State Politics

Louisiana needs more authority to deal with drone threats, some state officials say

BY ALYSE PFEIL | Staff writer
Updated 12 hrs ago

Louisiana could see new legislation this year that would empower state law enforcement to electronically take down — or mitigate — drones, a task that is currently within the purview of federa…

Louisiana road, bridge projects stall for years in federal red tape, Jeff Landry tells Congress

BY MARK BALLARD | Staff writer
14 hrs ago

Washington — Projects to improve Louisiana's roads and infrastructure — like a new Mississippi River bridge in Baton Rouge or upgrades to the state's ports — are delayed for years because of f…

Former U.S. Rep. Bob Livingston of Louisiana says he was investigated because he's a Republican

BY TYLER BRIDGES | Staff writer
Updated 1 hr ago

“I was innocent, I went through 20 months of hell and I’m out of the woods now.”

How a Louisiana strip club is tied up in accusations against Trump nominee Pete Hegseth

BY MEGHAN FRIEDMANN | Staff writer
21 hrs ago

Pete Hegseth, President-Elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary, defended himself against allegations of public drunkenness, misconduct and sexual assault during his confirmation heari…

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As companies chase underground carbon storage, Louisiana parishes want dollars for risks

BY DAVID J. MITCHELL | Staff writer
Jan 15, 2025

The scene in rural Allen Parish this week was a familiar one as big companies look for large tracts over the state's prime geology to store carbon dioxide.

Two prominent Louisiana government advocacy groups are merging: 'People want to see change'

BY ALYSE PFEIL | Staff writer
Jan 15, 2025

Two advocacy groups that have spent decades influencing policy at Louisiana State Capitol have announced they are now merging into one organization.

St. George council revises salaries amid protests, but public remains dissatisfied

BY PATRICK SLOAN-TURNER | Staff writer
Jan 14, 2025

After opposition erupted from members of the public to salaries proposed for the City of St. George's mayor, city council and police chief Tuesday night, the council decided to reduce the wage…

Jeff Landry will testify to Congress on Louisiana infrastructure. Here's when, how to watch.

BY ALYSE PFEIL | Staff writer
Jan 14, 2025

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry will be in Washington on Wednesday to testify before the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

When abuse happens in Louisiana nursing homes, investigations often take too long, audit finds

BY ALYSE PFEIL and MEGHAN FRIEDMANN | Staff writers
Updated Jan 13, 2025

When the state health department investigates allegations of abuse or neglect against certain care workers, reviews can drag on for over a year, a new report shows.

Gov. Jeff Landry to bus New Orleans homeless out of state or to temporary shelter in Gentilly

BY BEN MYERS | Staff writer
Jan 13, 2025

As part of a sweeping effort to spruce up New Orleans before the Super Bowl on Feb. 9, Gov. Jeff Landry said Monday his administration will begin clearing homeless encampments downtown, moving…

The Louisiana delegation gets their committee assignments in U.S. House and Senate

BY MARK BALLARD | Staff writer
Jan 13, 2025

WASHINGTON — As Congress moves into the new year, Louisiana’s delegation has nailed down committee assignments that influence energy, banking, the budget and the border.

Will Baton Rouge Mayor Sid Edwards keep Thomas Morse as police chief?

BY PATRICK SLOAN-TURNER | Staff writer
Jan 13, 2025

With his inauguration behind him, Mayor-President Sid Edwards' staff is starting to take shape. But he has yet to make a pivotal decision: Does he want Thomas Morse to remain police chief?

'A new era:' Jeff Landry combined MAGA-style and pragmatic moves to act quickly in first year

BY TYLER BRIDGES | Staff writer
Jan 12, 2025

Gov. Jeff Landry called Democratic state senators to his office on Nov. 19, urgently needing their help: Far-right conservatives had imperiled his tax plan because of their reluctance to suppo…

'Gulf of America'? Louisiana pols and others put their spin on Trump's Gulf of Mexico idea

BY MARK BALLARD | Staff writer
Updated Jan 12, 2025

WASHINGTON — The Maya called the Gulf of Mexico “Chactemal,” referring to its reddish hues at sunset.

