McNeese State University President Wade Rousse as its next president.
lailluminator.com
November 4, 2025 at 6:55 PM
#LSU failed to give public notice for its first UNO transition committee meeting lailluminator.com/2025/11/04/l... (from @piperhutch.bsky.social) #lalege #laed
LSU failed to give public notice for its first UNO transition committee meeting • Louisiana Illuminator
LSU did not comply with state public notice requirements ahead of the first meeting of a committee that’s helping guide the UNO's transition to the LSU System
lailluminator.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:58 PM
#LSU failed to give public notice for its first UNO transition committee meeting lailluminator.com/2025/11/04/l... (from @piperhutch.bsky.social) #lalege #laed
#LSU interim Athletic Director Verge Ausberry says the school's athletic department 'is not broken' (from @brettmartel.bsky.social)
apnews.com/article/lsu-...
apnews.com/article/lsu-...
LSU interim AD Verge Ausberry says the school's athletic department 'is not broken'
Newly named LSU interim athletic director Verge Ausberry says the athletic department is ‘not broken’ in the wake of his predecessor Scott Woodward's abrupt departure this week.
apnews.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:11 PM
#LSU interim Athletic Director Verge Ausberry says the school's athletic department 'is not broken' (from @brettmartel.bsky.social)
apnews.com/article/lsu-...
apnews.com/article/lsu-...
Louisiana lawmakers agreed to move back the spring election dates, passing the bills in a one-week special session that ended yesterday. What happened and why? More details in my latest for the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana: parlouisiana.org/wp-content/u... #lalege
October 30, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Louisiana lawmakers agreed to move back the spring election dates, passing the bills in a one-week special session that ended yesterday. What happened and why? More details in my latest for the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana: parlouisiana.org/wp-content/u... #lalege
SPECIAL SESSION ENDS: With final passage of bills delaying the 2026 spring elections by a month, the House and Senate have adjourned. The governor set aside up to three weeks for the special session. Lawmakers wrapped up in a week, suspending rules to speed bill passage. #lalege
October 29, 2025 at 6:07 PM
SPECIAL SESSION ENDS: With final passage of bills delaying the 2026 spring elections by a month, the House and Senate have adjourned. The governor set aside up to three weeks for the special session. Lawmakers wrapped up in a week, suspending rules to speed bill passage. #lalege
House votes 73-29 to push back 2026 closed party primary elections by one month. Final passage. Vote largely along party lines, with Republicans in support, most Democrats opposed. Will delay election for more time to await US Supreme Court ruling on congressional map. #lalege
October 29, 2025 at 4:22 PM
House votes 73-29 to push back 2026 closed party primary elections by one month. Final passage. Vote largely along party lines, with Republicans in support, most Democrats opposed. Will delay election for more time to await US Supreme Court ruling on congressional map. #lalege
A Louisiana law adds rules to private school pre-K programs. Two schools sued to stop it. www.nola.com/news/educati... via @patrick-wall.bsky.social #lalege #laed
A Louisiana law adds rules to private school pre-K programs. Two schools sued to stop it.
The lawsuit claims the new pre-K regulations are overly burdensome and unconstitutionally target private religious schools.
www.nola.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:39 PM
A Louisiana law adds rules to private school pre-K programs. Two schools sued to stop it. www.nola.com/news/educati... via @patrick-wall.bsky.social #lalege #laed
Senate votes 27-9 to push back closed primary election dates by one month in 2026. Vote was along party lines, with Republicans in support, Democrats opposed. Republicans want to move election dates to give more time to await US Supreme Court ruling on congressional map. #lalege
October 25, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Senate votes 27-9 to push back closed primary election dates by one month in 2026. Vote was along party lines, with Republicans in support, Democrats opposed. Republicans want to move election dates to give more time to await US Supreme Court ruling on congressional map. #lalege
Reposted by Melinda Deslatte
Louisiana is prepared to spend $150m per month out of a savings account to keep federal food assistance (SNAP) going during the shutdown.
The Trump administration said Friday it won't reimburse states for doing so. #lalege
lailluminator.com/2025/10/24/l...
The Trump administration said Friday it won't reimburse states for doing so. #lalege
lailluminator.com/2025/10/24/l...
Louisiana prepares to continue SNAP benefits with $150M in state funding monthly • Louisiana Illuminator
Louisiana political leaders are preparing to use around $150 million monthly in state funding to help continue food assistance benefits while the federal government shutdown in Washington D.C. continu...
lailluminator.com
October 25, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Louisiana is prepared to spend $150m per month out of a savings account to keep federal food assistance (SNAP) going during the shutdown.
The Trump administration said Friday it won't reimburse states for doing so. #lalege
lailluminator.com/2025/10/24/l...
