“Stuck in purgatory”: ICE detention times in Louisiana stretch on for years
The number of people in ICE detention at least a year has spiked five-fold, leading to an unprecedented surge in petitions that ask federal judges to intervene.
Category
News
Timely coverage of the people, policies, and events shaping New Orleans and Louisiana. This category delivers clear, factual reporting that keeps readers informed about local government, community issues, and stories that matter most to everyday residents.
‘Nobody has been as bad as this’
The Baton Rouge Immigration Court has illegally barred all members of the public from individual hearings, a restriction unseen anywhere else in the nation, according to an administrative complaint filed Monday with the DOJ
Murrill, Republican AGs urge EPA to classify mifepristone as water contaminant
Though experts say there is no evidence the medication is harming drinking water or wildlife, Republican attorneys general and members of Congress are calling on the EPA to investigate and regulate mifepristone as a potential water contaminant.
Mangrove forests rebound worldwide, maybe just in time for Louisiana’s coast
Mangrove forests are experiencing a global resurgence. Louisiana may benefit from their ability to reduce coastal erosion, absorb carbon dioxide, and enhance vital coastal ecosystems.
Juneteenth 2026 happenings in New Orleans
New Orleans offers a wide range of Juneteenth events throughout June.
They studied nearly 14,000 people to see how eviction rates are linked to gun violence
Since the 1990's, researchers have connected poverty to gun violence. A recent study shows how housing instability relates to shootings in Chicago — important findings for New Orleans, where historically, the eviction rate is double the national average.
Behind The Lens: Detained despite citizenship and the debate over jury secrecy (Audio)
A U.S. citizen shares her account of being stopped, shackled and detained in Lafayette Parish, while reporters examine a new Louisiana law that could shield juror identities from public scrutiny.
ICE rushes to deport Palestinian grandfather, despite judge’s order to free him
A federal judge in Baton Rouge rebuked the government’s unlawful detention of the infirm 77-year-old. Then ICE seized him again.
Urban farmers in New Orleans are turning to social media, public support after losing their land
With three longtime local gardens facing recent threats and displacement, it seems as though New Orleans may undervalue its community greenspaces. "Urban agriculture is seen as a temporary land use," said Devin Wright, from Sprout.
Learning to live inside freedom, 30 years after death row
Wrongfully sentenced to death at 16, Shareef Cousin survived a decade behind bars before being exonerated and released. Three decades later, he is determined to find his own sense of freedom, through a cross-country journey with his son.
