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.
#LSU, Lane Kiffin take center stage in debate in Congress about paying college athletes www.nola.com/news/politic... via @nolanews.bsky.social
LSU, Lane Kiffin take center stage in debate in Congress about paying college athletes
The top Democrat in the House called a bill currently being considered the “Lane Kiffin Protection Act".”
www.nola.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:38 PM
#LSU, Lane Kiffin take center stage in debate in Congress about paying college athletes www.nola.com/news/politic... via @nolanews.bsky.social
Louisiana shift to party-primary elections expected to cost up to $47M over five years www.thecentersquare.com/louisiana/ar... via @nolanmckendry.bsky.social #lalege
Louisiana shift to party-primary elections will cost $47M
(The Center Square) – Louisiana’s move to a party-primary system, which limits voters to a single party’s primary but still allows unaffiliated voters to participate, is expected to cost up
www.thecentersquare.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Louisiana shift to party-primary elections expected to cost up to $47M over five years www.thecentersquare.com/louisiana/ar... via @nolanmckendry.bsky.social #lalege
Southern board wants leader with strong business ties after parting ways with Dennis Shields www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/... via @theadvocatebr.bsky.social #lalege #laed
Southern board wants leader with strong business ties after parting ways with Dennis Shields
The move comes amid a shift in Louisiana higher education as universities align themselves with corporate-oriented leaders and stress the need for partnerships with the private sector.
www.theadvocate.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Southern board wants leader with strong business ties after parting ways with Dennis Shields www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/... via @theadvocatebr.bsky.social #lalege #laed
Attorney General Murrill: State won’t use Louisiana law against obstructing immigration raids to target speech lailluminator.com/2025/12/04/l... (from @veritenews.org) #lalege
Murrill: State won’t use Louisiana law against obstructing immigration raids to target speech • Louisiana Illuminator
A new Louisiana law criminalizes any act intended to “hinder, delay, prevent, or otherwise interfere with or thwart federal immigration enforcement efforts.”
lailluminator.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Attorney General Murrill: State won’t use Louisiana law against obstructing immigration raids to target speech lailluminator.com/2025/12/04/l... (from @veritenews.org) #lalege
Louisiana will enforce new interference law during immigration sweeps. Here’s what to know. www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/... via @theadvocatebr.bsky.social #lalege
Louisiana will enforce new interference law during immigration sweeps. Here’s what to know.
The broadly-written law aims to curb interference with federal agents conducting raids or sweeps. Here’s a breakdown of the rules and penalties, plus what New Orleans officials are saying about it.
www.theadvocate.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Louisiana will enforce new interference law during immigration sweeps. Here’s what to know. www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/... via @theadvocatebr.bsky.social #lalege
Louisiana's biggest marsh building project ever unveiled after years of construction www.nola.com/news/environ... via @nolanews.bsky.social #lalege
Louisiana's biggest marsh building project ever unveiled after years of construction
Completion of the major marsh building effort in a spot frequented by legions of fishermen will provide a celebratory moment, with the project having enjoyed wide consensus and fervent support.
www.nola.com
December 3, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Louisiana's biggest marsh building project ever unveiled after years of construction www.nola.com/news/environ... via @nolanews.bsky.social #lalege
Louisiana Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson named community college system president lailluminator.com/2025/12/03/l... (from @piperhutch.bsky.social) #lalege #laed
Louisiana Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson named community college system president • Louisiana Illuminator
A member of Gov. Jeff Landry’s cabinet has been chosen to lead the state’s community and technical college system
lailluminator.com
December 3, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Louisiana Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson named community college system president lailluminator.com/2025/12/03/l... (from @piperhutch.bsky.social) #lalege #laed
Audit: Poverty rate, low income place Louisiana near bottom for child support collection, according to report from Louisiana Legislative Auditor's Office lailluminator.com/2025/12/02/c... (from @greglarose.bsky.social) #lalege
Poverty rate, low income place Louisiana near bottom for child support collection: audit • Louisiana Illuminator
Children and Family Services has used employment and parental engagement programs to improve child support payment compliance, but federal support no longer exists for them.
lailluminator.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Audit: Poverty rate, low income place Louisiana near bottom for child support collection, according to report from Louisiana Legislative Auditor's Office lailluminator.com/2025/12/02/c... (from @greglarose.bsky.social) #lalege
Reposted by Melinda Deslatte
Gov. Jeff Landry and legislators have made it almost impossible to get parole from prison — unless you are an immigrant who can be deported.
