James Finn
@rjamesfinn.bsky.social
Political reporter for The Times-Picayune in New Orleans. Also cover immigration and federal law enforcement. ✉️: jfinn@theadvocate.com
https://www.nola.com/users/profile/james%20finn/
https://www.nola.com/users/profile/james%20finn/
My latest: As she runs for the New Orleans City Council, State Rep. Delisha Boyd and a group supporting her campaign have paid more than $39,000 in campaign funds to a company she owns with her daughter, state records show. #lalege #lagov @nolanews.bsky.social
PAC, foreclosure, family tie: New Orleans candidate faces questions over $39k campaign payments
She's trying to win the City Council seat currently held by mayoral candidate Helena Moreno.
www.nola.com
September 26, 2025 at 1:31 PM
My latest: As she runs for the New Orleans City Council, State Rep. Delisha Boyd and a group supporting her campaign have paid more than $39,000 in campaign funds to a company she owns with her daughter, state records show. #lalege #lagov @nolanews.bsky.social
Reposted by James Finn
They helped rebuild New Orleans after Katrina, became active members of local churches, built lives and families. Now they're stuck in an ICE detention center as the Trump administration tries to deport them. Important story from @rjamesfinn.bsky.social:
www.nola.com/news/politic...
www.nola.com/news/politic...
They came to rebuild New Orleans after Katrina. Under Trump, ICE is trying to deport them.
Two cousins came from Guatemala to rebuild New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Twenty years later they're in Louisiana ICE detention, awaiting deportation.
www.nola.com
August 25, 2025 at 2:31 PM
They helped rebuild New Orleans after Katrina, became active members of local churches, built lives and families. Now they're stuck in an ICE detention center as the Trump administration tries to deport them. Important story from @rjamesfinn.bsky.social:
www.nola.com/news/politic...
www.nola.com/news/politic...
Two workers who came to New Orleans to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina nearly 20 years ago built families, careers and lives of faith in the city.
Now they’re being held in ICE detention, awaiting deportation to Guatemala. #lalege #lagov
www.nola.com/news/politic...
Now they’re being held in ICE detention, awaiting deportation to Guatemala. #lalege #lagov
www.nola.com/news/politic...
They came to rebuild New Orleans after Katrina. Under Trump, ICE is trying to deport them.
Two cousins came from Guatemala to rebuild New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Twenty years later they're in Louisiana ICE detention, awaiting deportation.
www.nola.com
August 25, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Two workers who came to New Orleans to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina nearly 20 years ago built families, careers and lives of faith in the city.
Now they’re being held in ICE detention, awaiting deportation to Guatemala. #lalege #lagov
www.nola.com/news/politic...
Now they’re being held in ICE detention, awaiting deportation to Guatemala. #lalege #lagov
www.nola.com/news/politic...
Story: LaToya Cantrell rejected warnings about relationship with bodyguard years before indictment
LaToya Cantrell rejected warnings about relationship with bodyguard years before indictment
Years before her federal indictment, LaToya Cantrell was warned again and again by associates who feared a budding romance with her police bodyguard might one day expose her to criminal charges.
www.nola.com
August 20, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Story: LaToya Cantrell rejected warnings about relationship with bodyguard years before indictment
Reposted by James Finn
A federal grand jury has indicted New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell.
Federal grand jury indicts New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell after years-long investigation
A federal grand jury has indicted New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell.
bit.ly
August 15, 2025 at 6:01 PM
A federal grand jury has indicted New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell.
Reposted by James Finn
Criminal charges filed against Mayor LaToya Cantrell follow a years-long probe by the FBI into how she and people around her became involved in alleged corruption.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has been indicted. See the players in the corruption probe
Criminal charges filed against Mayor LaToya Cantrell follow a years-long probe by the FBI into how she and people around her became involved in alleged corruption.
bit.ly
August 15, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Criminal charges filed against Mayor LaToya Cantrell follow a years-long probe by the FBI into how she and people around her became involved in alleged corruption.
Reposted by James Finn
Public officials and political watchers lamented the harsh spotlight on New Orleans after Mayor LaToya Cantrell was indicted by a federal grand jury.
Officials react to Mayor LaToya Cantrell's indictment: A 'sad day' for New Orleans
Public officials and political watchers lamented the harsh spotlight on New Orleans after Mayor LaToya Cantrell was indicted by a federal grand jury.
bit.ly
August 16, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Public officials and political watchers lamented the harsh spotlight on New Orleans after Mayor LaToya Cantrell was indicted by a federal grand jury.
