Natalie McLendon
@nataliemclendon.bsky.social
NEW: Louisiana State Police confirms it's exploring allegations at Coushatta Casino Resort, where federal agencies are looking into claims the tribe’s former chairman used a casino credit card to help build & furnish his home. @nataliemclendon.bsky.social reports. lailluminator.com/2025/11/04/c...
Louisiana State Police confirm ‘ongoing investigation’ into Coushatta Tribe casino • Louisiana Illuminator
Louisiana State Police cited an “ongoing investigation” when asked via about the Coushatta Tribe's former chairman and two former casino managers.
lailluminator.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:56 PM
The probe involves Jonathan Cernek, former chairman of the Coushatta Tribe, who federal regulators allege used a casino business credit card to build and furnish his personal home.
NEW DEVELOPMENTS: A tribal casino is under the scrutiny of at least two federal agencies, according to documents and a former casino purchasing manager who says authorities have interviewed her twice about the matter. @nataliemclendon.bsky.social reports lailluminator.com/2025/10/23/c...
Fraud allegations at Louisiana tribal casino draw federal scrutiny • Louisiana Illuminator
A Louisiana tribal casino is under the scrutiny of at least two federal agencies, according to documents the Illuminator has obtained and a former casino purchasing manager who says authorities have i...
lailluminator.com
October 23, 2025 at 2:26 PM
The probe involves Jonathan Cernek, former chairman of the Coushatta Tribe, who federal regulators allege used a casino business credit card to build and furnish his personal home.
Shoe leather reporting at No Kings protest Oct. 18 at Lock Park in Lake Charles, La.
October 22, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Shoe leather reporting at No Kings protest Oct. 18 at Lock Park in Lake Charles, La.
More than 150 people assembled at the edge of Lock Park in downtown Lake Charles for its No Kings event, while a small group of counter-protestors stood across a quiet side street.
lailluminator.com/2025/10/18/l...
lailluminator.com/2025/10/18/l...
Louisiana joins the No Kings festivities with typical flair • Louisiana Illuminator
Thousands of people gathered at 10 events across Louisiana as part of Saturday’s national No Kings movement to protest President Donald Trump.
lailluminator.com
October 19, 2025 at 2:16 AM
More than 150 people assembled at the edge of Lock Park in downtown Lake Charles for its No Kings event, while a small group of counter-protestors stood across a quiet side street.
lailluminator.com/2025/10/18/l...
lailluminator.com/2025/10/18/l...
According to documents obtained by the Illuminator, former GM Todd Stewart failed to alert auditors & potential investors about suspected fraud tied to ex-chairman Johnathan Cernek.
lailluminator.com/2025/09/22/c...
lailluminator.com/2025/09/22/c...
Feds order Coushatta casino to suspend former GM for not disclosing fraud concerns • Louisiana Illuminator
The National Indian Gaming Commission ordered the Coushatta Tribal Gaming Commission to suspend the license of its former general manager who's now a consultant for the business.
lailluminator.com
September 22, 2025 at 12:15 PM
According to documents obtained by the Illuminator, former GM Todd Stewart failed to alert auditors & potential investors about suspected fraud tied to ex-chairman Johnathan Cernek.
lailluminator.com/2025/09/22/c...
lailluminator.com/2025/09/22/c...
A new audit of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana found over $100k in credit card charges without receipts during just two months of 2024. The review comes after the former chairman resigned amid reports of an FBI probe into casino credit card use.
lailluminator.com/2025/09/12/c...
lailluminator.com/2025/09/12/c...
Audit shows Coushatta Tribe didn’t track credit card use • Louisiana Illuminator
The Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana failed to keep track of its credit card use, with no receipts to show for purchases that totaled more than $100,000 over a two-month period.
lailluminator.com
September 12, 2025 at 3:52 PM
A new audit of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana found over $100k in credit card charges without receipts during just two months of 2024. The review comes after the former chairman resigned amid reports of an FBI probe into casino credit card use.
lailluminator.com/2025/09/12/c...
lailluminator.com/2025/09/12/c...
Had a great time hosting our first Media Happy Hour in Lake Charles. Big thanks to everyone who came out to connect and swap stories. Excited to keep building space for local media to gather outside the newsroom. Stay tuned for the next one!
August 26, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Had a great time hosting our first Media Happy Hour in Lake Charles. Big thanks to everyone who came out to connect and swap stories. Excited to keep building space for local media to gather outside the newsroom. Stay tuned for the next one!
Protestors at Lock Park in Lake Charles, Louisiana
July 21, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Protestors at Lock Park in Lake Charles, Louisiana
Reposted by Natalie McLendon
DEVELOPING: ICE, State Police raid Delta Downs in southwest Louisiana. @nataliemclendon.bsky.social reports lailluminator.com/2025/06/17/i...
