Louisiana Illuminator

14/08/2025

Louisiana is suing Roblox, the popular online gaming site, claiming it has distributed child sexual abuse material and fails to protect or notify users of sexual predators.

Louisiana is suing Roblox, the popular online gaming site, claiming it has distributed child sexual abuse material and fails to protect or notify users of sexual predators

14/08/2025

SOLAR SWITCH: Gov. Jeff Landry's administration initially supported the Biden Solar for All program – and the $156 million it provided for Louisiana's Solar for Y’all initiative. Now the governor considers it a “green pipe dream” that he says, without supporting data, would bleed taxpayers and drive up electricity rates.

Gov. Jeff Landry is voicing a change of heart regarding the Solar for All program, launched under President Joe Biden.

13/08/2025

FOOTNOTE FIGURE: Before being elevated by Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, the slave-owning new namesake of the state’s largest National Guard training facility was at best a footnote in history, according to a review of what few documents are available to trace his background.

Before being elevated by Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, the slave-owning new namesake of the state’s largest National Guard training facility was at best a footnote in history, according to a review of what few documents are available to trace his background.

09/08/2025

LISTEN: Last month, a group of about 20 civil rights advocates were provided tours of three federal ICE detention centers in Louisiana. They included Kerry Kennedy, president of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization, named for her late father. She and one of her colleagues say down for an interview to share what they saw as well as their perspective on the Trump administration's approach to immigration enforcement.

Last month, a group of about 20 civil rights advocates were provided access to three of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers uses in Louisiana.

06/08/2025

Today marks the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act being signed into law. Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court started a timer on what some fear could be the demise of key provisions of the landmark civil rights legislation.

Wednesday marked the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act being signed into law. Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court started a timer on what some fear could be the demise of key provisions of the landmark civil rights legislation.

02/08/2025

DEVELOPING: The U.S. Supreme Court has expanded the scope of a Louisiana redistricting case that could weaken key provisions of the landmark Voting Rights Act.

The justices intend to look at whether a state violates the U.S. Constitution when it seeks to remedy a violation of the Voting Rights Act.

01/08/2025

LISTEN NOW: Gov. Jeff Landry is giving it the old college try when it comes to ending what he considers “woke” higher education curricula. Our new podcast episode explores his latest maneuver toward that goal.

There also could be changes coming on campus for those lucrative name, image and likeness deals for student athletes. We learn more from the leader and creator of a new panel tasked with shaping potential NIL legislation in Louisiana.

Go. Jeff Landry is giving it the old college try when it comes to ending what he considers “woke” higher education curricula.

01/08/2025

Amid federal funding cuts and policy changes, the grants and employment landscape is shifting in Louisiana and beyond. If you're a Louisiana resident, business owner or employee (government of private sector) who's been impacted by these changes, the Louisiana Illuminator wants to know.

Please consider filling out this survey, which can help guide our reporting on this issue: https://forms.gle/sqeCTk9t6xiERoWj6

01/08/2025

The Southeastern Louisiana University scientist who discovered alarming levels of toxic chemicals in Lake Maurepas was abruptly removed from her research position this week without explanation.

The SELU scientist who discovered alarming levels of toxic chemicals in Lake Maurepas was abruptly removed from her research position without explanation.

31/07/2025

Experts are urging anglers to use descending devices to ease fish back into the water to help them avoid pressure injuries. A federal law requiring the tools on boats expires soon.

It happens with a tug at first, the smallest indication that a fish has taken interest in the bait on your hook. Then it pulls hard and steady, bending the fishing rod into a steep downward arc toward the water.

31/07/2025

Immigration arrests in Louisiana since President Donald Trump took office are on pace to exceed the state’s count from full-year 2024, according to an analysis of federal data.

Persons arrested by ICE in Louisiana this year have ranged in approximate age from 4 to 74 years old. The vast majority, 1,199 were 36 to 50.

24/07/2025

A recent proclamation from President Donald Trump will allow 25 chemical manufacturers, including 12 with sites in Louisiana, to ignore new federal rules meant to contain harmful emissions.

Trump issued what the White House labeled “regulatory relief for certain stationary sources to promote American chemical manufacturing security.”