The Trump administration said Friday it won't reimburse states for doing so. #lalege
lailluminator.com/2025/10/24/l...
From @jsodonoghue.bsky.social story:
The new privacy law allows judges in Louisiana to keep a large swath of personal information out of government databases and off the internet.
Starting next year, the same privilege will be extended to hundreds of other local and state officials. #lalege
The new privacy law allows judges in Louisiana to keep a large swath of personal information out of government databases and off the internet.
Starting next year, the same privilege will be extended to hundreds of other local and state officials. #lalege
NEW: Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Will Crain, who Trump appointed to the federal bench, put his divorce under seal for 11 months based on a new law that allows public officials to keep their info private.
(He is also dating his former law clerk.) #lalege
lailluminator.com/2025/10/22/c...
(He is also dating his former law clerk.) #lalege
lailluminator.com/2025/10/22/c...
Trump federal court nominee cited new Louisiana law to keep his divorce records private • Louisiana Illuminator
Five months before a new privacy law for judges took effect, a Louisiana Supreme Court justice cited it in a request to keep information about his divorce and the end of his 40-year marriage private.
lailluminator.com
October 22, 2025 at 9:30 PM
From @jsodonoghue.bsky.social story:
The new privacy law allows judges in Louisiana to keep a large swath of personal information out of government databases and off the internet.
Starting next year, the same privilege will be extended to hundreds of other local and state officials. #lalege
The new privacy law allows judges in Louisiana to keep a large swath of personal information out of government databases and off the internet.
Starting next year, the same privilege will be extended to hundreds of other local and state officials. #lalege
Reposted by Melinda Deslatte
Attorneys who ran public defender offices in Louisiana have sued the state for wrongful termination. They allege
Gov. Jeff Landry's office interfered in a state board review of their dismissals by telling board members they had to get rid of them. #lalege
lailluminator.com/2025/10/20/p...
Gov. Jeff Landry's office interfered in a state board review of their dismissals by telling board members they had to get rid of them. #lalege
lailluminator.com/2025/10/20/p...
Public defenders sue Louisiana over job losses, allege governor office interference • Louisiana Illuminator
Four attorneys who used to lead local public defender offices are suing the Louisiana government and the state public defender over their terminations. They allege Gov. Jeff Landry’s administration in...
lailluminator.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:31 AM
Attorneys who ran public defender offices in Louisiana have sued the state for wrongful termination. They allege
Gov. Jeff Landry's office interfered in a state board review of their dismissals by telling board members they had to get rid of them. #lalege
lailluminator.com/2025/10/20/p...
Gov. Jeff Landry's office interfered in a state board review of their dismissals by telling board members they had to get rid of them. #lalege
lailluminator.com/2025/10/20/p...
“The LSU presidency is one of Louisiana’s most important public positions, and its selection should reflect that public trust,”
PAR President Steven Procopio said of #LSU using non-disclosure agreements to try to hide information about the search. #lalege #laed
PAR President Steven Procopio said of #LSU using non-disclosure agreements to try to hide information about the search. #lalege #laed
Members of the committee tasked with finding #LSU’s next president have been asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement that prohibits them from ever discussing the search to maintain their position on the committee #lalege #lagov
LSU presidential search committee members required to sign non-disclosure agreements • Louisiana Illuminator
Members of the committee tasked with finding LSU’s next president have been asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement that prohibits them from ever discussing the search. The search committee is a pub...
lailluminator.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:00 PM
The government shutdown could disrupt food stamps. Many in Louisiana are worried. www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/... via @theadvocatebr.bsky.social #lalege
The government shutdown could disrupt food stamps. Many in Louisiana are worried.
As the federal government shutdown drags on, concern is growing about interrupting SNAP benefits, which help pay for groceries for roughly 800,000 people in Louisiana.
www.theadvocate.com
October 21, 2025 at 2:59 PM
The government shutdown could disrupt food stamps. Many in Louisiana are worried. www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/... via @theadvocatebr.bsky.social #lalege
Members of Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority question why their chairman canceled Mid-Breton sediment diversion project without first running the idea by them
lailluminator.com/2025/10/16/c... (from @lailluminator.com) #lalege
lailluminator.com/2025/10/16/c... (from @lailluminator.com) #lalege
CPRA members question chairman’s one-sided choice to kill Mid-Breton diversion • Louisiana Illuminator
At Wednesday’s CPRA meeting, chairman Gordy Dove defended his decision to cancel the Mid-Breton Sediment Diversion project without first consulting the board.
lailluminator.com
October 16, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Members of Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority question why their chairman canceled Mid-Breton sediment diversion project without first running the idea by them
lailluminator.com/2025/10/16/c... (from @lailluminator.com) #lalege
lailluminator.com/2025/10/16/c... (from @lailluminator.com) #lalege