SCOOP: Louisiana officials are in talks with the Trump administration about opening a state-run immigration jail inside the State Penitentiary at Angola, people familiar with the plan tell me #lalege #lagov
www.nola.com/news/politic...
www.nola.com/news/politic...
Louisiana in talks with Trump to run immigration jail inside Angola, sources say
Kristi Noem recently said she was having conversations with other Republican governors about opening facilities in their states modeled after "Alligator Alcatraz."
But the potential immigration locku...
www.nola.com
August 5, 2025 at 11:31 PM
SCOOP: Louisiana officials are in talks with the Trump administration about opening a state-run immigration jail inside the State Penitentiary at Angola, people familiar with the plan tell me #lalege #lagov
www.nola.com/news/politic...
www.nola.com/news/politic...
Reposted by James Finn
Scoop from @rjamesfinn.bsky.social: Louisiana is in talks to open an immigration jail inside of Angola, sources say. Plan is to use an unused wing of the massive prison complex, possibly camp J, to house immigrants. State closed camp J years ago w/ safety concerns
www.nola.com/news/politic...
www.nola.com/news/politic...
Louisiana in talks with Trump to run immigration jail inside Angola, sources say
Kristi Noem recently said she was having conversations with other Republican governors about opening facilities in their states modeled after "Alligator Alcatraz."
But the potential immigration locku...
www.nola.com
August 5, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Scoop from @rjamesfinn.bsky.social: Louisiana is in talks to open an immigration jail inside of Angola, sources say. Plan is to use an unused wing of the massive prison complex, possibly camp J, to house immigrants. State closed camp J years ago w/ safety concerns
www.nola.com/news/politic...
www.nola.com/news/politic...
NEW from me: The arrest of an Iranian woman in New Orleans almost 50 years shows the need for legislation streamlining how the country treats people who lack legal residency but otherwise follow the law, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said in an interview this week. #lalege #lagov
New Orleans woman's ICE arrest shows need for immigration overhaul, Steve Scalise says
Scalise helped secure the release of Donna Kashanian after reviewing his case file. Here's what he thinks needs to happen in Congress.
www.nola.com
July 10, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Reposted by James Finn
The teams have experience in "swift water" rescues.
Louisiana sends first responders to Texas to help recovery from Hill Country floods
The teams have experience in "swift water" rescues.
bit.ly
July 6, 2025 at 6:00 PM
The teams have experience in "swift water" rescues.
Reposted by James Finn
"a man who had urged violence against police officers was now responsible for the department’s official effort to exact revenge against those who had tried to hold the rioters accountable" www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/u...
Pardoned Jan. 6 Rioter Who Threatened Police Joins Justice Dept.
www.nytimes.com
July 2, 2025 at 4:44 PM
"a man who had urged violence against police officers was now responsible for the department’s official effort to exact revenge against those who had tried to hold the rioters accountable" www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/u...
Trump nominates Jefferson Parish lawyer David Courcelle to be New Orleans' next U.S. Attorney, tapping a well-connected member of New Orleans' trial bar to lead the DOJ's largest Louisiana outpost.
My story:
My story:
Trump taps this prominent attorney to be the New Orleans region's top federal prosecutor
President Trump has tapped a veteran Jefferson Parish attorney as the next federal prosecutor over the New Orleans region. See who.
www.nola.com
July 2, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Trump nominates Jefferson Parish lawyer David Courcelle to be New Orleans' next U.S. Attorney, tapping a well-connected member of New Orleans' trial bar to lead the DOJ's largest Louisiana outpost.
My story:
My story:
Reposted by James Finn
this is a remarkable interview
Mamdani being on message, of course, but also Erin Burnett's combination of detailed preparedness, good faith journalistic antagonism, and real interest in having him expand on his ideas
Mamdani being on message, of course, but also Erin Burnett's combination of detailed preparedness, good faith journalistic antagonism, and real interest in having him expand on his ideas
Erin Burnett asks Zohran Mamdani what it means to be a Democratic Socialist. Hear his response
YouTube video by CNN
www.youtube.com
June 27, 2025 at 4:34 AM
this is a remarkable interview
Mamdani being on message, of course, but also Erin Burnett's combination of detailed preparedness, good faith journalistic antagonism, and real interest in having him expand on his ideas
Mamdani being on message, of course, but also Erin Burnett's combination of detailed preparedness, good faith journalistic antagonism, and real interest in having him expand on his ideas
Story from yesterday: An Iranian woman who has lived in the United States for 47 years and has no criminal record was detained by federal agents Sunday morning as she gardened outside her New Orleans home.