Drones were spotted over a nuclear plant. Jeff Landry wants state authority to take them down.

BY ALYSE PFEIL | Staff writer
Jan 10, 2025

“While we were dealing with a terrorist attack in New Orleans, we had drones being flown over our nuclear reactors in Louisiana.”

Jeff Landry's administration to set up temporary New Orleans homeless shelter for 200 people

BY BEN MYERS | Staff writer
Updated Jan 10, 2025

Gov. Jeff Landry’s administration is planning to open a temporary homeless shelter for 200 people following a state Supreme Court ruling on Thursday that, for the moment, allows the state to c…

Louisiana's Bill Cassidy remains unclear on backing Trump nominee RFK Jr. as health secretary

BY MARK BALLARD | Staff writer
Updated Jan 10, 2025

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy met with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — but afterwards didn't tip his hand on whether he would vote for Donald Trump's choice to run the U.S. Department of Health …

The field is set for the February election for two Louisiana Senate seats. See who's running

BY ALYSE PFEIL | Staff writer
Updated Jan 10, 2025

Three Democrats are running for a Baton Rouge seat in the state Senate. Two well-known Republicans and a Democrat are running for a seat in Lafayette.

Photos: Past presidents, other officials mourn Jimmy Carter at Washington funeral

Staff report
Jan 9, 2025

Jimmy Carter's funeral in Washington was packed with family, friends and past U.S. presidents.

Jimmy Carter celebrated for his service in Washington funeral packed with past presidents

By BILL BARROW and CHRIS MEGERIAN Associated Press
Jan 9, 2025

Jimmy Carter was celebrated Thursday for his personal humility and public service before, during and after his presidency during a funeral at Washington National Cathedral featuring the kind o…

Two more candidates join Baton Rouge and Lafayette state Senate races on day 2 of qualifying

BY ALYSE PFEIL | Staff writer
Jan 8, 2025

Two vacancies were left in the state Senate after Baton Rouge Democrat Cleo Fields and Lafayette Republican Jean-Paul Coussan won November races for other elected offices.

Jeff Landry announces new Regents, University of Louisiana System board appointments

BY ALYSE PFEIL | Staff writer
Jan 8, 2025

Several new members are joining the Board of Regents and the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors. Landry also reappointed several members to those boards.

The story behind the touchingly messy, communal Bourbon Street attack memorial in New Orleans

BY DOUG MACCASH | Staff writer
Updated Jan 10, 2025

When President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrived in New Orleans on Monday, their first stop was the top of Bourbon Street where the notorious New Year’s Day killings began.

Republican lawmakers craft plans to reverse President Joe Biden's new oil and gas drilling ban

BY MARK BALLARD | Staff writer
Updated Jan 8, 2025

WASHINGTON – Republicans in Congress are looking at ways to roll back President Joe Biden’s order banning offshore oil and gas drilling near huge swaths of the U.S. coastline — a move that he …

See who’s running for state Senate in Baton Rouge and Lafayette after first day of qualifying

BY ALYSE PFEIL | Staff writer
Jan 7, 2025

A special election is set to fill the open seats of Congressman Cleo Fields, D-Baton Rouge, and Public Service Commissioner Jean-Paul Coussan, R-Lafayette, won races in November.

Mayor Sid Edwards rolls out two more hires, as administration continues to take shape

BY PATRICK SLOAN-TURNER | Staff writer
Jan 7, 2025

Mayor-President Sid Edwards' office continues to take form, with two more hires to top staffing positions announced Tuesday.

Louisiana's plan to help reduce size of Gulf 'dead zone' called ineffective

BY MARK SCHLEIFSTEIN | Staff writer
Updated Jan 10, 2025

The low-oxygen conditions that form in the Gulf each summer kill bottom-living organisms and result in fish and shrimp moving offshore to escape its effects.

Slidell mayor is leaving for job in Jeff Landry administration. Who will run next?

BY BOB WARREN | Staff writer
Updated Jan 7, 2025

Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer is leaving his post at the helm of the city’s government nearly 18 months early to take a job with Gov. Jeff Landry’s administration, which will cause a series of dom…