So many interesting bits of information in this story from @veritenews.org and @propublica.org
. #lalege #lagov
veritenews.org/2025/11/24/l...
So many interesting bits of information in this story from @veritenews.org and @propublica.org
. #lalege #lagov
veritenews.org/2025/11/24/l...
Louisiana is paroling prisoners in order to deport them
Gov. Jeff Landry eliminated parole for prisoners arrested after Aug. 1, 2024, and tightened eligibility rules for those already in prison. Then he set all of that aside for one group: undocumented imm...
veritenews.org
December 1, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Gov. Jeff Landry and legislators have made it almost impossible to get parole from prison — unless you are an immigrant who can be deported.
So many interesting bits of information in this story from @veritenews.org and @propublica.org
. #lalege #lagov
veritenews.org/2025/11/24/l...
So many interesting bits of information in this story from @veritenews.org and @propublica.org
. #lalege #lagov
veritenews.org/2025/11/24/l...
Reposted by Melinda Deslatte
State officials say a youth prison in Baker, La. that was shut down over a decade ago will reopen in April. #lalege
lailluminator.com/2025/11/26/l...
lailluminator.com/2025/11/26/l...
State officials say East Baton Rouge youth prison could reopen as soon as April • Louisiana Illuminator
Louisiana officials plan to reopen a youth prison in April that was shuttered over a decade ago when it was declared inappropriate for young people.
lailluminator.com
November 30, 2025 at 7:25 PM
State officials say a youth prison in Baker, La. that was shut down over a decade ago will reopen in April. #lalege
lailluminator.com/2025/11/26/l...
lailluminator.com/2025/11/26/l...
Reposted by Melinda Deslatte
Last week, Louisiana lawmakers approved the biggest government contracts in the state's history, which were negotiated by Gov. Jeff Landry's administration.
They are 6 contracts with private companies to provide Medicaid plans for $17 billion. #lalege
lailluminator.com/2025/11/25/l...
They are 6 contracts with private companies to provide Medicaid plans for $17 billion. #lalege
lailluminator.com/2025/11/25/l...
Louisiana approves Medicaid contracts. They are the most expensive contracts in the state’s history. • Louisiana Illuminator
Louisiana lawmakers signed off last week on one-year extensions to the state’s six biggest government contracts, collectively worth more than $17 billion. The agreements are with the six health care c...
lailluminator.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Last week, Louisiana lawmakers approved the biggest government contracts in the state's history, which were negotiated by Gov. Jeff Landry's administration.
They are 6 contracts with private companies to provide Medicaid plans for $17 billion. #lalege
lailluminator.com/2025/11/25/l...
They are 6 contracts with private companies to provide Medicaid plans for $17 billion. #lalege
lailluminator.com/2025/11/25/l...
Reposted by Melinda Deslatte
Starting next year, many public officials in Louisiana and their family members will be able to sue individuals/businesses who post basic biological info about the officials on the internet and don't listen to a government demand to take it down. #lalege
lailluminator.com/2025/11/20/l...
lailluminator.com/2025/11/20/l...
Louisiana officials will soon be able to sue citizens over internet posts with their personal info • Louisiana Illuminator
Gov. Jeff Landry and state lawmakers approved a new law earlier this year allowing a wide swath of public officials to bring lawsuits against those who don’t take down online posts with officials’ per...
lailluminator.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Starting next year, many public officials in Louisiana and their family members will be able to sue individuals/businesses who post basic biological info about the officials on the internet and don't listen to a government demand to take it down. #lalege
lailluminator.com/2025/11/20/l...
lailluminator.com/2025/11/20/l...