Iranian immigrant who has lived in New Orleans nearly 50 years arrested outside Lakeview home
Federal agents arrested an Iranian woman who has lived in the United States for more than four decades outside her Lakeview home Sunday.
www.nola.com
June 26, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Story from yesterday: An Iranian woman who has lived in the United States for 47 years and has no criminal record was detained by federal agents Sunday morning as she gardened outside her New Orleans home.
Reposted by James Finn
NEW: The CBP confirmed to @404media.co that it has been flying Predator drones over LA amid the protests. These Predator B drones are military-caliber UAVs used for aerial reconnaissance that can be armed.
It further breaks the seal on federal involvement in civilian matters. More here:
It further breaks the seal on federal involvement in civilian matters. More here:
The High-Flying Escalation of CBP's Predator Drone Flights Over LA
Custom and Border Protection flying powerful Predator B drones over Los Angeles further breaks the seal on federal involvement in civilian matters typically handled by state or local authorities.
www.wired.com
June 13, 2025 at 4:02 PM
NEW: The CBP confirmed to @404media.co that it has been flying Predator drones over LA amid the protests. These Predator B drones are military-caliber UAVs used for aerial reconnaissance that can be armed.
It further breaks the seal on federal involvement in civilian matters. More here:
It further breaks the seal on federal involvement in civilian matters. More here:
Customs and Border Protection taking out recruitment ads on Twitter
June 13, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Customs and Border Protection taking out recruitment ads on Twitter
"Federal agents make warrantless arrests. Masked agents take people into custody without identifying themselves. And across the U.S., people are disappearing into the federal detention system without notice to families or lawyers, according to attorneys, witnesses and officials." Via @wsj.com
The White House Marching Orders That Sparked the L.A. Migrant Crackdown
After deportations fell short of President Trump’s campaign promises, federal agents summoned to a meeting in Washington were told to “just go out there and arrest illegal aliens.”
www.wsj.com
June 10, 2025 at 5:09 PM
"Federal agents make warrantless arrests. Masked agents take people into custody without identifying themselves. And across the U.S., people are disappearing into the federal detention system without notice to families or lawyers, according to attorneys, witnesses and officials." Via @wsj.com
Reposted by James Finn
Jimmy Harris delivers better than anyone in Lege, but does it quietly.
When I first started, we were both aides to powerful pols who were sometimes at odds. But Jimmy was always awesome to work with. Unpretentious and smart. Great @rjamesfinn.bsky.social piece.
www.nola.com/news/politic...
When I first started, we were both aides to powerful pols who were sometimes at odds. But Jimmy was always awesome to work with. Unpretentious and smart. Great @rjamesfinn.bsky.social piece.
www.nola.com/news/politic...
How an under-the-radar Democrat brings millions home to New Orleans from GOP-led Legislature
At the state Capitol in Baton Rouge, he's New Orleans' most powerful advocate. Most New Orleanians don't know him.
www.nola.com
June 9, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Jimmy Harris delivers better than anyone in Lege, but does it quietly.
When I first started, we were both aides to powerful pols who were sometimes at odds. But Jimmy was always awesome to work with. Unpretentious and smart. Great @rjamesfinn.bsky.social piece.
www.nola.com/news/politic...
When I first started, we were both aides to powerful pols who were sometimes at odds. But Jimmy was always awesome to work with. Unpretentious and smart. Great @rjamesfinn.bsky.social piece.
www.nola.com/news/politic...
An updated table of Louisiana law enforcement agencies with active and pending 287(g) agreements, which have expanded under Trump and allow local police to enforce federal immigration laws. @nolanews.bsky.social
May 26, 2025 at 3:27 PM
An updated table of Louisiana law enforcement agencies with active and pending 287(g) agreements, which have expanded under Trump and allow local police to enforce federal immigration laws. @nolanews.bsky.social
Reposted by James Finn
We asked Mayor Cantrell’s office last night where she was since nobody has seen her for days. Predictably they didn’t respond.
May 17, 2025 at 9:02 PM
We asked Mayor Cantrell’s office last night where she was since nobody has seen her for days. Predictably they didn’t respond.
As Trump pursues a sweeping expansion of ICE's 287(g) program, here's which Louisiana agencies are entering partnerships with ICE under that program, or considering doing so. #lalege #lagov
www.nola.com/news/crime_p...
www.nola.com/news/crime_p...
May 16, 2025 at 9:25 PM
As Trump pursues a sweeping expansion of ICE's 287(g) program, here's which Louisiana agencies are entering partnerships with ICE under that program, or considering doing so. #lalege #lagov
www.nola.com/news/crime_p...
www.nola.com/news/crime_p...