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Category
Government & Politics

The shelter that the Super Bowl made

The leader of the governor’s temporary shelter says they are fully staffed and genuinely ready to move people into permanent housing. But it is several miles from the Superdome and is seen by critics as a way to warehouse homeless people away from Super Bowl crowds.
by Nick Chrastil and Katy Reckdahl January 15, 2025 Updated February 6, 2025

Fighting Act 246 in court

As advocates and lawyers file suit against the state, asking a judge to bar the reclassification of drugs used for medication abortion, women seeking IUDs and needing prenatal care say that they are also feeling the effects of the new law.
by La'Shance Perry December 18, 2024 Updated December 20, 2024

City Council committee allows Entergy New Orleans to sell its natural gas system

Though Councilmembers were swayed by job creation, critics said that the jobs pale in comparison to the rate increases and environmental effects that Orleans residents will now shoulder.
by Delaney Dryfoos December 17, 2024 Updated December 20, 2024

Towns across Louisiana clamor to build new juvenile detention centers

Local governments request more than $500 million to build regional and local juvenile-detention facilities — and to repair and construct some adult jails.
by Nick Chrastil December 16, 2024 Updated January 10, 2025

The increased urgency of Planned Parenthood’s work

Like most Americans, most Louisianans support abortion access. And when we show up, especially when it’s difficult and the odds feel stacked against us, we remind our legislative leaders that this government is supposed to work for us and reflect our values. 
by Petrice Sams-Abiodun, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships-Louisiana, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast December 11, 2024 Updated December 10, 2024

To prevent suicide, New Orleans daughter urges states to let people ban themselves from buying guns

Donna’s Law, which allows people to ban themselves from gun ownership, has proven one of the few areas of gun policy where Republicans and Democrats can agree. But it has made little headway in Louisiana, home of the bill’s namesake.
by Agya K. Aning, The Trace November 19, 2024 Updated November 18, 2024

School Board seizes $20 million cash settlement, future funding, amid financial crisis 

The Orleans Parish School Board settles a years-long lawsuit against the city, to provide financially strained schools with help that includes a swift, $20 million cash infusion and $70 million for education over 10 years.
by Marta Jewson November 18, 2024 Updated November 18, 2024

Louisiana may be forced to change how it allots welfare money

A proposed Biden-administration regulation change could bar the state from using federal dollars for child-protective investigations, controversial crisis pregnancy centers, and reduce the amount to pre-K.
by Nick Chrastil October 22, 2024 Updated November 14, 2024

Licensing a troubled juvenile jail

A year ago, when Jackson Parish opened its new, unlicensed juvenile jail, kids complained of extended stints of solitary confinement, along with extensive abuse and violations. A DCFS inspection supported those claims, but the agency gave the jail a license anyway.
by Nick Chrastil October 1, 2024 Updated October 2, 2024

Louisiana sanctions use of pepper spray and mace on detained juveniles

In July, a new state law put all Louisiana pretrial juvenile detention centers under the umbrella of the state Office of Juvenile Justice. Soon after, the agency filed an ‘emergency order’ approving the use of ‘chemical agents’ in those facilities. 
by Nick Chrastil September 9, 2024 Updated September 28, 2024

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