Louisiana made it nearly impossible to get parole. Now it’s releasing prisoners to deport them. veritenews.org/2025/11/24/l... (from @veritenews.org) #lalege
Louisiana is paroling prisoners in order to deport them
Gov. Jeff Landry eliminated parole for prisoners arrested after Aug. 1, 2024, and tightened eligibility rules for those already in prison. Then he set all of that aside for one group: undocumented imm...
veritenews.org
November 24, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Louisiana made it nearly impossible to get parole. Now it’s releasing prisoners to deport them. veritenews.org/2025/11/24/l... (from @veritenews.org) #lalege
Louisiana school scores reach record high in 2025, but grades will likely drop next year www.nola.com/news/educati... via @patrick-wall.bsky.social #lalege #laed
Louisiana school scores reach record high in 2025, but grades will likely drop next year
Want to see how your school did? Check our searchable database.
www.nola.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Louisiana school scores reach record high in 2025, but grades will likely drop next year www.nola.com/news/educati... via @patrick-wall.bsky.social #lalege #laed
Waymo is bringing its driver-less car service to New Orleans after a successful test run www.nola.com/news/busines... via @nolanews.bsky.social
Waymo is bringing its driver-less car service to New Orleans after a successful test run
Waymo tested its vehicles in the city in February and again in May.
www.nola.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Waymo is bringing its driver-less car service to New Orleans after a successful test run www.nola.com/news/busines... via @nolanews.bsky.social
Here’s how ACA marketplace health insurance rates are expected to change in your part of Louisiana www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/... via @emilywoodruff.bsky.social #lalege
Here’s how ACA marketplace health insurance rates are expected to change in your part of Louisiana
A 45-year-old in Louisiana who earns $32,000 a year could see their ACA premium jump from $691 to $2,159 if Congress lets enhanced subsidies expire. A family of four could pay more than $11,000 extra....
www.theadvocate.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Here’s how ACA marketplace health insurance rates are expected to change in your part of Louisiana www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/... via @emilywoodruff.bsky.social #lalege
The @nytimes.com looked at how Louisiana lawmakers raised the tax on sports betting to help raise money for the state's college football teams; Other states are looking to Louisiana as a model
nytimes.com/2025/11/15/b... #lalege #laed
nytimes.com/2025/11/15/b... #lalege #laed
Is Your College Football Team Short of Cash? Sports Betting Can Help.
nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:45 PM
The @nytimes.com looked at how Louisiana lawmakers raised the tax on sports betting to help raise money for the state's college football teams; Other states are looking to Louisiana as a model
nytimes.com/2025/11/15/b... #lalege #laed
nytimes.com/2025/11/15/b... #lalege #laed
Reposted by Melinda Deslatte
#LSU has paid more than $43 million to buy out the contracts of its coaches and athletics department leaders over the past decade and soon might be on the hook for more than $53 million more. Here’s how much, and who, LSU has paid. #lalege #lagov
LSU has spent over $43 million on athletics buyouts over the past decade • Louisiana Illuminator
LSU has paid more than $43 million to buy out the contracts of its coaches and athletics department leaders over the past decade and soon might be on the hook for more than $53 million more.
lailluminator.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Reposted by Melinda Deslatte
A task force Gov. Jeff Landry assembled is recommending that Louisiana’s colleges and universities join six other university systems from Southern states in a new conservative accrediting body. #lalege #lagov
Landry’s higher ed task force recommends Louisiana join conservative college accreditor • Louisiana Illuminator
A task force Gov. Jeff Landry assembled is recommending that Louisiana’s colleges and universities join six other university systems from Southern states in a new conservative accrediting body. The g...
lailluminator.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:09 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)
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