ICE, State Police raid Delta Downs in southwest Louisiana • Louisiana Illuminator
Police sources report federal, state and local law enforcement took part in an immigration raid Tuesday morning at Delta Downs Racetrack, Casino and Hotel near Vinton.
lailluminator.com
June 17, 2025 at 5:28 PM
DEVELOPING: ICE, State Police raid Delta Downs in southwest Louisiana. @nataliemclendon.bsky.social reports lailluminator.com/2025/06/17/i...
Two young members of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana are speaking out after state lawmakers voted Tuesday against a bill they say was important to their land, culture and safety.
Coushatta Tribe’s next generation warns against risk from carbon sequestration • Louisiana Illuminator
Two young Coushatta Tribe members are speaking out after state lawmakers voted against a bill they say was important to their land, culture and safety.
lailluminator.com
April 30, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Two young members of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana are speaking out after state lawmakers voted Tuesday against a bill they say was important to their land, culture and safety.
Federal immigration authorities arrested 11 workers last week at the Port of Lake Charles who allegedly lacked permanent legal status to be in the United States, the New Orleans office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced Monday.
lailluminator.com/2025/03/20/i...
lailluminator.com/2025/03/20/i...
ICE raid at Port of Lake Charles results in 11 arrests • Louisiana Illuminator
ICE arrested 11 workers last week at the Port of Lake Charles who allegedly lacked permanent legal status to be in the United States.
lailluminator.com
March 20, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Federal immigration authorities arrested 11 workers last week at the Port of Lake Charles who allegedly lacked permanent legal status to be in the United States, the New Orleans office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced Monday.
lailluminator.com/2025/03/20/i...
lailluminator.com/2025/03/20/i...
Local opposition mounts to carbon capture projects in Louisiana, with residents are concerned about the risks to an aquifer that's a major source of the state's drinking water. @nataliemclendon.bsky.social reports lailluminator.com/2025/02/26/c...
Local opposition mounts to carbon capture projects in Louisiana • Louisiana Illuminator
A packed audience discussed the safety and risks of storing carbon dioxide underground near the Chicot Aquifer, which provides nearly half of the state’s drinking water.
lailluminator.com
February 26, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Concerns about the risks of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects were the main focus of a community meeting Monday night in Allen Parish.
lailluminator.com/2025/02/26/c...
lailluminator.com/2025/02/26/c...
Local opposition mounts to carbon capture projects in Louisiana • Louisiana Illuminator
A packed audience discussed the safety and risks of storing carbon dioxide underground near the Chicot Aquifer, which provides nearly half of the state’s drinking water.
lailluminator.com
February 26, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Concerns about the risks of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects were the main focus of a community meeting Monday night in Allen Parish.
lailluminator.com/2025/02/26/c...
lailluminator.com/2025/02/26/c...
Neighbors, both for and against a proposed natural gas facility, had the chance to share their thoughts on the project during a public hearing Tuesday.
lailluminator.com/2025/02/19/v...
lailluminator.com/2025/02/19/v...
February 19, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Neighbors, both for and against a proposed natural gas facility, had the chance to share their thoughts on the project during a public hearing Tuesday.
lailluminator.com/2025/02/19/v...
lailluminator.com/2025/02/19/v...
Reposted by Natalie McLendon
Neighbors, both for and against a proposed natural gas facility in Calcasieu Parish, had the chance to share their thoughts on the project during a public hearing. @nataliemclendon.bsky.social was there. lailluminator.com/2025/02/19/v...
Greenhouse gases from proposed Venture Global site concern Calcasieu neighbors • Louisiana Illuminator
Neighbors, both for and against a proposed Venture Global natural gas facility, had the chance to share their thoughts on the project.
lailluminator.com
February 19, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Neighbors, both for and against a proposed natural gas facility in Calcasieu Parish, had the chance to share their thoughts on the project during a public hearing. @nataliemclendon.bsky.social was there. lailluminator.com/2025/02/19/v...
Thanks to Kris St. James for having me on at KYKZ KIX 96 this morning to talk journalism.
February 18, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Thanks to Kris St. James for having me on at KYKZ KIX 96 this morning to talk journalism.
Reposted by Natalie McLendon
More than 8,000 web pages across more than a dozen U.S. government websites have been taken down since Friday afternoon, a New York Times analysis found. The purges have removed information about vaccines, veterans’ care, hate crimes, scientific research and more.
Thousands of U.S. Government Web Pages Have Been Taken Down Since Friday
Federal agencies moved to satisfy Trump’s orders to remove topics like diversity initiatives and “gender ideology.”
nyti.ms
February 2, 2025 at 4:52 PM
More than 8,000 web pages across more than a dozen U.S. government websites have been taken down since Friday afternoon, a New York Times analysis found. The purges have removed information about vaccines, veterans’ care, hate crimes, scientific research and more.
Reposted by Natalie McLendon
INVESTIGATION: Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter initially fought to withhold emails from the public in which he slams a nonprofit leader for her online criticism of city and school leaders. @nataliemclendon.bsky.social reports on the aftermath. lailluminator.com/2025/01/26/l...
Lake Charles mayor slams nonprofit leader for online criticism, leading her to resign • Louisiana Illuminator
Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter complained to the board of a nonprofit that works with at-risk youth after its director criticized the city and school system on social media.
lailluminator.com
January 26, 2025 at 5:13 PM
INVESTIGATION: Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter initially fought to withhold emails from the public in which he slams a nonprofit leader for her online criticism of city and school leaders. @nataliemclendon.bsky.social reports on the aftermath. lailluminator.com/2025/01/26/l...
Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter describes former Big Brothers Big Sisters director ‘unhinged’ in emails he first fought to withhold from public view
lailluminator.com/2025/01/26/l...
lailluminator.com/2025/01/26/l...
Lake Charles mayor slams nonprofit leader for online criticism, leading her to resign • Louisiana Illuminator
Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter complained to the board of a nonprofit that works with at-risk youth after its director criticized the city and school system on social media.
lailluminator.com
January 26, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter describes former Big Brothers Big Sisters director ‘unhinged’ in emails he first fought to withhold from public view
lailluminator.com/2025/01/26/l...
lailluminator.com/2025/01/26/l...
Reposted by Natalie McLendon
When this public university set out to launch an LNG research center, they felt others hadn’t done enough to bring in fossil fuel industry’s views. So they hired an LNG lobbyist to lead it. That was just the start. @sarasneath.bsky.social @nataliemclendon.bsky.social
www.desmog.com/2024/12/19/m...
www.desmog.com/2024/12/19/m...
How to Start a Public University LNG Research Center: An LNG Lobbyist Director and Donations for Research Votes
At McNeese State University’s LNG center, “we want to ensure that our LNG industry has a major say in research direction,” one of its project leaders wrote.
www.desmog.com
December 19, 2024 at 10:19 PM
When this public university set out to launch an LNG research center, they felt others hadn’t done enough to bring in fossil fuel industry’s views. So they hired an LNG lobbyist to lead it. That was just the start. @sarasneath.bsky.social @nataliemclendon.bsky.social
www.desmog.com/2024/12/19/m...
www.desmog.com/2024/12/19/m...
Reposted by Natalie McLendon
Revealed: how a US public university courted the gas industry despite climate impacts - @sarasneath.bsky.social and @nataliemclendon.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Revealed: how a US public university courted the gas industry despite climate impacts
McNeese State University in Louisiana building a liquefied natural gas center, prompting fears of ‘corporate capture’
www.theguardian.com
December 19, 2024 at 2:51 PM
Revealed: how a US public university courted the gas industry despite climate impacts - @sarasneath.bsky.social and @nataliemclendon.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
As the US’s LNG boom gained momentum in south-west Louisiana, McNeese State University courted the industry to help launch a new LNG Center of Excellence currently under construction, hired a director doubling as an LNG industry lobbyist www.theguardian.com/environment/...
How a US public university courted the gas industry despite climate concerns
McNeese State University in Louisiana building a liquefied natural gas center, prompting fears of ‘corporate capture’
www.theguardian.com
December 19, 2024 at 2:42 PM
One of Louisiana’s top public universities has prompted concerns about “corporate capture” over its expanding relationship with the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry, despite environmental warnings about pollution and prolonging fossil fuel use.
Revealed: how a US public university courted the gas industry despite climate impacts
McNeese State University in Louisiana building a liquefied natural gas center, prompting fears of ‘corporate capture’
www.theguardian.com
December 19, 2024 at 1:54 PM
One of Louisiana’s top public universities has prompted concerns about “corporate capture” over its expanding relationship with the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry, despite environmental warnings about pollution and prolonging fossil fuel use.
The Louisiana Illuminator has successfully obtained emails that were initially withheld by Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter after I filed a public records request earlier this year.
lailluminator.com/2024/12/06/l...
lailluminator.com/2024/12/06/l...
Lake Charles mayor turns over emails he sought to withhold from public • Louisiana Illuminator
The Louisiana Illuminator has withdrawn its lawsuit against Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter for holding back nearly 300 pages of his emails from a public records request.
lailluminator.com
December 6, 2024 at 3:07 PM
The Louisiana Illuminator has successfully obtained emails that were initially withheld by Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter after I filed a public records request earlier this year.
lailluminator.com/2024/12/06/l...
lailluminator.com/2024/12/06/l...
